Sigma 50-500mm Versus Five Star 500mm

Nowhere Matt · 02-24-2010, 09:59 AM

Last night's task was once again chasing the moon on a cold winter's night. Using a Sigma 50-500mm APO DG lens, a late 80's Five Star lens and a Focal 2x teleconverter I wanted to satisfy some curiousities.
Both images were shot in RAW and not processed at all with the exception of saving the files to jpeg and resizing.

One was shot on very rigid, all metal tripod while the other was shot handheld.

Take what you will from this example. I am very surprised.
The Focal 2x teleconverter was attached to both lenses and both were shot at 500mm. However I think I can add that the Sigma image was shot at f16, iso 400 and 1/60th. The Five Star image was shot at f8, iso 400 and 1/180th.
And I will also add that the Five Star is considerably less impressive (than the Sigma) with most daylight situation and when panning.

Attached Images

little laker · 02-24-2010, 10:08 AM

I have the Phoenix version of your Five Star lens, and I didn't find the night time results too bad. However, like you hinted they're daytime performance is less than stellar

Nowhere Matt · 02-24-2010, 10:16 AM

Both of these were cropped from RAW files and a one pass sharpen. Nothing more. Uploaded to flickr and posted here.
Again the Sigma image was tripod mounted while the Five Star image was handheld.

Nowhere Matt · 02-24-2010, 10:23 AM

Here is the Five Star tripod mounted, f16 iso 200 1/15th unedited, simply saved to jpeg from RAW.

Fl_Gulfer · 02-24-2010, 11:31 AM

The 5 star lens is very good in day time also, I took some good shots at the boat races with one. The colers are bad with the lens is all I noticed.
as you can see in the 2 photo's. The second was taken with the 55-300.

MRRiley · 02-24-2010, 11:37 AM

Decent results with both lenses. Btw, is that a old Velbon tripod I see under the BIGMA?

Mike

Nowhere Matt · 02-24-2010, 11:41 AM

Originally posted by MRRiley

Decent results with both lenses. Btw, is that a old Velbon tripod I see under the BIGMA?

Mike

Kenlock 2000 GLB.

And I would be proud of a shot like that of the lime green boat, Gulfer.

Last edited by Nowhere Matt; 02-24-2010 at 11:48 AM.

jstevewhite · 02-26-2010, 12:56 PM

Wow... I have a Sigma just like that!

02-24-2010, 09:59 AM	#1
Nowhere Matt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nowhere Land Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,362	Sigma 50-500mm Versus Five Star 500mm Last night's task was once again chasing the moon on a cold winter's night. Using a Sigma 50-500mm APO DG lens, a late 80's Five Star lens and a Focal 2x teleconverter I wanted to satisfy some curiousities. Both images were shot in RAW and not processed at all with the exception of saving the files to jpeg and resizing. One was shot on very rigid, all metal tripod while the other was shot handheld. Take what you will from this example. I am very surprised. The Focal 2x teleconverter was attached to both lenses and both were shot at 500mm. However I think I can add that the Sigma image was shot at f16, iso 400 and 1/60th. The Five Star image was shot at f8, iso 400 and 1/180th. And I will also add that the Five Star is considerably less impressive (than the Sigma) with most daylight situation and when panning. Attached Images

02-24-2010, 11:31 AM	#5
Fl_Gulfer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Gulfer Photos: Albums Posts: 3,054	The 5 star lens is very good in day time also, I took some good shots at the boat races with one. The colers are bad with the lens is all I noticed. as you can see in the 2 photo's. The second was taken with the 55-300. Last edited by Fl_Gulfer; 02-24-2010 at 11:41 AM.

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02-24-2010, 10:08 AM	#2
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	I have the Phoenix version of your Five Star lens, and I didn't find the night time results too bad. However, like you hinted they're daytime performance is less than stellar

02-24-2010, 10:16 AM	#3
Nowhere Matt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nowhere Land Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,362 Original Poster	Both of these were cropped from RAW files and a one pass sharpen. Nothing more. Uploaded to flickr and posted here. Again the Sigma image was tripod mounted while the Five Star image was handheld.

02-24-2010, 10:23 AM	#4
Nowhere Matt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nowhere Land Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,362 Original Poster	Here is the Five Star tripod mounted, f16 iso 200 1/15th unedited, simply saved to jpeg from RAW.

02-24-2010, 11:37 AM	#6
MRRiley Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sterling, VA, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,275	Decent results with both lenses. Btw, is that a old Velbon tripod I see under the BIGMA? Mike

02-24-2010, 11:41 AM	#7
Nowhere Matt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Nowhere Land Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,362 Original Poster	Originally posted by MRRiley Decent results with both lenses. Btw, is that a old Velbon tripod I see under the BIGMA? Mike Kenlock 2000 GLB. And I would be proud of a shot like that of the lime green boat, Gulfer. Last edited by Nowhere Matt; 02-24-2010 at 11:48 AM.

02-26-2010, 12:56 PM	#8
jstevewhite Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Midwest Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,407	Wow... I have a Sigma just like that!