Sigma 150-500mm

Col · Post by **Col** » 14 Mar 2008, 21:49

Has anyone seen any reviews of this lens which I believe is due to be released in April? I was considering purchasing the Sigma 50-500mm but was wondering whether the new lens may be a better choice.

Regards

Colin Wells

Iwan Bogels · Post by **Iwan Bogels** » 15 Mar 2008, 11:07

Hi Colin.

Welcome at the Scramble message board ! It must be confusing to see both Dutch and English messages here, but keep on writing in English and all will understand.

Regarding your question, I don't have a definate answer. But there is a lot to say about long zooms in particular. In the previous two years Dutch spotters have participated in two "Lens-Try-Out-Weekends". This initiative was made to have fellow aviation photographers try out eachothers equipment in order to test if any lens or body would meet their requirements before they buy new gear or have any specific opinion on their own stuff.

The first event resulted in a small personal test of various 400mm (fixed or zoom) lenses. Below you will find the test results in an animated GIF. It clearly shows the difference in quality between types.

Check out http://www.scramble.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26926 to read more about it, although it's all in Dutch. There's 161 replies in that topic. The first 5 pages are all pre-event while the last 6 pages are all post-event.

I don't know if this answer will help you decide on which lens to choose, but it may put you on a right track.

All the best from Holland,
Iwan Bogels

PS: Keep on participating here, it's highly appreciated !

Col · Post by **Col** » 20 Mar 2008, 20:24

Thanks for the help Iwan.

I heard from Sigma that they are expecting the new lens to arrive from Japan in early April for the Canon mount and May for Nikon mount. They expect the first reviews in April

Flanker27 · Post by **Flanker27** » 20 Mar 2008, 20:54

Hi Colin and also welcome, Iwan's comparison pics are great. I use the Sigma 50-500 with a lot of satisfaction. Although it doens't have IS, and the new one will. Pics can be found on my site. I also expect the price of the new one to be over 300 euros more epensive, so it all depends again, choices choices choices..

Good luck finding the right one.

Col · Post by **Col** » 21 Mar 2008, 09:47

Hi, I was told by Sigma that the recommended UK price was going to be £749 which makes it cheaper than the 50-500 which has a recommended price of £899. If that is the case it sounds like good value.