Sigma 500mm f4

Damo1

Damo1

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Damion
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One for the birders or wildlife togs amongst us.
Anybody any experience with the what appears to be reasonably priced (well next to the nikon 500mm f4) sigma 500mm f4. How's its auto focus performance and is it sharp enough?
Or should I buy a olympus em1x 300f4 and never look at gear ever again?
 
Firstly I can say that the Olympus 300mm f4 is a stellar lens.

As for the Sigma, is this the one you are talking a out?

Sigma 500mm f4.5 EX Apo HSM

Sigma 500mm f4.5 EX Apo is one of the EX Series lenses. It is an Apochromatic ultra-telephoto lens with a fast F4.5 maximum aperture, and it incorporates two Extraordinary Low Dispersion glass elements (Abbe number 90.3), to reduce chromatic aberration to a minimum. It incorporates internal...
www.fredmiranda.com
 
The other IMO go to resource only has a couple user reviews but they are glowing!

www.imaging-resource.com

Sigma 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM Sports - Imaging Resource

(From Sigma lens literature) The flagship Sigma super telephoto 500mm F4 Sport lens incorporates the very latest in Sigma optical technology and innovation. Designed for the professional sports and wildlife shooter, the ultra-durable lens features magnesium alloy components, a carbon fiber hood...
www.imaging-resource.com www.imaging-resource.com
 
Thank you mr brownie , its good to find a site with actual reviews of this lens , for the price vs the Nikon equivalent it seems a no brainer but for that money I could go into a mirror less system , whic I know was not really my original question but it is an option .
 
It's a very good lens, not quite as good as the Nikon but unless you're printing large or need the best possible AF, then it'll do 99% of what's required.

If you stick to ISO of 1600 and don't wander too far past that then the Olympus system is excellent - good IQ as long as you don't do ridiculous crops and very lightweight

Mike
 
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Thank you Pooley and nice photographs Mike p, I'm not fortunate enough to be out in lots of light all the time so I really could do with a fasfish lens to help me out a bit although I will admit my technique needs more help than my gear.
It's still a lot of money for a lens I couldn't use everyday so I'll be a while pondering this.
 
Yes I think they do currantly, rushing into a £3500 purchase just isn't my style (please read I'm very very tight)
 
wookie6262 said:
MPB had the new one in Nikon fit last time I was having a nosey.
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Probably mine, I sold it to them a few months ago.

Damo1 said:
Yes I think they do currantly, rushing into a £3500 purchase just isn't my style (please read I'm very very tight)
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I still have the front lens protector LPT-11 and drop in polarizer RCP-11 if you do buy one and are interested ... even a very tight man would bite my hand off :D
 
why not look at the nikon 500mm pf only 1 stop of a difference which you will not notice
but its a lot lighter than the f4 your after so not a chore to carry all day
panamoz are doing it for £2880 plus 3 yr uk warranty its a steal
 
Mike.P said:
Probably mine, I sold it to them a few months ago.



I still have the front lens protector LPT-11 and drop in polarizer RCP-11 if you do buy one and are interested ... even a very tight man would bite my hand off :D
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Ahh so an actual known lens to you then Mike , just out of interest what would the accessories cost ?
 
holty said:
why not look at the nikon 500mm pf only 1 stop of a difference which you will not notice
but its a lot lighter than the f4 your after so not a chore to carry all day
panamoz are doing it for £2880 plus 3 yr uk warranty its a steal
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I really can’t shake the idea that Olympus would suit my budget better .
 
Mike.P said:
I think brand new they are around £500 for both but we can discuss it further in the correct section if you get one ;)
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Holy hell what ever possessed me to try wild life photography ! much appreciated Mike I will bear it in mind
 
Damo1 said:
Holy hell what ever possessed me to try wild life photography ! much appreciated Mike I will bear it in mind
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TBH after looking at some of Redrobin's stuff on the Olympus section and bearing in mind the weight of the 500mm and body I would most likely be looking at the new Oly 100-400mm and a E-M1X which can be had for a fair bit less than just the lens. (infact I have been and if it wasn't for the uncertainty with Olympus atm I probably would have by now)
 
Mike.P said:
TBH after looking at some of Redrobin's stuff on the Olympus section and bearing in mind the weight of the 500mm and body I would most likely be looking at the new Oly 100-400mm and a E-M1X which can be had for a fair bit less than just the lens. (infact I have been and if it wasn't for the uncertainty with Olympus atm I probably would have by now)
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That's almost exactly how I feel, I could get a nice used em1x a 300f4 and probably another lens, be portable and light and still have spent less than one massive heavy lens. My concerns are iso noise and potential print size, quality. And a little of the more I focus background thing that needs a workaround.
 
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