Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 61
 great lens for the price/f-stop range. April 26, 2010
kjwesphotos.com (Houston, Texas)
We shoot high school sports, so that is how I will reference this review. We could not handle $8K for a 400/2.8 so we looked at this lens. For daytime & early evening, this lens is great! By 8:PM CDT here in Texas, you can retire it to the bag or get ready for ISO 6400 to shoot 1/800 shutter speed or faster. Focus is pretty quick for the most part and we have been happy with the results. My negatives would include the strength required to turn the zoom- I like the fact that it doesn't drift, but my God you have to be ready to turn that baby...
Back to Technique April 17, 2010
M. J. Pollock
I wanted to get a long zoom for Wildlife and Astonomy Photography. I was trying to decide between the Sigma 150-500 OS or the 50-500. I saw the 50-500 was getting an update with OS later this summer so I started favoring this focal range. I found a lot of video reviews on the 150-500, but a lot of article reviews on the 50-500. The argrument for either is compeling, but I finally decided on the 50-500 due to the range. Boy am I glad for that. One day at the Cleveland Metropark Zoo convinced me. I miss the OS for the long shots, but the written acrticles were correct, one needs to learn proper holding technique. I have really learned a lot about depth of field/focal length/ISO/standing and supporting technique. If nothing else it is a life time tutorial on technique for just over $1000.00. I could have waited till July for the OS version, but that is not me. When I get something in my head I have to have it. Prior to the zoo trip I had considered returning it and waiting, but I did not and am very happy with that decision. I love the focal range and the fact Sigma includes a hood and tripod mount.I use the trek-tech monopod system and it works great. I rigged a small strap on the dedicated strap bar on the lens so I can use my R-Strap system with it, rather than the supplied strap.
Dislikes are limited to weight (heavier than I thought, but what do you expect for the range so not really a minus). Also when I open the lens wide open at 500mm, it has trouble focusing. My fix, zoom out a little-focus-zoom back in-focus.
Accessories I would recommend: Kenko extension tubes (makes it a macro lens), Trek-tech monopod/magnetic system, and the r-strap(gerry-rig until black rapids and trek-tech get the rumored combo mount out).
This lens is a wonderful learning tool. Should you wait till the os version comes out? If you have $600 for it yes, if not buy the lens and get out shooting. Cleveland weather is warming up and I want to get out an shoot.
A Great Lens March 25, 2010
Thanh Au (Arlington, VA)
Very great lens at a good price. very versitile and rugged. a bit heavy but i'am still able to hand hold when using a fast shutter. highly reccomended.
 Most Expensive Piece of Glass I've Bought March 4, 2010
Aaron Li (La Jolla, CA USA)
This is the most expensive lens that I own. It requires a LOT of light to shoot at fast shutter speeds particularly if you plan on doing some close-up, long-distance shots. It's got quite a bit of weight behind it, so don't plan on doing too much handheld photography. Not saying that it's impossible, but your hands will eventually get tired. For the price, it's a great lens.
Add to kit lens and it's all you need. January 7, 2010
D. Gerstner
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I switched to digital in 2003, buying a Digital Rebel and this lens shortly afterwards so mine's a very early non-DG version. One of the first things I did was set it up next to my brother-in-law's 300 2.8 EDIF Nikon and shot a distant fencepost. He and I were both stunned. The Bigma was sharper at all apertures, and yes we went to great lengths to keep all other variables equal. I use it wide open at 500 often and anything that ain't sharp is my fault.
Build quality is as good it gets. Beleive me, I do not baby my equipment and this thing still works like the day I first used it.
It's slow, but with a modern body having a cleaner high ISO that is less of an
issue.
USE A MONOPOD! My old Sunpak Ezee Pod folds forward and everything hangs discreetly behind you and carries well by the lens strap. It's heavy, but you can get used to it.
Throw the kit lens in a pocket, keep a tripod nearby, and you'll have pretty much all you'll ever need, incluing a 250mm edge over virtually anyone around you. The range and the potential distance between you and your subject are why you're buying this lens. Use them wisely and you'll be well pleased with the results.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 61
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