Anyone have the Sigma 50-500, especially in DG?

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05/24/2005 01:23:22 PM · #1

I'm trying to gather some opinions on this lens, especially the new DG version. If you have this lens, let me know what you think of it, especially the DG version. I plan on using it for outdoor shooting in good light, for animals and candid portraits. Thanks.

kyebosh

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 80-200mm f/2.8L

05/24/2005 01:28:45 PM · #2

CorySmith

05/24/2005 01:30:37 PM · #3

especially

gusto

Canon EOS-7D

Sigma 50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 EX APO RF HSM for Canon

05/24/2005 01:31:11 PM · #4

I've got it and love it for the money... you'll hear likewise when compairing it to L Glass. It aint no indoor lens for sure. Nice outdoors with medium to good light. Great indoors with strobes. heres a fex samples both indoors and out... should be obvious which is which.

Message edited by author 2005-05-24 13:31:53.

Sigma 50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 EX APO RF HSM for Canon

05/24/2005 01:48:46 PM · #5

gusto,
Thanks for the info. Nice shots.
I'm considering the Bigma for the versitility and the fun factor of going from a 80mm-800mm (considering the 1.6x crop factor). I think it will perform well in bright light. Do you find that the HSM focuses fast enough and do you find the lens sharp enough? And do you have the DG or the older version?
Thanks.

gusto

Canon EOS-7D

05/24/2005 02:20:17 PM · #6

mine is about 5-6 months old... the focus is fast if theres plenty of light... low light it hunts sometimes...

Its sharp again when theres light, but I send everything thru photoshop and give it the sharp treatment.. Im not a fan of soft photos anyway, dont take any pics of cotton balls around here

Message edited by author 2005-05-24 14:21:59.

Flash

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

05/24/2005 07:17:34 PM · #7

These are with the older model. I suspect the newer model is an improvement.

05/24/2005 07:43:54 PM · #8

Flash,
Once again, nice shots, menacing looking eagle eye.
How do you like using it in terms of feel and etc???

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

05/24/2005 08:29:17 PM · #9

Does nice closeups too-

This would be the "old" one.
Hadn't heard about the DG. What is the difference?

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

05/24/2005 08:55:36 PM · #10

DG is a new version that has a new coating "optimized" for digital sensors. It's suppose to reduce flare, ghosting, and render better colors.
I'm interested in how the Bigma feels in the hands as well. I'm pretty much convinced that it takes sharp pictures in good light.

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

05/24/2005 09:14:42 PM · #11

Originally posted by yido:

Okay, thanks for the explanation.

Re the enhancements, I have not had problems with any of those things you list with the old one.

Handling. I had (for my film Nikon) a 170-500 Sigma which I could brandish at will handheld. But it was a light thing.

This 50-500 "Bigma" is heavy. I must resort to a tripod except when the adrenalin in running and I gotta have the picture. Then, sometimes I can get a good image.

I have no problem standing around shooting bird pictures, etc. until I get a good image, but a tripod can be limiting IMVHO, until you learn how to use the thing on a moving target.

If you are strong, you may well be able to handhold.

If you can do that, well I shall sit on the sidelines and (joke) hiss.

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

05/24/2005 10:14:23 PM · #12

Looks like a nice lens. I wonder when Sigma and Tamron will figure out how to add IS/VR! That seems to be the missing link.

Also, now that I have the "petite" Canon DO IS 70-300, I am looking forward to high powered lenses in less bulky versions (and improvements in DO technology especially flare resistance!)

coolhar

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

05/24/2005 10:53:59 PM · #13

Originally posted by nshapiro:

Looks like a nice lens. I wonder when Sigma and Tamron will figure out how to add IS/VR! That seems to be the missing link.

Sigma has one. They call it OS which stands for Optical Stabilizer. Sigma APO 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 EX OS

Message edited by author 2005-05-24 22:56:44.

Flash

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

05/25/2005 08:20:16 PM · #14

Originally posted by yido:

Flash,
Once again, nice shots, menacing looking eagle eye.
How do you like using it in terms of feel and etc???

It is truly a good size lens. Over 6 pounds I think. Would not even consider it without at least a mono-pod and it really benefits from a tri-pod....in my opinion. I use a Bogen Manfrotto 3021 Pro and a Midi ball head. This is the minimum I would feel comfortable with. When mounted on the tri-pod, it carrys very well over the shoulder. I did use it on a wildlife safari shoot attached to a collapsed monopod. For me, that kind of use requires at least ISO 400. The 10x zoom is truly unbelieveable in that kind of an enviornment. The ability to go from 75 to 750 is just incredible as far as framing goes.

Good luck with your decision.

kcgil

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

05/31/2005 11:47:36 PM · #15

About a week ago I purchased the 50-500 DG version. This last weekend I have done a comparison with the Canon 100-400 IS.
Though I have not completed the review of the test prints. So far I am very happy with the 50-500.
On a side by side comparison of same shots it is a draw between the two lenses.
Of very distant objects, like the moon the Canon has appeared sharper. Yet on some other prints the Sigma has appeared sharper and appears to have better resolution. The sharper issue could be some technique issues.
The Sigma is a better value and more flexible. When using with fast shutter speeds greater than 1/500 sec- The Sigma works great handheld. But a monopod at least is a welcome companion.

06/01/2005 12:26:34 AM · #16

kcgil,
Thanks for your input. Do you mind telling me where you got it from and for how much? All I can find is Sigma4less, 17th street, and Digitalfotoclub, that has it in stock. They all seem to be running right at $1000. I was hoping I can find one in the high $800's like before the DG version came out. I also don't know if you had a chance to compare it to a non DG version. If you have, I'd love to know if there is really a difference between the DG and the non DG version.

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

06/03/2005 11:11:54 PM · #17

Well, I bought a new Bigma in DG. I'll see how it is. Going to the zoo next weekend with it if it gets here on time.

coolhar

06/04/2005 01:55:45 AM · #18

Originally posted by yido:

Well, I bought a new Bigma in DG. I'll see how it is. Going to the zoo next weekend with it if it gets here on time.

Be sure to show us some pictures from the zoo. Looking forward to your impressions of that lens.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

06/04/2005 04:58:42 PM · #19

Originally posted by coolhar:

Originally posted by yido:
Well, I bought a new Bigma in DG. I'll see how it is. Going to the zoo next weekend with it if it gets here on time.

Be sure to show us some pictures from the zoo. Looking forward to your impressions of that lens.

I'm not a paying member so I'll have to e-mail some of the pics to mirdonnay, to post on my behalf. Look for it at the LADPC LA Zoo outing thread. I'm gonna try handholding the Bigma all day to see if it can be done or if I'd better invest in a monopod.

Message edited by author 2005-06-04 16:59:22.

Flash

Nikon D700

06/04/2005 05:44:13 PM · #20

Originally posted by yido:

I'm gonna try handholding the Bigma all day to see if it can be done or if I'd better invest in a monopod.

Your bio says that you have a SLIK tripod. Why not take it along just in case. You don't have to use it, but I carry lots of gear....."just in case". A tripod with one leg extended becomes a monopod.

For your thoughts and consideration. Try some hand held, then some with the support. When editing at home, see which ones you like best.

Good luck.

06/05/2005 04:05:32 PM · #21

I may use the tripod, but for me, it's more fun to handhold so I can freely compose and work on my shutter release techniques. I might bring it along in the car. I've handheld my 3lb 70-200 f2.8L for pretty much several hours without problem. I know that the Bigma is about 4lbs though. But either way, I shoot for fun and for me handholding is more fun.
We'll be going to the LA zoo on 6/11 and I hope to have my lens there and to post on smugmug by the weekend to show how the DG performs.

06/06/2005 04:10:23 PM · #22

Well,
I just confirmed by Bigma for delivery. Should be here by Wednesday or Thursday. I'll check it out at the zoo this weekend and see how it is. I'll post my shots at yido.smugmug.com.
Going over the forum at dpreview.com, it seems that other than a different pattern over the ring/focus ring, there is s different coating over the last element to reduce ghosting/flaring with come camera bodies. I guess if you weren't having any then you won't see any benefits.

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

06/09/2005 06:29:56 PM · #23

Well my Sigma 50-500 EX DG finally arrived.
I think I'm gonna call it the Digma.
Man, this HSM is fast and quiet, definately quieter than the 70-200 f2.8L and about as fast.
It is a bit heavy but I think I can haldhold her for a few hours without problem.
Took a handheld shot at 500mm 1/200sec ISO 3200 inside the office. Seems very sharp.
I'll Post an unprocessed pic of this today at yido.sumgmug.com
and some zoo shots from the zoo outing on Saturday.
Thanks for your input folks.

Message edited by author 2005-06-09 18:30:49.

Bud

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

06/09/2005 08:01:50 PM · #24

I am interested to see some photos also... I thought about this lense a long time, but I just do not have the $$$ right now.