Sigma 50-500 vs Sigma 500

chickenandavocado · 05-25-2013, 06:51 AM

hi

just wondering if anyone has examples of sigma 50-500 @ 500 VS sigma 500 at F8?

understand im comparing a $1500 zoom to a $5000 prime but would like to see if anyone has done a comparison (if there's a really clear difference) nonetheless.

manacho2005 · 05-25-2013, 08:24 AM

Pixelpeeper.com

You can choose focal length and aperture of just about any lens and see samples. If you lucky, you can see samples from your own specific camera.

Adam · 05-25-2013, 09:20 AM

Originally posted by chickenandavocado

hi

just wondering if anyone has examples of sigma 50-500 @ 500 VS sigma 500 at F8?

understand im comparing a $1500 zoom to a $5000 prime but would like to see if anyone has done a comparison (if there's a really clear difference) nonetheless.

There's going to be a fairly big difference. At the long end, the 50-500 is quite lacking in resolution.

**crewl1** · 05-25-2013, 10:57 AM

Adam's comments are based on older versions of the Bigma.
The latest OS version is actually very sharp at 500mm.
I believe @pearsaab may have both lenses that you are trying to compare and would have an opinion of the differences.

**pearsaab** · 05-27-2013, 06:37 PM

I have both lens and was very happy with the 50-500 at the long end which is pretty much where I used it...I would offer to do some comparisons but next couple of weeks are tied up with my mother in law being in town and having a family wedding so my pictures are going to be pretty boring if I get a chance to take any but I honestly was very happy with the 50-500 and had it about a year before I got the 500..my husband has been using the 50-500 but if you're willing to wait I will try to do some comparisons in june

**pearsaab** · 05-27-2013, 06:45 PM

this guys was shot with the 50-500 at f8 and iso 2500 but only at 370...will keep looking

IMGP1030 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

**pearsaab** · 05-27-2013, 06:54 PM

this is f 6.3 iso 400 500mm

6 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

CheepShot · 05-27-2013, 07:52 PM

The 50-500os only produces an image that equates to 425mm, or there abouts. It's razor sharp even with a 1.4x TC. The 500 doesn't have os and isn't hand hold able. I just compared the two lenses last week. The 150-500 OS has roughly the same exterior dimensions and just as sharp. For me, a 300mm lens is much easier for birds in flight shots. That might tide you over until Pearsaab can post some images. The shots with the 500mm and the Q are amazing.

**crewl1** · 05-27-2013, 08:04 PM

Originally posted by CheepShot

The 50-500os only produces an image that equates to 425mm, or there abouts. It's razor sharp even with a 1.4x TC. The 500 doesn't have os and isn't hand hold able. I just compared the two lenses last week. The 150-500 OS has roughly the same exterior dimensions and just as sharp. For me, a 300mm lens is much easier for birds in flight shots. That might tide you over until Pearsaab can post some images. The shots with the 500mm and the Q are amazing.

Interesting info about the Bigma being only 425. How is that determined?

I believe @Geyser shoots his 500mm hand held but he is also a big guy.
I'm too wimpy for that.

CheepShot · 05-27-2013, 08:13 PM

I had read someone elses post on a different forum that stated it. Doing my own comparison, I found the image sizes between my 300/2.8 with a 1.4tc and the Bigma at 500mm were almost identical.

**jpzk** · 05-27-2013, 08:21 PM

I thought I might be of some help if you care following some threads which discussed the subject:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/216903-help-me...all-sigma.html

Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG APO Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database

... among others.
There is also this one which discusses 300mm + lenses:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/55946-300mm-plus-lens-club-dis...ng-lenses.html

As for the 500mm not being hand-holdable, I thought I might have read that quite a few owners of that lens are using, at times, "handheld".

Cheers!

JP

lesmore49 · 05-27-2013, 08:35 PM

I just bought a new Sigma 150-500 and even though I'm an old geezer...I find the lens quite hand holdable. Certainly, it's heavy.....and after about 45 minutes of walking around with it...that's my limit.

Mine is the latest version and I find it quite sharp at 500mm...I am careful with my F stops, ISO, shutter speed, hand holding/support technique and generally shoot with the light behind my back...when I can.

But I do this when taking outdoor photo's.... with all my lenses...wide angle up. 45 years of mistakes, screw ups ....as they say...bad experiences...evolve into good experiences.

joe.penn · 05-27-2013, 09:00 PM

Originally posted by CheepShot

The 50-500os only produces an image that equates to 425mm, or there abouts. It's razor sharp even with a 1.4x TC. The 500 doesn't have os and isn't hand hold able. I just compared the two lenses last week. The 150-500 OS has roughly the same exterior dimensions and just as sharp. For me, a 300mm lens is much easier for birds in flight shots. That might tide you over until Pearsaab can post some images. The shots with the 500mm and the Q are amazing.

What's razor sharp with the 1.4 TC? I can't see how the bigma would focus properly at 500 with a 1.4 TC.

CheepShot · 05-27-2013, 09:09 PM

The 50-500 OS is razor sharp with a good 1.4x tc. I'm sure the 500mm is as well. Incredibly nice lens.

Actually, Nikon bodies D7100 and up do AF up to F8. Kenko teleplus pro 1.4x tc's send a fake signal to the body allowing af in good light on others.

stormtech · 05-28-2013, 06:16 AM

Originally posted by crewl1

Interesting info about the Bigma being only 425. How is that determined?

This has my attention also. I know this phenomenon has been proven with the DA* 60-250 at distances less than infinity - the reason being I am told is because it is an internal focus (IF) lens.

I never even thought of the Bigma suffering from the same thing. This gets me to wondering now if I am just better off shooting my FA* 300 4.5 with 1.4x TC which equates to 420mm.

Going to have to do a couple test shots to see for sure......

05-25-2013, 06:51 AM	#1
chickenandavocado Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 327	Sigma 50-500 vs Sigma 500 hi just wondering if anyone has examples of sigma 50-500 @ 500 VS sigma 500 at F8? understand im comparing a $1500 zoom to a $5000 prime but would like to see if anyone has done a comparison (if there's a really clear difference) nonetheless.

05-25-2013, 09:20 AM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by chickenandavocado hi just wondering if anyone has examples of sigma 50-500 @ 500 VS sigma 500 at F8? understand im comparing a $1500 zoom to a $5000 prime but would like to see if anyone has done a comparison (if there's a really clear difference) nonetheless. There's going to be a fairly big difference. At the long end, the 50-500 is quite lacking in resolution. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

05-27-2013, 09:09 PM	#14
CheepShot Forum Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 95	The 50-500 OS is razor sharp with a good 1.4x tc. I'm sure the 500mm is as well. Incredibly nice lens. Actually, Nikon bodies D7100 and up do AF up to F8. Kenko teleplus pro 1.4x tc's send a fake signal to the body allowing af in good light on others. Last edited by CheepShot; 05-27-2013 at 09:24 PM.

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05-25-2013, 08:24 AM	#2
manacho2005 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Red Oak, TX Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 462	Pixelpeeper.com You can choose focal length and aperture of just about any lens and see samples. If you lucky, you can see samples from your own specific camera.

05-25-2013, 10:57 AM	#4
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Adam's comments are based on older versions of the Bigma. The latest OS version is actually very sharp at 500mm. I believe @pearsaab may have both lenses that you are trying to compare and would have an opinion of the differences.

05-27-2013, 06:37 PM	#5
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900	I have both lens and was very happy with the 50-500 at the long end which is pretty much where I used it...I would offer to do some comparisons but next couple of weeks are tied up with my mother in law being in town and having a family wedding so my pictures are going to be pretty boring if I get a chance to take any but I honestly was very happy with the 50-500 and had it about a year before I got the 500..my husband has been using the 50-500 but if you're willing to wait I will try to do some comparisons in june

05-27-2013, 06:45 PM	#6
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900	this guys was shot with the 50-500 at f8 and iso 2500 but only at 370...will keep looking IMGP1030 \| Flickr - Photo Sharing!

05-27-2013, 06:54 PM	#7
pearsaab Otis Memorial Pentaxian Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,900	this is f 6.3 iso 400 500mm 6 \| Flickr - Photo Sharing!

05-27-2013, 07:52 PM	#8
CheepShot Forum Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 95	The 50-500os only produces an image that equates to 425mm, or there abouts. It's razor sharp even with a 1.4x TC. The 500 doesn't have os and isn't hand hold able. I just compared the two lenses last week. The 150-500 OS has roughly the same exterior dimensions and just as sharp. For me, a 300mm lens is much easier for birds in flight shots. That might tide you over until Pearsaab can post some images. The shots with the 500mm and the Q are amazing.

05-27-2013, 08:04 PM	#9
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Originally posted by CheepShot The 50-500os only produces an image that equates to 425mm, or there abouts. It's razor sharp even with a 1.4x TC. The 500 doesn't have os and isn't hand hold able. I just compared the two lenses last week. The 150-500 OS has roughly the same exterior dimensions and just as sharp. For me, a 300mm lens is much easier for birds in flight shots. That might tide you over until Pearsaab can post some images. The shots with the 500mm and the Q are amazing. Interesting info about the Bigma being only 425. How is that determined? I believe @Geyser shoots his 500mm hand held but he is also a big guy. I'm too wimpy for that.

05-27-2013, 08:13 PM	#10
CheepShot Forum Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 95	I had read someone elses post on a different forum that stated it. Doing my own comparison, I found the image sizes between my 300/2.8 with a 1.4tc and the Bigma at 500mm were almost identical.

05-27-2013, 08:21 PM	#11
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	I thought I might be of some help if you care following some threads which discussed the subject: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/216903-help-me...all-sigma.html Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG APO Lens Reviews - Sigma Lenses - Pentax Lens Review Database ... among others. There is also this one which discusses 300mm + lenses: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/lens-clubs/55946-300mm-plus-lens-club-dis...ng-lenses.html As for the 500mm not being hand-holdable, I thought I might have read that quite a few owners of that lens are using, at times, "handheld". Cheers! JP

05-27-2013, 08:35 PM	#12
lesmore49 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western Canada Posts: 12,342	I just bought a new Sigma 150-500 and even though I'm an old geezer...I find the lens quite hand holdable. Certainly, it's heavy.....and after about 45 minutes of walking around with it...that's my limit. Mine is the latest version and I find it quite sharp at 500mm...I am careful with my F stops, ISO, shutter speed, hand holding/support technique and generally shoot with the light behind my back...when I can. But I do this when taking outdoor photo's.... with all my lenses...wide angle up. 45 years of mistakes, screw ups ....as they say...bad experiences...evolve into good experiences.

05-27-2013, 09:00 PM	#13
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902	Originally posted by CheepShot The 50-500os only produces an image that equates to 425mm, or there abouts. It's razor sharp even with a 1.4x TC. The 500 doesn't have os and isn't hand hold able. I just compared the two lenses last week. The 150-500 OS has roughly the same exterior dimensions and just as sharp. For me, a 300mm lens is much easier for birds in flight shots. That might tide you over until Pearsaab can post some images. The shots with the 500mm and the Q are amazing. What's razor sharp with the 1.4 TC? I can't see how the bigma would focus properly at 500 with a 1.4 TC.

05-28-2013, 06:16 AM	#15
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	Originally posted by crewl1 Interesting info about the Bigma being only 425. How is that determined? This has my attention also. I know this phenomenon has been proven with the DA* 60-250 at distances less than infinity - the reason being I am told is because it is an internal focus (IF) lens. I never even thought of the Bigma suffering from the same thing. This gets me to wondering now if I am just better off shooting my FA* 300 4.5 with 1.4x TC which equates to 420mm. Going to have to do a couple test shots to see for sure......