Reviewed by Ben Lee, http://dslrlensesonline.com editor.
The Sigma 150-500mm is a photographic heavyweight in more than one sense of the word – but don’t let that that put you off this hidden gem of a lens.
Image quality – Rating: 
Build quality – Rating: 
Ease of use – Rating:
Lens features – Rating:
Value for money – Rating:
The Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 AF APO DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom Lens For Nikon Digital SLR Cameras weighs in at just under 2 kilograms (about 4 pounds) and as you may have noticed this lens has an extraordinary reach of 500mm and as far as 800mm on a Nikon DX body.
But what about more important considerations such as image quality, general usability and even price? And what about the fact that there also exists another Sigma telephoto zens that has almost the same zoom range?
Which one are you to buy? The Sigma 150-500mm or the so called Bigma 50-500mm?
First off, the 150-500mm. You will notice the weight of this lens when you are carrying it around – but so you should, it is a telephoto lens after all.
However that’s not to say that you couldn’t take handheld shots or carry it around with you for most of the day. It is perfectly fine for that purpose if you are even half used to a bit of weight in your bag.
Secondly, the image quality of this lens is fantastic for the price you pay. It is not in the same league as the Canon 100-400mm, but this lens performs well throughout and is more than respectable at 500mm where most would expect it to fall off badly.
In fact, with the lens stopped down to f/8 I would go so far as to say that the image quality is very good at 500mm. Presumably many people will find this fact comforting as anyone who does buy this lens will be wanting to put through its paces at 500mm – that much is guaranteed.
Sigma 150-500mm specifications
- Incorporating Sigma’s original OS (Optical Stabilizer) function.
- An ultra-telephoto zoom lens covers a telephoto range up to 500mm and allows short perspective.
- Three SLD glass elements and a rear focus system provide optimum image quality throughout the entire zoom range.
- Super multi-layer coating reduces flare and ghosting.
- HSM ensures quiet and high-speed autofocus.
- Mounting Type: Nikon F
- Minimum Focal Range: 7 feet
- Maximum Aperture Range: F/5.0-6.3
- Camera Magnify Power: 1 / 5.2
- Real Angle Of View: 16.4
- Weight: 4.2 pounds
- Item Display Diameter: 3.7 inches
- Length: 10 inches
What about auto-focus? Surprisingly fast and accurate to the point where you shouldn’t be scared to use it low light.
While the auto focus is not as fast in the 150-500mm as it is in the Sigma “Bigma” 50-500mm, it does not suffer from the color reproduction and chromatic aberration issues that the Bigma does (thanks mainly to the apochromatic lens construction in the 150-500mm).
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| The Bad |
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So to answer the original question of this review, which is better, the Sigma 150-500mm or the 50-500mm?
The 150-500mm has the benefits of optical stabilization and is marginally cheaper, whereas the 50-500mm has a greater zoom range and is better at focusing and has a faster aperture, though only just.
The Bigma also suffers from some degree of zoom creep and has a cumbersome lens cap, but I guess the last 2 factors may be of little importance to some people.
My advice would be to stick with the 150-500mm. Read some of the fantastic reviews at the Sigma 150 500mm review page on Amazon if you need more convincing.
If you are for using one lens to cover all of your photographic bases then by all means go for the 50-500mm, but if it were me I’d rather own and use a dedicated wide angle lens in combination.
Overall Rating:
At the end of the day you do have to be prepared to make sacrifices when considering a 500mm lens for under a thousand dollars. Don’t get me wrong though, the Sigma 150-500mm is a great lens for the price and if anything deserves to be priced higher.
The deciding factor for me would be the super image quality and long focal length for a such a bargain price, and as such this lens would be ideal for those photographers who love a bit of casual sports or bird photography, but aren’t willing to break the bank to get it.
I’m going to include a nice summary of the positives (+) and negatives (-) as determined by someone who bought this lens from Amazon. Enjoy.
+ Optics are outstanding considering the market price.
+ Less than $1000 USD as of this writing
+ 500mm without use of a teleconverter
- Not as sharp compared to the 50-500 Sigma but the 50-500 lacks OS/IS
+ Light build quality considering lens class
- Durability trade-off for lower weight. Sealing not optimal, housing uses plastic.
+ Aesthetics. Rubberized/tactile feel with a sleek dark gray body.
- Aesthetics/durability. Coating on body prone to marks/scratches.
- Stiff zoom ring takes effort to operate.
+ Durable OEM lens hood included
+ Solid OEM hard lens case included (in fact it is shipped in the case)
+ OEM Tripod collar included
+ Excellent industry warranty (3 years USA)
+ HSM motor quick but not the fastest.
- Seeks a bit for focus in less-than-optimal light a bit earlier than the Canon equivalents.
- Autofocus a bit more finicky than lens-class equivalents.
- OS certainly does not reach the claimed 4 stop benefit
+ OS obtains a clear 2 stop advantage
- Noisy OS
- Image appears to shake a bit in viewfinder w/ OS operating
by T. Cogar……. Read the rest of this Sigma Lens 150 500mm review here
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Filed under: Sigma DSLR Lenses
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