Expectations
Let me say up front that my expectations for this lens were low. A 10× superzoom reaching 500mm sounded convenient, but I assumed it would be average across the range rather than particularly good at anything. I also had reservations about Sigma, based on my earlier experiences with the finish on some older lenses and a disappointing lack of response when I raised the issue with the company. I had almost decided never to buy another Sigma. Never, as it turns out, is a long time.
I had been looking for a longer lens for some time, but mixed reviews of earlier versions of the 50–500mm had put me off. This updated APO 50–500mm f/4.5–6.3 DG OS HSM was a new optical design, and the reviews were considerably more encouraging.
The lens offered a very useful range, optical stabilisation and a Hyper Sonic Motor for quiet autofocus. I was particularly interested in its close-focusing ability, which promised a minimum focusing distance of around 50cm at certain focal lengths. It is not a macro lens, but that flexibility was appealing.
First impressions
“This thing is huge.” That was my first reaction when I unpacked it. It was considerably larger than I expected. I took it for a walk with my youngest daughter while she practised riding her bicycle. My arms soon began to tire, and I realised that handholding it for long periods was not going to be my preferred way of working.
I also thought about travelling. I like moving around cities without attracting attention, and this lens does not exactly help with that. It is unlikely to become my everyday travel companion.
A different perspective
The following day, I took part in a team-building event at work. We were climbing one of our 92-metre wind turbines. The lens was not particularly useful while climbing, but it was excellent for photographing the turbine from the ground.
I tried several shots at 500mm with optical stabilisation switched on and off. I expected the handheld results without stabilisation to be poor, but the difference was immediately apparent. With OS enabled, the photographs were surprisingly good. At 50mm, the lens hood caused some corner shading, which was not entirely unexpected.
The build quality felt solid, if a little heavy. The exterior has a matte finish that gives the lens a purposeful look.
Optical stabilisation
The lens’s major feature is Sigma’s Optical Stabilizer (OS). It compensates for camera movement and is particularly useful when handholding a long telephoto lens. The lens offers different stabilisation modes, including one intended for panning with subjects moving across the frame. Use the mode recommended in the manual for the type of movement you are photographing.
Focus
Autofocus locks on quickly, and the Hyper Sonic Motor is remarkably quiet. I still found myself using manual focus quite often with this lens. The manual focusing ring felt smooth and gave me the control I wanted for more deliberate shots.
Stopping down for sharpness
The lens shows some barrel distortion at 50mm. Sharpness is good in the centre across much of the range, although the corners are softer when the lens is wide open. Stopping down to around f/8 improves the corners, and f/11 produced very good results in my tests.
A useful review can be found in this video review.
Why did I buy it?
- Reach: It gives me a 500mm focal length, which was missing from my kit. My previous longest lens was the Minolta 80–200mm APO HS f/2.8, which reached 280mm with a 1.4× teleconverter.
- Versatility: The 50–500mm range is exceptionally convenient, and optical stabilisation makes handheld use more practical.
- Handling: It is heavy, but manageable for shorter periods when the situation calls for it.
- Price: I bought a used copy on eBay for around $650. At the time, the arrival of newer 150–600mm lenses seemed to make some owners willing to sell.
Impressions from the day
Historical note: This review concerns the original Sigma 50–500mm OS lens and reflects my experience and the used market in 2015.
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