Sigma 50-500

[cedric_r]

I'm contemplating buying a long lens and I'm attracted to 2 options (mainly because I can't afford Canon L lenses): Sigma 50-500 and Tamron 200-500.
My favorite would be the Sigma because of the flexibility (no need to change lens all the time if you happen to need something below 200), but I've seen reviews that say that it isn't very good at 500 (e.g. Photozone rates it lower than the Tamron: http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/len..._463/index.htm vs http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/len..._563/index.htm).
But I've also seen people posting on forums saying that it's really sharp at 500 (but without backing it with hard data or 100% crop).
If there are owners here, what do you think of the softness at 500? Is it really bad?

[badpickev]

cedric, dont believe everything you read. your eye wont lie. most of the bird pics are with my bigma. some even with the 1.4 added. all the osprey pics are the bigma (sigma 50-500). some shots are hand held as well. if you have any other questions let me know. camera is listed in my sig

http://members.aol.com/khaskell2/

[Mr. Pickles]

I have often wanted a Bigma, just never had the right money. I know that it lies to the camera about the F-stop when you zoom in tight (500mm), as it tells the camera it is 5.6. That is the max aperture that most cameras will allow autofocusing (pro DSLRS can use f/.

I assume the Fuji S2 is this way, so let us know Badpickev.

I have seen many and many really nice pics with the Bigma. I think skeptics think that it is really hard to get a 10x zoomer to perform well across the whole range, and there are not too many that even due 10x zoom in the DSLR world. If this is true, then the Tamron should be better optically, but it still depends on the glass used.

[cedric_r]

Thanks for the information.
I'll show my ignorance here: I've seen several mentions of the fact that cameras don't autofocus beyond 5.6. But from a user point of view I can focus with AF on at any aperture. So what does that mean?

[FocusingOnFlorida]

It represents the maximum aperature of the lens. When a 1.4X is used with a lens it will add one stop. On my 400mmL f5.6, I can autofocus without the TC, but once I add the Teleconverter it will no longer AF. I can defeat this and trick the camera by taping over three of the electrical contacts.

BTW, I also looked at the Sigma 50-500. I finally decided on the Canon Prime because of the rebates at the time and due to the fact that when out in the woods I typically shoot zoomed to the max. I have seen countless great images with the sigma. Another option for you may be the Canon 100-400mm L.

Good Luck.

[Bob]

Originally Posted by cedric_r

Thanks for the information.
I'll show my ignorance here: I've seen several mentions of the fact that cameras don't autofocus beyond 5.6. But from a user point of view I can focus with AF on at any aperture. So what does that mean?

This is because the camera (or yourself) will focus with lens at its maximum aperture and then close down to the set apt. just before opening the shutter. try setting the camera to f16 or better and then press the depth of field preview button to see the lens close down. As for the 50-500 I like mine, it's a bit heavy and needs a lot of light to work well but still a good deal. Here's a 100% crop for you-

taken at Mosport raceway during AMLS races - 500 mm f10 1/2500 sec 800 iso - had to keep the shutter speed up as the cars were really moving. Another good place for samples is p base - http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/50500_463_ex_apo_rf will get you lots of samples

Bob

[Mr. Pickles]

That image is a good example. Shows a lot about this lens. Thanks for posting it.

[Nikonfreak]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

I have often wanted a Bigma, just never had the right money. I know that it lies to the camera about the F-stop when you zoom in tight (500mm), as it tells the camera it is 5.6. That is the max aperture that most cameras will allow autofocusing (pro DSLRS can use f/.

I assume the Fuji S2 is this way, so let us know Badpickev.

I have seen many and many really nice pics with the Bigma. I think skeptics think that it is really hard to get a 10x zoomer to perform well across the whole range, and there are not too many that even due 10x zoom in the DSLR world. If this is true, then the Tamron should be better optically, but it still depends on the glass used.

Actually, mine reads f/6.3 on my Nikon cameras when I'm at 500mm.

I believe most newer DSLR's can autofocus to f/8

I've seen and tried the Tamron. I considered the Sigma hands down a much better lens optically. It's sharper from what I could tell.

Here's one on the D100

http://www.pbase.com/loansharkx/image/40284415

Julio

[cedric_r]

Thanks everyone. The sigma looks like a good choice. I'm only worried about the comment on the need for lots of light because at the moment I have a Tamron 28-300 and I already have trouble in the winter even in the sunshine because the light levels here outside high summer are fairly low.

[badpickev]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

I have often wanted a Bigma, just never had the right money. I know that it lies to the camera about the F-stop when you zoom in tight (500mm), as it tells the camera it is 5.6. That is the max aperture that most cameras will allow autofocusing (pro DSLRS can use f/.

I assume the Fuji S2 is this way, so let us know Badpickev.

I have seen many and many really nice pics with the Bigma. I think skeptics think that it is really hard to get a 10x zoomer to perform well across the whole range, and there are not too many that even due 10x zoom in the DSLR world. If this is true, then the Tamron should be better optically, but it still depends on the glass used.

here is what is funny about the bigma and the s2. when i put on the sigma 1.4, it will not af. but when i put on my kenk/tokina mc7 2x, it will af. now having said that if the light is not right, its hunts big time. but on a bright sunny day, it will lock.

[Nikonfreak]

Originally Posted by cedric_r

Thanks everyone. The sigma looks like a good choice. I'm only worried about the comment on the need for lots of light because at the moment I have a Tamron 28-300 and I already have trouble in the winter even in the sunshine because the light levels here outside high summer are fairly low.

Whenever I shot the Bigma, I was using ISO 250 or 320 on the D100...even in bright light.

In addition, a tripod is a must for that lens as far as I'm concerned if you are to get the most sharpness out of it.

Julio

[Mr. Pickles]

How would the Bigma be on a monopod?

[badpickev]

in my experience its sharpest from a tripod, then handheld, then monopod. it seems i may suck from a monopod.

[Paul Shields]

Sigma are to release a 4/3rds mount of the bigma shortly. Will give an interesting focal length... I was suspicious of a zoom with such a wide range performing adequately, but the images I've seen so far have been impressive at both ends of it's range.

[badpickev]

with this lens dont be. this was my first lens mistake. i have a fetish for long teles and zooms of less than great quality. i bought this lens to be the same, it wasnt. so now i am upgrading my lens collection to match it. they say its sharp, it is. i get acceptable quality hand holding it, a 4 pound 500mm lens. granted its faster than my 500 f8 long tube, its so much sharper.

[Bob]

I actually use this lens on a tripod at the race track a fair bit. When I said it needed lots of light I should have said it's at it's best on a sunny day when you can stop it down a bit (f8 or so). I also wanted to add it plays well with sigma's 1.4 teleconverter if you don't mind having to manual focus.
Another 100% crop with teleconverter

700mm 1/1600 sec f8 iso400 - face of the town clock taken hand held on a sunny January day in Canada. 700 mm is full zoom with 1.4 tele (shows in exif data)
like the other sample this is a crop of a jpg with no processing done
Bob