Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG APO OS (Optical Stabilizer) HSM AutoFocus Telephoto Zoom Lens Features

This Sigma APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG HSM is an ultra telephoto zoom lens that allows photographers to freely explore the flexibility of a telephoto zoom lens. For sports or nature photographers who relish this flexibility the Sigma 150-500mm is unsurpassed with 25% more reach than the smaller 120-400mm, this lens is perfect for the photographer working at long distances and with subjects such as backyard birds or small wildlife. 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 and Optical Stabilization and high speed Hyper-Sonic Motor to help you take the eye-catching photographs you’re meant to. Compatible with the Sigma APO Tele Converters.

The Sigma 150-500mm ultra-telephoto zoom lens covers a telephoto range of up to 500mm, letting you bring almost any subject close for short-perspective shots. The lens employs Sigma's original Optical Stabilizer (OS) function, which gives you access to shutter speeds approximately four stops slower without blurring the image. As a result, you can capture low-light, long-distance shots such as football plays, wildlife profiles, and landscape scenes without using a tripod for each photo. In addition, the lens incorporates a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) for quick, high-speed autofocusing, along with a rear focus system that guarantees optimum image quality throughout the entire zoom range. And photographers will love the three special low dispersion (SLD) glass elements, which correct for chromatic aberration, and the super multilayer lens coating, which reduces flare and ghosting. Other details include an option for full-time manual focusing, a close focusing distance of 86.6 inches, and an 86mm filter size. Compatible with optional 1.4x and 2x tele converters--which produce a 210-700mm length or 300-1000mm length respectively--the Sigma 150-500mm lens carries a one-year warranty.

Specifications

• Focal length: 150-500mm
• Maximum aperture: f/5-6.3
• Lens construction: 21 elements in 15 groups
• Angle of view: 16.4 to 5 degrees
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• Minimum focusing distance: 86.6 inches
• Maximum magnification: 1:5.2
• Filter size: 86mm
• Hood type: Bayonet
• Mount: Canon
• Dimensions: 3.7 inches in diameter and 9.9 inches long
• Weight: 67.4 ounces
• Warranty: 1 year

Technical Details

-Incorporating Sigma's original OS (Optical Stabilizer) function.
-An ultra-telephoto zoom lens covers a telephoto range up to 500mm and allows short perspective.
-Three SLD glass elements and a rear focus system provide optimum image quality throughout the entire zoom range.
-Super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting.
-HSM ensures quiet and high-speed autofocus.
See more technical details

 "Good lens but not what I needed" 2010-07-24
By dhunckyn (Albuquerque, NM)
I had this lens for about a week but sadly I am returning it. I was too sure what to expect when I ordered it but was hoping for something a little sharper.

My biggest complaints are that:
1. If shooting something over 50ft away it always seemed to be soft or at least not as sharp as I wanted.
2. In order to get the speed I wanted I had to turn ISO up to 1600 or more and on my D80 this just doesn't perform the way I would like on a D3 or D700 I'm sure I would have been happier.
3. While the auto focus was very quiet it was also very slow, shooting hummingbirds and dragonflies had to be done manually

the good:
1. In bright daylight I was able to get some great shots of dragonflies (handheld) and Polar Bears (on tripod) at the local zoo, even at 500mm.
2. The 150-500mm is a very useful range for zoom


 "Sigma 150-500" 2010-07-15
By Zip Skip (Las Vegas, NV)
I love it so far. Haven't had the time to take as many photos as I'd like but the tests I've done I'm happy with it. It is a bit heavy but shooting hand held is pretty doable considering the OS (anti vibration system).


 "Great for the price" 2010-07-14
By coach52
I purchased this lens primarily for sports photography and I have taken several hundred pictures at speed boat races and summer football. I find the os to be a little slow for fast focus so I turned it off for the boat races and the photos were very nice. I was able to use the os for football and this also resulted in good quality prints. I am pleased with this lens, particularily as its cost is about one sixth the cost of the comparible Nikon lens.


 "Heavy, Big, but has it purpose" 2010-07-14
By G. Kriadis
A little disclaimer...I'm just a weekend enthusiast and not a pro. I bought this lens because I wanted the 500mm reach and Nikon doesn't have anything in its line up beyond 400mm; and certainly nothing in this price range. Tamron has an equivalent lens but they do not have the Optical Stabilization and believe me, at this range you "really" want the OS.

This lens is heavy, there is no way around that. She's a beast! A monopod is highly recommended. Also it is relatively slow with regards to the FStop rating so outdoor photography is certainly where it's best suited. I primarily use this lens for wildlife and for that it works great.

If you don't mind the obvious weight and want the reach I highly recommend this lens. For the price you cannot go wrong. Just make sure you have somewhere to store it because the case that comes with it is rather large.

Happy shooting!!


 "Good Lens - Great Value" 2010-07-09
By Albert J. Valentino (New Jersey)
I am writing this review from the perspective of a former user of the Nikon 80-400VR (2 years) and Sigma 120-300 f/2.8 (3 years). The Sigma 120-300 is incredible piece of glass that is even sharper than Sigmas 300mm f/2.8 prime. The Sigma 120-300 works very well with a matching Sigma 1.4x TC which is how I used it 80% of the time. Even with a TC is matches or slightly exceeds the 150-500 in the overlapping range but is obviously much faster glass and thus freezes motion and blurs backgrounds better. But the range is more limited, the lens is heavier, costs 3x more and doesn't go to 500mm which is what I wanted. The hood and tripod collar construction is inferior to the faster pro lens. For example, the hood can easily be crushed in your hand like a plastic cup, and the tripod collar cannot be removed without removing the lens but both are functional and quality is very acceptable at this price point.

The Sigma compares favorably to the Nikon 80-400 in that is focuses faster since it has a built in HSM motor. 150-500mm is more desirable range than 80-400, at least for my needs, and I shoot DX format. I also own a Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 which pairs much better with a 150-500 than either of these two lens mentioned above - the Nikon 70-200 performs very well with a Nikon 1.4x TC so I have a 105 - 280mm f/4 as well. With proper technique the Sigma matches and possibly exceeds the sharpness of the Nikon 80-400 but again, it has a better/different range.

The lens seems sharpest at 150-400mm and a tad soft near the 500mm end so you definitely need to stop down with f/9.5 being a good compromise if you have the light, else f/8. OS works very well and unlike other reports mine (purchased in June 2010) does not make very loud clicking sounds when OS is engaging. It is important to wait until OS is engaged which may take about a second else your shots will not be sharp. The best way to tell is to look through the viewfinder with the shutter pressed halfway and wait until gyro is spinning and the 'obvious shake subsides'. Then squeeze, don't press the shutter by rolling your finger down.

Tip, the zoom ring is stiff and can be aggravating to turn. However, instead of using the zoom ring to zoom, instead grab the end and use it like a push-pull zoom. This method works very well and very smoothly. Also, with long lenses you must avoid shutter speeds of 1/8 - 1/60 sec unless you are using some type of mirror lock up since mirror slap vibration with FL's over 100mm are a known cause of slight blurring.

This is not a pro lens but a very good lens with a very good range that will take very good pictures if, and only if, you exercise good long lens technique. With manual focus a Sigma 1.4x TC can work if stopped down and when you are not after large prints but smaller, or especially web-sized images. With such a narrow field of view the slightest movement can cause blur - the nature of all long lenses. This lens is a great value, I just wish they could have made it an f/5.6 instead of f/6.3 and I think most people would not mind paying about 20% more for that half stop. Also, the lens has a zoom lock to prevent lens creep which is great. I only wish sigma also included a limit switch like the Nikon 80-400 has and which is very useful for faster focusing.

Note: At the time of this review Sigma has issued a notice that there may be a problem with some lenses with regard to Auto Focus (keeps hunting) with serial numbers between 10674301 and 10972000. Mine is in this range but does not have the problem. If yours does have the problem it may be best to return/exchange the lens since Sigma service will return the lens to Japan to be fixed instead of repairing in the US and this can take 4-6 weeks - see report here [..]


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