Bigma HSM experiences?

rfortson · 06-18-2009, 09:57 PM

I noticed that the new Bigma (Sigma 50-500) is now available with HSM. Does anyone here have experience with it? How does it compare to the older Bigma? Is the AF faster or just quieter? Is the image quality the same?

Thanks!

dan aron · 06-19-2009, 01:07 AM

Not available for Pentax. It's only for Canon, Nikon, Sigma and Four Thirds.

m42geo · 06-19-2009, 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by dan aron

Not available for Pentax. It's only for Canon, Nikon, Sigma and Four Thirds.

It has pentax mount, I saw on ebay

dan aron · 06-19-2009, 02:40 AM

Originally Posted by m42geo

It has pentax mount, I saw on ebay

Yes, I've seen them too in many shops but Bigma with HSM for Pentax doesn't exist.

Mike.P® · 06-19-2009, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by m42geo

It has pentax mount, I saw on ebay

UK Sigma page

Sony and Pentax mounts have no HSM

geordie graham · 06-19-2009, 07:47 AM

I think Russ is on about the new 150-500.Have just read about someone who bought one and also has the 170-500 and did a comparison.The 150-500 was so far behind the 170-500 that he sent it back to Sigma thinking it was faulty.When he got it back it was just as bad.He is not a happy chappy.

Graham

XATN3q · 06-19-2009, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by geordie graham

I think Russ is on about the new 150-500.Have just read about someone who bought one and also has the 170-500 and did a comparison.The 150-500 was so far behind the 170-500 that he sent it back to Sigma thinking it was faulty.When he got it back it was just as bad.He is not a happy chappy.

Graham

please don't, i'm going to grab one soon because they have the HSM , now I have to find something else to replace

Mike.P® · 06-19-2009, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by XATN3q

please don't, i'm going to grab one soon because they have the HSM , now I have to find something else to replace

Put it this way, he sold his 170-500mm to buy the 150-500mm and since getting it he has bought another 170-50mm off Ebay because he was so unimpressed.

rfortson · 06-19-2009, 09:27 PM

Thanks for the clarification. Adorama's page for the 50-500 says HSM for Pentax mount, but when I looked at Sigma's page for the lens, I see the disclaimer that HSM isn't for Pentax. Oh well...

*brecklundin* · 06-19-2009, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by rfortson

Thanks for the clarification. Adorama's page for the 50-500 says HSM for Pentax mount, but when I looked at Sigma's page for the lens, I see the disclaimer that HSM isn't for Pentax. Oh well...

If you are looking for something long like the Bigma...seriously look at the Bigmos instead. It has HSM but is not an EX build, officially. I owned one for about 6months only to sell it to buy my 24-60 and 180mm macro (for my 40D) and can tell ya, it is a GREAT lens but really needs a lot of light and patience while learning with it. I am not sure how it would work with the Pentax stabilization though. I know I just read there are two Sigma's that now apparently give people the option of the in lens OS of the Pentax SR.

But I can really vouch for the quality of the beast that is the Bigmos...heavy bugger though. I would definitely want a battery grip on the Pentax body to make things feel more balanced though.

dan aron · 06-20-2009, 02:14 AM

Originally Posted by brecklundin

.seriously look at the Bigmos instead.

.. Bigmos...

This was the first time I hear about Bigmos. What's that?

*brecklundin* · 06-20-2009, 02:35 AM

Originally Posted by dan aron

This was the first time I hear about Bigmos. What's that?

Oops...forgot to define that one...it's just the Sigma 150-500 OS. I really liked that lens. But as I mentioned that was using the lens based Sigma OS not the SR in the Pentax body.

It is HEAVY at 5 or 6lbs...yet it's very well balanced. Early versions had some issues which really seem to have been shaken out of the production process. On the board I am migrating from the Bigmos (think Bigma with OS....I knoooow, everyone wants to name these things...then again, it's easier than typing a lot of the official names.

) anyway, over there people are finally getting to know how best to use the lens and are getting results which are easily on par, at worst, or better in some ways, than the Canon 100-400mm L and it's a fair bit cheaper.

The one thing I remind people about when considering the lens is it is NOT a Sigma EX build (their version of the DA* or Canon L but w/o any weather sealing). So if you get one, do spend $50 to add a four year MACK, Square Trade or whatever warranty as the non-EX Sigma lenses have just a single year warranty.

I did notice there are only two reviews of the lens here on PF. And one of them looks to be, well, suspect at best. It claims they lens feels "plastic"...that would be news to anyone who owns the thing. If it is OK I can post a link to a excellent gallery on another board dedicated to the Bigmos where you can see how it works, but it's the Canon mount not the Pentax mount so, there can be difference of which I am not yet aware since, well, I don;t even have a Pentax yet...d'oh!! Middle of next month should be the right time...maybe even the end or I might just be an early adopter...danged K7 has me hooked so far...

The Bigmos also has HSM, OS and APO glass...it's extremely well made, now anyway.

dan aron · 06-20-2009, 04:39 AM

Originally Posted by brecklundin

Oops...forgot to define that one...it's just the Sigma 150-500 OS.

Ok, thanks. That makes sense