Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM - Thoughts?

antc

antc

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Hi All,

Does anyone have any thoughts on these lenses? I have a friend of a friend who is thinking of moving his on to buy a mk2 Canon 500mm and I have been half thinking of making him an offer.

I wanted to know what you you guys thought of them, especially those that have them or have used them?

TIA :)
 
I should have added to the original post, as an alternate to this I have noted the Canon 400mm F4 DO IS. But obviously when it comes to wildlife, which would be the purpose of this lens for me, reach is king I would assume?
 
I guess it depends on the price he is asking. If it's around £1000 it is probably worth looking at the Sigma 150-600mm which gives better reach, image stabilisation and in a more compact body, although you do lose a stop of light.
 
Only ever used the Sigma once briefly and I can't say I was that impressed with it. I'd agree with Marks advice. The sigma seems to get some good comments from users.
 
before i bought the sigma 150-600mm sport ,i tried a friends sigma 300 f2.8 prime and her sigma 500mm f4 prime ,the results from the first were o.k but just that o.k .the 500mm f4 was in a sorry state and the build quality was terrible my advise after some very poor shots from it was to send it back to sigma for a rebuild .
i cannot fault the lens i now own ,but if your budget limited the 150-600 C ,is only around £800 and does the same job
 
Thanks for the responses so far.

He is looking at about £1300 for the lens. I notice from dealers on the web you can get the 400 DO for around £1600.

But as has been pointed out the super zooms from Sigma, or Tamron like the 150-600 have superb reach.

I already own a Canon 300 f4 with a 1.4x convertor. Was just thinking of getting a longer prime if the reach was decent. How do these super zooms compare to the primes?
 
I've owned several of the big Sigma lenses to include the 300-800/5.6 and an early 500/4.5. IMHO, they are worth the money they get and performance is roughly comparable to more expensive options... I would say they are generally ~ 1stop behind until around f/8-11 where it becomes even less notable. Impression is that they don't focus quite as fast, but that is very difficult to say/judge.
Comparing the early Sigma 500/4.5 to an early Nikon 500/4 (both of which I've owned) I would have to say there isn't much in it to justify the cost difference.

There is no perfect answer... My choice of preference these days is the 400/2.8 + TC's... usually a 2x.
 
I still have the older AF Sigma 500mm f4.5 lens "Not the HSM" in Nikon mount. And it's sharpness even wide open is impressive.
I also had a Sigma HSM model in Canon fit equally as sharp and focuses a lot faster than the older version with screw drive.
At the right price I'm sure it would be worth going for.
Can't you get to try before you buy ?
 
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i use the sigma 150-600mm sport ,there are plenty of photos from it in a dedicated section a bit further down in this section ,see for yourself ???
 
sk66 said:
I've owned several of the big Sigma lenses to include the 300-800/5.6 and an early 500/4.5. IMHO, they are worth the money they get and performance is roughly comparable to more expensive options... I would say they are generally ~ 1stop behind until around f/8-11 where it becomes even less notable. Impression is that they don't focus quite as fast, but that is very difficult to say/judge.
Comparing the early Sigma 500/4.5 to an early Nikon 500/4 (both of which I've owned) I would have to say there isn't much in it to justify the cost difference.

There is no perfect answer... My choice of preference these days is the 400/2.8 + TC's... usually a 2x.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the detailed answer, much appreciated. I would love to go the 400 2.8 route but alas they are very expensive.

Phiggys said:
I still have the older AF Sigma 500mm f4.5 lens "Not the HSM" in Nikon mount. And it's sharpness even wide open is impressive.
I also had a Sigma HSM model in Canon fit equally as sharp and focuses a lot faster than the older version with screw drive.
At the right price I'm sure it would be worth going for.
Can't you get to try before you buy ?
Click to expand...

Good to know there was a leap of improvement between the two. As I understand it the EX DG HSM is the latest one (don't think they have been updated in a long while)

I am working on trying to get a trial run with it to see what I think.

the black fox said:
i use the sigma 150-600mm sport ,there are plenty of photos from it in a dedicated section a bit further down in this section ,see for yourself ???
Click to expand...

Thanks will take a look!


I guess I have two questions at this point still. Well, maybe three.

1. Using such a long prime lens, is image stabilisation a must or is it just down to technique to not have to worry about it. I have IS on almost all my lenses.
2. With it being a lens that has been out for a long time is it easy to get it repaired/serviced by Sigma if required.
3. I can't find any info from searching, but do we think Sigma maybe replacing this lens anytime soon? (probably shouldn't worry about this too much as everything gets replaced eventually)
 
1. Depends on what you shoot... usually you need a higher SS for the subject so IS/VR is less relevant. IMO, it is best to not need/rely on IS/VR; but it is nice to have.
2. They are good with servicing older lenses, but I can't say specifically. You could email/call their service department... I've had good response in the USA.
3. No idea... but if they do it won't be as much of a bargain.
 
400 DO is a superb lens, I had one for many years. Works perfectly with 1.4x converter giving you 560mm at f5.6 with IS. Most of the wildlife images on my website were taken with this combo.
www.wildgallery.co.uk
 
Lee O'D said:
400 DO is a superb lens, I had one for many years. Works perfectly with 1.4x converter giving you 560mm at f5.6 with IS. Most of the wildlife images on my website were taken with this combo.
www.wildgallery.co.uk
Click to expand...

Firstly, WOW! I am absolutely loving your wildlife work. Those sea eagle shots are amazing!

I know I am going a little off on a tangent here as originally this thread was about the Sigma lens mainly.

But can you tell me more about the 400 DO F4 IS L. From looking around they don't cost a massive amount more than the Sigma. Quality seems excellent, having looked at your shots and shots of others. Why did you go for this lens rather than a 500/600 F4?
 
Thanks for the kind words. Simple answer is weight/size. I have a back problem and cant handle the 500f4. I could shoot with the 400 DO handheld all day and carry it around easily, even with the 1.4x TC attached. Image quality is superb. Don't believe anything you read about lack of contrast etc with this lens, it really is superb. The Sigma f4.5 is a good enough lens, but focusing is not up to Canon standards and it is quite a heavy lens.
 
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