Description
High Magnification Zoom Lens with a 10x zoom ratio. Optimized for digital SLR cameras.
This high zoom ratio lens is optimized for
Interchangeable Lens Cameras, fully compatible with all
Nikon Digital SLR
cameras including the
D40 and D40X
Digital SLR Cameras, and capable of covering a wide range of focal lengths from 50mm standard
to 500mm ultra telephoto. This ultra-zoom lens employs a seven-group zoom system, which provides a high zoom
magnification of 10x. Triple-cam Rear Focusing System ensures high precision throughout the whole focus range.
APO (APO Lens)
In order to attain the highest quality images, the APO lens has been
made using special low-dispersion (SLD) glass and is designed to
minimize color aberration.
SIGMA's APO zoom lenses minimize color aberration. As the refractive index of glass depends on the wavelength of light, color aberration occurs when different colors form images at different points. This problem often occurs with telephoto lenses, but the
Special Low-Dispersion (SLD) glass
and Extraordinary Low Dispersion (ELD) used in SIGMA's APO lenses helps to compensate for color aberration, thereby allowing them to produce sharp images.
The new lens coating reduces
flare and ghosting, which is a common problem of digital cameras and also creates an optimum color balance.
Beyond 300mm a tripod is pretty much a necessity
The Sigma 50-500 lens uses four pieces of
SLD (the special low dispersion) glass for excellent correction of color aberration. A zoom lock switch eliminates "zoom creep" during transportation, a convenient addition when traveling.
The
HSM Hyper Sonic Motor models provide quiet high-speed
AF function, as well as full-time manual focus capability.
The lens uses a motor driven by ultrasonic waves to provide a quiet, highspeed AF. With conventional auto-focusing, auto-focus is driven by electromagnetic force of a DC-motor, gear and shaft mechanism. However, Ultrasonic Oscillation Energy operates the HSM lens and creates high-torque drive. Since this motor has no reduction gears, it has much quicker response to start and stop compared to DC- motor lenses. HSM system has virtually silent auto focus function, very quick responsive auto focus function and "full-time" manual focus, wherein AF can be overridden without disengaging the AF mode altogether.
HSM means this lens will autofocus on Nikon D40/D40x,
Nikon D60, Nikon D3000,
Nikon D3100 and the
Nikon D5000 DX Cameras
The rear focus mechanism produces a non-rotating front lens element which accepts a bayonet "
Petal-type Hood", which prevents extraneous light from degrading the image quality.
This DG lens is designed to work on
35mm
SLR film cameras and
digital SLR cameras,
and Digital cameras with
'full frame sensors.
It can also be used on cropped sensor Cameras as the image circle it casts on the sensor is larger than needed.
The DG designation indicates that the lens has been optimized for use with digital SLR cameras. The DG lenses feature improved (more even) light distribution from image center to edge, especially at maximum aperture, compared to conventional fast wide-angle lenses. This is important in digital photography, but is also useful in 35mm photography, especially when slide film is used. The lens elements also
utilize Sigma’s super multi layer coating which reduces flare and internal reflections from the highly sensitive surface of image sensors.
By adding an APO teleconverter (sold separately), you can use this lens as a 140-700 .... ..7.3-8.8 MF ultra-telephoto zoom lens with a
1.4X EX teleconverter, or as a 200-1000mm F10.4-12.6 MF ultra-telephoto zoom lens with a
2X teleconverter. ..Teleconverters can be used
in 100mm 500mm focal length range. The Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Lens is not cheap, but it is a decent value. And nothing else gives you 50-500mm in one lens. When a situation presents itself, you may not have time to change lenses. Even a mediocre shot is better than a missed shot.
Superzoom
The term hyperzoom or superzoom is used to promote photographic zoom lenses with unconventionally large focal length factors, typically more than 4× and ranging up to 15×, e.g., 35 mm to 350 mm. The largest ratio for digital SLR cameras is held by the Tamron 18–270 mm, giving 15×. Some Digital Camera Review by Gene Wrights have even larger zoom ratios up to 35×. For movie and television use, Panavision holds the record with their 300X HD Lens.
While superzoom lenses have improved greatly in recent years, they still have a number of drawbacks in comparison with shorter-range zooms and prime lenses. Most notable is the much increased likelihood of significant distortions of the image at both extreme ends of the range. Other potential problems include smaller maximum aperture and poorer autofocus performance
Following is a list of superzoom lenses, used for 135 format in SLRs or for APS format in DSLRs. The minimal factor used here is 5×
or more. A 28–200 mm has a 75° to 12.3° angle of view, a 28–300 mm (or an 18–200 mm for an APS DSLR) has
an 11.1x 75° to 8.2°
Alternative Superzoom Lenses
Features
High Magnification Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens, with a 10x zoom ratio from 50mm to 500mm, optimized for digital SLR cameras.
Fully compatible with all Nikon Digital SLR cameras including the
Nikon
D40, D40X, D60, D3000, D3100 and D5000
Most effective coating for minimizing flare and ghost with digital SLR cameras.
Triple-cam Rear Focusing System ensures high precision throughout the whole focus range.
Uses four SLD (the special low dispersion) glass elements for superior optical performance.
Accepts both 1.4X and 2X APO EX Tele-Converters, the lens can be used as a 1000mm ultra-telephoto zoom lens.
I use this lens with both a
Kenko Teleplus DG 1.5x AF Teleconverter
and a
Kenko Teleplus PRO 300 "DG"
AF 2x Teleconverter
Item Includes
Lens Hood, Front & Rear Lens Caps, Padded Carry Case with Strap, removable
tripod ring, 4-Year USA Warranty, 1-Year International Warranty
Reviews
myredst1100's Full Review: Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Lens
I use this lens to photograph sports, mainly soccer and softball. This is an excellent lens with a big reach, but still allows near shooting. While not the fastest lens (The Cannon f2.8 L lens are way out of my price range), it is acceptable for outdoor shooting.
Its nickname "Bigma" fits it. Its quite large and I don't think I would shoot it without a monopod (I've seen examples of hand held pictures and they have been great shots - but holding for a while and you arms will get tired). But the Bigma's 10x zoom makes shooting from anywhere on the field a piece of cake all I need to do is get at the proper angle and the lens lets me frame the shot I want.
I good value for the cost of the lens - if you shoot outdoors.
Recommended:
Yes
Review by: ghenton on Sep 5th, 2008
Experience of this type of product: Good, Time product owned: More than a year, Price paid: $950
-pro
• sharp images
• good contrast
• huge range
• well built
• fast and silent focus
• tripod mount included
• front lens doesn't rotate
• best 'bang-for-the-buck'
• very pleasing Bokeh
-con
• two hands plus handling
• a little large and front heavy
• a little slow on the long end f6.3
• focus hunting occasionally (maybe related to camera shake)
• 86mm filters cost big
• Camera shake is the biggest problem I have had with this lens, only about a 10% keeper rate with my E330 and a keeper rate of 90% with my E520 (In-Body Image Stabilization) Cant beat the range, great birding lens
Press Release
Thursday, 19 May 2005
50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG/HSM
High Magnification Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens, with a 10x zoom ratio from 50mm to 500mm, optimized for digital SLR cameras.
Most effective coating for minimizing flare and ghost with digital SLR cameras.
Triple-cam Rear Focusing System ensures high precision throughout the whole focus range.
Uses four SLD (the special low dispersion) glass elements for superior optical performance.
Accepts both 1.4X and 2X APO EX Tele-Converters, the lens can be used as a 1000mm ultra-telephoto zoom lens.
Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 50-500 F4-6.3 EX DG/HSM lens.
This high zoom ratio lens is optimized for digital SLR cameras and capable of covering a wide range of focal lengths from 50mm standard to 500mm ultra telephoto. This ultra-zoom lens employs a seven-group zoom system, which provides a high zoom magnification of 10x. Triple-cam Rear Focusing System ensures high precision throughout the whole focus range.
The new lens coating reduces flare and ghost, which is a common problem of digital cameras and also creates an optimum color balance.
This lens uses four pieces of SLD (the special low dispersion) glass for excellent correction of color aberration. A zoom lock switch eliminates ‘zoom creep’ during transportation, a convenient addition when traveling. The HSM（Hyper Sonic Motor） models provide quiet high-speed AF function, as well as full-time manual focus capability., The rear focus mechanism produces a non-rotating front lens element which accepts a bayonet "Petal-type Hood", which prevents extraneous light from degrading the image quality.
By adding an APO teleconverter (sold separately), you can use this lens as a 140-700mm F7.3-8.8 MF ultra-telephoto zoom lens with a 1.4X EX teleconverter, or as a 200-1000mm F10.4-12.6 MF ultra-telephoto zoom lens with a 2X teleconverter.（Teleconverters can be used in 100mm – 500mm focal length range）
