Sigma APO 50–500mm F4.5–6.3 DG OS HSM Versatility Extended?

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First Impressions JA

The lens comes supplied with a well-made protective lens case with carrying strap; access to the lens is quick. The lens is well engineered and of solid construction. The finish is matt black and looks great – when brand new. Having used the lens extensively for several weeks the finish is still good but minor marks are evident, many scuffs do remove readily with a damp cloth, but the lens does have to be handled with care otherwise scratches will soon appear. This applies to most of Sigma’s new lenses and I feel it is a potential shortcoming in that, after a couple of years' use, the lens could appear quite untidy unless very well cared for. I personally do not find it too difficult to take good care of my equipment – unfortunately though minor knocks and scrapes are inevitable.

  
 

The lens is actually significantly larger than the Canon; the Sigma dimensions being 104 (D) x 219 (L) mm, the Canon 92 (D) x 189 (L) mm. It is also significantly heavier being 1,970g as opposed to 1,360g. These weights and dimensions my prove a little misleading because in practice I found the lens to be very well balanced when on the camera body (a Canon 7D) and easy to hand-hold at all focal lengths; this, however, should be tempered with the fact that I am accustomed to handling a Canon 500mm f4 L IS lens!

The zoom action of the lens is by means of a zoom ring, and the action is firm; it can be locked at the minimum focal length, but not at other lengths. Zoom action is a matter of personal preference; I found the zoom ring to be smooth and easy to use. The Canon 100–400 is a pump action and I find it quicker and easier to follow, for example, a bird in flight coming toward me. The Sigma’s minimum focal distance is close, ie 0.50–1.60 metres compared to 1.80 metres for the Canon 100–400L IS and the macro ratio is also very good being 0.32x as opposed to 0.20x for the Canon. Neither of the lenses has weather sealing.



In Action JA

I used the lens extensively over a period of weeks. It was used hand-held and also mounted on a tripod. When walking about and hand-holding the lens I carried it by means of the len's strap (supplied with the lens). I found this a better option than using the strap on the camera body. When mounted on a tripod I found the reference marks on the lens barrel useful when moving from a horizontal to vertical format and the locking collar was smooth and slick in use.

The lens hood was attached and removed easily; unfortunately there was a tendency for the lens hood to work its way loose and drop off when walking about with the lens over my shoulder. The lens cap was well designed and could be readily replaced and removed with the lens hood on or off.

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