Sigma 50-500 f4/6.3

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karl
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Hi:wave: all i purchased the above lens recently on recommendation , after telling the salesman what i required the lens to do , which was to photograph working dogs at trials and agility etc , i am struggling with the lens it seems very slow to focus and unless used in extremely bright conditions i cannot get it to focus at all ,shutter speeds i would like to use are 1/600s to freeze frame the dogs ,is this lens really suitable for my purpose ? i am using a sony a300 ,and i am new to photography , any advice greatly appreciated :):help:
 
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Sounds faulty. It has a HSM motor and most users report it as being very quick focussing.

Take it back to the shop for a replacement?
 
yes it is HSM Apo EX , i have just spoken to the shop and they say it is more than likely the dull lighting conditions , i have to try it in bright conditions and let them know , using Sony A300
 
At full 500mm you are at f/6.3, so I can see why it might struggle to focus if the light isnt good. I dont know the camera personally, but my D700 would struggle to focus at that aperture in dim light I imagine.

I used the 50-500 for airshows using and it focused pretty fast on a D200. I was shooting 1/250 or higher, but it was during the day is reasonable but overcast light.
 
Thanks for advice chaps , i took the lens back and got full refund the manager of shop was very understanding, now saving for a f2.8 500mm to fit my sony a300, but in the mean time will be using a Samyang 500mm f6.3 i am hoping to borrow from a friend ,he showed me some shots taken with an A200, i was very impressed with results from what is a £140.00 lens, i will put it through its paces in some woodland to see what kind of results i get.
 
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I have the non HSM 50-500 and its sharp enough wide open and really very good from f8. The focus speed is not up to the 80-200 HS G, but in decent light its OK. I find it very unlikely that a £140 samyang lens wil come close the Sigma. There's also no such thing as a 500mm f2.8 (at least in Sony mount).
 
oh well i will just have to get myself a nikon D7000 coupled up to a Sigma 200-500mm f2.8 EX DG , i did say i was saving, for the lens at least!
 
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