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Sigma APO DG OS HSM 150-500mm F5-6.3 Review RSS Feed

Sigma APO DG OS HSM 150-500mm F5-6.3

Sharpness 
 8.0
Aberrations 
 8.7
Bokeh 
 8.0
Handling 
 7.6
Value 
 8.8
Autofocus 
 7.8
Reviews Views Date of last review
28 123,875 Tue March 22, 2022
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
100% of reviewers $814.03 8.78
Sigma APO DG OS HSM 150-500mm F5-6.3

Sigma APO DG OS HSM 150-500mm F5-6.3
supersize
Sigma APO DG OS HSM 150-500mm F5-6.3
supersize

Description:
Latest OS version of the Sigma 150-500mm lens.
"The Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 is ultra telephoto zoom designed for Full Frame sensors but may also be used with smaller APS-c size sensors with a corresponding effective increase in focal length to about 255mm to 850mm on the Sigma SD format. An Optical Stabilizer (OS) allows for handheld photography even in low light scenarios, while a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) ensures quiet, high speed, and accurate autofocusing. This unique lens is an excellent optical performer featuring three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements for optimum color correction and sharpness throughout the entire zoom range, rear focusing system corrects for fluctuation of aberration due to focusing. It compact size of a mere 10 inches and weight of only 4 pounds for its focal length..." Sigma web site.


Specifications
Full Frame Compatible: Yes, DG designation.
Lens Construction: 21 Elements in 15 Groups
Angle of View: 16.4 - 5°
Aperture: 9 Blades
Minimum Aperture: F22
Minimum Focus Distance: 220cm / 86.6in.
Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:5.2
Filter Size: ⌀86mm
Dimensions (D×L): 94.7mm×252mm / 3.6in×9.9in
Weight: 1,780g / 62.8oz.

Supplied Accessories: Case, hood (LH927-01), shoulder strap, tripod socket (TS-31), caps
Buy Lens: Buy the Sigma APO DG OS HSM 150-500mm F5-6.3
Price: $1069
Mount Type: Pentax KAF3 (in-lens AF only)
Price History:



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New Member

Registered: May, 2014
Posts: 1
Review Date: August 5, 2014 Recommended | Price: None indicated | Rating: 10 

 
Pros:
Cons:

Great focal length for photographing wildlife. The new version is to very good use already open. The autofocus may be a little faster, but is very accurate. Very quiet autofocus and OS. However, if you must wear all day, the weight, you do not need more gym.
   
Junior Member

Registered: July, 2013
Posts: 41
Review Date: June 17, 2014 Recommended | Price: $600.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: telephoto range, value, image stabilization
Cons: big, long

I just got back from using the lens all weekend for the 2014 NCAA Track and Field Championships. It was very long, poking into the aisles when extended at 500mm but with my monopod and K20D it still felt balanced on its mount. I didn't use it handheld much but I think it is amazingly clear and sharp even when panning during the sprints on the monopod while zooming.

   
Pentaxian

Registered: November, 2007
Location: Western Canada
Posts: 12,275

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: January 13, 2014 Recommended | Price: $950.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: sharpness throughout focal range
Cons: heavy...but with that much glass and size this is no surprise

I've had mine, which I bought new... for about 8 months. It's sharp and has very good AF. I generally use it for photographing birds of prey in the wild and drag racing cars at the track.

I use it with my K-5, haven't tried it with my Km or K10D yet.

The only issue so far, is the physical size .

As far as the size goes it's not a huge deal.

To me, it's just a function of the amount of glass and after all...it is a 500 mm lens.

I'm an older guy and generally either sit with it...or if I do take it on a nature trek...I'm good for about 45 minutes before I tire from the weight.

I know I could use my monopod or tripod but I do like to use my lenses, hand held.


All in all I love this lens.

It's definitely a keeper. The end product the photographs are very sharp. I like the lens handle attachment...very effective in handling this sizeable piece of equipment.

I'm quite pleased that Sigma has produced this excellent 150-500 with a Pentax mount.

I just wish I had bought it sooner.
   
New Member

Registered: December, 2010
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 7

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: August 21, 2012 Recommended | Price: $1,069.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharpness! Optical Stab., Size, CA, HSM AF
Cons: Size! A bit slow; but with OS, who cares? DOF is plenty short

This is a wonderfully sharp lens. I'm amazed how sharp it is wide open at 500mm (equiv. of 750mm!!!!) I've never had this kind of reach. Sharp, sharp sharp. It's big! No kidding; but for equiv. 750mm? Not bad at all. I pack it all the time. Nice lens hood that you don't need: The thing just doesn't flare. Big, heavy, grippy, convenient tripod mount you also don't need: The OS covers you.

The OS is like magic. I've never used OS before: It is superb. I can hand-hold down to 1/30 at 500mm and get sharp results. It also helps you frame at long FL handheld. The lens AFs then switches to OS and goes into steady-cam mode. Much easier to frame! It's like magic!

Examples (all with OS-1):
http://www.berettaconsulting.com/barbarossa/PandJ-Family/White%20Salmon/2012/IMGP3392_rsz90.jpg (moon)
http://www.berettaconsulting.com/barbarossa/PandJ-Family/White%20Salmon/2012/IMGP3780_rsz90.jpg (kestrel form over 100-feet)
http://www.berettaconsulting.com/barbarossa/PandJ-Family/2012/2012-05-28/IMGP0571.jpg
http://www.berettaconsulting.com/barbarossa/PandJ-Family/2012/2012-05-28/IMGP0584.jpg
http://www.berettaconsulting.com/barbarossa/PandJ-Family/2012/2012-04-28/IMGP0500_resize.jpg (from about 12 feet)

I am totally in love with this lens as my sole really long lens. So sharp wide open at all FLs tested that I really haven't used it stopped down.

Very decent bokeh (though this is probably its weakest point -- not very weak). No CA. Basically none.

Superb value for the money.
   
Inactive Account

Registered: January, 2012
Location: Prince George
Posts: 4
Review Date: January 29, 2012 Recommended | Price: $1,000.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Relatively light weight, fast focus, very sharp
Cons: None

Great lens, hand-holdable, and works well with the Sigma 1.4x teleconverter on a tripod.
   
Site Supporter

Registered: January, 2010
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 27
Review Date: March 22, 2022 Recommended | Price: $280.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Relatively cheap, great reach, fantastic tripod mount
Cons: Heavy, large, zoom lock prone to fail
Sharpness: 7    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 7    Handling: 7    Value: 9    Camera Used: K1ii    Autofocus: 7    New Or Used: Used   

I found this for such a bargain (£250) that I bought it, even though I already had a Lumix G9 and a leica 100-400mm. I was so blown away at how good it is, that I frequently had it on my K1ii, and was often shooting both systems in my back garden (you don't want to carry both of those lumps around very far!). It surpassed all expectations, but please remember I bought this so cheap my expectations were very low - I intended to sell it on for a profit. However that all changed the moment I started to use it. I ended up selling the G9 and Leica after using this, and getting a Sony A7iii and the Tamron 150-500mm (latest version). The Pentax + Sigma combo has outlasted both these forays into other systems. Yes the Sony was way quicker to focus, and yes the Tamron was sharper, but I found I liked images from Sigma more, in particular the bokeh (although not always - more on that later). I just couldn't justify the other systems much higher cost for not enough improvement in performance. Often I am walking around in woods, not static waiting, so I am often trying to pick out birds in challenging situations (in dense branches or poor light) - the Sony and Tamron struggled here almost as much as the Sigma + Pentax.

It seems very good at handling fringing, certainly better than my DA* 200mm when paired with my little K-r (was shocked how much purple fringing there was looking at shots from the other day). Sharpness is mixed bag, but in good light with 1/800 hand held it can be sharp enough - but the thing that really made me realise I didn't need the way more expensive kit, Topaz! I use denoise and it adds just enough sharpness to bring it so close to the tamron, as to not need it!


Focus

Focus is not rapid, but good technique is all that is required, pre-focus on the rough distance you need and it will snap(ish) into focus acceptably when you point at the subject. Focus is near silent of course, and seems to be accurate - normally I find Sigmas on the K1 require all sorts of AF adjustment. Normally I shoot single spot or adjustable single spot, as it helps the AF and is good for picking out a single small bird. What surprised me was when I switched to centre weighted auto, it did a reasonable job of tracking birds in flight (not a patch on the Sony combo here, but good enough).

Gallery here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzGGsL






Bokeh
I love the bokeh from this lens, it can we be soft and dream like if you have enough separation of the subject from the background. It can also be a little harsh if you don't have the separation hence I only give it 7/10. There is a shot I took of a Dunnock, which I still like, but the bokeh is so much harsher because there was no separation. Others have a lovely quality to them, in my opinion anyway.

Handling
It is a big heavy lens, but the tripod mount has the lovely moulding to fit your fingers, so it is super comfy to hold and walk with the camera this way - which is how I tend to carry it, or in a backpack or sling. The Tamron and Leica are way less comfortable to do this with. Only real downside is the zoom lock does not work well on my copy, but a small price to pay for a cheap and good telephoto with this sort of reach.
   
New Member

Registered: October, 2008
Location: Chennai
Posts: 10

7 users found this helpful
Review Date: April 7, 2020 Recommended | Price: $580.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: reasonably sharp at 500mm, price
Cons: slow AF
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 7    Handling: 8    Value: 9    Camera Used: K5iis and KP    Autofocus: 7    New Or Used: Used   

Though it is not supposed to be sharp at 500mm, mine is reasonably sharp (almost all of my photos are at 500mm). The AF tends to be slow and tends to get confused sometimes. I find the handling good (i don't use a tripod and all my photos with it are handheld). An absolute value for money.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: September, 2010
Location: Somewhere in the Southern US
Posts: 12,285

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: March 24, 2019 Recommended | Price: $769.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Great reach, FF, well built
Cons: Big, not that sharp <f8
Sharpness: 8    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 7    Handling: 8    Value: 9    Autofocus: 9    New Or Used: New   

A lot has been said about this lens already. The main thing that is important to me is that it was designed from the outset as a Full Frame lens! It gives excellent reach on the K-1, focuses very quickly, and at f8+ is plenty sharp enough. Sturdily built with a good hand hold that doubles as the tripod/monopod mount. Reversible hood is also pretty massive but works a treat except when reversed its just a bit too long to work the zoom ring well. Focus is faster than expected for this size and reach, which is very welcome. Overall, just absolutely pleased that it is as good as it is and was designed for FF!
   
Forum Member

Registered: September, 2012
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 89

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: July 8, 2017 Recommended | Price: $750.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Good size for field work, well made, sharp, excellent color. Better than old K, M, A, F, and FA single focal length comparable aperture series. Focuses well, stablizes well.
Cons: Usurped by the newer Sigma zooms up to 600 mm, but such only can be custom modified for Pentax. Needs adequate light, so do all extreme teles. Not moisture sealed.
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 8    Value: 10    Camera Used: K-3, K-5, MZ5n, LX    Autofocus: 9    New Or Used: New   

This lens surprizes and challenges in the field. Not good for fast sports, AF cannot quite keep up. The instructions verify it takes one second to both autofocus and stabilize. Its provided attributes must be understood to meet its rendering challenges of subject and environment. There are features switches, focus, and zoom controls on the lens body, a balancing support mount "foot", as bear on requirements placed on the camera controls for best employing its attributes. I tried matching it with the various mounting options for supporting and balancing such long lenses coupled to a camera body: large tripods, with and without gimbals, monopods, with and without varied ball heads, crouch low on the ground spreadable lightweight packable tripods, or window mounts with medium to beefy ball heads (for determining a workable shutter speed and aperture combo to achieve focal length sharpness needs, etc.). It is good to put drag on the support mount, but not lock it down if using the OS feature. Add to this the use of two switchable optical stabilizers inherent to the lens, or the one in the selected DSLR. Active users ask when and which to use?

I am challenged living by Rocky Mountain National Park, where resident animal behaviors are easily addressed by the autofocus, and its overrideable manual focus tweaking capability. I love the challenges of orchestration. I use the aps-c format for reach and stability (offers great detailing). The lens is not too big to be easily used support mounted as intended for stalking moving subjects. I most often use it premounted on a monopod. This carry-to-be-ready on one shoulder grasped-in-front by the extended leg gear posture is best used to enable ready set positioning once one stops, and with the in lens Optical Stabilizer, in position "1". The in camera OS does not work well with this configuration. Only one OS type can be employed at a time, or they will work against one another. For quick traverse or bad weather, the lens compacts in size into a special lowepro case (Toploader Zoom 55AW takes in the complete lens without the camera, is padded OK, and is quick in and out and as carried -- unlike the supplied Sigma storage case -- as grants quick weather protection for packing it in and out of wilderness without it becoming a drag when locating a shoot). I occasionally use the Tamron 1.4X F teleconverter when adding a tripod, which indeed achieves autofocus (by spin gear link to many lenses, or,) in this case by camera linked to power in lens silent HSM motor focus: where, in very bright light it indeed adds a sharp focal extension for light on the subject full autofocus (compares well with the SMC A-S 1.4X manual focus extender results).

One has to carefully use its capacities to handle properly lit subject luminance, as can be of diffused, and of front lit situations -- which it handles well. Always calculate in viewfinder available light to dark in scene ratios for possible flash, reflector, or led light fill when highlights or backlight can overarch the presenting subject's lens facing lighting details: when in low or shadow on subject light. Find this so by discovery first of to lens axis possible detail rendering within an acceptable subject exposure range. To avoid non lens facing reflected, or side, or back light off axis to facing the camera subject details blocking (or related noise, all the way up to ISO 3200 max): previewing the available evenness of presenting in the viewfinder light is the challenge. Moving one's vantage point can change the related situation. For in frame field view, the goal is to not blow out subject details with too bright highlights or back scene light taking over what is renderable as to main and of subject shadow light details. So watch for and learn to read the viewfinder display for indicative in scene on and off a subject illumination ratios essential iso conditions may or may not handle well.


Also, for low contrast or low illumination light, factoring exposure controls values to not mush any details or sharpness the lens can provide must be monitorable in the field. These are the leering realities which allow skill of lens control and light understanding choices to grow in a photographer's mind regarding subject details in scene capture allowances, to establish a go for the shot, or not, shutter activation (as is previewed through experiment, trial and error, and experience over time). This holds true too of fixed focal length extreme telephotos use, as well as for complex 21st century optical formula zoom multiattribute long telephotos like this one.

Chrominance adjustments can be predictably previewed on scene after dealing on site quickly with any of the above mutually affective exposure for available light compensations. Scene shifting toward red, yellow, or blue can be adjusted in post, if shooting RAW files. Setting JPEG first slot, and RAW for the second SD card slot offers image backup for post, and card images loss protection. Naturally early morning and late afternoon light shift warm, midday light cold, and snow and ice hue are true to their air affect. Shadows increase, and so too subject depth early and late, but the chances of front light on the subject increase detail potential.

There remain trade offs for constant observation of how too the various sensibilities and sensitivities of the in use DSLRs sensor color capacities may best apply the camera menu and lens adjustments capacities for use of this fine and fieldable optic. For its handling, it won't be merely a point and shoot day, but a calculate best settings and support way -- which will bring out the best of this lens. Likely a minimum of 1/500 of a second exposure at the lens reach end is called for, even then with very steady support. Yes, it can be sharp fully extended, if properly stabilized. The lens will be very slightly moving as I configured it, hence the compensation use of the on lens selectable OS feature. Sharpness works best when at least a stop or two down from wide open can be achieved -- all lighting realities mentioned considered.

It offers wonderful color, feather stand out details, intimacy discovery as to how to get the viewfinder eyefull to kiss its subject imagescape. The lens establishes better handling ability than early K, M, A, F and Fa fixed focal length 400 to 600 mm SMC Pentax extreme lenses of similar maximum apertures (there were older wider aperture long fixed focal lengths which are of better image quality but cost up to eight times more and seem too large for subject stalking. Plus, they did not offer the HSM autofocus and stabilization features. In other words, prestabilization cameras or lenses, or both, would blur subjects more readily than the K3 with this optic). I find I override the lens autofocus about 20 percent of the time to tweak shapness with manual focus. Better to get those older lenses as supportable manual focus lenses and use K3 in body stabilization, once a shooter learns his eye to head to hands synchronicity, than to rely on the older autofocus lenses worm drive gears. Ironically, they will be often much more expensive than this lens. A 250-600mm f5.6 SMC-FA does interest me.

Over the years lenses like this one have evolved to incorporate special glass and hybrid in lens elements, special coatings, internal focusing, self adjusting optical stabilizers, in lens focusing motors (now getting faster and quieter BTW): with complex movements of elements and element groups inside the lens when zooming, stabilizing, and when focusing, etc. Precise manufacturing and design must be of greatest quality control to produce such complex instruments for imaging consistency. A great value, where all the lens specs listed acronyms lettered features posted as available were made so for less than two years of its Pentax mount manufacturing product life. Dropped was the in lens OS for part of its Pentax KAF product life. And that is why the copy I mention is truly the best and most versatile one -- with all in lens lettered on the lens features. All these features work in concert together to grant tremendous possibilities for those wanting to master the deal.

I hope to get back here to post a few shots from this area.
   
Closed Account

Registered: March, 2015
Posts: 8,694

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: April 24, 2016 Recommended | Price: $585.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Focal length, hand holdable, build quality
Cons: Needs a lot of light to work well
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 8    Handling: 9    Value: 9    Camera Used: K-3    Autofocus: 9   

I find this lens to be very good on my K-3. I use the optical stabilization in the lens rather than the shake reduction in the camera as Sigma has designed the system to suit their lens specifically. The in-camera shake reduction is great with Pentax lenses, but when 3rd party lenses with OS are used, I prefer the in-lens stabilization. I have tried both separately and found the in lens stabilization to be better. The camera / lens combination is quite hand holdable, but for prolonged periods I do recommend either a tripod or a monopod. The only real draw back that I have encountered with this lens is that it is quite slow and needs a lot of light to hand hold effectively. Raising the ISO to compensate for low light diminishes the image quality a little too much for me. This is a very good lens, but not a great lens. It has limitations, but I can recommend it highly.
   
Loyal Site Supporter

Registered: December, 2009
Location: North Syracuse, NY
Posts: 16,464

11 users found this helpful
Review Date: July 22, 2014 Recommended | Price: $869.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Reach, Cost
Cons: Slow, Size

I almost switch to Nikon for the Tamron 150-600, but this lens found its way into my bag instead.

The autofocus isn't really faster than my DA L 55-300, but at least it is silent.

It would have been nice if it was a bit sharper at F6.3, but at F8 it is nicely sharp and at F10 it is very sharp.

The only issue I have had is that zoom creep set in after less than a month of use.

_IGP3153 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP3387 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP3566 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP4292 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP4437 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP4648 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP4672 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP4782 - Version 2 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP5316 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP5623 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP5952 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP5988 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP6049 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP6058 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP6071 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP7168 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP8262 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP9028 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP9043 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP9417 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP9960 by bmcgann1, on Flickr

_IGP9972 by bmcgann1, on Flickr
   
Site Supporter

Registered: July, 2007
Location: Arnold, Md.
Posts: 762
Review Date: May 8, 2014 Recommended | Price: $799.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Big bang for the buck
Cons: none so far

Bought this direct from Sigma as a refurb. Looks new and smells new. No gritty zoom feel, smooth and no creep. Super quiet focus and is faster on the K3 than the K5. Others have mentioned a clicking sound from the OS. I must be deaf, I don't hear it. I'm amazed at the hand held performance at 500mm, I didn't think it was possible and fully expected to have to use it on a tripod. I'll not complain about size or weight as it is what it is and I'm more than satisfied. It has exceeded my expectations.
   
New Member

Registered: April, 2010
Location: Dordogne, France
Posts: 15

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: January 12, 2014 Recommended | Price: $1,000.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: sharp, bokeh pretty good, no abberations, in lens stabilization is excellent
Cons: needs a lot of light, heavy

A nice lens, but not for everyday use imho. It is big and cumbersome. A nice lens for birding. Surprisingly it can be used handheld, thanks to the excellent in-lens stabilization. No point going out on a dull day, you need Sunshine and lots of it, certainly if you want to keep iso down. I have the lens for about a month now and no regrets, great value for money, it is sharp and the bokeh is pretty good too. Downside for me is slow focussing, perhaps better with a k3, I use a k5.
   
Pentaxian

Registered: September, 2007
Location: Washington, D.C.
Posts: 3,327

4 users found this helpful
Review Date: March 9, 2012 Recommended | Price: $950.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Optical Stabilization; fast HSM focus; well built; quick-shift MF clutch; almost no CA
Cons: OS is loud; slow f/6.3 at 500mm; stiff zoom

Bought this big lens barely used from the Marketplace after struggling with older 300/2.8s with teleconverters, and dabbling in mirror lenses. My 6-month summary: this is an excellent long lens for hand-holding in bright light or tripod use, and a very good value for the price!

First, the few negatives:

1) Not Silent Optical Stabilization (OS part of the name) makes a little "click-click" noise when you focus (w/ silent HSM) and then stops stabilizing altogether after a few seconds (you have to half-press the shutter again to re-engage it). This is because OS uses the power from the camera body meant for HSM, and will suck your batteries dry if you use it all day! I owned Canon L lenses with "IS" and they were silent and didn't affect battery life as much, but hey, Pentax gives us the option of turning OS off and using SR!

2) f/5 at 150mm and f/6.3 at 500mm is pretty slow, and you must stop down from there for optimal sharpness, which means higher ISOs if you want to use "hand-holding" shutter speeds (and OS or SR, while good, can only do so much). So, I routinely use ISO1600 in bright overcast to get over 1/500 and am glad I have the K-5 sensor behind it! (However, it also performs marvellously on a tripod at lower shutter speeds and ISOs!)

3) Stiff zoom mechanism which I think is meant to reduce "zoom creep" when you point the lens down, but actually just slows the inevitable (and comical) extension unless you always put the zoom lock on at 150mm. I tend to use this lens less as a zoom and more as a 500mm lens (or 700mm with a Tamron Pz-AF 1.4x teleconverter), but a couple of times I've been very glad I could get a wider view of my subject, though it takes a good crank to pull that massive front element back in!


Three things (pleasantly) surprised me about this lens:

1) Optical Stabilization makes a big difference when framing subjects and focusing handheld at 500mm (much easier than "hoping you got it right" and letting SR catch it). I'm a big tripod user, but this feature has allowed me to just sling the lens and walk around catching things from long distances!

2) Sigma's HSM is incredibly quick to focus this long, heavy lens on my K-5. Refreshing compared to my pokey Pentax SDM DA*50-135mm! (Note: I've never had SDM motor problems with that DA* after 5 years, and I've no idea if Sigma's HSM is better or worse for long-term wear).

3) Quick shift AF/MF clutch on the focus ring. Not even mentioned in the specs (?), but invaluable in a long lens when the AF wants to hit the branch, not the subject. Just AF (quickly and silently), then tweak the focus ring to get what you want! Nice...

Okay, there's also a fourth:
4) Very little, if any aberrations, which is very rare for long lenses! One of the things that bugged me about older lenses and extreme telephotos was the purple/green shift in the out-of-focus areas (longitudinal or axial chromatic aberration; LoCA). This "colored blur" is very hard to fix in post (unlike simple lateral CA in the corners; LatCA) and messes up what could've been pleasant bokeh. The Sigma 150-500 APO is entirely apochromatic in that regard - no LoCA, no LatCA, and no purple fringing! A very nice, modern, corrected optic.



What wasn't surprising, given previous reviews, is that this is not the sharpest lens wide open, but is very nice at f/8-f/11 (see image below), and it's essentially an EX-grade lens without the designation (or price tag). Very well built and much lighter than I expected (although certainly big & heavy if you're used to the DA 55-300 or kit lenses, but this goes to 500mm!). The next step up from this lens is a dedicated 500mm prime, or a really good f/2.8 300mm + teleconverter, both of which are going to be 2 or 3 times the price, and equal in weight!


Sharp enough at 500mm? I think so:
   
Veteran Member

Registered: January, 2007
Location: Newcastle Australia
Posts: 5,284

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: January 21, 2012 Recommended | Price: $945.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Excellent overall, sharp, and "small" enough to handhold.
Cons: A little slow at long end, AF could be quicker.

6.3 is a bit slow at the long end. This is my major beef with this lens.
Otherwise I suggest is really good value for it's price.
Not oversized, and definitely handholdable, which is a major plus.
And I got at discount price during a sale.

Do I recommend this lens? Very much so!

Add Review of Sigma APO DG OS HSM 150-500mm F5-6.3 Buy the Sigma APO DG OS HSM 150-500mm F5-6.3



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