anyone tried this Sigma lens?

[coldman]

Found this lens through Sigma website.

50-500mm f4-6.3 EX APO RF HSM

Is it good? and how much is it selling in SIngapore?

Advice needed.

Thanks.

 

[glennyong]

i have seen pictures taken by this lens... very sharp and nice and clean...the price is sum where ard $2.5k and above if i am correct... :bsmilie:

 

[2100]

Nah lar, it's not 2.5k. Something like 1.6k.

 

[jksc]

there is one question... since it is such a long lense... and does not have any VR sort of function.... isn't it really hard to get sharp & clear pictures at 500mm without using the tripod? :think:

 

[All Blacks]

Yep, have one of this glass. It is around the region of $1600. This is a heavy piece of glass. In order to get good pictures you need to have very good lighting. A few pointers to note when going for this lens. The filter size is 86mm and the filter is expensive!! You need at least a monopod for decent photos. The glass is like a huge vacuum cleaner, suchs in dust like nobody business when using the zoom. Therefore, have to be very careful when using it. The AF will not work with a TC attached to it. The most important thing to note is that when using a TC, you must lock the lens at 100mm. If not the rear element of the lens will hit the TC and there goes your lens!!! All that said, the lens does produce some lovely sharp pictures even at full zoom(500mm).

 

[2100]

there is one question... since it is such a long lense... and does not have any VR sort of function.... isn't it really hard to get sharp & clear pictures at 500mm without using the tripod? :think:

Very difficult, unless you are shooting in full sunlight. You basically need at least 1/750s at full 500mm range. Wide open is actually quite ok (see how big you wanna print), but if you want max quality you stop it down to f11 and not more than ISO 400, then you understand why you cannot handhold. If tripod is too "slow" to setup and use, use a monopod. 10 seconds of setup with quick release plate and quick release levers and you are up and running.

To put it into perspective, say you shoot in the early morning before 9am and nearly dawn time at 5pm. This is a very common time for shooting with dramatic lighting and shadows/highlights interaction (else you like harsh lighting at 12noon), and only will birds/animals be active if you like this kind of photography (else you can list down your shooting preference, can't think of others). If the sky is full of clouds and overcast, you will have problem shooting even at ISO1600 at f6.3 wide open.

 

[Madcat II]

I use this lens... you can check out my gallery (link below), the lens has its pros & cons, depends on what kind of photography you want...