Product Description

High Magnification Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens with a 10x zoom ratio from 50mm to 500mm optimized for digital SLR cameras.------This high zoom ratio lens is optimized for digital SLR cameras and capable of covering a wide range of focal lengths from 50mm standard to 500mm ultra telephoto. ------This ultra-zoom lens employs a seven-group zoom system which provides a high zoom magnification of 10x. Triple-cam Rear Focusing System ensures high precision throughout the whole focus range. The new lens coating reduces flare and ghost which is a common problem of digital cameras and also creates an optimum colour balance.------It is possible to reach 1000mm focal length by using the Sigma 2X Apo Tele Converter---By attaching the 2X APO EX Tele-Converter this lens can be used as a 200-1000mm/F10.4-12.6 manual focus zoom lens while maintaining a very compact size for 1000mm focal length. It is also possible to use AE (Automatic Exposure) function when EX Tele-converters are attached.------The APO lens corrects chromatic aberrations---An apochromatic lens which keeps color aberration to a minimum using Special Low Dispersion (SLD) or Extraordinary Low Dispersion (ELD) glass is called an APO series lens at Sigma.---This lens uses four pieces of SLD (the special low dispersion) glass for excellent correction of chromatic aberration. High optic performance is demonstrated throughout the entire zoom range.------HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor)---The HSM models (the HSM is only available for Canon Nikon Sigma and Four Thirds Mounts) provide quiet high-speed AF function as well as full time manual focus capability.------Easy Operation and Handling---This lens also features a Zoom Lock device to eliminate Zoom Creep when the lens is tilted down. When the lens is set to the 50mm focal length it is remarkably compact and provides easy handling. The tripod mount is composed of magnesium to minimize total weight and also it is easy to grip and carry the lens due to ergonomic de . . . .

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #78931 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Sigma
• Model: B0009F3MQK
• Released on: 2006-10-11
• Dimensions: 4.06 pounds

Features

• Zoomobjektiv für D-SLR

Manufacturer's Description
Step up to a new level of creativity with Sigma Lenses and discover more ways to photograph your world.Excellence. These professional type lenses feature the distinctive EX finish and EX logo on the lens barrel.

Customer Reviews

Highly underrated lens which is excellent for airshows and motorsport
Sigma lenses have a reputation of being excellent lenses, but of a marginally lower cost and quality than Canon (and likewise Nikon). When comparing the 50-500 to Canon, the nearest competitor is the 100-400mm lens, which is a professional L series lens with a higher price.

Sigma have chosen to offer a wider focal length range than its competitor (50 - 500) although in reality given the weight of this lens (it is nicknamed the Bigma) you won't be using this to take your holiday snaps anyway. When using the lens for airshows or motorsport events the 400-500mm lens range is key, and that's when this lens comes into its own.

The photos are sharp, the focussing surprisingly quick (expecially when compared to older Sigma lenses) and when panning the lens feels remarkably comfortable. It is not the fastest lens (an f2.8 lens is going to be considerably more expensive) but given that you want to blur the wheels or propellers at such events you're more likely to want f8 at 300-500mm or similar (if the light is good enough).

The negatives for me are the tight zoom collar (when panning something which is at a variable distance from you it can be difficult to move the collar smoothly throughout the pan), and vignetting at open-apertures (this may be a function of the digital camera rather than the lens though, and can be corrected with photo editing software).

To conclude, this lens offers excellent value for an amateur photographer to further their photographic ability but make sure you've thought carefully about what you want to use it for (if you're using it a lot at 50mm you're not getting the best image possible).

Great value for money but with limitations
I have only been into photography for about a year so my comments may appear a bit `non techie'. This is a very good value for money lens that feels well made and pretty sturdy. It's not an easy lens to get good shots with but when I have they have been as good as my Nikon 70-300 DX lens. If you are interested then please bear the following points in mind:

The lens is prone to vibration and with a Nikon camera (such as my D80) there is no anti-vibration technology in the loop. I assume that those who buy it for a Canon have an advantage as Canon integrate their anti-vibration technology into the camera and not into the lens like Nikon. Also this lens seems cheaper for a Canon fitting so it's an even better buy.

You must use a good quality tripod and head which needs to be on solid ground. I have found that suspended floors such as those in hides make getting a good shot an even bigger challenge.

Invest in a camera remote control as it will definitely help with the vibration problem.

It would be wise to buy a UV filter to protect the lens and this will cost £50 plus.

Be careful before buying a circular polariser as it will cost an arm and a leg and given the slowness of the lens it could cause difficulties getting the right exposure.

In low light you will have to crank up the Camera sensitivity so if you have a noisy camera at ISO 800 and above your ability to use this lens will be reduced to good light conditions.

It's a good lens for shooting wildlife but is limited to good lighting conditions for action shots.

You will not get good shots without understanding all about exposure and having good shooting technique so don't buy it unless you are a real enthusiast. Having said this I find that this lens is making me improve my knowledge and technique and I am getting better results with every shoot that I do.

I have read reports of people finding it noisy in use. Mine is very quiet so if yours is noisy return it and get a replacement.

The bottom line is that this is a very good lens for the price. Faster lenses are 4 to 5 times the price! This lens is a bargain but you will have to persevere with it and except it's limitations in low light conditions. If you are buying this lens for a Canon camera, then given the price reduction and availability of some vibration reduction it's an even bigger bargain. I would give it 4.5 stars if I could.

Not a great lens
When I purchased this lens I couldn't believe the range it offered - but then I came to use it and discovered it limitations.

Firstly, I would only recommend using it in good lighting conditions. You will definitely need a tripod and release cable in lower light - altering the ISO is only going to add noise.

Secondly, there are issues with the sharpness of the images. From 50-100mm there is a slight softness to the images but this is more significant at 420-500mm and there is a slight chromatic aberation at this end too.

I didn't notice any vignetting but with the problems above I had already decided to sell the lens, spend a lot more and get a couple of Nikkor lenses (70-200 and 100-400) and I didn't regret it.