Camera Lenses

New Sigma APO 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM. This is a 10x high zoom ratio ultra telephoto zoom lens incorporating Sigma's original Optical Stabilizer function. This lens covers a wide range of focal lengths from 50mm to 500mm ultra telephoto. The OS (Optical Stabilizer) function offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible. Four SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements provide excellent correction of color aberration. The Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghost and ensures high image quality throughout the entire zoom range. This lens has a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.1 (at the focal length of 200mm) making it ideal for close-up photography. This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), ensuring quiet and high speed AF as well as full-time manual focus capability. The addition of the optional 1.4x EX DG or 2x EX DG APO Tele Converters produce a 70-700mm F6.3-8 or a 100-1000mm F9-12.6 MF zoom lens respectively. This lens is equipped with a Petal-type hood to block out extraneous light. The filter size of this lens is 95mm and the lens is supplied with a step down ring enabling digital cameras with an APS-C size image sensor to use an 86mm filter. *For Nikon and Canon mounts, Optical Stabilizer (OS) function will not work with film SLR cameras except Nikon F6 and Canon EOS-1V. *It is not possible to use a Polarizing filter with the step down ring. If you attach a

User Reviews about Sigma 50-500mm f 4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM SLD Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital DSLR Camera

Love the lens
Love the price
Hate the thought of getting it repaired 2 weeks after it arrived.
The auto focus has completly failed.

Sigma shows no waranty for the seriel number shipped from Amazon????
Out of pocket repair $$$$$$???????

When I get the bill I will re update. -- Used "Bigma"

After buying this week I have to say I love the lens. I've only been out three times with it and have taken about 200 frames but have been really impressed with the results. The optical stabiliser really does allow you to shoot hand held at least 4 stops slower than usual and still get sharp images, even at 500mm. There are two optical stability settings, one as a general on setting, and the other for shooting moving subjects.

It is relatively heavy but easily manageable. Today I spent the day shooting an AVP tournament at Hermosa Beach and it was fine.

If you're looking for a large zoom lens to add to your arsenal then I highly recommend this lens. I can see it being a fantastic asset for wildlife photography and I have already enjoyed its huge range capturing sports action such as surfing and volleyball.

I also have sigma's 18-50mm f2.8 lens which I've used for over a year. The construction on both is very solid and the images they produce are brilliant. Plus they retail around half the price of a Nikon or Canon equivalent. You can't argue with the value they provide.

If you're wondering if you should buy this lens, go for it. You won't be disappointed.

I have loaded some photos here if interested:
[...] -- Great buy

It's been a bit shy of a full week and I have taken over 1000 shots(I posted a few shots here at various focal lens (butterfly, dove, frog, cardinal on a perch, woodpecker, and wren). The performance of this lens is hard to beat. I tested it side by side with the Sigma 150-500mm model, because that lens is a much less costly option and offers the range I need. But the 50-500mm pictures were superior and the AF of the 50-500mm is much faster and accurate. I used a Nikon D90. My main driver in getting this lens is that I want to take shots of birds and wildlife at a distance that my capable Tamron 18-270mm zoom was just not up to the task. This lens does let you do such wildlife photography quite capably. While the 50-500mm can be handheld, because of optical stabilization,in my opinion, if you plan to get sharp pictures of small animals that are at a distance on a consistent basis you need a good steady tripod. Otherwise, you will be frustrated more often than not if you expect to take sharp enough pictures. But if you have plenty of light and are taking shots of things at a close distance, handheld is doable (see the cardinal on a perch shot), but the lens is heavy. And why would you want such a bulky lens when a shorter focal length will suffice. Bokeh is excellent on this lens.

My lens was defective- on a few occasions it caused the shutter of the camera to freeze and gave the camera an error message. I contacted Sigma and they said this problem had not been reported. This is not the AF issue Sigma announced in June. Another reviewer here noted a similar issue to mine. Using the replacement lens for the past six days, I have not encountered any problems. Ironically, the serial number of the first lens i bought did not fall within the range of those Sigma issued the advisory on. The second lens does fall within the range of s/n with potential AF issues. Sigma told me that if there was an AF issue it would show off the box. My len's AF is very accurate. Hunting is rare.

While $1600 is a lot of money, it is a fraction of the cost of a much faster Nikon lens of lesser range (but with superb optics). There is no point to compare such a Nikon lens, because that is on another league. The bottom line is that this Sigma seems a very capable lens for the price. I rated it at 4 stars because of the defect of the first lens, but on the second lens performance/price ratio justifies 5 stars. The lens comes with a well padded case and a lens strap, which is the preferred way to carry the lens with the camera attached. It also has a three year warranty. -- Great lens for wildlife Photography!

This lens is very well built, solid construction. You feel as if you could drop this thing of the roof of your house and not damage it at all (not recommended to try though). Picture quality is excellent as well. I use the lens on a Nikon D300 and the only thing I noticed different using this lens from the Nikor 18-200 lens, is that I needed to step up the auto exposure setting a notch or two, if not, the pictures are slightly darker. Otherwise I truly love this lens, I use it almost exclusively now. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a super-zoom lens! -- Glad I made the purchase