should i get sigma 50-500mm or 150-500mm?

[jacob]

dear all,
bbb virus hit! was wondering which should i get, the 50-500mm or 150-500mm from sigma? putting $$ aside. which would be a better choice in terms of picture qualities? been surfing around but cannot come into conclusion. assuming also i'll shoot from 150mm onwards for both lenses.

so how? how ar?

tq in advance for your replies.

[freedom]

if possible, try it on your camera either at the shop or borrow for a few test shot from other. you can't always rely on others' review or specs. go with your feeling.

[skyline1088]

yes. go get a test shot if possible. for me, i'd choose the 50-500 over 2 reasons.
1) don't forget that the 50-500 is a gold ringed lens... (pro grade). somehow SIGMA did not classify the 150-500 as a pro grade. resale value for the 50-500 will definately last longer and higher den the 150-500
2) the 50-500 offers the extremely versatile range from 50mm to 500mm... whereas the 150-500 starts at 150mm. (quite limited for me to start with). the 50-500 would make a good combination with other lenses like the nikon 17-55 or the 24-70.

I personally have shot with the 50-500 before and it's indeed a fantastic lens to use. besides con side being the weight of the lens (but nevertheless, it's an L lens!), i have no complains about it!

go with your instinct! =) happy shooting.

[dingzyangz]

IQ wise definitely the 50-500. But the 2kg weight is really a killer.

[rotisiao]

somehow i feel that holding the bigma at 500mm w/o any form of IS(assuming u using canon or nikon) coupled with its 2kg weight will make composing the shot a problem on the optical viewfinder as the image will be very shaky no?

[donchua]

I own the 50-500mm. Keeping it also due to it versatile range from 50mm.
I used my 80-200mm with a 2X TC during the RSAF Open House as 500mm is not allow.
At min 160mm (80mmX2), I missed quite a few shots that were below 160mm.
Weight wise, 50-500mm is 1840g & 150-500mm is 1910g, which later is heavier.
I am shooting mostly action, sport, so OS to me is useless, IMO.
Unless one day, I ownd a 2nd body to cover the shorter range below 150mm, I may consider
to get the 150-500mm OS.
But for now, it will still b ethe 50-500mm..
SO I believe all depend on your shooting style..

[Xpose]

I have this len and all I can say is that its really value for money. Things that make me chose this len over the 170-500mm the last time round was the HSM and also 50-500 has rear focus feature meaning that the front elelment does not rotate and hence it is able to use petal-type hood and also the use of circular polarizing filter if needed. If I am not wrong the 150-500mm does not have the rear focusing feature. No doubt that the 50-500 is close to 2kg in weight but once you get used to the weight and the sweet spot for "balancing" it, it is very managable. I've see someone with 1d mk2, 2x tele, and a 300mm F2.8L non IS shooting from morning to noon without any use of tripod and is shooting fast action eagles and his combo definating weight more than my 40d and 50-500mm. The only problem with this len is that it need really a good and bright day to shoot handheld if not, bring at least a monopod with you.

[screamingsnapshots]

hmm. anybody knows the prices of these two lenses? im already using the 50-150mm and i guess the 150-500mm would complement what i already have.

[tc-95]

I know the 150-500 is going for about 1K here in the US and you can find one on ebay for around 700-800....A lens that you may want to look into Screamingsnapshots...Tamron's 200-500mm I have really enjoyed this lens...it works fast on my D300....and has really good range....with the multiplier it becomes a 300-750mm on my D300...actually not that heavy and costs a little less than the 150-500 sigma....

jacob, I agree with everyone else...if you want the resale and versitility of the lens the 50-500mm is the key...I have an 80-400mm for my Sigma SD10 and would not leave home without it...when using the Sigma body....

But like skyline and freedom pointed out check out the lens first if you can...you may not like the feel once you have tried it...

Good luck and Cheers...

Tony C.

[geomixz]

I bought 1 Sigma 150-500 HSM last month at Cathay photo for $1650 .Fantastic value for $1650 . I am surprised with tis lens in term of
performance and would not hesitate to recommend to u .Sharp lens , good focal length and OS , Build like a tank .

[donchua]

Last check price for 150-500mm is $1400 nett from TCW grey set, $1600 nett from OP
for local set and I think the 50-500mm is around $1800 local set from OP.

[windwaver]

Originally Posted by jacob dear all, bbb virus hit! was wondering which should i get, the 50-500mm or 150-500mm from sigma? putting $$ aside. which would be a better choice in terms of picture qualities? been surfing around but cannot come into conclusion. assuming also i'll shoot from 150mm onwards for both lenses. so how? how ar? tq in advance for your replies.

Get the bigma

[Jeffrey KM Tan]

I had check the sigma 150-500mm at AP last week. $1600 b4 GST. Thinking of getting it from HK. Price quoted from the internet in Sep was HK$6600. If the price is ture, it is very cheap @S$1222. I may want to buy the sigma 18-200mm. The price is around S$615.

[gunawan]

Hiya bros,

I am surfing the same boat as Jacob. Both very good reviews, but surprisingly, in this thread, the 50-500 seems to have more supporters than the 150-500 even though the latter has OS.

I can't figure out how I can shoot sharp at 500mm handheld, so I'll probably be more inclined to the 150-500. Universal physics state the higher the zoom range, the poorer the Image Quality, but most of the bros here seems to swear by the 50-500 leh.

Jacob, some bros in CS seemed to have purchased online from HK Tin Cheung for about $1200+ all in, sounds like a darn good offer. Only worry is suay suay they pack a soft copy to Spore... The hassle of getting it recalibrated is not worth the savings....

Any other Pro 150-500mm Supporters here keen to share their photos and experience versus the 50-500?

Would appreciate some pics and comments ya. kum xia.

[jacob]

anyone got any experience on sigma 170-500mm? pls share.

[jacob]

what are the tripod heads that i should use with?

[mahojazz]

anyone used the 50-500mm sigma lens on sony alpha series?

[HaimE]

Im a happy user of a 150 - 500 Sigma.. I have not tested the 50 - 500 .. but I can only say that .. Its a great lens. and value for the price.. Very fast focussing thanks to the HSM.. and the OS works like wonder... Great sharp picture....

Tested on Racing tracks and Motor Racing at Tuas Circuit.. Its a Bulls eye on the Dot ...

[gunawan]

Originally Posted by donchua Last check price for 150-500mm is $1400 nett from TCW grey set, $1600 nett from OP for local set and I think the 50-500mm is around $1800 local set from OP.

Hey Don, Thanks for sharing.
I think its about time all CS bros go support Orient for always offering much lower prices than the other shops. These few weeks, noticed the more popular shops are colluding to sell higher except Orient, who still sells much lower.

OP , keep selling low! U have my support! Hope MS, AP, John, CP all looking at this.

[jacob]

what kind of tripod head should i go for it i'm going for all these big zoom lens? will manfrotto 488rc2 sufficient? i find the base plate a little small for these lens. is it good enough?