Sigma 500mm f4.5

[woollyback]

Hello folks,

I have been looking for a longer prime lens to concentrate on birding and wildlife (mainly) and was looking at the 300mm f2.8.

However, I have come across the above lens, any views as to wether it is any good or not?.
Does the DG version give anything extra?.

I will be using on canon 20D/400D

Many thanks for any info

Cheers

Rob

[glsammy]

I'm not sure if anyone here has one of these, I wish I had. I've certainly seen good reviews for it. Have a look at : FM Reviews - 500mm f4.5 EX Apo HSM

It's generally highly rated.

[Raffman]

I had a look into these a while back and this is what I came up with.

Firstly its likey but not definate that many of the older non DG models will not work on your 20/400D its something to do with the chip, I dont think sigma are rechipping any more either.

DG offers a very little noticable differance in most circumstances.

At f4.5 if you add a 1.4tc you'll lose AF on your 20/400D. The taping trick may solve this?

These lenses can with good long lens technique can produce amazing results.

They are alot lighter and more practical than the Canon 500L F4 IS.

They are alot cheaper than the Canon 500L F4 IS.

The sigma will have a poor resale value compared to Canon.

Personally I would still go the 300L IS 2.8, you can add both 1.4 and 2x tc and retain AF. The 300 2.8 will still produce very nice images with a 2x so you'll have plenty of reach if you need it and a very practical combo. That said though if you are concentrating on small birds and not fussed about larger species or small to large mammals then you are better to start of with as much reach as possible, if you can get round the AF issue or manual focus with accuracy then the sigma 500 f4.5 may be the way to go. If it was the case then the Canon 500L 4.5 could also be an option.

Raff

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi Rob,

I use a sigma 500 f4.5 and a cracking lens it is too.

The non DG version (which is what I have) works perfectly with 20d's/400d's.
It is the older non EX versions that need re-chipping.

They wont auto focus with converters, but I have never had a problem manual focussing.In fact I rarely use autofocus as the focus points never seem to be in the place where I want to focus anyway.
If you can get hold of an older pre-EX lens that has been re-chipped then these lenses will autofocus with converters such as Kenko Pro.
Sigmas are a lot cheaper than Canon and as for resale value, sigma will cost you £2000 - 2500 and you may resell it for £1500.Canon will cost you £5000 and you might get £3000.
Slightly less of a loss on the sigma.

Personally for birds I would go for a 500 rather than a 300.Remember that with a 20d you have an 800 or 480mm and with a 2x converter this is 1600mm or 960mm.Which gets you the close up of the little bird?
Have you thought of secondhand, there are always those who buy these lenses, hardly ever use them and then trade them in because they MUST have the new DG version.

Good Luck

Neil

[woollyback]

Neil et al,

Many thanks for this - I've managed to find a used non DG & should pick this up next week.

Thanks again

Rob

[wildlifesnapper]

Great, you'll love using it.And great shots too!

Neil

[Elevate29]

Hi,
I've just bumped this thread as I have this lens (EX but non DG) with a canon 40D and wondered if it would retain AF if I paired it with a 1.4TC. I've read comments about firmware updates and taping contacts etc but wondered would this work and does it depend on the brand of TC?
Any advice would be most welcome.

Thanks

Elevate

[momji1971]

Hi, I've the the ex dg hsm version for nikon. It AF's no problem with a 1.4x attached but you'll need a sturdy tripod as that's over 1000mm angle of view.

Apparently the DG designation means it has a re-writeable chip so it can be adjusted thats all (my lens is with Sigma an that was their explanation).

Just got back from Florida and got some great flight shots hand holding the 500mm (its a lot lighter than a nikon/canon 500).

You'll love it.

If your main aim is shooting birds, go with the 500. Everytime you add a converter, AF slows. I think Canon said 300+1.4 = 20% slower AF!

regards.
Stu.

[Elevate29]

Thanks Stu,
May well try and pair it with a kenko TC and see how it goes. Really enjoying using it, certainly a steep learning curve from my 100-400mm!

cheers

Elevate