Canon 500mm f4 vs Sigma 500mm f4

Michael Frymus wrote in post #18303728
I was referring to the newer mk.ii models, I suppose.
Didnt even consider the mk.i version.
Dont know anything about it, even price.

Then the choice is easy, Sigma unless you are comfortable with an extra $2360 for the Canon.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18303712
I am confident this is one of, if not the best lens SIGMA has ever fielded, but it's niche is questionable now. The Canon Version II IS lenses = very low used prices for the version 1.

With the used price of the version 1 Canon, I would be amazed at anyone looking to save some $$ Vs. the newer Canon opting to spend $2000.00 more on the new SIGMA vs. a used MkI. ( and this comes from someone that was hoping SIGMA would launch an upgrade from the old f/4.5 going all the way back to 2005.)

Some high points, Brad prefers it to the Nikon, this is very impressive.
Despite the Canon having a closer MFD rating, if you manually focus, the SIGMA allows closer focus! That can truly be a big deal for some.

A big minus for the SIGMA IMHO - It weighs as much (MORE!) than the older Canon Version 1!!
The only reason I upgraded to the Version II was weight. Seriously.

The Sigma is lighter than the Canon V1. It is much closer to the V2 Canon in weight:
Canon 500 f4 V1 3.87kg
Canon 500 f4 V2 3.19kg
Sigma 500 f4 3.31kg

Living in Australia, only the cost to me is relevant. Average price for a (non Grey import) Canon 500 V2 is 11.5K.
The Sigma is available for 6.8K. The difference in cost would pay for a 5D4 or a 7D2 and a 70-200 2.8 II.

Predictable that the Sigma will sell well here!

In the U.K. the Canon 500 II is £7999, while the Sigma is £4999. The Canon has risen in price by about £1500 since the referendum last year and the subsequent drop in the value of the pound. The difference in price here might help the Sigma to sell well.

Used mark I lenses are not that common, but can occasionally be found cheaper than the Sigma.

Unfortunately, the 600 f4 II has now moved to £11900 with most retailers, although there is one listing at £10600. I should have convinced my wife it was essential when the pound was riding higher

Michael Frymus wrote in post #18303728
I was referring to the newer mk.ii models, I suppose.
Didnt even consider the mk.i version.
Dont know anything about it, even price.

For the MkII IF you win the lottery, you can pick it up "refurbished" from Canon @ $7,200.00
https://shop.usa.canon​.com …shed-super-telephoto-lens

Mine was "refurbished" only in name, it arrived brand new, unused near as i can tell.

OP is in Canada however, which makes the pricing advantage for the SIGMA very different than it is here.

Choderboy wrote in post #18303895
The Sigma is lighter than the Canon V1. It is much closer to the V2 Canon in weight:
Canon 500 f4 V1 3.87kg
Canon 500 f4 V2 3.19kg
Sigma 500 f4 3.31kg

Living in Australia, only the cost to me is relevant. Average price for a (non Grey import) Canon 500 V2 is 11.5K.
The Sigma is available for 6.8K. The difference in cost would pay for a 5D4 or a 7D2 and a 70-200 2.8 II.

Predictable that the Sigma will sell well here!

Thank you for correcting me,. somehow I was looking at the weight of the Nikon 500mm when I typed the above. Oops.

Lucky, Jake! I bought mine for $7900 through CPW when they were having a 10% off sale. And sure enough, about 2 weeks after i bought mine, the refurb store got a batch in, which is when you picked yours up! Happens like clockwork to me, every time I buy new!

Honey Monster wrote in post #18303937
Unfortunately, the 600 f4 II has now moved to £11900 with most retailers, although there is one listing at £10600. I should have convinced my wife it was essential when the pound was riding higher

Today was the 2017 Photography show at the Birmingham NEC. I have just got back. There was a couple of companies doing show special prices on the Canon 600 f4 II at £9500....Both said that they would honour the price after the show. I also visited the Canon stand and spoke to Canon Reps who told me that the lens will drop in price ....as the long awaited 600 f4 DO will be out before the end of the year. It's biggest feature is weight and size reduction.

Wow, Solid sounding Rumor. I give it a POTN-R2

I would definitely be paying attention to the 600mm F4 DO possibility. If it weighs the same as my 500/4 II, then I might be considering a kidney donation to fund it!

Tough luck. Its not possible and allowed to SELL a kidney.
Better luck with the lottery.

What if you're renting or can get them for the same price?
Which would you choose, canons?

Michael Frymus wrote in post #18314002
What if you're renting or can get them for the same price?
Which would you choose, canons?

I would definitely choose the Canon over any third party 500mm. Based on my extensive experience with third party lenses, they are always a wee bit slower to autofocus on Canon bodies than the Canon equivalents are. Also, the Canon lenses that I have used require practically zero AF fine tuning, whilst the third party lenses I have used do require that one does some AF micro adjustments in order to get them to focus properly.

When you are trying to fill the frame with fast moving subjects that are moving randomly in all kinds of crazy directions, I have found that the Canon lenses keep up with that kind of fast-paced, erratic action a little better than the Sigma lenses do. This is no surprise, as the Sigma's autofocus mechanisms have to be reverse-engineered.

Michael Frymus wrote in post #18305225
Tough luck. Its not possible and allowed to SELL a kidney.

Actually, it is possible. A few years back I met someone who sold a kidney to a rich family. Both parties traveled to a third world country where the operations were performed legally. The guy was given an even one million U.S. dollars for his kidney. By the time I met him a couple years later, he was having some rather serious health problems and wished that he had not sold the kidney.

.

So, don't sell kidney to feed the GAS. If a kidney can get us a million dollar, we have to sell about 100 canon 600mm f/4 II to get the kidney back, and we need to sell another 10 600Ls because sigma is about to knock the canon's supertelephoto lenses price down due to their 500mm performance.

PeterAlex7 wrote in post #18314139
So, don't sell kidney to feed the GAS. If a kidney can get us a million dollar, we have to sell about 100 canon 600mm f/4 II to get the kidney back, and we need to sell another 10 600Ls because sigma is about to knock the canon's supertelephoto lenses price down due to their 500mm performance.

Maybe a left testicle then

Scrumhalf wrote in post #18304285
Lucky, Jake! I bought mine for $7900 through CPW when they were having a 10% off sale. And sure enough, about 2 weeks after i bought mine, the refurb store got a batch in, which is when you picked yours up! Happens like clockwork to me, every time I buy new!

Just be sure to post a notice here the next time you purchase a new lens.

Mike