Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

Great quality lense. A little heavy, but that is to be expected in a large lense such as this.

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

I'm extremely happy with the lens. I use it for photojournalism and wildlife.

PROS:
- Great range (it replaces 3 lenses for me)
- Good build quality (Doesn't fell cheap) ;)
- Good image quality.

CONS:
- Weight (it'n not terrible but you need a tripod)

Final words:
If you can, buy it! you won't regret it.

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

I am very happy with the Sigma 50-500 lens. I shoot bird photos in my yard and on the Sound and it is a great addition to my Nikon D70s.

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

Probably a very useful telephoto for those who use a tripod and are not after fast moving subjects. The quality of construction seemed very good. My issue was with hand holding this lens. Even though I am strong enough, the lens does not like to be hand held and zoomed. There were message issues between the lens and the camera because of play at the connection point. It would fail to Auto Focus or send settings like 1/3200 @ f0.

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

Been using mine as primary lens for > 1.5 years. Also have 12-24mm, 18-200mm, 50mm f/1.4 (to be replaced soon with 105mm Macro). Used hand held, on a ball mount, on a gimbal mount. Strongly recommend gimbal mount -- got the Manfrotto 393 for Christmas, helps lots when using proper technique of left hand/arm hanging on front tube to counterbalance right hand on camera. Strongly recommend tripod use for slower than 1/800s. Used hand held at Air Show, faster than 1/1000s most of the time. Took > 1000 shots. 500mm mostly too long for that venue. Only changed lens for when wanted real wide angles. Use it mostly on the Manfrotto to take pictures of the birds in our yard (over 40 varieties throughout the year), mostly from inside the house through closed windows (no screens though). Works very well, mostly, when enough light.When I got the lens I was choosing between this and the 80-400mm Nikon. Nikon has better glass, fewer elements, f/5.6, and VR. My first telephoto lens was a 70-300mm on an N80. A friend told me you can never have enough focal length if trying to shoot birds. He's right. I opted for the "Bigma" because of so many glowing reviews, 100mm more reach, and about $500 less expense. My friend is still right, even 500mm and the 1.5x DX factor is not always enough. The only improvements would be the 600mm f/4 or the Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6. If I can ever save up enough money, I'll get them, but that'll be years from now.A friend in our camera club has the Nikon 80-400mm lens, with VR. His pictures are sharper, clearer, better color, better contrast. He can use his hand held more often. I expect I'll get one before the 600 or 300-800 for "field" use, so I won't need a tripod, but I still have better reach with the Bigma, and want more.I have even used this lens to get pictures of bees landing on my pool to drink.Mine is mounted on a Manfrotto 393 Gimbal head on a Bogen/Manfrotto 3021 tripod. I generally don't extend the legs but use the double length column to raise the camera to eye level, with me sitting on a chair. This way I can sit and bring the tripod close in and use the camera like an anti-aircraft gun. Outside, you have to sit and wait, sometimes 30 minutes for the birds to come back. No other 'pod has such a long neck and so can't be used as effectively this way.I had a cheap [*]plastic UV filter on it to protect the lens. That was a mistake, it caused a color caste. Replaced it with a quality German Glass UV filter, much better color integrity.Camera is either AperturePriority at f/6.3 or Manual at f/6.3. Need the tripod because a lot of the pictures are at 1/125s to 1/320s -- that's why I'd like to get the 600 f/4. Small birds move a lot, blurring the picture at times. Have gotten some incredible shots though. At > 20,000 pic's, I'm still learning how to use the camera -- slow learner, eager clicker, lots of continuous low @ 1shot/second.One thing about the prime telephotos, they have longer minimum focusing distances and thus less magnification factor. To be useful in my yard, I will need to add extension tubes (not teleconverters) to shorten the focusing distances so that I can be closer. When shooting from inside the house, I'm only 10' from the birds, and the 600 has a minimum distance of > 16'. And, I only need to focus to 200'. So a 600 + tube(s) would work well, providing better "reach" and still be able to focus close, for an extra $9000 over the Bigma, hmmm $$$$$.I'm a techy of sorts. Would I recommend the lens? That depends. Do I regret not getting the Nikon? sometimes. But, the problem with the pictures is more me and the subject matter than the equipment. Also, there have been many times I was glad I got the extra reach, and wish I had more.P.S. I have no problem with lens creep, mostly because my left hand is generally on the zoom ring controlling it.

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

If you like to make images of wildlife, birds, etc., and your budget does not let you seriously think about the big Nikon primes, then this is the lens you may consider.
It is not super-fast and the focus is not always easy to obtain in low light at the longer end of the lens range. But it produces sharp images if you provide good support and maintain a good long lens shooting technique. Because I have this lens for only three weeks now, I'm still at the beginning of a learning curve. However, the Sigma 50-500 has helped me to make some tack- sharp images of birds and White-tailed Deer. Zoom and focus ring have a nice feeling with a little resistance for good fine tuning. What I really don't like is the lens creep. Unfortunately the lock works only at 50mm. Not a big deal, but I don't understand why little things like this have not been fixed after the first users complained about it many years ago.
This lens has fulfilled my expectations so far, and I believe it has a very good price-performance relationship.
If you are considering buying the lens hood cover from LensCoat as an accessory, as recommended by B&H for this lens, buy it one size smaller. I love the lens hood covers from LensCoat and use them for all of my lenses, but the X-Large cover is too big for this lens and falls off all the time.

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

I have had this lens for a couple of years now and the bottom line is that I would recommend this to any beginner or advanced photographer who cannnot afford the $10,000+ Canon or Nikon equivalent lenses. I have used this for outdoor wildlife photo's and for sports (soccer) and it has proven to be a great lens. My photo quality is excellent. It is a heavy lens but that is to be expected. The lens can creep on you so watch for that, and sometimes I wish the auto-focusing time was a little faster but then I realize that for the price of this lens I really have nothing to complain about. On a trip to Alaska last year I went out on a tour to photograph Humpback's and met a man who was devastated that his Nikon telephoto had broken that morning. This was a man who could afford any lens he wanted and after I let him use my Sigma he was saying he was going to get one for himself. That should tell you that it's a pretty darned good lens. I think any photographer who cannot spend $10,000 on the Nikon or Canon equivalent will be more than pleased with this lens. I have not been disappointed at all.

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

A little slow lent at 500 but it's good for nature watching in excelent lighting conditions.

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

I use this product to photograph wildlife, birds, etc.
This is not good lens, all my lenses are sigma, I´really liked sigma equipment, but this lens is to heavy, It need and image stabilizer (OS), is too dark for cloudy days, it work only in sunny days, with a very sturdy tripod. the lens is so big and heavy that vibrates even on a sturdy heavy tripod, producing out of focus images.

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

My husband rented this lens for our Alaskan Cruise earlier this year and since he is so hard to buy for, it was the perfect choice. When I gave it to him, he was as pleased as I have ever seen him. He immediately took it outside and started taking pictures. The photos taken are awesome. Thank you for helping me find the perfect gift for my hard to please husband.

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

Overall this has been a great lens, hunts from time to time, but great for sports action. Using for H.S. Varsity soccer, great results

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

I have owned it a short time. Use for birds. Fast, clean, 500mm crystal clear on my monitor. D40 users, don't worry, be happy, it works. Buy it with no worries RE: D40.

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

After receiving the Bigma, I attached it to a Nikon D700. To minimize the effect of the tremble in my 71 year old arms, I set the D700 up with a low limit shutter speed of 100, an aperture of 8 and automatic ISO. I get great photos of wildlife with this combination. The auto-focus is fast and sharp.... Couldn't ask for more.... When the light begins to fall off, the shutter speed never drops below 100 unless the ISO gets to a high limit of 6400.... The combination of the high ISO capabilities of the D700 used with the Bigma gives outstanding results....

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

This lens takes a nice picture, and really gets you out there. It creeps and there is a lock to prevent that, but it's kinda annoying. You also are going to need to watch the finish, we have had a little come off on the collar already.

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

I like this lens, a bit heavy, but will reach out to get that long distance photo. I shoot mostly birds, wildlife and nature, and it is good for all of these. I use it on a Monopod because of the weight and it makes it easier to carry on photo hikes.
I have a Nikon D700 and a Nikon D40X, and it will fit both of these cameras. This lens is not a Nikon lens, but a very good 500mm lens for the money. I would buy this lens again.

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

I use for wildlife and sports. I am blown away by the sharpness of this lens. I would gladly put it up against a much more expensive 500mm fixed length lens and challange anyone to tell the difference! I use this with a D300 and simply could not be happier with a product.
On the other hand, I also purchased the 2x adapter from Sigma and would not recommend that. That unit now sits in my junk drawer as I cannot obtain a good focus with it.

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

When I first got this lens I thought wow, its heavy. I tried it out and wasn't overly satisfied, but the more I used it the more I started to like it. Its great considering its a lower end 500mm zoom. Once you learn the ins and outs of it, its really a nice lens for the price. I was able to take shots of the ships (Marines) off shore waiting to load for deployments and they are awesome!

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

I like the long reach of this lens for sports, scenics and wildlife. It is a moster lens for sure, but well made and definitely manageable despite the weight. It is remarkably quick to focus (hunts a little in lower light)and is very sharp. I am hugely impressed with its sharpness and the depth of its colors. Would love to add some pics to this review but can't? Even at 500, I found it very sharp!

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

I tested this telefoto in a motorcycles race. Great with focus, speed, distance, weight.

Get it

Comments about Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D:

Great Lens for Sports -- Soccer, Surfing, Baseball. Works very well with a monopod, low-light situations are about as expected. Would buy this lens again.