The latest, image-stabilized version of Sigma’s popular 50-500mm 10x superzoom lens is now available. The Sigma APO 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM zoom lens was announced last month at PMA but they didn’t have pricing or availability at the time. I figured that it would be available later in the summer, so this is a happy surprise. At the moment it’s only available with the Canon mount but the Nikon version is supposed to be available later this month. Sigma, Sony and Pentax mount lenses will be available in April. Sometimes prices for different lens mounts are different, but the currently available Canon-mount Sigma APO 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM zoom lens is priced at $2400.
Even though $2400 is a lot of cash for regular folks, the Sigma 50-500mm zoom lens is a relatively inexpensive way to get into a super-telephoto lens. This is a very popular lens for bird and wildlife photographers who can’t afford (and don’t want to carry) the 8.5-pound, $6200 Canon 500mm f/4L IS or the 8.6-pound, $8000 Nikon AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4G ED VR. Although the Sigma 50-500mm doesn’t have the fast fixed aperture of the big Nikon and Canon primes, it costs and weighs less than half as much and offers the versatility of a huge 10x zoom range. And with the addition of Sigma’s OS optical image stabilization, the 50-500mm HSM should also be as steady as the competition.
We visited with Sigma at the annual PMA tradeshow, last month. Check out our video of the new 50-500mm OS and four other new Sigma lenses that were announced at the show:
Five New Sigma Lenses – PMA 2010 Video >>
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I am looking forward to getting this lens. At Amazon, you can preorder for 1600.00 for the Sony model.
Thanks for the comment, Matt. Is the Sony mount lens you saw on Amazon the new image-stabilized OS version? Because $800 is a pretty big price difference.
Yes. The don’t sell the older model anymore. Plus the button says “Pre-Order”.
Some text from amazon.com
Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM SLD Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens for Sony Digital DSLR Camera
List Price: $2,400.00
Price: $1,599.00 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: $801.00 (33%)
I am concerned about the IQ of this lens. How would it compare in clarity to a Canon L series 28-300 mm lens, which also has a 10x range?
Can I afford to use this lens with my Canon 5d, or would the cinematographers in the back row simply snicker when they saw the results?
Tempting, but I’m terrified….
wow…
what a nice lens…
i oni got 4 da 50-200mm