Best Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM APO RF Telephoto Zoom Lens for Minolta and Sony SLR Cameras Review

I nearly always purchase my equipment from Amazon. However, I found a Sigma mount Bigma at another retailer as a "used but in new condition" lens at 30% less than any place else. So I reluctantly bought my first zoom lens with low expectations. I am pleased to say that my low expectations were unfounded. The Bigma combined with the Sigma SD-14 camera produce fantastic images.

I would like to take the rest of this review to compare the Bigma mounted on my Sigma SD-14 to the Canon 400mm f/5.6L mounted on my Canon EOS 50D. It seems that a lot of potential buyers of the Bigma want to know how it compares to the 400 f/5.6 Canon. I cannot compare lenses strictly, since my Bigma is a Sigma mount, and the Canon a Canon mount, but I will try to compare the two systems and give my opinion on which one I like better.

The easiest comparison, and the one mostly asked by potential buyers of the Bigma is image sharpness. The Canon 400 f/5.6 wins the sharpness category. In fact I don't know how a lens could possibly be any sharper than the Canon 400 f/5.6. That is the Canon lens strength. That is not to take away anything from the Bigma. The Bigma is sharp as far as zoom lenses go, but no zoom lens will be as sharp as the Canon 400. I was pleased to see how sharp this incredible zoom lens is, and did not expect it to be as sharp as the Canon 400. If the Bigma is Tack Sharp, the Canon 400 is Scalpel Sharp.

Now for the versatility contest. No contest, Bigma wins by a huge margin. 50-500 range needs no further comment, other than to say I don't know of a more versatile lens than the Bigma. Maybe there are some, I just don't know of them.

The Canon wins the weight contest. In fact I used to think I was holding a large lens when I was photographing with the Canon 400. Since I got the Bigma, it now feels rather compact. Yes, the Bigma is a substantial lens, but that also helps in stabilizing the lens handheld.

Neither lens has I.S. so we have a draw in that category.

Color and Appearance? Why does Canon make their top lenses WHITE? Bigma wins.

I mentioned earlier that the Canon System was Scalpel Sharp. I said that because comparing the images I get from the Sigma System (lens and SD-14 camera) the Sigma images are much more pleasing and appealing to me than the images I get from the Canon system (Canon EOS 50D and Canon 400mm f/5.6 lens). Although the images from the Canon are super sharp as you would expect from a Scalpel they also appear about as cold when you compare them to the images from the Sigma System. The Bigma lens produces images that are plenty sharp, but when I combine the lens with the SD-14 camera, the Sigma images are much more pleasing than the Canon. The colors are real, and the images are sharp, and I have the versatility to frame the photo with the incredible zoom of the Bigma. I honestly have to say that I believe that this image quality is due to the camera/lens system and not just the camera alone, or the lens alone. Until now I never thought I would own a zoom lens. I still do not think I will ever own a zoom lens for my Canon body. The Sigma SD-14/Bigma system has changed my way of thinking about photography and the zoom/prime lens debate.

I will still use the Canon for birding, fast paced sports, etc. Its a great camera/lens combo for that type of shooting. I now realize though, that even the 800 pound gorilla's in the photography world have their limitations. So, despite the Sigma's limitations, (small buffer, slow processing time, slower autofocus) the Sigma/Bigma is now my primary tool because of the quality of the photo.

In short, I highly recommend the Sigma 50-500mm (Bigma) lens for the Sigma digital SLR. I cannot speak for the Bigma lens on any other camera system because I have not tried it. I would also recommend the Canon 400mm f/5.6L lens even though I like the Sigma system better.

I hope this review might help any potential buyer of either lens.

Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM APO RF Telephoto Zoom Lens for Minolta and Sony SLR Cameras Feature

• A700, DSLR-A700, A100, A100K, DSLR-A100,
• DSLR-A100K, Sony, Alpha, Minolta

Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM APO RF Telephoto Zoom Lens for Minolta and Sony SLR Cameras Overview

This high zoom ratio lens is optimized for digital SLR cameras and capable of covering a wide range of focal lengths from 50mm standard to 500mm ultra telephoto. In addition, the new super coating on each glass surface produces superb color rendition, while reducing flare and ghosting.

List Price : $1,450.00

Best Price at Amazon Check Price Now!

Related Products

• Tiffen 86CUVP 86C mm UV Protection Filter (Clear)
• Sony NPFM500H Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery Pack for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras
• Sigma APO Teleconverter 1.4x EX DG for Minolta and Sony Mount Lenses
• Sigma APO Teleconverter 2x EX DG for Minolta and Sony Mount Lenses
• Sony Alpha LCD Protector Cover for DSLR-A700

Customer Reviews

Add to kit lens and it's all you need. - D. Gerstner -
I switched to digital in 2003, buying a Digital Rebel and this lens shortly afterwards so mine's a very early non-DG version. One of the first things I did was set it up next to my brother-in-law's 300 2.8 EDIF Nikon and shot a distant fencepost. He and I were both stunned. The Bigma was sharper at all apertures, and yes we went to great lengths to keep all other variables equal. I use it wide open at 500 often and anything that ain't sharp is my fault.

Build quality is as good it gets. Beleive me, I do not baby my equipment and this thing still works like the day I first used it.

It's slow, but with a modern body having a cleaner high ISO that is less of an
issue.

USE A MONOPOD! My old Sunpak Ezee Pod folds forward and everything hangs discreetly behind you and carries well by the lens strap. It's heavy, but you can get used to it.

Throw the kit lens in a pocket, keep a tripod nearby, and you'll have pretty much all you'll ever need, incluing a 250mm edge over virtually anyone around you. The range and the potential distance between you and your subject are why you're buying this lens. Use them wisely and you'll be well pleased with the results.










Sigma "BIGMA" 50-500mm Zoom Lens!!!!_Part One - Kenneth E. Hawkins -
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1H7JYVGPQAIFM This is Part One of my Open Box review. The actual review was over the 10 minute limit.



For the price, this lens is very good! - Dean Harnes - Temple, TX
The only problems I have with it so far is that it's heavy(which is expected of a lens this big), the auto-focus isn't as fast as my canon lenses, and the lens filter size is enormous. Other than that, this lens take's spectacular photo's for a "cheap lens." Even without the image stabilization, it still takes pretty sharp pictures. I used it on a dam on a very windy day and even at 500mm the pictures were tack sharp. It's very heavy so I don't hand hold it that often, but the times that I have, the pictures were sharp. Great buy for all you amateurs and hobbyists, if you can afford a better lens, go for it, but this really is great for the price.

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jan 08, 2010 17:02:03

Tags : DLP Projector