Always been curious about this lens, Yesterday I had the opportunity to try the Sigma 50-500mm - Nikon mount (courtesy of Viewfinder)
Thought I just share some of my personal views of this lens, especially for those who like to have 500mm lens capability but budget is the main constrain (disclaimer: I am not a pro nor any expert but just a simple beginner who like to take nature photo. My views may be too simple and subjective)
1. Value for money - Certainly Value for money, after-all it cost about 1/7 of the price of 500mm prime (nikon)
2. Light and can be hand held. I really like the weight and the flexibility to hand hold. Try it on a 500mm prime ;p and you appreciate this weight advantage.
3. Quality of picture - me no expert. But I find them acceptable and reasonably sharp. I have attach 2 hand held shots from this lens. As I am a beginner the pic shown should not be taken as a those done for review or marketing of the lens. I also show a sample taken with a Nikon 300mm f4 AFS and Nikon 500mm f4 AFSII - hence the quality of the photographer for all the 3 lens is constant ie that's me.
Down side but not big deal (to me)
1. A bit slow AF. Some hunting this is due the the f6.3 max aperture. Can do manual AF, so no big deal.
2. Max aperture of 6.3 for 500mm. Because of this the lighting condition must be ideal to have good shots or for shots that require higher speed including for handheld role. This can be overcome by increasing the ISO in the camera in this case I use ISO 800.
All in all I am impress with the lens and 2 things that make it a wonderful lens, that is (to me) the weight and the value for money. At least they make it reasonably affordable for many ppl to own the capability of a 500mm. For a beginner, because of the limitation of the lens, it will certainly make him/her learn more ie. more practise on manual focus, ways to cope with aperture limitation etc. hence good learning tool if I may say.
Well this is just my simple view of this lens, no flame please, if you disagree. My idea here is to share my personal take on this lens.
Thought I just share some of my personal views of this lens, especially for those who like to have 500mm lens capability but budget is the main constrain (disclaimer: I am not a pro nor any expert but just a simple beginner who like to take nature photo. My views may be too simple and subjective)
1. Value for money - Certainly Value for money, after-all it cost about 1/7 of the price of 500mm prime (nikon)
2. Light and can be hand held. I really like the weight and the flexibility to hand hold. Try it on a 500mm prime ;p and you appreciate this weight advantage.
3. Quality of picture - me no expert. But I find them acceptable and reasonably sharp. I have attach 2 hand held shots from this lens. As I am a beginner the pic shown should not be taken as a those done for review or marketing of the lens. I also show a sample taken with a Nikon 300mm f4 AFS and Nikon 500mm f4 AFSII - hence the quality of the photographer for all the 3 lens is constant ie that's me.
Down side but not big deal (to me)
1. A bit slow AF. Some hunting this is due the the f6.3 max aperture. Can do manual AF, so no big deal.
2. Max aperture of 6.3 for 500mm. Because of this the lighting condition must be ideal to have good shots or for shots that require higher speed including for handheld role. This can be overcome by increasing the ISO in the camera in this case I use ISO 800.
All in all I am impress with the lens and 2 things that make it a wonderful lens, that is (to me) the weight and the value for money. At least they make it reasonably affordable for many ppl to own the capability of a 500mm. For a beginner, because of the limitation of the lens, it will certainly make him/her learn more ie. more practise on manual focus, ways to cope with aperture limitation etc. hence good learning tool if I may say.
Well this is just my simple view of this lens, no flame please, if you disagree. My idea here is to share my personal take on this lens.
