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Sigma APO 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM review by Stockholmviews.com, page 1


Sigma 150-500mm F5-6,3 DG APO OS HSM the perfect low budget safari and wilde life lens?

During this review of the Sigma 150-500mm OS, I will try to find out if it fulfill my expectations and needs as a enthusiastic
amateur.

Nikon D7000 with a Sigma 150-500mm OS lens + D.I.Y lens protection
Nikon D7000+ Sigma 150-500mm OS

I didn't find any review of this new lens from sigma when I first
heard about it anyhow due to an upcoming expedition style polar-
bear safari to Svalbard I just had to get a long lens to bring.

The Nikon 80-400mm VR , Sigma 80-400mm OS was at the time
the only alternatives available to me since optical stabilization
was a must have criteria.

The Nikon lens had a bad reputation for being slow due to non AF-S
design so I was heading towards the slightly faster focusing Sigma
80-400.

Then the 150-500mm OS was announced and I just had to sit an
wait to se if it was about to be available before the Svalbard trip.

I got the lens one week before we left for Svalbard, and I must say
I couldn't have lived without it.

Back from Svalbard I decided to try to do a review of this New
Sigma lens that not only gave me some nice polar bear shots.

The 150-500mm OS HSM also suprised me of being quite a bit
cheaper than the old and discontinued 80-400 from the same
company.


The Sigma 150-500mm OS review starts here..

 
Lens Construction

21 Elements in 15 Groups
Angle of View 16.4 - 5 degrees
Number of Diaphragm Blades 9 Blades
Minimum Aperture F22
Minimum Focusing Distance 220cm/86.6 in.
Maximum Magnification 1:5.2
Filter Size Diameter 86mm
Filter Size Bayonet-type Hood
Dimensions Dia 94.7mm X L 252mm
3.7 in. X 9.9 in.
Weight 1910g / 67.4 oz.
Corresponding AF Mounts SIGMA, CANON,
NIKON, PENTAX (1*, 2*), SONY (1*)*1 OS function is not available.*2 If the camera body does not support HSM motor, AF will not work.

RitzCamera.com
Sigma 150-500 OS
Image and data above taken from www.sigmaphoto.com

That was a short presentation of this
new exciting lens from Sigma I will
make a review of this lens in my own
way of reviewing things you might like
it or might not (I'm not a pro nor am I Ken Rockwell).

The proffesional way to review lenses
is way to complex for me :0) click
[HERE] if you like to know wy!

Few words will be written, but there
will be many photos in this review to
help you evaluate this lens by your
self.

Review will start A.S.A.P , and will run
until I find it done. To start with I will
compare the Sigma 150-500mm OS to
the good old Sigma 80-400mm OS that
I have on loan from a friend.



Sigma 80-400mm OS vs Sigma 150-500mm Size comparacy

The 150-500mm (Bottom)compared in size to the
trusty old Sigma EX 80-400/4,5-5,6 DG APO OS (Top)

Lens 150-500mm OS 80-400mm OS

Lens Construction

21 Elements in 15 Groups

20 Elements
in 14 Groups

Angle of View 16.4 - 5 degrees 30.3 - 6.2 degrees
Number of
Diaphragm Blades
9 Blades 9 Blades
Minimum Aperture F22 F32
Minimum
Focusing Distance
220cm/86.6 in. 180cm/70.9 in.
Maximum
Magnification
1:5.2 1:5
Filter Size Diameter 86mm Diameter 77mm
Dimensions Diameter
94.7mm X Length 252mm
3.7 in. X 9.9 in.
Diameter
95mm X Length 192mm
3.7 in. X 7.6 in.
Weight 1910g / 67.4 oz. 1750g/61.9 oz.
Corresponding
AF Mounts
SIGMA, CANON, NIKON SIGMA,
CANON,
NIKON (D)


The trusty old 80-400 has the EX marking and the corresponding golden stripe the 150-500mm OS does not.
Anyhow I can't spot any difference in built quality between them.

As a matter of fact this lens does not carry the EX designation because Sigma will now only use that for lenses with a fixed aperture. It's still seems built like an
EX lens would be, there's no difference in that respect.

The 150-500mm is new cheaper faster focusing and available.
The 80-400mmis more expensive and according Sigmaphoto.com [discontinued]

Both lenses ships with a removable tripod collar of quite god quality
a lens hood and a big high quality synthetic carrying case that are big and bulky
[go here to se how to make a new one for backpacking].

The 150-500 came with a new improved lens cap that looks similar
to a Nikon lens cap it almost looks cloned :0)

Sigma lenscap for Nikon 150-500mm OS

Both lenses are equiped with Zoom lock (I wish my Nikon 18-200 Vr had the same)

On the next page I will start to compare optical quality.

Note: Sigma has also released a replacement for the 80-400, the 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM

Any suggestions and or review questions/comment can be posted here [CLICK]

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