Camera Labs

Hi everyone, here's a thread for the Sigma APO 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG HSM telephoto zoom, fondly known as the 'Bigma'. I've included some of my own photos taken with this lens and will include some by others across the forum. Obviously if you've used one, we'd love to see some more sample images taken with this lens - but be sure to tell us which mount you tried.

Some time ago while testing the Olympus E-510, I had a chance to try it out with the Sigma 50-500mm 'Bigma' zoom lens. This lens does not have optical stabilisation, but of course the E-510 has it built-in. When mounted on a Four Thirds body, the equivalent range becomes 100-1000mm, so when zoomed-in, you'd normally be looking at a shutter speed of 1/1000 to eliminate camera shake.

As you'll see from the results below, I achieved much slower shutters thanks to the E-510's built-in stabilisation, although that didn't help the shaking through the viewfinder! (and sadly handheld Live View isn't that practical with a massive lens attached!)

Below: Sigma 50-500mm at 500mm f6.3 with E-510, 1/200, 800 ISO



Above: uncropped original



Above: 100% crop


Below: Sigma 50-500mm at 500mm f6.3 with E-510, 1/30, 800 ISO



Above: uncropped original - notice streaks from sleet / snow!



Above: 100% crop - shows some movement, but remember this was 1000mm effective at a handheld exposure of JUST 1/30!!!


Below: Sigma 50-500mm at 500mm f6.3 with E-510, 1/250, 400 ISO



Above: uncropped original



Above: 100% crop.

Remember all of the above were handheld shots at 1000mm effective, using the E-510's built in stabilisation. I'd say it was very effective, but again it didn't help the wobbling view through the viewfinder - and the AF speed was quite slow and frustrating at times for the bird shots...

But it was still an impressive combo for the money. I just wish the lighting had been brighter, allowing me to shoot at lower ISOs, but then low light is a good test for this kind of thing...

Gordon

Agreed Gordon the AF is rather slow but for me it's all I've known so I'm okay with it ...so far.
Just have to practice and plan for that.

Here are a few of my shots with the Bigma.

These taken on a good light day from the deck of a moving boat freehand.



Pentax K200D
Focal Length: 190.0mm (35mm equivalent: 285...
Exposure Time: 0.0005 s (1/2000)
Aperture: f/11.0
ISO Equiv.: 400
Exposure Bias: -0.50
Whitebalance: Manual
Metering Mode: matrix
Exposure: shutter priority (semi-auto)
Exposure Mode: Auto bracketing

This one taken 8 seconds before and "probably" cropped some.



Focal Length: 500.0mm (35mm equivalent: 750...
Exposure Time: 0.0005 s (1/2000)
Aperture: f/8.0
ISO Equiv.: 400
Exposure Bias: -0.50
Whitebalance: Manual
Metering Mode: matrix
Exposure: shutter priority (semi-auto)
Exposure Mode: Auto bracketing

This on a low-light day/raining camera/lens rested on vehicle window (not overly stable)



Pentax K200D
Focal Length: 500.0mm (35mm equivalent: 750...
Exposure Time: 0.022 s (1/45)
Aperture: f/6.7
ISO Equiv.: 400
Exposure Bias: 1.00
Whitebalance: Manual
Metering Mode: matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)
Exposure Mode: Auto bracketing

Not sure why I have no Exif data with these images but
These were taken freehand with a K100D 6MP most likely at 500mm
The day was foggy with heavy frost (-18C)in the air visibility was around 250m at best
It was bright but not optimal.



A crop of the same bird from the same spot...





Pentax K200D
Focal Length: 270.0mm (35mm equivalent: 405...
Exposure Time: 0.0029 s (1/350)
Aperture: f/8.0
ISO Equiv.: 280



Pentax K200D
Focal Length: 138.0mm (35mm equivalent: 207...
Exposure Time: 0.0010 s (1/1000)
Aperture: f/9.5
ISO Equiv.: 400

Here is a moonshot and a crop.
Tripod mounted,no mirror up used...


Focal Length: 500.0mm (35mm equivalent: 750...
Exposure Time: 0.011 s (1/90)
Aperture: f/13.0
ISO Equiv.: 400


Focal Length: 500.0mm (35mm equivalent: 750...
Exposure Time: 0.011 s (1/90)
Aperture: f/16.0

Not actually the "exact" same pic but,same night,same spot,same moon

I am very happy with this lens.
The majority of my pics consist of wildlife,head on over to the Pet/Wildlife thread and you will see plenty of pics from it.
It is on my camera probably 90% of the time if not more.

Here is a Youtube slideshow I did the first week I had the lens.
Taken with the K100D.
Just click on the link....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fldu5TO77o

_________________
Pentax K-5
Pentax 18-55mm,Pentax 50-200mm,Sigma 17-70mm,Sigma 70-300mm, Sigma 50-500mm

Now that's some lens you have, I love the goldfinch, moon, aeroplane, eagle, Its got that WOW factor.