Sigma 200-500mm, F/2.8

[W.Smith]

The ultimate wildlife lens? Sigma claims the APO 200-500 f.2.8 is the world's first lens to offer an f/2.8 aperture at 500mm focal length. It comes with an "attachment" to give users a handy 400-1000mm f/5.6 option. The lens (which looks like a piece of military hardware) weighs nearly 16kg and uses a dedicated Li-ion battery to provide power for focusing and zooming. In Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts.

Sigma 200-500mm, F/2.8, press release and specifications.

[aam1234]

Any word on the price. It must cost as much as its weight.

[badpickev]

it weighs 35 pounds and i think the cost was estimated at $17k-$35K

[aam1234]

I think the new 800 Canon is cheaper.

[W.Smith]

Originally Posted by aam1234

I think the new 800 Canon is cheaper.

What Canon? What zoom range? What max. aperture?

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by W.Smith

What Canon? What zoom range? What max. aperture?

Canon EF 800/5.6 prime, not zoom. Announced last October.

About Canon: Press Room > Press Release

[aam1234]

Thanks Brian.

Here is a quote from Max about Canon's EF 800mm price " EF800F5.6L IS USM: available from 05-2008, US $ 11,999".

[W.Smith]

"800/5.6 prime" and "200-500/2.8 zoom" are apples & pears.

[Thunderhawk]

Aw heck man, I get stopped by security were ever I go with my little 70-300 zoom. With that lens they would be calling out S.W.A.T!!!!

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by W.Smith

"800/5.6 prime" and "200-500/2.8 zoom" are apples & pears.

You asked.

At 35lbs and serious $$ (even in comparison the $12K Canon), I can't imagine those Sigmas are going to be anything more than special orders.

The 300-800/5.6 has been out for a while (Sigma - Lenses) and is 1/3 the weight of the new lens. I wonder what the sales stats are on it?

[digitalzed]

When I see a lens of this magnitude I have to think how amazing the human eye is at what it does. We may not be able to zoom in that far with our OEM (born with) equipment, but the eye is still amazing, no matter how good our AM glass is!

[badpickev]

i want to hand hold that sigma lens. i know about 10 people that have the sigmonster

[Nikonfreak]

Originally Posted by badpickev

it weighs 35 pounds and i think the cost was estimated at $17k-$35K

Where was it that I thought I saw a report that stated that they were looking at trying to bring the lens out at a cost of around $10-12K USD??.

If it were, indeed, coming out at a $10K to 12K price tag, I might consider that over the nikon 400 f/2.8 VR.

Here's the info from Sigma's web site. No pricing info there either.

Sigma - Lenses

Here's the PMA YouTube video of Sigma's rep discussing pricing. From 10K to 20K and they hope to be able to introduce it at the lower end of that spectrum.

YouTube - The Imaging Resource at PMA 2007igma 200-500mm f/2.8 Lens

There you go.

Julio

[Thunderhawk]

Thanks Nikonfreak, I just watched the vid. Dang! it`s even bigger than I thought!!

[dot-borg]

Size and weight aside, you have to love that color.

[Mechoption]

"This lens can be used to create amazing image expression with various types of photography such as astrophotography, portraits, wildlife, sports."

I like how "portrait" is listed as one of the intended uses. Are those the kind of portraits for which the sitter doesn't know they are sitting?

[W.Smith]

Originally Posted by Mechoption

I like how "portrait" is listed as one of the intended uses. Are those the kind of portraits for which the sitter doesn't know they are sitting?

Yeah! 'Sitters' like Britney Spears, and Paris Hilton . . .

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by Mechoption

I like how "portrait" is listed as one of the intended uses.