Need help choosing a long lens

**Heinrich Lohmann** · 12-23-2006, 09:26 PM

I am starting to look at some long lenses and am looking at Sigmas:

APO 170-500 5-6.3 DG
APO 50-500 4-6.3 EX DG HSM

I have no experience with either one of them and would appreciate some feedback from people that have used them. My main interest is the long end, I don't "need" the short end of the 50-500. If anyone would have some samples that would be even better.

I have also posted this on (DPR) .

roentarre · 12-24-2006, 03:49 AM

Hi Heinrich. I was in similar dilemma before trying to choose between the two. I wished there were some help available at all.

DPR only has 2 to 3 threads regarding Bigma example shots and the rest of posts come from C*non and N*kon websites.

APO 170-500 5-6.3 is quoted not as great as 50-500 4-6.3 DG EX HSM: Not as sharp and colour not as great.

I bought mine recently and I tend to use it between 400-500. This lens has been designed to cheat the camera body so that even f6.3 can do AF on k10d. Somehow the lens gave the signal of f5.6 to the camera body to autofocus while in fact the aperture was 6.3

There is a wide speculation regarding Bigma soft at long end over 430 mm. This was not the case with me as long as there is enough light! The major limitation is the aperture of 6.3 at long ends. HSM is fast but to me, not fast enough. The colour is great in the same par with sigma 70-200 f2.8

Imagewise, not as 3D and punchy as pentax lens colour renditon.

Eventhough it is called Bigma, it is not that big and only 1.4 kg weight. Not heavy to be honest. Quite handy as a lens since it covers a big range of zoom.

I will give you a few examples here. I had not shot the images often enough yet.

1/1000s f/8.0 at 500.0mm iso400 full exif

1/500s f/6.7 at 420.0mm iso400 full exif

1/1000s f/8.0 at 500.0mm iso400 full exif

1/250s f/8.0 at 500.0mm iso400 full exif

1/750s f/8.0 at 500.0mm iso400 full exif

I hope the images help.

James

joele · 12-24-2006, 05:13 AM

I don't own either but have tried them both and also the Sigma 135-400..

The 135-400 was slightly better than the 170-500 and the 50-500 EX is a BIG step above both of them...

RussellW · 12-26-2006, 06:00 PM

I use the 50 - 500, while out shooting motor racing with great effect, I will be home next week and I will post some photos.

12-23-2006, 09:26 PM	#1
Heinrich Lohmann Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Airdrie, Alberta Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,097	Need help choosing a long lens I am starting to look at some long lenses and am looking at Sigmas: APO 170-500 5-6.3 DG APO 50-500 4-6.3 EX DG HSM I have no experience with either one of them and would appreciate some feedback from people that have used them. My main interest is the long end, I don't "need" the short end of the 50-500. If anyone would have some samples that would be even better. I have also posted this on (DPR) .

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12-24-2006, 03:49 AM	#2
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Hi Heinrich. I was in similar dilemma before trying to choose between the two. I wished there were some help available at all. DPR only has 2 to 3 threads regarding Bigma example shots and the rest of posts come from Cnon and Nkon websites. APO 170-500 5-6.3 is quoted not as great as 50-500 4-6.3 DG EX HSM: Not as sharp and colour not as great. I bought mine recently and I tend to use it between 400-500. This lens has been designed to cheat the camera body so that even f6.3 can do AF on k10d. Somehow the lens gave the signal of f5.6 to the camera body to autofocus while in fact the aperture was 6.3 There is a wide speculation regarding Bigma soft at long end over 430 mm. This was not the case with me as long as there is enough light! The major limitation is the aperture of 6.3 at long ends. HSM is fast but to me, not fast enough. The colour is great in the same par with sigma 70-200 f2.8 Imagewise, not as 3D and punchy as pentax lens colour renditon. Eventhough it is called Bigma, it is not that big and only 1.4 kg weight. Not heavy to be honest. Quite handy as a lens since it covers a big range of zoom. I will give you a few examples here. I had not shot the images often enough yet. 1/1000s f/8.0 at 500.0mm iso400 full exif 1/500s f/6.7 at 420.0mm iso400 full exif 1/1000s f/8.0 at 500.0mm iso400 full exif 1/250s f/8.0 at 500.0mm iso400 full exif 1/750s f/8.0 at 500.0mm iso400 full exif I hope the images help. James

12-24-2006, 05:13 AM	#3
joele Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,308	I don't own either but have tried them both and also the Sigma 135-400.. The 135-400 was slightly better than the 170-500 and the 50-500 EX is a BIG step above both of them...

12-26-2006, 06:00 PM	#4
RussellW Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 198	I use the 50 - 500, while out shooting motor racing with great effect, I will be home next week and I will post some photos.

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