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Sigma 50-500mm or 150-500mm?

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Sigma 50-500mm or 150-500mm?

  • Expresbro
    Participant

    On my list of lenses to get is a big telephoto…I’ve read lots about the Bigma (50-500mm), but I see there is also a 150-500 which apart from being slightly cheaper, would also fit in better with my lens range.

    If I was to buy a big lens I’d be using it for the long end, so why would I need the 50-150 range when I have that well covered by my other lenses? Also I would have thought less steps makes for a less complicated lens and therefore probably less prone to faults.

    I’ve never read anything about the 150-500mm, so has anybody bought one of these or even seen one in action?

    Thanks

    Robbie
    8)

    proach
    Member

    It seems to me you kind of answered your own question Robbie ;) Why would you need that extra 100MM if you have it well covered? Besides, the price would be consideration too (at least for me).
    I’ve read on a couple of websites that the 150-500 is a bit sharper and has image stabilization?

    To me, it would be quite an obvious choice, but then again, I don’t have the money to choose either of them :)

    Expresbro
    Participant

    Yeah..guess I did really ;-)

    Funny enough I was reading some initial reviews on Fred&Miranda and they didn’t look good at all. Lots of focus problems with the 150-500mm apparently. Although the users were all Canon users and 40D users.

    I’ve been trying to find some more recent reviews, as first batch lenses do tend to have all the problems. It’s been out about 4 months or so now..so hopefully the newer versions are improved.

    Be nice to pick up a long lens for a fairly reasonable price.

    Martin
    Participant

    Have a word with Aidan (joe_elway) used to have the 150-500 see thread below…

    Reply To: What you think

    Expresbro
    Participant

    Ah Thanks Martin,

    I’m sure Aidan will pop in at some stage and drop a pearl of wisdom my way ;-)

    The ” Use to” bit doesn’t sound encouraging though..!!

    stcstc
    Member

    i think he used to use the 170-500, which is another lens

    the 150-500 has stabilization built in

    charlotte
    Participant

    i have the sigma 50-500 lens and it is great albeit abit heavy.

    I have been using it for surf photography and have been happy with the results so far.

    Charlotte

    gregor
    Participant

    Hey Guys,
    You may find this interestin sigma saga

    Alan Rossiter
    Participant

    I have 3 Sigma lenses with no problems at all…maybe I’m lucky or maybe there’s a band wagon going around from the dedicated lens manufacturers.

    As for the 50-500 or the 150-500mm – why loose that all important range for a few quid? You have a lens to fill the gap, you say, but what if you get that one moment when you need 50mm…and you have to scramble for that other lens…and you’re too late? A no brainer, I’d say.

    I’ve the Bigma, as has Noely F, Lousy and Charlotte above. All produce sharp images (as soon as Charlotte can show some) and I haven’t heard of anyone with a problem with them. Don’t regret saving a few bob later for a bad decision now.

    Alan.

    mervifwdc
    Participant

    I dont have either, but if it’s the same quality and price range I’d go for the 50-500 simply to save swapping bodies when you want to quickly do a wide scene setting shot. That would be nice anywhere dusty or wet.

    Merv.

    gregor
    Participant

    Apparently the problem is with 50-500 and 150-500, I was looking at those lenses myself, I have 10-20 can’t say anything about it; well maybe it’s just not as sharp as some of my other lenses. I think I would go for 150-500 especially when you have good coverage in that range, changing lenses is not a problem for me, and I can afford missing one or 2 shots, when you’re buying such a lens I presume you intend to use it for bird, sport photography etc. so having HSM and IS is crucial and 150-500 has it.

    Sigma also announced new 24-70 2.8 HSM lens looking forward to see reviews.

    gregor
    Participant

    I found this topic on another forum worth checking fredmiranda

    scas
    Member

    150-500- has IS and only a 3.33 zoom, bigma is only really a 50-450, no IS and a 9 times zoom( the smaller the zoom in general the better the quality ). my choice would be a tamron 200-500

    Padraig
    Participant

    I have the 50-500 (canon fit) and find it excellent. I use it purely for wildlife. I’ve recently purchased a Canon 400mm F5.6 L while it is sharper and lighter than the Sigma its not as versatile i.e. the zoom. I find it necessary to use the Bigma from a tripod with cable release to avoid camera shake. Sharp hand held bird flight shots are possible though if you have good light and therefore a fast shutter speed. I was tempted by the OS on the 150-500 but decided to bite the bullet and bought the 400mm L instead. (No regrets)

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