Sigma 50-500mm any comments?

[TonyH]

As part of my continuing Lens Lust (love that expression). I've been looking at the specs of the Sigma 50-500mm APO Blah Blah Blah lens.

With the shortage of Nikon lenses at realistic prices would the 50-500 be a useful lens for say sporting / nature shots? I do realise there is no image stabilisation, but the best stabiliser in the world has to be a tripod followed by a monopod surely? It is a daylight sort of lens I realise also.

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who owns one and their comments and experiences good or bad and in particular if anyone has one that they are considering selling.

My big problem is that even with my low level 300mm lens I still find myself wanting more reach, and even with the sharpness of the XX-200VR lens I'm not convinced it would suit me for what I shoot (looking back over exif data).

A 50-500 range is obviously a big ask, but surely they wouldn't sell them into the marketplace if they were complete rubbish......?

Regards

Tony

[birddog114]

TonyH,
How's about the 200-400VR + TCs?

This may helps?

[TonyH]

Hi Birddog,

What sort of investment would that take?

Regards

T

[BBJ]

A bloody big 1

[birddog114]

Hi Birddog,

What sort of investment would that take?

Regards

T

7k+

[TonyH]

$7000 big investment, I'll have to wait until Elle Mac gives me a call for a personal shoot before investing that far up the scale on one piece of glass.....

T

[waspo]

Hi Tony,
A guy on this board uses one for most of his sports shots.
Here's his webby. http://www.lkgrainger.fotopic.net/

[Oneputt]

I had this lens and was very happy with it. At it's extreme it is still very sharp. The only drawback for me was the lack of VR resulting in very difficult handheld shots.

[Glen]

but surely they wouldn't sell them into the marketplace if they were complete rubbish......?

Regards

Tony

Not with regard to this lens, but there is no shortage of lenses which are rubbish

[TonyH]

Glenn

I should have justified that statement a little more....

I was more referring to the $1200+ price tag. Additionally the lens is from fact from a fairly well placed lens manufacturer. If it was a manufacturer from Outer Mongolia I wouldn't even consider it.


Waspo,

Thanks for the link

T

[lkgrainger]

Thanks for the plug! I love the lens the left arm is being built up well and I never take it off. Mind you I get alot of strainge looks now and then.