Sigma 500mm f4.5 EX Dg HSM Review

Having now had this lens for three years now (as of 2013) I’ve decided to do an update to my original review and give a definitive opinion on how this lens has served me during this time.

I’ve read a number of reviews on this lens and opinions vary and most are very positive, though it does seem to reflect the notion that Sigma lenses can vary in quality depending on the individual lens, so I can only give my view on the one I obtained.  Prior to getting this I was using the Canon 400 f5.6 for most of my wildlife photography and it is recognised as one of Canons sharpest and fastest so I had this as a means of measurement in quality.  I can’t make comparisons two either Nikons or Canons equivalents having never used them, but I’m pretty sure both will be superior in every way except in weight and price.   Sharpness To start things off I did a side by side comparison with the Canon.  I don’t normally bother with ‘pixel peeping’, preferring to see real, out in the field image quality.  For me if it looks good on the screen and on print, that’s good enough for me.  However for the sake of this review I took some ‘controlled’ images.  All were using a Canon 5D, on a tripod with mirror lock up to avoid any camera shake.  There has also been no sharpening of the images and I moved the Canon lens closer to the test chart to give the same size image.  The results surprised me to be honest.  The first was shot at f4.5 of which there is no Canon equivalent as it starts at f5.6 but it does show what wide open looks like. The surprise was that side by side, the Canon looks better than I expected wide open than the Sigma.  The reason for the surprise is that in practice I haven’t noticed this.  Having used the Canon for nearly three years prior to the Sigma, I noticed no obvious difference in image quality or sharpness, which just reinforces my opinion of doing any pixel peeping types of tests.  I haven’t bothered showing tests beyond f6.3 as there was little difference between them and to be honest, I rarely have opportunity (or need) to stop down that far.

Sigma 500mm f4.5	Canon 400mm f5.6
f4.5
f5.6	f5.6
f6.3	f6.3

1.4x Teleconverter (Kenko pro 300) I have no hesitation in using a converter with the Sigma lens and in fact use it around 60-70% of the time.  It does slow down the speed of focusing, though for me it is still fast enough for most of what I photograph.  I’ve used the lens/converter combination with a 30D and 1D Mk III and clearly the ID series is faster.  I have had two of these converters – an earlier one and the newest version.  For some reason it felt the first one was slightly better in its images but unfortunately I lost it so can’t do a comparison.  Despite this the quality to me, is very good.  Strangely enough, I’ve twice done a ‘pixel peeping’ test under controlled conditions and both times felt that the quality wide open, was better with the converter on than off!  This can’t be correct but shows how little difference it makes.

Sigma 500mm f4.5	Canon 400mm f5.6
f6.3	f8
f7.1	f9

Real Term Quality Of course, none of the above means anything to me if the images I take back with me are not up to the kind of quality at least I’m happy with.

Non sharpened image shot at ISO 3200 with a x1.4 converter, wide open (f6.3 due to loss of stop with converter) and 1/800 second. Shot with a Canon EOS-1D Mark III at 1/800 sec. Typical of the kind of image quality with the converter on and despite having a high ISO ratings. Also, because of the kind of conditions I’m regularly confronted with, most of the images are between ISO 800 and 3200.  Obviously, these images are only web size and I’ve had problems using blogger, in getting the images to be as sharp as the original so you can look on my website to see a better representation of them. I’ve put together a selection of typical images I take – mostly wide open and some with the converter and a comparison, without.  The only real disadvantage I can see in using the converter is the loss of light and the slower focusing speed. The Kenko pro 300 is less than half the price of the Canon equivalent and although not weather sealed, I have had no problems with its quality or performance.

Wide open - 500mm at f4.5

Wide open - with converter (700mm) at f6.3

Wide open - 500mm at f4.5

Wide open - with converter (700mm) at f6.3

Depth of Field Using the lens wide open at f4.5 (f6.3 with converter) means a very narrow depth of field which means out of focus shots if the focusing isn’t exact.  As the best wildlife shots tend to require the eyes of the animal to be the key focus points it requires good focusing skills particularly with small birds which tend to constantly be moving around. The first shot below of the Siskin show how narrow the depth of field is.  Only the head is in focus, with the legs, tail and wing tip completely blurred.  The branch which the Long Tailed Tit is perched on, in the second image, shows not even a couple of centimetres in focus.

500mm at f4.5

With converter (700mm) at f6.3

Bokeh Apart from conditions, the other reason I use this lens wide open is way the background looks.  Throwing it out of focus can help make the image stand out and this lens seems to do an effective job of making the background look pretty good and smooth.  The only problem I’ve had is any highlights especially when photographing waders in bright sunlight where it is creating bright spots.  I’ve no experience how other large, fast lenses handle this so maybe this is unavoidable.  The background (and foreground) on the Sanderling has been nicely thrown out of focus as have white pebbles without causing too much of a glare.  The background in the Woodpecker image shows how, given ideal conditions, it can really help make a picture.  In this case it was the suns reflection on distance foliage.

500mm at f4.5

With converter (700mm) at f6.3

Speed For general wildlife photography, I’ve found the speed to be fine – not brilliant – but good enough for my needs.  Sticking a converter on it slows it down as does a none professional body.  Photographing birds in flight is a good test and this is where it does feel slower than my Canon 400mm f5.6 but then that lens is known for its birds in flight ability.  How well it performs will depend on your camera, technique and conditions.  I’ve managed to photograph owls at dusk, with a converter on, but only after practice and still plenty of images were thrown away.  The images below were under optimal conditions i.e., good light and an uncluttered background and where shot with a Canon 1D Mk III.

500mm at f7.1

500mm at f6.3

500mm at f6.3

General use When I first got the Sigma it felt huge and heavy having previously been used to the much lighter and smaller Canon 400mm.  However, it was surprisingly how quick I became used to using it.  Firstly, not having image stabilising was not a big issue for me as the only lens I have ever had with it is the Canon 300mm f4.  I admit it would be very nice to have it but then the lens would have been bigger and then probably out of my price range.  Ironically, its not having IS than makes it the lens that it is.  Apart from the test shots in this review, I’ve never used it on a tripod, preferring instead to be mobile and either using a mono pod or finding alternative means of resting it either a wall or fence or, as I often do, use my camera bag or, with the camera bag on my back and used as a kind of back rest, I hold the lens between my knees as a kind of tripod.  I think holding a camera and lens still has become a lost technique as people have come to rely on IS.  Of course I still loose a higher percentage of images to camera shake that I might not have otherwise had I had IS on it. The image below was shot using my camera bag as support and at 1/400 second.  By using my bag, it meant carrying around less weight and had the added advantage of shooting from a low angle.

As far as the weight is concerned, I often carry the lens around for the day, thanks to Tamrac Expedition 7x, which nicely spreads the weight evenly on my back.  When not in the pack I carry it by its large handle.  There are times when I’ve photographed birds in flight, hand held, and have managed to do so for about 30 minutes or so before starting to feel the effects.  As mentioned, the Tamerac pack is an ideal combination as it takes the lens attached to the camera and if needed, the converter too. The robustness of the lens seems to be good.  I’ve dropped it a couple of times from a short height once landing on the lens hood which took the full force and dented it and had to be reshaped. Black lenses and Sigmas in particular, due to their finish have the complaint of getting marked easily.  I have a cover permanently on my lens so haven’t really come across this issue. This lens is not weather sealed but I have been out in heavy snow fall and drizzle and have never felt there would be a problem though I’m sure having the covers on the lens helps a bit to protect it from the elements.   Negatives? My lens was second hand when I got it and I’ve had it for a number of year now.  At first when using it, I would walk around with it attached to my monopod to the lenses foot.  However I’ve had to stop this as this wore away its threads, thankfully it comes with a number of these so I can still attach it to a monopod or tripod etc, but I’m sure this would not have been such as issue on a Canon lens, bearing in mind these are heavier.  I will eventually want to have this repaired though I’m guessing as the whole foot will need to be replaced, this will not be cheap. Shooting into low light can cause a lack of contrast even with the lens hood on so needs care, otherwise contrast is good. One other picky gripe is the cloth lens cover.  This is fine when storing the lens but it’s no good when the lens good is on and you are walking around with it.  The lens hood is quite deep so I haven’t felt concerned about the front element becoming scratched however, recently in windy wet or snowy conditions, rain or snow drops can get onto the front requiring a clean.  I’ve only recently found somewhere that makes a walk around cap for the front of this lens, prior to this I used a DVD container top which did the job.   Conclusion Moving up from my Canon 400 to this has made a big difference to my photography, as big a difference as getting the 400 originally.  Before getting this I did thing about getting one of the 500 zooms – such as the Sigma's or the Tamron.  But these I believe do not truly reach 500mm are also nearly two stops slower (although the two newer Sigma's have IS).  It’s amazing how much a difference having those extra stops, even from my 400, can make.  The Canon 500mm was well out of my price range (and has nearly doubled in price since!), so a second hand bargain as it was, has was turned out to be one of the best photographic buys I’ve made.  Even if I was to have the kind of money to buy one of the top Canon primes, I would still hold onto this lens because it is light and portable and yet manages quality images.