Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM SLD Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax Digital DSLR Camera

The Sigma Bigma is a great lens. The price is not trivial, but well without reason and cheaper than any comparable considering the level of performance. I shoot almost every day, just for the joy of doing it. My primary interest being photography, I'm also a camera collector. Mostly of things I would have liked to have owned in their day. Leica screw mounts are my favorites from early to late. I have an extraordinary IIIg, in the first 25 ever made that from all we can tell was never actually used, i.e. a showroom piece. It needed a CLA. To stipulate, I was a working pro for 11 years, doing news, advertising illustration and anything else I could sell. I've owned and worked with sub 35mm to 8x10. I loved the work, the reasons I left were complex.Before that I worked as an apprentice for four years in an old school portrait house. But I've worked with and own all manner of lenses. In my earliest days we still worked with Big Berthas, 5x7 Graflex SLRS with VERY Long lenses or the Baby Berthas which were 4x5 Graflex SLRs with much the same lenses mounted. i.e. there was no specific lens. But imagine a Graflex, hood and all, with 2,000 or 3,000 mm lens. My preferred cameras of the period were Nikon Fs and compatible lenses. For the most part I was Nikon-Nikon. Then it was Olympus OMs - I was no longer in the trade, but they suited me. Now it's Canon, no dig on Nikon or Olympus, which won me over after my working Nikons were stolen. The Bigma is a great lens. There is no directly comparable L lens and just as well, It would be a very tough call if faced with that call. I might have scraped around to buy one. But price is a factor in any even. But quality matters to me. I've owned a first rate Canon D0 70-300, a great lens, which costs a fair chunk. It was out of action for a few weeks and I bought a Sigma 70-300 substitute until the damage could be repaired. The Sigma costs a fraction of the L and it's performance was pretty damned good and it had some nice features, e.g. Macro focusing, that the Canon didn't have. Now they come with this monster. My primary camera now is a Canon 5D Mark II and the full frame is brutal on lenses. I sometimes see reviews from users who cite vignetting on cropped sensor cameras from a lens that in my experience doesn't vignette much on the full frame at full frame wide open, but most primes vignette a bit wide open. This Sigma is a significantly different lens than the previous Sigma lens of the same zoom range, i.e. 50-500. For one thing the filter size has increased substantially which seems to reflect not random desire, but n overall improvement of the optics. It might seem that going 50-500 is a real stretch given the weight of this monster, 4.5 pounds, which should be double strapped or bagged for carry with the 5D2. It's not. There's nothing more frustrating than have a prime 500mm mounted and suddenly you need a quick shot of something close, not wide, but normal; the Bigma covers it. This is not a lens you want to wear routinely for 10x zoom, as we sometimes do with the consumer-prosumer cameras. That weight will wear on you. I'm now pushing 70, severely arthritic and easily fatigued. I have to balance not just how I carry, but what I carry. Yet, I so love full frame. I finally stopped carrying film cameras on travel, both from added weight and the vastly improved quality of digital. For me in most circumstances it's superior. Some have mentioned monopods as a minimum requirement. There are alternatives, i.e. similar to movie mounts. I don't disagree with the monopod and use mine carbon fiber lightweight when I can. This is where the f 6.3 maximum aperture comes into play at longer focal lengths. At nominal 500 mm, Bob Atkins says it's very close to an honest 500mm and while that changes as you move to shorter focusing distances so the focal length is less. The combination of very long focal length, weight, etc., make controlling shake or camera movement critical. This is one of my highest areas of praise. Working from a sitting position or similar, using my chest to brace elbows, I've managed crisp pictures at 1/5th or less wide open. Not what I'd recommend trying for a money shot, but it wasn't a fluke. I've done a lot of sharp images at speeds of under 1/30th of a second. I was always good at long hand=helds, but age doesn't help as a rule, so I'm reasonably convinced that it's a good system. I have not done exhaustive tests of the lengths at different focal lens and f/stops. I will say this. Canon specs call for a lens that is faster than f/5.6 to make its autofocusing work. been surprised the auto-focus works as well as it does, which is 90 percent of the time which surprises me given that it works even at f 6.3 most of the time including times when i have trouble seeing what it's focusing on. I was born and raised a manual focus man who appreciates the auto-focus systems. But I try not to pretend it answers for everything. People who claim one camera system or another is superior on focusing miss something. The further up the ladder you move on pro or semi-pro cameras, the more you're supposed to know. As the "Digital Journalist" said, Auto-Focus is a wonderful crutch, but every user needs to know how to focus the thing. The manual focus override works well on this lens. I can b difficult in low light/low contest if there's not enough contrast for the focusing system. I can only that no one should plan a money shot in a place they haven't checked out and considered why interrupts focusing sensors. With this lens, when you need selective focus, you really want to ride heard on focus. One other note, because there are some very good posts on this lens. Having working with a top quality 500mm prime, I don't think this lens will produced the same quality image as an equivalent prime. FWIW, None of my expensive Canon L's really ensure up to the primes at the same focal length. Don't mistake me. The 24-70 and 24-105 and the rest are great lenses. Just that s a rule, a prime is different to the discerning eye. Butto finish this off, I'm very impressed by the low light contrast of the lens. I've shot images of Dandelions and flowers of ornamental grass, wide open,where this lens makes a higher contrast image (int he right way) that allows you to see just how finely focused and high definition this lens is capable of. At thispoint, for this focal length soon, there's not a better one on the market with this much verstatility. If the relatively slow F/Stop bothers you, remember this, for from 4.5 to F/2.8 would probably cos at least twice this weight. If you're a birder, especially if you're using a high MP 1.6 crop of real quality, e.g. the 7D, this is a really important lens. Especially if you can sit on your deck or porch or whatever. You shouldn't plan on using this lens with a non-Sigma extender. That's not unusual. I have some lens that work fine with non-oem extenders. But there are canon lenses that really don't do well with non-OEM brands. Also, if you're lucky and have enough light, it will probably auto-focus with the 1.4x, but almost certainly not the 2.0x. Lastly, there are two Sigma 50-500mm lenses. The old one doesn't measure up to the new lens. It tends to have less contrast and crispness. It's not a bad lens. But the difference between the old discontinued lens and this one is huge. I've used the old one and wouldn't buy it. This one, I bought and I own. I could have sent it back. I did send back a prime lens of another make in this area of focal length.

Very versatile lens- period! {Positives: --massive reach --massive versatilty --very sharp for an ultra telephoto lens (I've ompared photos between this lens and canon's 100-400, and this lens was just as sharp, if not sharper, than the 100-400) --optical stabilization is really nice- works very well- and is especially appreciated on such a heavy lens --takes nice portraits with nice color, contrast and sharpness staight out of camera- although a little boost in photoshop really helps- not much is needed htough --excellent for nature photography -Takes some pretty awesome moon shots with pretty good detail -comes with a tripod collar which the canon lens does not. (I use the collar to carry the lens and camera with- UI flip the collar so that it's at the top and carry the camera like a briefcase with a handle- makes it much easier to carry this beast of a lens around. --fairly close focussing- good for close-up shots {Weaknesses: --Heavy when using all day handheld --autofocus hunts around more than some of my other lenses, and has a bit of a problem locking onto smaller objects like birds or lower contrast subjects- especially when trying to zero in on a bird in flight against a clear sky- althouygh I do only use spot metering, which may be one of the reasons --lens telephoto loosens aftetr awhile, causing lens to slam open if not locked and tilted down or to slam closed if tilted up. --I had a problem with hte lens causing 'error 99' (can';t remember the error code # now) where I would have to remove the lens from my canon 7d, then reattaqch the lens in order to get it to work again- sent it in, and it took almost 3 months to get the lens back from Sigma which I felt was very excessive- as well, there was abswolutely no comunication from Sigma informing me of the problem or progress on the lens while it was in the shop- would hgave been ice to at least knowe how they were making out on the lens since it was taking so long. The lens however hasn't so far caused tghe error again, however, I haven't been using the lens much either as I have been focusing on street photography and macro photography lately- however, I will be using hte lens again thjis winter for wildlife shots and snomobile races etc. we'll see if hte problem reoccures or not --f4.5 is pretty large fstop for the low end of the range- you need some pretty good light to use htis lens- or a good camera with good ISO capabilities- my Canon 7d it seems I can't really go much higher than 800 as too nmuch noise comes into play then All in aLL, I'm quite pleased with hte lens despite the negatives- it's a very versatile lens with a massive range, especially on a crop sernsor camera like the canon 7d- the long end works out to be about 800mm or thereabouts- and htis allows you to really reach out and grab shots of those warry animals that were always just out of reach with other lenses

gran alcance y definición de la imagen. muy versátil por su amplia distancia focal. pesa mucho. monopie es casi imprescindible

Da ich sehr gerne Tiere im Zoo fotografiere, habe ich im Laufe meines DSLR-Hobbys schon einige Teleobjektive mein eigen nennen können. Unerfahren angefangen mit Superzooms (Tamron 28-300) ist im letzten Jahr meine neueste Investition ein Sigma 50-500mm 4.5-6.3 OS HSM geworden. Die Gründe für meinen Kauf waren zum einen, dass das Sigma 50-500 OS HSM das beste 500mm-Objektiv ist, welches man unter 2000 Euro erwerben kann. Zum anderen war auch die 50mm Anfangsbrennweite und die 50cm Naheinstellgrenze ein Grund, welche gerade im Zoo manchmal durchaus sehr praktisch ist. Lieferumfang: Neben dem Objektiv selbst, bekommt man bei dem Kauf eines neuen Sigma 50-500 APO HSM OS: - einen Objektiv-Trageband - einen Setp-Down-Ring von 95mm auf 86mm - eine Gegenlichtblenden-Verlängerung für ASP-C-Kameras - eine tulpenförmige Gegenlichtblende - eine schwarze Schutztragetasche mit herausnehmbaren Polstern (je nach gewünschter GeLi-Länge) - und natürlich Standarddinge wie die Objektiv-Schutzdeckel, Gebruchsanweisung, Karton, usw. Mit der schwarz-matten Oberfläche und seinen fast 2kg macht das Objektiv den von Sigma gewohnten wertigen Eindruck. Das Objektiv liegt gut in der Hand und der Zoomring ist auch mit angebrachter Stativschelle gut zu erreichen. Der Zoomring geht im Vergleich zu anderen Objektiven jedoch eher etwas schwerer, was bei der Masse an Glas aber auch nicht verwunderlich ist. Da das Objektiv auch von alleine ausfährt, wenn es nach unten gehalten wird, hat das Sigma dem Objektiv einen Lock-Schalter bei der 50mm Stellung spendiert. Am Anfang waren für mich die beiden Gegenlichtblenden etwas verwirrend. Nach einigem ausprobieren habe ich jedoch eine sehr komfortable und auch sichere Lösung gefunden, um den vorderen Objektivdeckel bequem anbringen und das ganze Zubehör am Objektiv belassen zu können. GeLi - Objektivdeckel - GeLi-Verlängerung - Step-Down-Ring - Objektiv Über die meisten technischen Fakten kann sich jeder bei der Sigma-Homepage direkt informieren. Was ich hier lediglich zusammengestellt habe, sind ein paar zusätzliche Informationen und persönliche Eindrücke. Gewicht: 2.2 kg mit Stativschelle, Step-Down-Ring,Schutzdeckeln und beiden Gegenlichtblenden 3.4 kg Kampfgewicht an einer Canon 50D mit Batteriegriff Längen (jeweils bis Bajonett gemessen): 22.1 cm nur Objektiv bei 50 mm 30.6 cm nur Objektiv bei 500 mm +5.6 cm mit ASP-C-Gegenlichtblende (Blende alleine 7.2 cm) +7.1 cm mit Gegenlichtblende (Blende alleine 7.5 cm) = 43.3 cm Maximallänge Zoombereich: Wie erwartet, ist das Sigma 50-500 OS HSM als 10-fach-Zoom für Aufnahmen im Zoo oder Tierpark einfach nur genial. Man verpasst durch den großen Brennweitenbereich eigentlich nie einen gerade passenden Ausschnitt für das anvisierte Motiv. Vorallem die 50mm als kurze Brennweite bietet einem als Hobbyfotograf die Gelegenheit auch einmal das Gehege, in welchem die Tiere untergebracht sind, fotografisch festzuhalten, ohne das Objektiv wechseln zu müssen. Aber natürlich auch die verdammt lange Brennweite von 500mm hat ihre Vorteile, wenn sich die Objekte der fotografischen Begierde irgendwo ganz hinten im Gehege verstecken. Bildqualität: Ich persönlich bin zufrieden mit der vom Sigma gelieferten Bildqualiät bei meinen 15 MP an meiner Canon 50D. So aus meiner Erfahrung heraus würde ich die Schärfe bei 500mm und Offenblende F 6.3 als gut bezeichen. Abgeblendet auf F 8.0 steigert die Bildqualität nochmals in den sehr guten Bereich. Da die Bildqualität, bei Reduzierung der Brennweite (im Gegensatz zu manchen Canon-Objektiven) bei dem Sigma jedoch immer besser wird, kann man unter 300mm Brennweite auch bei Offenblende sehr scharfe Bilder schießen. Bei 50mm Brennweite ist das Sigma dann einfach nur noch perfekt! Lichtstärke: Wie man an der nächsten Tabelle erkennen kann, nimmt die optische Lichtstärke des Sigma 50-500 OS HSM recht schnell ab. Berücksichtigt man nun auch noch die Fausformel, dass man bei 500mm Brennweite mit 1/800 sec fotografieren sollte, stellt sich natürlich die Frage nach der praktischen Tauglichkeit eines solchen Objektives. Aus praktischer Erfahrung kann ich hier jedoch sagen, dass man durch den guten Bildstabilisator auch noch bei 500mm Brennweite und 1/100 sec auch noch scharfe Fotos machen kann, was tagsüber im Freien bei ISO 800 jedoch sehr selten vorkommt. Blende 4.5: 50 - 52 mm Blende 5.0: 52 - 100 mm Blende 5.6: 101 - 200 mm Blende 6.3: 201 - 500 mm Bildstabilisator: Entgegen meinen Erwartungen, lässt sich das Sigma 50-500 OS auch bei bedecktem Himmel gut freihand einsetzen, dank des Bildstabilisators. Und selbst Aufnahmen in Innenräumen und auf Veranstaltungen sind bei ISO 800 bis ISO 3200 noch möglich. Die Effektivität des OS mit seinen von Sigma angegebenen 4 Blendenstufen ist jedoch mit etwas Vorsicht zu genießen. Aus meiner bisherigen Erfahrung mit dem Sigma würde ich sagen, dass die 4 Blendenstufen zu 40%, die 3 Blendenstufen zu 75% und die 2 Blendenstufen zu 99% erreicht werden. Natürlich spielt hier aber auch die persönlichen Fähigkeiten und Haltetechniken eine große Rolle. HSM-Geschwindigkeit: Die Beurteilung, ob ein Objektiv nun einen schnellen oder eher langsameren AF hat, finde ich persönlich eine sehr schwierige Angelegenheit. Nicht nur, weil es mittlerweile vom normalen Motor-AF, über Mirco-USM, Ring-USM, USD, PZD und HSM verschiedene Antriebsmöglichkeiten gibt, sondern weil es auch viel eher darauf ankommt, in welchem Brennweitenbereich der AF arbeitet, welche Naheinstellgrenze er hat und ob Innenfokussiert wird. Und letztendlich muss je nach Objektivklasse auch mal mehr oder weniger schweres Glas bewegt werden. Beim Sigma 50-500 OS wirkt sich natürlich der sehr hohen Brennweitenbereich leicht negativ auf die AF-Geschwindigkeit aus, da bei großen Brennweiten (z.B. bei 500mm) selbst zwischen 10m und 20m Objekt-Abstand die AF-Linsenelemente noch mit präziser Genauigkeit eingestellt werden müssen, während hingegen bei meinem UWW schon alles über 4m Abstand in den hyperfokalen Distanzbereich fällt. Im Gegenzug dazu hat das Sigma bei 50mm Brennweite dann auch noch ein Naheinstellgrenze von nur 50cm, was den gesamten Fokusweg dann natürlich nochmal ein kleines Stück länger macht. Ich selbst empfinde den HSM von Sigma als durchaus schnell und leise. Zwar kenne ich den USM von Canon noch nicht selbst und habe jetzt auch noch nicht die Gelegenheit gehabt auf mich zu rennende Hunde damit zu fotografieren, aber im Zoo hat mich der HSM bisher noch nie im Stich gelassen.

Arrived well packaged and all correct as described. This is a weighty lens, but with the straps fitted correctly carrying is not a problem, I am not as young as I'd like to be but have found even at an early stage I can take excellent images on full 500mm hand held with surprising ease. Good light which is mentioned in other reviews is clearly a must, but to be expected. Build quality, at this early stage appears excellent. I would like to have purchased a similar top end Canon lens, but sadly cost is an issue, this item although clearly not cheap, I think offers good value for money against the said Canon. One thing, which I have reported to Amazon, is that there is no DEALER/ADDRESS OR DATE OF PURCHASE on a sticker which you apply to the warranty card/sheet. The paperwork does state if this is the case, purchaser should contact DEALER immediately. As said no dealer name to contact, however a mail to Amazon, resulted in a very comprehensive assurance that Amazon cover the item completely for 12 months anyway, it is logged at Amazon from your order, so the problem/query satisfactorily resolved. Thank you Amazon for a professional response in quick time. Early days, but feel the Sigma lens spot on.

Excelente lente, preserva bastante bien los colores, el OS es increíble y el auto foco silencioso y rápido. Buen trabajo de SIGMA. Actualización: A 4 meses de usar este lente, puedo decir que es un lente versatil, se trata de un 50-500mm, y en ése rango de distancia focal, pasa desde el lente estandar, el retrato, el telefoto y el ultra telefoto. Es un objetivo pesado, sus casi dos kilos te obligan a ponerlo en un tripode para usarlo con mayor libertad, aunque el estabilizador óptico (OS) es muy útil y te permite tomar a mano alzada muchas fotografías que sin el simplemente no se podría. Tiene un autofoco rápido y silencioso. Este modelo viene equipado para poderse adaptar a un teleconvertidor 1.2x o 2x, que lo convierte en hasta un 100-1000mm, y aunque el teleconvertidor te hará perder algo de luz y resolución (en ojos de expertos) así como el autofoco, las imágenes que captas siguen teniendo buena resolución. No hay duda que se trata de una muy buena creación de SIGMA, un verdadero multiusos.

Very very good quality lens. Good for macro shots as well as distance. The anti-shake function works well. Heavy, but not overly cumbersome in use with a K-5. Recommended especially because the range from 50-500 supports not having to change lenses too often. Love it.