Sigma 50-500mm

[scoobysteve]

HI all, I have one of these great but heavy lenses BUT I have not had a real good chance to get out and shoot with it. Has anyone else used one of these and if so are you happy with it, any pictures would be great to see. One day I will get out and get shooting. I was hoping to get to Monaco this year for the F1 GP but work commitments stuffed that one.

Steve

[Jeremy Ordan]

I shot with one extensively for a week and then got rid of it because I do a lot of event work and it isn't fast enough. That being said, it is a solid performer except at the extremes (50mm & 500mm). I would feel fine using it from the 100mm-400mm and expect a sharp image from it. It is a freaking beast, heavy, and goofy looking, but I am a fan of Sigma and have always had good luck with their glass.

Overall, for what it is, a massive 'bigma' lens, it does a good job. It isn't professional glass, but it is nice.

That being said, the 80-200 f/2.8 or the 70-200 f/2.8 VR with a 2x teleconverter is a lot faster and sharper, IMO.

For $1000 it is hard to go wrong for a do it all lens like the bigma, I just don't want to walk around with it on all day. Oh, and if you buy it, invest in a good tripod or monopod... you're going to need it.

[scoobysteve]

Jeremy, Thanks I agree with the 70-200 f/2.8VR I had one of these and had it stolen along with 6 other lenses and a D200 D70S So I think you could be right I will try and get some use out of it but I was also worries obout its speed. Thanks for the confirmation, Steve

[Jeremy Ordan]

Well for an F1 race you're going to be using a monopod so I would go for the 80-200 used ($500) and a 2x teleconverter

Otherwise there is that -400mm OS lens from Sigma if you can find one... I haven't used it yet but the OS interests me.