| Reviews : Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras |
Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras Product By Sigma Corporation Available From 9 Sellers |
Technical Details
- Incorporating Sigma's original OS (Optical Stabilizer) function.
- An ultra-telephoto zoom lens covers a telephoto range up to 500mm and allows short perspective.
- Three SLD glass elements and a rear focus system provide optimum image quality throughout the entire zoom range.
- Super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting.
- HSM ensures quiet and high-speed autofocus.
Product Description
This ultra-telephoto zoom lens covers a telephoto range up to 500mm and allows photographers to bring the subject close and short perspective. Sigmas original OS (Optical Stabilizer) function offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower. It is ideal for sports, wildlife and landscape photography with handheld shooting. Three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements provide excellent correction for chromatic aberration. This lens is equipped with a rear focus system that minimizes fluctuation of aberration caused by focusing. The super multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range. This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which ensures a quiet and high-speed AF as well as full-time manual focusing capability. The addition of the (optional) 1.4x EX DG APO or 2x EX DG APO Tele Converters produce a 210-700mm F7-9 MF ultra-telephoto zoom lens or a 300-1000mm F10-13 MF ultra-telephoto zoom lens respectively. A removable tripod socket (TS-31) is included as a standard component.Similar Products
Customer Reviews
By Bill Schrader (Lakeview, OR USA)
I wanted this lens for good closeup pictures of birds. I find the pictures to be very sharp. Although a bit heavy for handheld work that is how I have used it so far and with excellent results. I would recommend this lens for anyone needing a good long lens at a fairly reasonable price.
By T. Cogar
Essentially, the Sigma 150-500 OS is an indirect answer to the Canon 100-400mm F4 IS L lens. The problem with most comparisons is that the Canon F4 costs significantly more.
The direct point is that the Canon does perform marginally better in every aspect. The Sigma clearly wins in cost-performance ratio but that also varies based on your intended use and preferences. The main difference is the 70%+ price in the lenses.
The Sigma 150-500 is *NOT* a substitute for a low-light high speed use telephoto lens such as F2.8 lenses. However, the 2.8 lenses are an apples to oranges comparison - comparing a 400mm 2.8 that costs several times more ($6500) and suited to a different purpose. The Sigma lens is suited more towards daytime wildlife as opposed to sports events in varying conditions or poor lighting in any situation.
The 150-500 has shortcomings compared to the more expensive lenses - which is typically the case for any brand. I still highly recommend the lens & have enjoyed 600+ pictures within 7 days of owning it. The lens is excellent for wildlife, a great "out-of-box" experience with accessories, and will serve most a long time.
+ Optics are outstanding considering the market price.
+ Less than $1000 USD as of this writing
+ 500mm without use of a teleconverter
- Not as sharp compared to the 50-500 Sigma but the 50-500 lacks OS/IS
+ Light build quality considering lens class
- Durability trade-off for lower weight. Sealing not optimal, housing uses plastic.
+ Aesthetics. Rubberized/tactile feel with a sleek dark gray body.
- Aesthetics/durability. Coating on body prone to marks/scratches.
- Stiff zoom ring takes effort to operate.
+ Durable OEM lens hood included
+ Solid OEM hard lens case included (in fact it is shipped in the case)
+ OEM Tripod collar included
+ Excellent industry warranty (3 years USA)
+ HSM motor quick but not the fastest.
- Seeks a bit for focus in less-than-optimal light a bit earlier than the Canon equivalents.
- Autofocus a bit more finicky than lens-class equivalents.
- OS certainly does not reach the claimed 4 stop benefit
+ OS obtains a clear 2 stop advantage
- Noisy OS
- Image appears to shake a bit in viewfinder w/ OS operating
A final note: Most lenses (except prime non-zoom lenses) are a bit soft at the widest aperture (f/5) - this Sigma included. I certainly do not dock a non-prime lens for this as others have.
Updated 10-13-2009
I pushed several hundred more pictures through the lens and I am still satisfied. I will note a few observations including those not associated with the lens performance.
The Sigma feels a bit loose on my 450D/XSi when mounted. This is pronounced when adjusting the zoom ring which is rather stiff. Research indicates this is normal due to manufacturing tolerances, especially concerning the lens release/lock pin on the body mount. This issue varies depending on the camera body and lens - thus not a Sigma issue per say. An associate w/ the Canon 100-400 F/4 L IS lens reports similar behavior on his camera body (40D) but not on other camera bodies. I can't fault Sigma for this issue and I doubt everyone experiences this.
I mentioned a stiff zoom ring but I wasn't concerned with this initially. I thought the same about my Canon 24-70 F/2.8 L lens when I first received it. However, the stiff zoom ring coupled with the slight camera body shift seems to amplify the annoyance. Buyers should be very aware of the stiff zoom ring which I had not originally mentioned.
86mm filters are rather expensive. Tiffen offers a $30 UV filter solution but my experience is that Tiffen are poor quality products. Admittedly, I'm using one for the moment but have not noticed any reflections/aberrations. An 86mm Hoya UV filter runs almost $100 which I will purchase at a later date. I would not recommend a polarizer due to the loss of light.
I have gone through several camera bags - swapping and storing the lens in the field is a task. I am currently using the Lowepro Flipside 300 but that tends to be a snug fit w/ body attached. I will likely purchase a Lowepro Stealth Reporter D400 AW to carry my flash, 24-70 L lens, Sigma, and other necessities. The lens measures almost 9.5 inches in length.
By John H. Carrel (NE USA)
I enjoy wildlife photography, especially birds. I had a Tamron 200-500mm and was satisfied with it, but it didn't have any form of optical stabilation. I carry my gear into the wild and didn't like toting around a tripod, so I started researching other 500mm zoom lenses. I read quite a few positive reviews of the Sigma 150-500mm OS HSM lens and a few nuetral or negative reviews stating the lens was a little soft at the longer end and especially at f/6.3. I am offering this review to debunk some of those negative reviews.
I hand-hold a lot of my 500mm shots and I DO NOT have a steady hand. I am amazed at how sharp this lens is even hand-held at that focal length. Granted, the lens is not a fast lens, so even in good light I am forced to use f/6.3 aperture most of the time and still cannot use a very fast shutter speed. But, at 500mm f/6.3, I can hand-hold this lens and get sharp shots at 1/200th of a second shutter speed. This would NOT be possible without the OS (Optical Stabilization), it definitely works as advertised.
When possible, I will use a tripod for distant shots of shy wildlife and this lens performs like a champ with OS turned off and mounted to a tripod. I have a Kenko Pro 300 1.4x and a 2x teleconvter, which work with this lens and I still have autofocus AND OS (if it is turned on). I was surprised AND amazed at the quality of shot I got with either one of these teleconverters. If you have adequate light, this lens, even with a 2x teleconverter attached will allow you to get those long range shots only the pros can get with their expensive lenses.
I would love to be able to brag that I have all Nikon equipment, but to be able to meet the quality of shots you can get with this lens at 500mm with a Nikon lens, you will have to pay between $[...]. That makes this $[...] lens pretty appealing and within the price range of most hobby photographers.
[...].
By D. L. Sachs
Excellent lens, especially for the price! I have been using this lens mostly for sports (football) photography so far. Pictures have been very sharp with excellent color. Have taken from up to 100 yards away and been able to zoom in on the action. This is definitely more of a daylight lens because of the aperture range.
By J. Wong (Northridge,Calif.)
This is mine second Sigma Lens and it is very sharp on the optical zoom. I bought the item from Amazom when it was on todays special. The picture are crisp and sharp when using the Sigma teleconverter. I am a Canon person since I one earlier why not go for the big Mama. I would recommend this lens.
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