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Sigma 500mm f/4.5 EX DG HSM : Specifications and Opinions

Reviews

The opinions of JuzaPhoto members who use this lens.. (Click here to come back to the main page of the Sigma 500mm f/4.5 EX DG HSM)

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The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.

Fggalassi

sent on July 01, 2017

Pros: size, weight, speed AF, generous carrying handle, price (of used), excellent DG version finished very well.

Cons: not very balanced, absence of the stabilizer (which never hurts) even if the use is mainly a tripod, difficult to multiply, little contrast to TA, not tropicalized

Opinion: let's say that after several tests with all my camera bodies I could find that on D3s and D300s it is really valid! while on D810 something does not come back to me .. seems to work better on sensors not very dense MPX, or simply is not the perfect match, I will check by doing other tests in the coming days, new costs about € 4800 to take a good used about 2000 / € 2500 which turns out to be a good expense for this goal, excellent workmanship, good weight even if it is not really well balanced, used freehand would surely make the "VR" comfortable, it takes a bit of practice to get used to it, the AF is good, not comparable to the new 500 nikon but not so much worse, for the multiplier instead, it turns out to be considerably lower than nikon with kenko 1,4x AF is nervous and uncertain and certainly not very precise to the point that I prefer to use it smooth when I need more mm I mount the body on the right and I get 750mm excellent from f5.6 onwards, in fact in TA is lacking in contrast and like all thegoals from the best of them from f7.1 to f10

Steff

sent on July 11, 2013

Pros: weight, size, competitive price, excellent workmanship and verniciatura.rnaf formidable smooth and kenko 1.4xrnComodo with carrying handle

Cons: tc no problems with kenko, rnAssenza of stabilizzazionern

Opinion: I own the DG version, the most recent, for canon.rnsi lens is very well built in my opinion stands in the middle between the objectives of "good" and the top class canon.rnl 'I preferred to use a canon belonging to series out of print and then out garanzia.rned I did well, I do not think the quality is lower than the canon series 1is and the weight is still gestibile.rnlo use on canon 5dmkIII where is giving me great soddisfazioni.rnproveniendo from 100/400 I stepped from gigante.AF impressive smooth, more valuable moltiplicato.rnnitidezza already good to f4.5 becomes a blade closing a poco.rnfacendo test "home" I have not noticed improvements in sharpness over f6.3, you earn only pdc. rnsu full frame I use to 70% with kenko 1.4 tc is mc4 dgx pro that both are fine and in my opinion the loss of quality on smooth is almost irrelevant. rnih this configuration I have on FF 700mm f6.3 against the super telephoto 700mm f5.6 canon.è still far superior to the 100/400 or 560mm f8 400f5.6 that make decent minimum apertura.rnSolo invece the yield of 5dIII and kenko 2x, the af works well only with good light and subject contrast, the rest of the F9 ... rnnegativa instead the experience with the canon tc, even after the fw mark af does not work. rncredo we should work on the contacts but I never approfondito.rnincredibilmente af does not work with tc sigma.rnnon I miss the stabilizer of ff there are no problems using fast times and then very well hand libera.rnun purchase of which I am satisfied, I leave it alone for 500isII but I do not know if the price difference I would find in photos ...

Formha

sent on August 29, 2012

Pros: Especially a price yet "human" before jumping "into hyperspace" of the kingdom of "super-toed" (Canon), excellent sharpness, fast AF, weight (manageable if you wish, freehand) and portability (the generous handle of which is with, it is even better even than those available in the "originals"). Great a successful union with the TC Kenko 1.4X DGX PRO300, with which you can keep the AF with good performance on machines with central point from f/5.6 (ie bodies "NOT series 1" which normally would be lost instead) . In the DG version are also been further reduced the AC and the finish is changed, now much stronger and style (actually different from the one shown in the image used for this review), it is easier to "matt black", some the kind of "Neroni" Nikon.

Cons: Although in my case would be totally useless, the stabilizer may improve performance when using free-hand (without using stand still, in my opinion is for short sessions, as always limited by the optics more than 3Kg those the camera body). Personally I find it ideal to use in tandem with stand fitted with head Rocker (I use it with satisfaction the Gimball TRIOPO DG-3), but if more flexibility is also a good monopod with ball head is just fine.

Opinion: After several months spent in vain to look for a 500 f/4.5 (both Sigma Canon) and thanks to an excellent offer of an online retailer particularly convenient, in the spring I decided to purchase the new version of "DG" of the 500 f/4.5 EX HSM Sigma. I am satisfied, from all points of view, despite the limitations inherent in the product ... obviously seen cost and maximum aperture, it is not (... and even aspires to be), a Canon 500 L f / 4 IS. Unlike other Sigma lenses I had, my version of "DG" did not need to say any micro-fine adjustment of AF on 7D ... is perfect as it is, it is smooth multiplied. Moreover, the diameter of a little more than 12cm of the lens forntale (which among other is the same diameter then the "Trecentone Canon effedueotto") allows the easy passage through the "joints" of huts fixed without too many worries. Pleasant and useful the possibility of being able also to have, thanks to TC1.4X Kenko (already cited in the "PRO" of review), of a 700mm f/6.3 around Rispect with AF still useful for chases birds in flight and excellent sharpness, (although as often happens in these cases, the maximum yield is reached diaframmandolo of c.ca 1 stop). Speaking of the market, in my opinion, having now in production with a view like this (also new and updated versions such as "DG"), Sigma has cleverly filled a void in this segment of the market left by Canon when it decided tolgiere production of its 500 f/4.5 (now unobtainable as well as used, for some time now even without spares). I personally do not agree with certain business decisions and I'm happy that Sigma has decided to remedy the situation so well ... when in fact, regardless of my positive experience, I know of users disappointed by this light, the rest of the testiomonia also difficltà to find such versions used.

Alemaff

sent on August 21, 2012

Pros: -Excellent image quality, Excellent value if closed one stop-Very contrasty and saturated colors-No chromatic aberration-Fast and precise AF (Thanks also to the limiter of 'AF)-Affordable price-Relatively easy to handle and very portable thanks to handle-Good yield multipliers kenko (1.4x DGX and DG)

Cons: Lack-stabilizer-Finish improved

Opinion: I bought the EX version not DG and I immediately felt great! Truly magnificent lens optical quality is very high. Very lightweight and portable weighing bearable for this kind of lens. A blade F / 5.6 up but already usabilissimo or TA (4.5). I use it often freehand with good results. If he had the stabilizer would be a dream lens! With the many Kenko DGX 1.4x Bolto goes well with both 7D that with the 5D Merk II and closed to F / 6.3 to 7.1 is very sharp el 'AF remains fast and precise. Absolutely recommended, sadly very rare on the market for 'used.

Lufranco

sent on May 21, 2012

Pros: Price compared to the corresponding Canon / Nikon, excellent sharpness by f5 on, autofocus speed, size and weight still manageable.

Cons: Lacks contrast to TA, but already closed 1/3 Stop recovers much, it is not "officially multipliable" but multiplying it by a roundabout route that takes less you notice the multipliers of the other 500mm. Is not stabilized.

Opinion: I'm one of the lucky few who managed to find it used (DG version) and I'm very happy. The only drawback is the question multipliers. In canon is only multipliable with various kenko etc. .. but you will immediately notice that the lens loses more definition than would a fixed Canon / Nikon, but closed a stop recovers enough. The autofocus just fine holding the 1 .4 x. Furthermore it is possible that as in my case, the use of non-original multiplier can add a minimum of front / back focus so it would be better to use it on a machine with fine adjustment. Smooth in my case is perfect. Clarity, speed and everything else almost comparable to large super telephoto, with the difference of size and weight much more manageable. Convenient is the fact that the minimum distance of 400cm MAF for photos of passerine birds and small animals in general. Absolute bargain pick used, but I would not spend 4000 euro to take it again.

Reviews » Lenses » Lenses Sigma » Sigma 500mm f/4.5 EX DG HSM » All Opinions