Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM: Has anyone used this?

[lang]

Hi,

I have a Canon EOS 450D camera. Need to buy a zoom to photograph birds. I understand Sigma 50-500 is a good lens. How is the new version with OS? Does anyone have it? It's very expensive and I will not buy any other lens for many decades if I buy this - hence need to think long and hard. I am new to this field and need your help.

[turkeyneck]

Hi lang, there will be others much more knowledgeable than myself who can give you reviews about the 50-500mm.
I ended up going for the 150-500mm (OS) lens as it was so much cheaper and I cover the focal length 50-150 with other lenses any way. If you do not already own a lens that covers that range ie 50-150 then it would be worth going for the 50-500 as this would be a very versatile lens for you. Otherwise if you do cover this focal range it may be worth considering the 150-500mm to prevent doubling up and saving some cash, but if the money is no option then it is no concern.
Wait for others to post there views, I know loads on here have the 50-500 and get ctracking results.

[NicolaB]

I've got the older, non-OS version and have been very pleased with it, so I imagine that the newer one would be even better. Used in good light it's a brilliant lens for the money, and mine tends to live on my camera permanently

It can be a bit soft with the aperture wide open or at full zoom, mine gets its best results at about 450mm at f8. The other downside is the weight of the lens, it is a pretty hefty lump of kit, although I do manage to handhold it for short amounts of time, and I find it great for flight shots. It struggles in low light, but this is to be expected from a zoom lens with a relatively small aperture...unfortunately an expensive prime is probably the only solution, and finances and physical strength required to lift one prohibit me getting one!! I prefer something I can handhold for flight stuff anyway

Hope that helps!

Nic

[glsammy]

If money is tight don't be put off by the lack of OS on the earlier 50-500mm. A decent monopod is capable of supporting the lens down to surprisingly low shutter speeds. Hand holding for birds in flight is no problem, as you've usually got plenty of shutter speed to play with. Don't forget that no OS, no matter how good, can stop a bird from moving!
I think the 50-500mm is an ideal starter lens for birds. I keep on going back to mine on regular occasions and it rarely disappoints. As Nic said, keep the aperture to around F8 and you can get excellent results.

[lang]

Thank you Turkeyneck, NicolaB and Glsammy for your responses. I take your point. We cant stop the bird from moving.

I now have two other options, 50-500 without OS / 150-500 with OS to look at. My camera came with an 18-50. Would I be hamstrung without 50-150 range or can it be covered by walking backwards a bit?

Regards,
Lang

[turkeyneck]

Hi Lang, I can only speak from my own limited experience but I used to carry my 70-300mm Sigma in my bag and have the 150-500mm on the camera, just in case. That 'in case' for me has never reared it's head and I've not used the 70-300 in any of my bird photographs yet, they've all been done with 150-500. That is not to say that one day I might use the 70-300 or in your case the 50-150 range. I don't carry this second lens any more, I leave the house with just the 150-500.
I think at the 50-150mm you'd have to have the bird near enough sitting on your lap to get a large on screen image which is what you want ideally.
(Funny you are mentioning this as I'm thinking of a getting (in the future) an 18mm for portraits/landscapes etc)
You've seen what NicolaB and glasmmy can do with their 50-500's, (and like they both say that's without OS!) have a look at welshlensmans photos also as he uses a 150-500mm with OS though.

[lang]

Thanks Turkeyneck and everyone else for your comments.