Thoughts on the Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG?

rsi1986

I'm thinking of buying one. Would love to hear from someone that's used one.

Art Scott

rsi1986 wrote:

I'm thinking of buying one. Would love to hear from someone that's used one.

Calling Doctor IT!!!!!!! .......

Tee Why

I've had that lens for almost 3 years or so and overall, it's been a great lens.

If you want the most versatile supertelephoto for under $1000 bigma is probably my top choice.

Another new sigma to consider is 150-500 OS, it has stabilization and similar optics, especially if you stop down.

ziggy53

I'm not Dr. It, but I do have a "Bigma", just not the DG version.

We have a few threads about that lens so I'll point to them first:

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=35023
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=7263
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=64574
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=28756
http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=672422&postcount=5
http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=721185&postcount=14
http://www.dgrin.com/showpost.php?p=482937&postcount=9

ziggy53

Now my own thoughts:

It would appear that I have the "Bigma" that Dr. It used to own. (It is prior to the DG model.)

Dr. It -> K2C1959 -> ziggy

This lens is a great "value" lens in that it has a range similar to and greater than anything else in its class, and it manages a pretty reasonable price as well.

It is somewhat compromised in the middle range, but does nicely at the extremes. The HSM autofocus motor is very fast and AF accuracy is usually very good. I was very impressed when I took the lens out for the first time and was able to take a fairly long series of sea gull shots and the sequence was mostly in focus.

The lens does not have the sharpness or contrast that the much more expensive top-tier lenses have in this range, but it is very servicable and with a little post-processing it can deliver the goods.

I have not captured anything of interest but that's just because I haven't "seen" anything of interest, and that's just because I haven't tried. I'll probably take some more time this Fall and try a little harder.

I have no intentions of trading or selling this lens and I do have several other lenses in the 500mm category. The versatility of this lens is too good to have it leave my possession.

GSPeP

I also have the "Bigma", and it's one of the lenses that will never be sold.

My first shots (all handheld) I did with this lens (on an EOS 300D) can be found here:

http://gspep.smugmug.com/gallery/275455_eeAWC

BigAl

Bigma best value for money lens around. My most used lens...

http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/Birds

Check out the non-macro galleries here:

http://bigal-sa.smugmug.com/Animals

Scott_Quier

I had this lens and sold it - have regretted that decision ever since!:cry If I had known then what I know now, it would have never left my hands!

Telecorder

Non-DG Version and lovin' it

rsi1986 wrote:

I'm thinking of buying one. Would love to hear from someone that's used one.

For its price point, it's one of the best investments. The new Sig 150-500 is showing some promise but is unclear if it'll be like it's cousin the Sig 170-500 [hard to get good copies]. User reports are somewhat unclear ranging from equal to the Bigma to not so good.

For subjects that are ~250' or closer, the Bigma is a top-notch lens that allows one to zoom backwards whenever the circumstances call for it. When used with good technique, it holds it own...

~225' distant...





About 20' distant...



Landscape at 50-mm

BigAl

Have a look at these pics in the Wildlife forum taken by Dave Baker with the Bigma.

Travis

I just got mine last weekend and took it down for test shoot with some friends on Saturday. First off, I love it. I was incredibly impressed with how sharp the images were for a lens with that much range. I was also glad that I ordered a monopod because the lens is an absolute beast. Actually, now I need to purchase a bigger camera bag because it doesn't fit in my Lowepro Nova 4.

One thing that I need to do more testing on is the focus point. On my Nikon D300, I was using 9-point focus. Even with primary subject centered, the focus seemed to lock on another point. You can see what I'm talking about in the photo of my friend's son below - the tip of the surfboard is sharp while his isn't. I shot both continuous and selective focus. I need to try other focus combinations and see if it improves.

Overall, the lens is a steal at a grand. Here are few from the weekend...

1.



2.


3.