Sigma 50-500/150-500 (Canon fit)?

[ChrisCW]

Can someone advise:

I am currently looking for a used Sigma 50-500 (OS ver), but they are very few and far between, and I cannot afford a new one.

So the question is, which other lens to go for in the £600 limit, I could get a 50-500mm (non OS ver) or a 150-500mm (OS ver)? According to most of the chatter I have heard, the 50-500mm is sharper than the 150-500mm, but the OS would give me more range (light wise)?

So, taking the OS out of the equation which is the better (sharper) lens, mainly at the 500mm end really? Which would you buy, or would you hang on in the hope that a 50-500mm (OS ver) shows up.

 

[modchild]

I was in the market for a long zoom last year and tried a 50-500 non OS and while it was sharp the lack of OS did make it very difficult to use in some circumstances. I went for a Canon 100-400 IS L at the time but I've since got a Sigma 150-500 OS and that is a terriffic lens. It's very sharp, even wide open, has good AF speed and has a great OS system (much better than the 100-400).

When I went from 2 bodies to a 5D3 I tested the 2 lenses thoroughly and ended up keeping the Sigma. I've since added a Sigma 120-400 OS (primarily for the wifes 650D) and I use that on my 60D regularly and that is about as good as the 150-500 OS as well.

This one is wide open f6.3 at 500mm on my 5D3, 1/800 and ISO 1000 and is SOOC with no PP apart from a crop.

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And this is one from the 120-400 at f6.3 at 400mm, 1/800 and ISO 160. Also SOOC and just cropped.

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[Deleted member 34016]

I also own/use a 150-500mm its tack sharp from 10ft to infinity, I love it, In fact its hardly off my camera these last few weeks


Les

Example shot at 500mm from 15ft ( 1/500th sec @ f8)



wing man 2 x Four Spotted Chasers by Lez325, on Flickr

 

[JohnN]

Now my 150-500 was nowhere near as good as either of thiers, but the 50-500 OS I have is outstanding, put it this way I'm raising money for a 5D3 and its the only lens that didn't even get considered despite someone wanting on in the wanteds!


Owl II by magsnorton, on Flickr


120226_8318 by magsnorton, on Flickr


Robin by magsnorton, on Flickr


120528_1000 by magsnorton, on Flickr

Plenty more here.

 

[Deleted member 34016]

I like the 50-500 and I also like the 150-500 only one way to sort this out

FIGHT


Les

 

[JohnN]

Oo, I wonder if theres a lens top trumps

Seriously though the 150-500 is a real bargain, but if I had the chance at a 50-500 at £600 there'd be no contest, although for me it wasn't a fair fight - I got the 50-500 calibrated by Sigma and that really did help a lot.

 

[artyman]

If I couldn;t get a 50-500OS I would prefer a 150-500 as agaisnt the 50-500 non OS version. It is a cracking good lens, and only recently replaced with a Sigma 120-300 f2.8

 

[ChrisCW]

Many thanks for the feedback everyone, still not too sure, I think I will wait and see, if nothing appears over the next couple of months I think it will have to be a 150-500mm OS. One question for ModChild, how is the 150-500mm on the 60D, do you have any pics from that setup?

Cheers again folks.

P.S. Some great images there too!

 

[Mike.P]

I have the non OS 50-500mm for my Pentax K-5 and it's excellent but when I managed to find the same lens for my 50D at a decent price I found it much harder to get a sharp picture. The reason ... Pentax has inbuilt SR, makes a hell of a difference when shooting 500mm handheld. I recently part exchanged it for the OS version and have to say I get much sharper pics on the Canon now.

Old version on Pentax





New version on Canon

 

[mjb123]

I'm not sure what body mod child and lex have but those are sharp!!
I have a 150-500 and am starting to really question wether its a good copy or not! I have a 60d and have been happy with pictures but there not as sharp as some no matter how high the shutter speed!! Which is required for bird shots!
I really wanted the 50-500 os but money talks and had to settle for it's little bro!! I don't regret but I will per sue my issues with it!!

 

[modchild]

mjb123, I was using a 5D3 with the 2 photos above, and also they are SOOC. I didn't feel the need to do any other PP as I was happy enough with them as they are.

I was in two minds whether to get a Sima 50-500 OS last year, but decided to get a Canon 100-400 IS L instead. However, after lots of testing between the Canon and the Sigma 150-500 I decided to keep the Sigma and sell the Canon when I went to just 1 body. When I added the 60D I got the Sigma 120-400 OS to have a long lens for both bodies.

ChrisCW, to reply to your request, these 2 photos are from my 60D, again with the Sigma 150-500 OS and are also SOOC with the only PP being a crop and resize. Again, I'm happy enough with them as they are and don't feel a need to alter either in PP.

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This is at 1/1250, f7.1 and ISO 250

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This one is at 1/1250, f7.1 and ISO 400

 

[ChrisCW]

Many thanks for posting some examples, the textures on both are excellent. I think I will still hold out for a 50-500mm, but I think I will have to wait some time.....

 

[mjb123]

Many thanks for posting some examples, the textures on both are excellent. I think I will still hold out for a 50-500mm, but I think I will have to wait some time.....

Panamoz selling for £922!!