Sigma 50-500 EX DG
Been using mine for over a year now, and still very pleased with the images it produces.
Anyone else got one of these? Likes and dislikes please. :)
As you know Mick I've had mine for sometime now.
What do I like about it?
Well I reckon its sharpness is awesome and really gets you into the shot. In good light its quick to lock on but seeing I use it mainly on a tripod nowadays I use manual focus and coupled with a nice cheap wireless switch is an ideal set up. I can sit in comfort and click away at wild life. (mainly birds)
My problem stems mainly with DOF and as you may well have found out it can be tricky getting that just right on birds. Some of the shots I've had are really pleasing with every eye and feather as sharp as you could want. So overall a fantastic lens and at the price well worth putting on the camera as much as possible. As a matter of fact I've got it permanently fixed to my 20D, giving me even more length.
What I don't like?
Not much apart from the weight but then any lens of this length is going to be heavy. I would love to have had stabilisation. How Karen ever managed hand holding. Must be my age, but then the Doc says I'm really fine and holding my hands out with no shakes is nice to know.
Yes mick overall a very good lens.
Been very busy with work but I've got to get out there..........
John
Thanks for you input John. I seem to remember it was your's and Karen's pics over at pinquish (now PhotoPing) that made me want a 50-500 in the first place, and that was going back a while. Still very pleased with it. ;) :tup:
As you're probably aware I only ever hand hold mine, I don't actually own a tripod (or should I say, not one that can support the Bigma).
I have to say though, as the days turn a bit murky during the winter a tripod has got to be the way to go. I'm going to have to invest in one soon. ;)
Like Tripod, I find it heavy to carry around. The AF hunts in anything other than brilliant sun shine (which makes for a problem walking in woods). But I'm getting fairly good at manual focus on the hop. I tried it mounted on my tripod but found it's too heavy and so the damn thing wobbles a lot, not the lens fault I obviously need a stouter tripod, with a better head. Other than those minor issues I love it. I've been using it on a D50 and didn't like the noise on the high ISO's but I've picked up and D200 maybe have better luck.
Aaah the mighty Bigma. Wish i got one when they were £750, now they are £1200! Instead I got a secondhand 170-500mm instead, which is not as good nor sharp. However it was only £300.
Now though, I would probably get the Pentax DA*300mm F4 instead, I know it is shorter, but with the 1.5 crop it does have an EFOV of 450mm on my Pentax's.
I have used mine on occasion at football matches but only in very good light ( on a monopod ) for shots at the other side of the pitch fixed at 400 mil. Jim the train is now trying it for his cricket matches so we should see some results from him.
I tried selling it last year but had no responce so I may keep hold of it for now ( I paid just over £ 700.00 Warehouse Express 2 years ago )
My shot of the Great Spotted Woodpecker, with the wings spread out, was taken with the Bigma. I don't use it that often but it's there if I need it. Might be heavy but lighter than my 400mm F2.8. :tup:
Quote from: skellum ( Dave ) on May 14, 2009, 12:28:43 AM
I have used mine on occasion at football matches but only in very good light ( on a monopod ) for shots at the other side of the pitch fixed at 400 mil. Jim the train is now trying it for his cricket matches so we should see some results from him.
I tried selling it last year but had no responce so I may keep hold of it for now ( I paid just over £ 700.00 Warehouse Express 2 years ago )
Might be worth trying to sell again, prices are through the roof. Have a look at completed listing prices on Ebay, may get close to getting your money back.
Seems the credit crunch has not affected camera & kit prices!!
What is it like at the 50mm end?, would love to get one but just would not use it enough to justify the outlay (especially to the wife) for a long lens. Anyone compared it to the Tamron 200-500?, the reveiws rate them fairly equal but if the Sigma is good at the short end it might help my case. Currently using a very old but very good Canon 70-210 f4 push/pull zoom with a 2x converter.
Simon
Quote from: bones615 on May 29, 2009, 04:32:47 PM
What is it like at the 50mm end?, would love to get one but just would not use it enough to justify the outlay (especially to the wife) for a long lens. Anyone compared it to the Tamron 200-500?, the reveiws rate them fairly equal but if the Sigma is good at the short end it might help my case. Currently using a very old but very good Canon 70-210 f4 push/pull zoom with a 2x converter.
Simon
Here's a photo of the tree where the Great Spotted Woodpecker nested using the Bigma 50-500mm at 50mm.
(http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_DSC_9299_Bigma_at_50mm.jpg) (http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/albums/userpics/DSC_9299_Bigma_at_50mm.jpg)
And a shot of the Parrot in the same tree using the Bigma plus a Sigma 1.4 converter at 700mm but using Manual focus only.
(http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_DSC_9279_Bigma_at_700mm.jpg) (http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/albums/userpics/DSC_9279_Bigma_at_700mm.jpg)
As you can see it's a great lens and you can also use a Sigma 2x Converter but before using converters have to lock the lens at 100mm via a switch on the side of the lens. :2funny:
How bloody heavy is it? My tripod feels wobbly the monopod shrinks to 3ft tall and hand holding - need to go weight training.
Need to go some where nice to use it anger but the family is embarrased to be seen with me & it (probably more me than the lens). Bought a uv filter for it - nearly bankrupt. I do hope it lives up to its reputation.
Simon
Quote from: bones615 on June 29, 2009, 04:00:45 PM
How bloody heavy is it? My tripod feels wobbly the monopod shrinks to 3ft tall and hand holding - need to go weight training.
Need to go some where nice to use it anger but the family is embarrased to be seen with me & it (probably more me than the lens). Bought a uv filter for it - nearly bankrupt. I do hope it lives up to its reputation.
Simon
It weighs 1.842kg so shouldn't be a problem hand-holding. My Nikon 400mm F2.8 weighs 6kg and I can hand-hold that but not for long. :P
I was going to reply in a similar vein before I had to out and do kids taxi.
I hand held the 300mm f2.8 all day for 2 days - and that weighs 2.5kg. Mind you, I have got used to carrying a fair amount of weight over the last couple of years - though my 400mm is a baby in comparison - about half the weight of the 300!
The family are chipping in to buy me a new lens for my 50th in August.
I want to go bigger than my Nik 70-300vr and just done some browsing. One on my list maybe the bigma 50-500 but after reading this thread I cant believe how much the price has gone up, and the big nikons are way too expensive for me right now.
May have to look at a Tamron instead. Anyone use one?
Had mine a little while now, when i was looking into it the reviews on the tamron 200-500 rated it about the same, prices where similar so the extra length on the short end swung it for me. Always in my bag but not used too often. Overall its a great lens & i have got some nice pictures with it but as has been said only in good light.
Whichever one you go for bear in mind the extras you may need to spend on - filter, stronger tripod & monopod (bought a new monopod but I have still not used it).
Simon
Mifsuds have a second-hand Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 for £599.00 See here: http://www.mifsuds.com/acatalog/Used_Nikon_AF_Zoom_Lenses.html Page down until you see it. ;D
Cheers guys.
and thanks for the link OB. I will be looking at new though (unless you want to part with yours and give it to a recently made redundant bald man . aka me - lol) :2funny:
The new Sigma 50-500 has now OS the equivalent of VR. This has pushed the weight up to 2kg. But it is an awesome lens and with OS worth every penny.I love my old Bigma and always said that if it comes with OS it will be hard to beat.
Quote from: Simple on April 14, 2010, 11:26:51 PM
The new Sigma 50-500 has now OS the equivalent of VR. This has pushed the weight up to 2kg. But it is an awesome lens and with OS worth every penny.I love my old Bigma and always said that if it comes with OS it will be hard to beat.
Yup, I seen that new version and it carries a new price of around 1.3K
Re Bigma
What sort/make of strap or harness are you guys using with this lens?
Need to find something more comfy than the strap supplied.
My back and shoulders are done in after an hour carrying the lens, my bag, monopod and a dog on a leash. :'( :'(
RR
Alf
Quote from: Alfonso_Frisk on April 26, 2011, 05:53:13 PM
Re Bigma
What sort/make of strap or harness are you guys using with this lens?
Need to find something more comfy than the strap supplied.
My back and shoulders are done in after an hour carrying the lens, my bag, monopod and a dog on a leash. :'( :'(
RR
Alf
I keep in my bag unless using it, then it's attached to the camera with the camera strap round my neck. ;D
Same as Oldboy, I got the optech strap after reading about it on here & it made all the difference.
Simon
Quote from: bones615 on April 26, 2011, 06:50:10 PM
Same as Oldboy, I got the optech strap after reading about it on here & it made all the difference.
Simon
Err no, just the nikon strap supplied with the camera. :uglystupid2:
Sorry Oldboy i meant same as you in as much as its around my neck on the strap when in use.
Quote from: bones615 on April 26, 2011, 07:04:59 PM
Sorry Oldboy i meant same as you in as much as its around my neck on the strap when in use.
No need to say sorry. :tup:
Alf, I use a big lens bag. (mine is the lenschanger 75 from Thinktank, because I can use that with my backpack. I use an Optech strap over my head across one shoulder. Bag is also secured to my trouser belt with the same flaps used to secure it to the backpack. I now have a very secure holster where I drop my lens and camera in, and the weight is distributed via my waist and across my shoulder. This is obvious my own makeshift system, but I know sveral people that have bought the Holster system from ThinkTank. Similar as what I described, but custom made and is carried in front on your belly with a harness system. Very Comfy !!!! But at a price.
Quote from: Simple on April 27, 2011, 08:39:22 AM
Alf, I use a big lens bag. (mine is the lenschanger 75 from Thinktank, because I can use that with my backpack. I use an Optech strap over my head across one shoulder. Bag is also secured to my trouser belt with the same flaps used to secure it to the backpack. I now have a very secure holster where I drop my lens and camera in, and the weight is distributed via my waist and across my shoulder. This is obvious my own makeshift system, but I know sveral people that have bought the Holster system from ThinkTank. Similar as what I described, but custom made and is carried in front on your belly with a harness system. Very Comfy !!!! But at a price.
How difficult is it to get up if you fall over? :legit:
I tend to carry a backpack to stabilise and distribute the weight, I have to avoid soggy ground in case I sink.
http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/digital-holster-harness-v2.aspx (http://www.thinktankphoto.com/products/digital-holster-harness-v2.aspx)
I just carry mine using the tripod mount. I have this angled to the left side of my lens so I can use it to hold the lens while shooting.
And sometimes use the supplied strap + the one on my camera, and just chuck them both over my shoulder together.
Thanks for the replies guys :tup:
I will do some browsing for a wide comfy strap which goes over the head and around the shoulder.
just found thread. This is my favourite lens of all time. I dont want to be sexist ??? but boobs are a distinct advantage when hand holding this lens. I'm on my 3 rd one now. I just bought it a week ago. I sold the first one to get a Canon 100-400l as it was "the" lens to have and I was sorely disappointed it was soft in comparisson to my Bigma. So I dully sold that and rebought a Bigma. Now that Ive given up the wedding photography it was the first lens I sought out to replenish my equipment and Ive now got an immaculate second hand one. Its a great walkabout lens although sometimes a little impractical, like when you turn round and nearly give the dog brain damage dunting him with it. Yes its not brilliant in low light but then you wouldnt expect it to be really.
Sold mine a couple of years back to finance a second Canon 1D. A very good lens but can't say I miss it as I never used it much. I had always hoped to get some type of spectacular shots of Puffins or similar but it never happened. I have a Canon 70-200 L plus a Extender which is enough for me.
Quote from: Karen on September 19, 2012, 07:47:38 PM
just found thread. This is my favourite lens of all time. I dont want to be sexist ??? but boobs are a distinct advantage when hand holding this lens. I'm on my 3 rd one now. I just bought it a week ago. I sold the first one to get a Canon 100-400l as it was "the" lens to have and I was sorely disappointed it was soft in comparisson to my Bigma. So I dully sold that and rebought a Bigma. Now that Ive given up the wedding photography it was the first lens I sought out to replenish my equipment and Ive now got an immaculate second hand one. Its a great walkabout lens although sometimes a little impractical, like when you turn round and nearly give the dog brain damage dunting him with it. Yes its not brilliant in low light but then you wouldnt expect it to be really.
Still a cracking lens considering you can use both the Sigma 1.4 and 2x converters with it. :tup:
Quote from: Karen on September 19, 2012, 07:47:38 PM
I dont want to be sexist ??? but boobs are a distinct advantage when hand holding this lens. I'm on my 3 rd one now.
Third boob?! :tup:
hardy har har :2funny: just noticed that