Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM SLD Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital DSLR Camera

by Sigma

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 4.1 x 4.1 inches ; 4.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B003A6H2Y8
• Item model number: 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 Nikon
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 3, 2010

Product Description

Style: Nikon Digital DSLR Camera

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Focus-Focus, October 4, 2010

By 

R. J. Hoover - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM SLD Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital DSLR Camera (Electronics)

Just received the lens. Using with a Cannon EOS XTi.

Pros
- Sturdy feel to the lens
- Impressive focal length range.
- Good picture quality throughout the range (speaking as a non-pro)
- OS pretty good. Taking acceptable quality hand-held shots at full extension in bright sun.

Cons
- Autofocus not working out-of-the-box. Of note that this lens was NOT in the serial number range specified by SIGMA's customer alert.
- Very poor response time on queries to SIGMA's tech service.
- Some (minor) vignetting noticable at longer focal lengths.
- Does not work with my TAMRON teleconverter even though this TC does function with my Cannon lens.
- Heavy

Returning the lense for replacement through AMAZON due to the autofocus issue. Will see how well the next one does.

UPDATE:
Received replacement lense from AMAZON with working autofocus. Took it out today for extensive testing and am well pleased so far. Focal range is impressive and am getting good shots throughout the range. OS function gives reasonable good shots even when hand held at 500MM. Normally use with a monopod however.

Tempted to upgrade my rating from 2 to 4 stars however will leave it at 3 for time being. Issues:
- Continued poor SIGMA customer service. My email requesting Tech assistance after first lens' failure is now 5 days old with no response from SIGMA. In same period I returned original lens to AMAZON, got a replacement and tested it (kudos to AMAZON Customer Service). Had similar poor response experience with SIGMA when I was originally researching the lens.
- Some residual caution about reliability of the autofocus function. Seems to be a fairly common issue with this lense. I'll withhold judgement until I have a bit more field experience with the lens.

NEW UPDATE:
Took lens overseas for several weeks of heavy-duty use. Still pleased. A few (minor) comments:
- Autofocus still working however does tend to have difficulty in finding the perfect focus point for "busy" background. Tend to use manual focusing a bit more than I would like.
- Range for this lens is impressive as previously indicated. Great for wildlife photography. The 50MM low end is however not quite good enough for those wide/scenic shots. Find myself carrying a good point-and-shoot camera to get those scenic vistas as too much trouble to keep changing lenses.
- Never did get a response from SIGMA tech service. Academic now - however can't help wondering if they really exist. Not looking forward to dealing with SIGMA if the lens ever needs maintenance.

46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I am amazed, May 13, 2010

By 

Eric Zhang (Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM SLD Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital DSLR Camera (Electronics)

I've had this lens for a few days and am very pleased with it. Given the fact that it's covering such a wide range, I didn't expect it to have very high IQ, yet I am pleasantly surprised. I measured it against my super sharp Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII with TC-17, both @ 340mm f/6.3 and f/8, and the IQ is about the same on a D300s, even though on a full frame D3s, the 70-200mm + TC-17 is slightly sharper. This is quite remarkable, because 70-200 f/2.8 VRII is one of the best lenses Nikon has ever made, and it can produce better pictures at 100mm than the highly regarded Tokina 100mm macro lens I own, and even when shooting macros, the 70-200 + TC-17 + Canon 500D combo is comparable to the Tokina 100mm.

Image color is great, with vivid contrast. I had a few bird shots at fully extended 500mm and they turned out to be great pictures. CA is minimum too, only slightly visible when fully zoomed in, and no worse than my 70-200+1.7 combo. Focus is fast, even though it has always been a challenge for me when shooting sports and moving animals. Build is very solid. It's about the same length as the Nikon 70-200mm VRII without the hood, and about 20% wider. Maybe I am already used to the 70-200mm, this lens is not as heavy as I expected, maybe just a little heavier, and certainly handheldable. The OS certainly helps, and I can shoot handheld 500mm at 1/30sec with good image quality. The OS can be turned to 'off', '1', or '2'. When not shooting at high shutter speed, I used '1' only and I suppose '2' is for shooting from moving car on a bumpy road. I haven't tried manual focus yet. Zoom in and out is a little tight, and that might be the only negative I can find with this lens so far. It's not hard to get used to it, so not a big deal, and you can be sure that lens creeping will never be a problem, even though it still comes with a zoom lock.

Overall, I am extremely happy with this purchase. With an unmatched covering range of 50 to 500mm, it is a great lens for shooting kids sports, which is the main reason I bought this lens. With the high IQ, it's also a great lens for shooting birds. I think it's well worth the money.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great buy, July 17, 2010

By 

Ben - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM SLD Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital DSLR Camera (Electronics)

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:
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