Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM APO RF Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax and Samsung SLR Cameras

by Sigma

Product Details

• Item Weight: 4.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0009F3MRE
• Item model number: B0009F3MRE
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 14, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Optimized for Pentax and Samsung digital SLR cameras, this high-zoom Sigma lens is capable of covering a wide range of focal lengths, from 50mm standard to 500mm ultra telephoto. The lens employs four pieces of special-low-dispersion (SLD) glass to correct for color aberration throughout the entire zoom range, along with a super coating on each glass surface that reduces flare and ghosting. As a result, all your images come out crisp and colorful. The lens also includes a Zoom Lock device that eliminates "zoom creep" when the lens is tilted down. And thanks to the non-rotating front lens elements, you can attach a custom bayonet "petal-type hood" to prevent extraneous light from degrading the image quality. Other features include support for APO teleconverters (sold separately), which can convert the lens to 140-700mm or 200-1000mm focal lengths; a magnesium tripod mount with an ergonomic design; and a close focusing distance of 39.4 to 118.1 inches. All Sigma lenses carry a one-year warranty.

Specifications

• Focal length: 50 to 500mm
• Maximum aperture: f/4 to f/6.3
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• Lens construction: 20 elements in 16 groups
• Angle of view: 46.8 to 5 degrees
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9
• Minimum focusing distance: 39.4 to 118.1 inches
• Maximum magnification: 1:5.2
• Filter size: 86mm
• Corresponding AF mounts: Pentax and Samsung
• Dimensions: 3.7 inches in diameter and 8.6 inches long
• Weight: 64.9 ounces
• Warranty: 1 year

Product Description

High Magnification Zoom Lens with a 10x zoom ratio. Optimized for digital SLR cameras. This high zoom ratio lens is optimized for digital SLR cameras and capable of covering a wide range of focal lengths from 50mm standard to 500mm ultra telephoto.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great decision, March 30, 2008

By 

Colin J (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM APO RF Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax and Samsung SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I was first thinking about this lens a year ago. I had seen some great results on different forums but ended up not buying it. I bought a teleconverter instead for my existing lens. Now a year later after being disappointed with the teleconverter I decided to go ahead and buy the Bigma. What a difference. The images are sharp, there is no CA, edge sharpness is good. Yes, it is a little heavy and not the fastest 50mm lens out there, but who buys a 50-500 zoom for the short end anyway? I took it out to a local lake and got some great shots of Osprey, Red-tailed Hawks, and Herons. None of these would have been possible without the Bigma. All shots were taken hand-held. The Bigma on my K10D with shake reduction work well together. I took a few test shots handheld down to 1/60th, while not crystal sharp there were still far superior to anything I could have gotten with the teleconverter on a tripod.
All in all I highly recommend this lens.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great lens at a good price, June 7, 2008

By 

J. Stimpert "stimpert" (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM APO RF Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax and Samsung SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I've read many reviews of this lens, in many places. Most of them begin by stating that this lens is very heavy - too heavy to use without a tripod. I agree, but why would anyone use a 500mm lens without at least a monopod? Yes, this lens weighs four pounds. But Sigma also makes a 500mm prime lens that weighs seven pounds, so it's all relative. As for quality, this lens is excellent. It's f/6.3 at 500mm, so there's the tradeoff between this lens and their (street-price $4,200) 500mm f/4.5 lens. But it's very sharp from f/8 to f/22, so that suits me fine. I've used this lens for a couple of months and did a rather exhaustive test indoors, with everything tightened down and no wind, at all focal lengths, and it looks very sharp. If you have it on a tripod and the wind is blowing from the side, it can be problematic because the lens becomes a sail, but that would be true of any large lens, regardless of the price. If you're looking for an affordable 500mm lens, this is it. Just do yourself (and your photography) a big favor and also invest in a tripod, or at least a monopod. One point of curiosity - Sigma says you cannot use this lens at less than 100mm with a teleconverter. Why would anyone put a teleconverter on a zoom lens and use it at less than the maximum focal length?

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful lens. A little too heavy., March 8, 2007

By 

Nuwan Samaranayake - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM APO RF Telephoto Zoom Lens for Pentax and Samsung SLR Cameras (Electronics)

This is a very good lens. Very sharp pictures and excellent zoom range. However, the lens is quit heavy so u probly need a tripod most of the time. Although it can be used as a 50mm lens I doubt anyone will carry it for that purpose. On the other hand it is nice to have that zoom range if ur on a safari so u dont have to change lenses to shoot something close. I will mainly use this for wild life photography and this an excellent lens for that purpose for the money I can spend.