Sigma 500mm f/4.5

[FocusingOnFlorida]

I posted this in the Canon forum but would like to know if any Nikon Users have used this lens?

Anyone have any experience with this lens?

Sigma Telephoto 500mm f/4.5 EX DG APO HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon EOS

Let me know.

[JDArt]

I would find it hard to spring for a third-party lens like that--I fear the resale would not be great. Has it gotten good reviews?

Also, Canon users have the option of IS in long lenses. Nikon owners don't. I would think the IS would be worth the extra money.

[JDArt]

I found this:

At the close-focusing distance of 148 inches (1:7.25), center sharpness was excellent from f/4.5 to f/8, very good at f/11, good at f/16, and below average at f/22 and f/32. Corner sharpness was very good at f/4.5, excellent at f/5.6, very good at f/8, good from f/11 to f/16, acceptable at f/22, and below average at f/32. Optimum performance was at f/5.6.

http://www.popphoto.com/cameralenses...ex-apo-af.html

[FocusingOnFlorida]

I searched the web and found one person that owns the lens and he/she said it was great. I am considering something in this range for next year and just want to do all the research prior to making a decision. I have been looking at the canon lenses as well.

I do get nervous with Sigma and the chipping issues.

The reason I even considered the Sigma is because of the 105mm macro. That lens is great.

It would be nice to get my hands on one to try just to see what kind of results I get.

I am really considering just going for the Canon 400mm f/2.8 IS. I get I will just have to see if I can scrape up that kind of money.

Thank you for the thoughts and the link.

[FocusingOnFlorida]

I did find a link this morning that had some info. I didn't have time to read it all prior to heading off to work. I will try to get to it later.

http://www.shutterbug.com/equipmentr.../0802sb_sigma/

[Nikonfreak]

Had a buddy that owned the Sigma 500 f/4.5 and he loved it.* Oddly enough, I never used it.* *Go figure.

There are some folks on dpreview that have it and say good things about it.

The third party lenses may or may not hold their resale value.* When I sold my 70-200 f/2.8 Sigma I got within $20 of what I paid for it new, but that was because Sigma put up a price increase somewhere in there.* Of course, what you pay, say for example, the Sigma 300 f/2.8 ($2,500) vs a Nikon 300 f/2.8 ($4,400) is a big difference, but here's my take on the matter.... If you are willing to get the Sigma 500 f/4.5, you might be better off getting the 300 f/2.8 and using TC's IMO.

The Sigma 300 f/2.8 is a very good lens as well.* Either way, both of these lenses give folks a little more affordable way to get to the exotic lens reach without as much damage to the bank accounts. FWIW, I ended up getting the Nikon 300... go figure, but I looked VERY HARD at the Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 HSM and the Sigma 300 f/2.8 HSM.

Julio

[FocusingOnFlorida]

That may be an option. I may even have to look at the 300mm IS from Canon. I can't believe I am getting more response from this in the Nikon forum.

Thank you for the assistance Julio.

[cyclohexane]

Jason Odell from Nikonians rates this lens very, very highly. I think he has a review somewhere on nikonians.org (you don't have to be a member to read their stuff), and he talked about in a podcast.

[FocusingOnFlorida]

Thank you Michael,

I will look into that site.

[FocusingOnFlorida]

Thank to the site you listed I was able to find another article. I will have to look deeper into this site. Thanks again.

http://www.naturephotographers.net/sigma500.html

[badpickev]

it does produce great. i think the sigma stigma can be off base. so far every EX sigma lens has been great. all of the real people that i know that have used this lens has thought highly of this lens. it is a good lower cost lens than the nikon/canon versions.

[FocusingOnFlorida]

Thank you, Kevin. I am looking to upgrade my Canon 400mm F5.6 within the next year. I figured I should start doing my homework now.

Have a great Thanksgiving Everyone.

[rootrider]

did you read these reviews?
http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/s...&cat=38&page=1

[FocusingOnFlorida]

I hadn't checked Fred Miranda's site yet. I appreciate the link.