Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG HSM, is the OS version much better ?

Matchete · 04-24-2012, 06:47 AM

I have the opportunity to buy a used Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG HSM for a very good price.

I am wondering if the more recent OS version is optically different as it has better marks in the lens review section.

Also i've heard that OS is more efficient than in-camera SR for very long focals, is that true ?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

panoguy · 04-24-2012, 07:22 AM

No idea if the older version is optically different (I only have the latest one), but the lens-based OS definitely is more effective than the in-camera SR at long (300mm+) focal lengths when handheld. I've found this to be the case during 8 months of having the 150-500 OS, and frequently switching to SR when the battery levels get low (Sigma OS uses a lot of power from the camera).

I haven't done a scientific study, but part of the reason might be that when you see the stabilization in the viewfinder you can properly frame things and take care that you aren't shaking too much more, whereas with in-body SR you see a frantically bouncing image and you're really pressing the shutter release and "hoping" it corrects it for you. Naturally, at shorter lengths where the viewfinder image doesn't bounce as much, there really isn't much of a difference in what you see/ what you get...

On a related note, I'm looking to get a faster and sharper zoom in the 300mm range (DA*60-250/4, Sigma 100-300/4), but with the Sigma 120-300/2.8 indefinitely delayed, it's also a choice to do without the HSM and OS in trade for those faster shutter speeds. Maybe the Sigma 70-200/2.8 with OS and a TC? Nah...

Matchete · 04-24-2012, 07:38 AM

Thanks a lot for the fast answer.

I didn't know that OS also affected the viewfinder, that's a big plus !

I already have trouble framing correctly because of "image bounce" at 300mm with my lightweight DA-L 55-300, so I imagine how bothersome it would be at 500mm with a 2kg lens !

I think I'm going to pass up on this one.

slackercruster · 04-24-2012, 04:46 PM

I just did some tests shots with a 50-500 OS. I was impressed that you could get 3 or 4 stops extra with handholding it at 500mm. It is a big bulky lens though. You could almost use it for a dumbell! But if you need one, it is an excellent choice.

panoguy · 04-24-2012, 06:47 PM

Originally posted by slackercruster

It is a big bulky lens though. You could almost use it for a dumbell! But if you need one, it is an excellent choice.

As a dumbbell?

04-24-2012, 06:47 AM	#1
Matchete Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 134	Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG HSM, is the OS version much better ? I have the opportunity to buy a used Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG HSM for a very good price. I am wondering if the more recent OS version is optically different as it has better marks in the lens review section. Also i've heard that OS is more efficient than in-camera SR for very long focals, is that true ? Thanks in advance for your answers.

04-24-2012, 07:22 AM	#2
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	No idea if the older version is optically different (I only have the latest one), but the lens-based OS definitely is more effective than the in-camera SR at long (300mm+) focal lengths when handheld. I've found this to be the case during 8 months of having the 150-500 OS, and frequently switching to SR when the battery levels get low (Sigma OS uses a lot of power from the camera). I haven't done a scientific study, but part of the reason might be that when you see the stabilization in the viewfinder you can properly frame things and take care that you aren't shaking too much more, whereas with in-body SR you see a frantically bouncing image and you're really pressing the shutter release and "hoping" it corrects it for you. Naturally, at shorter lengths where the viewfinder image doesn't bounce as much, there really isn't much of a difference in what you see/ what you get... On a related note, I'm looking to get a faster and sharper zoom in the 300mm range (DA60-250/4, Sigma 100-300/4), but with the Sigma 120-300/2.8 indefinitely delayed, it's also a choice to do without the HSM and OS in trade for those faster shutter speeds. Maybe the Sigma 70-200/2.8 with OS and a TC? Nah... Last edited by panoguy; 04-24-2012 at 07:28 AM.*

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04-24-2012, 07:38 AM	#3
Matchete Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 134 Original Poster	Thanks a lot for the fast answer. I didn't know that OS also affected the viewfinder, that's a big plus ! I already have trouble framing correctly because of "image bounce" at 300mm with my lightweight DA-L 55-300, so I imagine how bothersome it would be at 500mm with a 2kg lens ! I think I'm going to pass up on this one.

04-24-2012, 04:46 PM	#4
slackercruster Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NE, USA Posts: 1,302	I just did some tests shots with a 50-500 OS. I was impressed that you could get 3 or 4 stops extra with handholding it at 500mm. It is a big bulky lens though. You could almost use it for a dumbell! But if you need one, it is an excellent choice.

04-24-2012, 06:47 PM	#5
panoguy Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,327	Originally posted by slackercruster It is a big bulky lens though. You could almost use it for a dumbell! But if you need one, it is an excellent choice. As a dumbbell?