Sigma 500mm

Hi All,

I have been offered but not seen a SIGMA 500mm f4.5 EX HSM lens. I have been told it is in excellent condition and from the images it certainly looks so.

Do any of you guys have experience of this lens? I'm sure this is the older non DG version, does this make a difference? I have been reading reviews on the web for the last couple of hours and they have all been very good, regarding sharpness etc, but I'm sure you good people can give me some real honest feedback.

All help much appreciated

Regards

Rob

Hi I have had mine for quite a long time it is the none DG version it lacks a little contrast wide open but is extremely sharp works fine with a modified Sigma or nikon TC in my case(as I have the nikon variant of it) I can't see myself selling it for any reason and definitely purchase another one if it got stolen or broken.

Phillip.

Ihave the modern version and really like it. However it in my opinion doesnt work very well with converters.So if i had the money I would go for canon but beggars can't be choosers..

Hi Rob,
The Nikon mount version i have is the non DG apo type. I cant say that i have had any trouble with reflections or the like. I dont think it makes much difference. I regularly use mine with a modified Nikon 1.4x converter. AF speed is down slightly but still quite quick. Never noticed a lack of contrast with mine wide open, or perhaps i have just got used to it that way.
Regards Rob.

I wish I'd never got rid of mine Rob - mighty fine lens and I never had a problem with it, but it had to go part-ex for the 300-800mm.

Curious as to why you fancy it though in light of you owning a 600 f4

I have the old non-DG model and find it a wonderful lens, no criticisms of it all. Very sharp, quick focusing, takes t/c's well, compact for a 500, well made, good value.

Paul

I`ve got the older non-DG version, too. It was great with film, but with digital I get quite bad fringing on occasions on contrasty edges, say shooting white birds against a dark background. Do others not notice this, or is it just me?!
I`m wondering whether to `upgrade` to the DG model, but not if the CA has not been corrected. Anyone seeing any fringing on the newer DG model?

Hi Jeremy you need to send it in for service if it's really bad but every long lens I've ever owned no matter who made them will produce a small amount of purple fringeing on high contrast edges against a bright background it is more to do with the CCD or CMOS camera sensor than the lens itself.

Phillip.

Hi All,

Thanks for your replies. What would you say is a fair price for this lens in excellent condition?

Regards

Rob

I sold mine for £900 ish

I've had a non-DG version for several years. Great lens and can't be beat at the price, but I'm not happy with the performance with convertors.
Also the AF doesn't work well with the Nikon 1.4. Sometimes it's OK, other times it vibrates about the focus point, I think it may be too fast and overshoots but at f/6.3 it's not suppost to work.
I've had bad colour fringing when using with extention tubes.
At 1/3 the cost of a NiCan it's good value (and lighter too)

Martin, long time no see...