Holy Cow: new Sigma lens APO 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG

[superted666]

Just read about the new sigma lens APO 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG


Incredible that they can manage that speed over that range and it comes with teleconverter making it 400-1000 f5.6 - apparently lens is designed not to loose quality when using the extender.

Now for the best bit

Check out the pic of it
http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/news/200_500_28.htm

 

[MacAnkka]

Yeah, it's quite... Impressive.

It also has it's own lcd for showing the focal length and current focusing distance.

People have also been discussing what to call it, the best I've heard so far is "Sigmarine" (it's huge and looks like a submarine).

 

[compuwar]

If they sell it (the Sigma Japan site seems to indicate it's a proof-of-concept, but that could just be bablefish) and it's priced well, they'll sell a heck of a lot of them. 500mm at 2.8 is sweet!

I spent a bit of time trying to get from Bigma to Sigmonster to whatever this thing is, Siggasm was the best I came up with. I like Sigmarine though.

Edit: SigHubble?

 

[OwlsAndApples]

If they sell it (the Sigma Japan site seems to indicate it's a proof-of-concept, but that could just be bablefish) and it's priced well, they'll sell a heck of a lot of them. 500mm at 2.8 is sweet!

I spent a bit of time trying to get from Bigma to Sigmonster to whatever this thing is, Siggasm was the best I came up with. I like Sigmarine though.

Edit: SigHubble?

Haha I like Siggasm
It does look a lot like a submarine...I just like how the body is dwarfed by the lens...

 

[jayb2000]

wow, the paparazzi should love this

 

[compuwar]

wow, the paparazzi should love this

If it's sharp at the long end, it'll be great for birds. I'm just wondering about backpacks-- I doubt it'll fit in my LensTrekker 600AW.

 

[miloblithe]

I think Little Boy would be a good name.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Boy

 

[bearbo]

i don't like the matte look of the exterior, bring on the glossy

but seriously thou, if they should do something about the exterior.

it says the tele converter is supplied as standard accessories, i suppose that could be an indicator of they will market it (or are currently marketing it?)

i wonder if that's gotten the Hypersonic motor

 

[mcarnes]

Still think I'd rather have the Sigmonster.

 

[compuwar]

Still think I'd rather have the Sigmonster.

I looked at getting one, but I shoot wildlife, mostly birds- and coming from an f/2.8 lens makes it really difficult. For daytime stuff the Sigmonster works well from the shots I've seen from the one sample I've seen in the field. However, you lose so much working time when wildlife is active with such a slow lens.

I've been tempted a couple of times to go with a slower, lighter lens like the 200-400/4, but missing the sweet light around dawn when everything's active is just too much of a trade-off.

 

[EastCoastFlyer]

Price??

So how much?????

 

[pdpfilms]

When would you ever be able to use 1000mm and not have UV haze interfere?

 

[compuwar]

When would you ever be able to use 1000mm and not have UV haze interfere?

For things not at infinity it should be fine. The bigger issue is going to be how well fill-flash works. Time for a super-beamer!

 

[Over Achiever]

Did you see how small the camera looks in relation to the lens?
*Camera shown sold separately

 

[Abstract]

I'm guessing they put the LCD there because it would be impossible, or at least very difficult, to see the focal length markers on the top of the lens.

 

[freebooter]

Nickname: I like "Sigzilla", or "I-have-a-Small-P*nis".

 

[b0tt094]

Me Likey... Me Wanty (but me petrified to find out how much )

 

[compuwar]

Me Likey... Me Wanty (but me petrified to find out how much )

I'm guessing around USD$ 10,000.

 

[Lovesong]

I like the fact that it comes with a 2x extender. The real question, however, is whether or not it comes with a forklift.
But seriously, why? Why do you need this kind of speed at these focal lengths? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have always been told that at 200 + you'd want smaller apertures to up your DOF.

 

[b0tt094]

I'm guessing around USD$ 10,000.

I think I just died a little

 

[Abstract]

I'm guessing around USD$ 10,000.

I'd guess more, maybe $15000.

Just look at the price of some of the Canon and Nikon super-telephoto, wide aperture primes out there. This lens is faster than most of those at the same focal lengths. It's also a zoom lens rather than a prime, which offers far more flexibility. Then you need to subtract a bit of money from what the Nikon or Canon equivalent would cost because it's a Sigma and not a Canon or Nikon. However, an expensive Sigma is getting quite close to the prices of equivalent Canon or Nikon........so maybe this Sigma is around 90-95% as expensive as the equivalent lens that Canon or Nikon offers. Too bad there's no equivalent right now from either company.

 

[compuwar]

But seriously, why? Why do you need this kind of speed at these focal lengths? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have always been told that at 200 + you'd want smaller apertures to up your DOF.

Wildlife, especially birds. Most activity is post-dawn and pre-dusk where the extra speed is necessary. My 400/2.8 gives me great DoF wide open, and an extra 100mm of reach would be awesome.

 

[wmmk]

Just read about the new sigma lens APO 200-500mm F2.8 EX DG


Incredible that they can manage that speed over that range and it comes with teleconverter making it 400-1000 f5.6 - apparently lens is designed not to loose quality when using the extender.

Now for the best bit

Check out the pic of it
http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/news/200_500_28.htm

will it come in KAF mount? not that this would be useful at all for me, except for making people feel jealous

 

[Clix Pix]

Anybody thought about this thing actually fitting on a Wimberley or other brand gimbal head? (It sure wouldn't work on a regular ballhead!) It would almost have to have a specially-made tripod/tripod head....

 

[compuwar]

I'd guess more, maybe $15000.

Just look at the price of some of the Canon and Nikon super-telephoto, wide aperture primes out there. This lens is faster than most of those at the same focal lengths. It's also a zoom lens rather than a prime, which offers far more flexibility. Then you need to subtract a bit of money from what the Nikon or Canon equivalent would cost because it's a Sigma and not a Canon or Nikon. However, an expensive Sigma is getting quite close to the prices of equivalent Canon or Nikon........so maybe this Sigma is around 90-95% as expensive as the equivalent lens that Canon or Nikon offers. Too bad there's no equivalent right now from either company.

The Nikkor 400/2.8 is $7800, the 600/4 runs about $2k more, and the 500/4 about $600 less. Canon's long guns are cheaper, so we'll stick with that- that should put a 500/2.8 somewhere near a 600/4, granted a zoom will add to the price. In the past, Sigma hasn't been anywhere near 90-95% at the long end in pro glass- the Nikkor 300/2.8 is about the closest comparison we can make, the Nikkor is $4499 for the USA version and the Sigma is $2599 (B&H USA only- Canon is $3750.) Furthermore, the Sigma 120-300/2.8 is $2700. Granted, adding the LCD and TC are going to drive up costs, but I doubt by more than $1000.

I'd say at $12,000 and under, Sigma have a clear winner, but over that it's going to be difficult unless performance wide open is stellar. However if they can come in at or under a Nikon 600/4, as long as it performs well, they probably won't be able to keep up with demand for the first year.