Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN Sport Review: This Might Be The PERFECT Telephoto!
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We've been asking for more compact, slower super-telephoto lenses for years, and Sigma has brought us exactly what we wanted for both Sony E-Mount and L-Mount! Find out how this lightweight telephoto performs at the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary.
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0:00 - Intro
1:06 - Sample Images
1:28 - Design and handling
3:09 - Autofocus
3:29 - Chromatic Aberrations
3:53 - Flare
4:21 - Ravens: yay or nay?
4:43 - Close-up Performance
5:11 - Bokeh
5:44 - Sharpness
6:25 - The wrap
Y'all's videos are so good that I watch them even when I really have no interest in the item being reviewed. 😅
It looks nice and compact. refreshing to see in telephoto lenses. Nice work guys.
Very fun. I adored my 500 PF for years. Glad this exists!
This Sigma is probably a lot sharper too!
Doubtful. Nikon 500 pf, and now 600 pf are tack sharp.
@@youuuuuuuuuuutubeunlikely, the 500pf is as sharp as the 600pf which is as sharp as any of the big primes out there. This new sigma lens looks like it is nicely on par with all of them at a great price
very fun though focus ..queen is dead LOL
One of if not THE best review of this lens. You deserve to have a much greater audience.
This is exciting for E-Mount and L-mount users who want the lightweight telephoyo experience Nikon has been offering lately.
The PF lenses from Nikon suffer from a loss of sharpness too. It's a current limitation of the PF technology.
Sorry to burst your bubble. The Nikon 500mm of is razor sharp which is why it is legendary. I’m always amazed with the images it takes.
@@youuuuuuuuuuutube😂😂
Also exciting for Nikon shooters because any Sony lens can be adapted 😊
@@youuuuuuuuuuutube The issue with PF technology is that it can lead to odd flair artifacts and slightly less-smooth bokeh, but not to lower sharpness.
Thank you for reviewing such rare and exotic lenses. This is really interesting!
Both Chris and the Wolves lookin majestic AF! 🙌
Inundated with interesting new releases, excellent! Wll be intrigued to see its performance on L Mount - this could be the wildlife lens I've been looking for.
This is finally the proper replacement for the classic Canon 400mm f5.6, which was the ultimate backpack birding lens until today.
Nikon 300mm/4 and 500mm/5.6 pf have been around for 9 and 6 years respectively…
@@1armbiker 300mm isn't enough reach but yes the 500f5.6 was the best of its era, though it's no longer a native lens to modern camera bodies. Nikon needs a Z mount 500mm f5.6
@@budthecyborg4575i feel this way too. The 600mm pf is a bit too narrow for some wildlife compositions and the 400mm is a bit too wide. Also, the 500mm pf has a 3 meter Min Focus Distance compared to the 4 meter of the 600mm pf which is a bit too far sometimes when you’re lucky and the animal comes close
@@budthecyborg4575 Honestly no they don't. Nikon's FTZ adapters have literally 0 downsides aside from being something you have to remember to use; the F glass focuses faster, has better VR, doesn't need micro focus adjustments, and has never looked better outside of the D850. My main long rig for my Z9 is my old 300/2.8 and 500/4 VR lenses and they're still fantastic performers. The only reason I want to replace them with the new 400/2.8 is for the better weight, and built in TC. The 500/5.6 is still an absolute beast on mirrorless.
I was thinking the same. I even manually focus that lens on my Sony body because it’s so lightweight and enjoyable to use. This looks like a perfect replacement for Sony and L mount
Love my light, compact 400 4.5. Glad this exists for the other mounts. A lot of performance in an attainable package.
This is why I'm leaving Canon RF. No choice of third parties lenses like this and Canon won't make anything like this for several years if ever.
Apart from this lens, which third-party lenses are you wanting for which equivalents are not available on RF mount?
@@Bayonet1809As a former Canon crop shooter who moved to Fuji, I couldn't live without the Viltrox 75mm f/1.2. For crop shooters Fuji and Sony have by far the best options.
@@ReflexVE Wouldn't mind this 500 for Fuji X either. Might be a bit too long, but still could be pretty useful
@@_shreyash_anandthis 500mm would be my prime of choice for bird photography.
Canon knows that any company should learn from multiple sources; they took the restrictive walled garden of Apple, and paired it with Androids smaller accessory pool. Truly a novel approach to take the worst of two worlds
This lens came out of nowhere to me, but for sure will safe up for it as an addition to my 150-600 for L-Mount! Awesome 🙌
There’s such a consistent bounce after the intro. Was this shot handheld?
Say it aint so Chris say it aint so! This lens is real!?! Wow I love it!!!!!
Great video and great lens. Would love an episode on adapting lenses particularly as this could be adapted to Nikon Z as most other mounts. Would love your thoughts on the subject.
I have been waiting for a Lens like this ! I hope the will be many more compact tele Lenses, Tamron has made a patent on a 350mm 4.0
A lens like this existed for 6 years on Nikon F mount with the 500mm f5.6 PF.
@@user-yj1zb7of1x No, the Nikon is a PF Lens design which I do not like and it is for DSLR ! I use Sony Cameras.
@@cameraprepper7938 This is basically the Sigma version of PF - its incredibly similar. PF lenses also exist on Nikon Z line FYI
It's getter harder and harder to stay with Canon when bangers like this Sigma keep dropping.
Thanks for the video. I'd really love to see how this compares to the 300GM with either 1.4x or 2.0x converter
Looking forward to seeing this lens brought to MFT!
As an OM-1 user, came here to know when OM System is going to re-badge this lens for the m43rds mount...and then charge 2k more.
Or, you can get a 300 f/4. That's a possibility.
I mean Panasonic Leica 200/2.8 already exists for years. I know it's 400/5.6 equivalent, not 500/5.6, however it's close enough I guess, especially since it's sold with 1.4x teleconverter included. At least it's not that expensive, if you manage to find used one, you can get it for half of this Sigma price. New is just slightly cheaper than Sigma, at least in my country. That's not too bad.
Lmaoo this comment is funny. The sigma 150-600 on OM costs as much as this new lens that's crazyyy 😂😂
bird lenses are for old people who have lots of money. dont begrudge OM targeting people with money. you want a mercedes but it is not your time yet.
@@AguilaDeOnix85this would be a 500mm lens on M43, not 300.
Exciting lens. Your companion better be careful around Ravens and especially Crows. If there is any way I can convince crows to target your friend's car, I would. Nice pix of wolves. They look so comfy. I like that Sigma fills in the vacancies in the Sony lineup.
A Chris lens review with a lens hood in the thumbnail?! I knew these guys would sell out!
Please test this on the S5 II!!
This reeeeeealy needs to come to Fuji XF mount 🔥
Amazing job sigma!
4:37 Nice photo!
How do you decide which one of you is antagonistic in intro/mid skit?
What a beauty, I'd pick this for apsc
Crows are great, photos are great!
It would be nice lense for us Fujifilm users too.
I sent sigma a question ‘you guys ever going to make gf mount lenses?’ And they quickly replied ‘no’ 😂😂🥹
Looks like a great option, but I wonder how does the sharpens compare to the other E-mount telephoto zooms. Would you describe it more as an upgrade or a side-grade
I am hoping that this is available for the Fuji X system someday. Fuji long telephoto primes are also lacking. I use my Black Rapid strap connected to the bottom of the tripod collar when I use these lenses. The collar is adjusted at the top of the lens.
It would be great if you could test this on an S5II. I'm currently making an S5II vs R7 100-400mm shoot out video on my other channel Figmento Films. I have been unexpectedly impressed with the S5II. It would be great to see how this lens performs with the teleconverters, also I don't think the burst rate will be restricted on Lumix.
I have a first generation Bigma which turns all blurry and messy at 500mm. It might be time to go shopping for an upgrade, when I see the quality delivered by this lens. I find motion blur at 500mm insane on handheld because it is impossible to hold the camera still enough, yet I did not see you a tripod. How did you manage to hold your lens so still? And ravens are awesome!
I was vaguely expecting a bit of a behemoth to be frank and am glad to see my expectations dragged out into the yard and stepped on. Nice review, seems like a sympathetic lens. I would carry it in a black rapid strap like the 200-600 but this Sigma would be a bit nicer to handhold. (And this lens can't get minus point for not being as easy to zoom as the 200-600 :) )
I have the 200-600mm G lens. But, I would like to compare this lens with it.
Ravens are awesome!
Damn...This is aweeeeeeeeet
What I want: sigma 500mm My budget: ttartisan 500mm Love them both, though 😅
Now, Sigma should make this for x-mount, Fujii has nothing that competes with this.
I hope its just a matter of time, they have been moving a lot of their lenses to X Mount in recent years.
Man, I can't wait for this to come to Micro Four Thirds in 6 months branded as an OM lens for $5,000!
Sigma hit hard with this lens. Still feels a little strange paying $3k for a Sigma, but this lens seems worthy of its price tag.
Some purple fringes on the video. Especially around Chris' hood. I have the 150-600mm. Great feature is the push pull zoom on the Sigma sport Tele zooms.
Ravens: yay!
I like using my 200-600mm Sony at it MFD which is 2.4m. But sometimes, I wish I could go even closer without having to use an extension tube. I imagine this lens is much better...what? It's worse?!? 2.5 ft worse? Funny that a shorter focal length is worse than a longer focal length. But okay, they priced it lower than the Sony...what? It's a $1000 more?!? Getoutofhere. And Chris forgot to mention the fps is limited to 15 and, don't buy it thinking it will take teleconverters in the future...no real reason to hope for that.
Your comment should be the reviews intro. Well done sir 👍
How is the OS let’s say compared to the VR in the Nikon 400mm 4.5? Filming birds handheld? 🤔
Sigma used to have superb 500/4.5 which was even built with K mount for my Pentax. Unfortunately those are rare and expensive.. What about some flower photos from 3-4m? :)
I wish it comes on fuji x mount too
E mount is dominating.
EF mount ? Great lens coverage. Ty
DG DN lenses are mirrorless native
I'm surprised it wasn't compared to the Tamron 150-500mm, though I suppose the overall quality is a step up with the Sigma.
I don't know how well this would sell if made for a Nikon mount. 600 PF exists, and the old 500 PF f-mount lens can be found used for much less and adapted to the Z mount. Sony users, though, should be quite happy to find this added to their possibilities.
Hopefully it comes to Fuji x mount that would be awesome
can we get a Sigma 500 vs Tamron 150-500?
FWIW on nikon f mount the 500mm f5.6 PF is permanently glued to my Z8 (adapted of course) so Sony shooters give this a serious look
Does the camera body (eg A1) allows max FPS with this lens?
yamnuska!!!
Want. I have the 70-200 sigma S with the tc-2011 Teleconverter and it’s just not the same as a sharp prime like this.
Love that it's in L mount but I would also wonder if we're going to get a M4/3 of it? Yes, I know... that's very long, but I live in a country with some of the most beautiful wrens in the world...
You could go with the 150-600 that just got announced. A bit slower and heavier, but cheaper and you get more reach.
Can this be used on Sony A7C 2 and Fuji XT-5?
Just saw the reviews of other KZheadrs where the lens didn't seem as sharp as you displayed. And they used lower megapixel camera's, I wonder if that's just KZhead compression or they had bad copies. Watching this review the price feels more justified, watching the others I was like nah not for me 😂 it still sucks it's capped at 15 fps and no TC support for Sony.
I wasn't expecting the price to be half of the 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM Sport. Only 42% of the weight, good magnification, decent autofocus.
Ok so IF I didn't already have a 200-600 I would consider this for work. I'm a full time photographer (about 30 years in total) for a newspaper and I also am the team photographer for an MLB Draft League team. Yes that lens does look sharp and the AF does look nice BUT. 1. The 200-600 is much cheaper (only 2000.00 new and now MUCH cheaper used BTW) and practically speaking neither are very heavy. ***Advantage to Sony.*** 2. At 500 mm my 200-600 is at 6.3, the Sigma is "only" at 5.6... not much of a different practically speaking. ***So there's no real advantage to the Sigma.*** 3. One massive issue you didn't mention is the fps. Because this is a non-Sony lens on any Sony body this lens will limit the FPS to "only" 15 fps, which if you have a9 or now maybe the a9iii you're putting yourself at a disadvantage (yes it's only 5fps in my case because i only have the a9 and an a7riii I shoot with) but if you're trying to get the max fps, and if you are a sports photographer you ARE trying to get that WHEN you want it... you're at a big disadvantage. And the new a9iii (when you need ludicrous speed FPS) you can't have it if you have this lens. ***Advantage to Sony in a BIG way.*** I CAN see myself buying one of these used for less than 2k once they become available used. Aftermarket brand lenses drop a lot and Sigma's are no exception. I love fast(er) prime lenses and I love the 500mm length for baseball, football and golf photography and this would be a solid lens for that if I found one at a good used price somewhere down the road. I do see this lens and having a lot of appeal for non-working-professional shooters, so don't get me wrong I do think it will sell "ok" but it won't grab much of the professional market at all. The 200-600 has a GREAT reputation among Sony's professional sports photographer community.
Chris also "forgot" to mention the Sigma doesn't work with Teleconverters.
@@evenhandedcommentor6102This exact point is mentioned at 0:30
@@evenhandedcommentor6102He does say it, maybe you heard it but "forgot"? It's right at the beginning, around 28 seconds in (and it does take teleconverters for L-mount).
@@calkeith5283 What Chris actually says is, "or Sony E mount, you don't have teleconverters for that yet." Wrong. Sony makes teleconverters, they just don't work with Sigma Lenses. So...again, Chris "forgot" to mention the Sigma doesn't work with Sony teleconverters.
@@Sheeno101 Nope, He doesn't say it. Listen again, he says about the Sony E-mount that they don't have teleconverters for that yet. Obviously, Sony does have teleconverters, but the Sigma lenses don't work with them. In addition, I was responding to a post where the commenter was talking about using this lens on a Sony camera. So, that Sigma makes teleconverters for the Leica mount is beside the point.
Much rather have a zoom at that focal length and aperture. Order of magnitude more versatile. Closer focusing. Higher mag factor. Nice lens for what it is but 500 primes aren't quite long enough for birds and are often too long for sports. Be interesting to see if it sells. Don't think the previous 500 prime sold many copies. I've never seen one in the wild as far as I know.
Great lens and I would go for one if it could use a 1.4X TC for Sony. It doesn't now and probably will never so I will stick with getting a Sony 200-600 or go with Canon 100-500 with TC.
Yup, a real downer no teleconverters on the Sony platform :( Otherwise I would get this in a heartbeat!
Not sure at f5.6 what this offers over the Sony 200-600mm which is cheaper? A comparison would be great 😎
It's sharper, as most primes are vs zooms
If enyone is looking for a cheaper option with the same size , i use the canon 400mm 5.6 and it works very well adapted and the opticals are very beautiful too!!!
The only thing I would describe as a flaw with this lens, is the price? Currently I can buy the Sony 200-600 for £1599, or the Sigma 500 for £2779, both have OSS and similar apertures at that focal length. The only advantage I can see is that the Sigma is somewhat lighter, but paying significantly more for a third party lens seems a bit crazy to me.
On Sony, this Sigma cripples your A1 down to 15fps. Its not the lens fault but its a fact. A no bueno if you own an A1. If so, I would prefer the Sony 200-600mm offering you the 30fps of the A1.
LOL, who actually needs to shoot that many FPS, for real? Maybe just don't waste money on the A1?
@@OhhhBugger I dont think we are on the same page or level, dude :)
Is it really a no bueno though?
@@POVwithRC Get the Sony 200-600mm and all is fine.
@@OhhhBuggeryou can make videos out of that 30fps image sequence you know. With fast shutter speed on sunny days in africa for example. With Sony autofocus system the subject is sharp on pretty much all photos with high resolution images. As a video editor i had this workflow for many years. Frame being raw image files with Blackmagic Design cameras. Makes you get even closer to the subject. This applies also to time-lapse videos. The shutter speed motion blur can be fixed in post as wel as micro adjustments for lighting differences if not shot on M mode.
Sigma needs to make it available in Fuji X mount. They will sell more than any other mount as there is nothing like this for the X mount
So, in essence, this is a Sigma clone of the Nikon 500 5.6 PF? Does it have a fresnel element? Its the same size, weight, aperture, focal length. ;) (Not that this is a bad thing, that lens is sitting on the desk beside me and I love it) Would love to see the two head to head. (or at least as head to head as possible given different mounts)
This Sigma does not have any Fresnel elements
most of this gear is manufactured (and designed!) in Asia... I'd like to point out that these products are sold worldwide hence taking into account caucasian's hands size, would be a very welcomed addition!
This lens is limited for sony 15 fps on the a9 iii,but with the L mount s5 ii can go full Performance high burst
Yep. A1 too. A bummer. I rarely need the 30fps, but 20 would make this an instant buy for me
I want this so bad, but with my a1, i would be limited to 15fps. Im sure its motor could probably do more than that. If sony would enable at least 20fps i would instabiy this
One thing you left out, because it's not a sony lens the fps is capped at 15. This lens is very sub-optimal for the a9 series and the a1 because of this.
I've never been more early to an event. 40 seconds??
It’s not for me… I still prefer my Sigma 150-600mm dg dn Sport for my Lumix S1 & S5 🤙🏻
Yeah, right. Chris said that Nikon's 600mm f/6.3 price vs Sigma's 500mm f/5.6 lens is relatively not that expensive? Nikon's price difference is almost double!
This looks amazing, but living on the 60th parallel, there’s not enough light for 5.6 for 2/3 of the year 🥶
How about m43rds? This would be ideal!
Is there reduced burst rates (FPS), as a third party lens, on Sony cameras?
Yes. 15fps is max.
Didn't nikon do a f5.6 zoom? Would much rather zoom than have to be at 500 whole time
Downside is Sony is going to limit fps to 15 with this being third party. Really hope Sony revisits that restriction.
I would love a lens like this for Sony, but without TC support - it's not going to work. For me, all I want is a 400mm F4 lens that performs like the 300mm F2.8...
Please Sigma, release it on Fuji XF!!
my Sony HX90V has a Zoom lens that goes as far as 720 mm. I take photos of the moon with this small Cyber-shot (check images in community post if you want to)
No it doesn't, it only goes to 123mm. Says so on the front of the camera.
the Sony website specs say it can go up to 720 mm, I tested it and it zooms to focal length @Bayonet1809
What about z mount ?
Great addition to L-mount but not worth to switch from 60/150-600. Just give us 600 f4...
Now I’m very conflicted with this vs. the 200-600
third party teleconverters are not allowed on e mount. no contest
slower burst rate, no teleconverters, more expensive and only a third of a stop brighter. i don't really see why anyone would chose sigma over sony here since sony is already decently compact
@@sergeyzakharov7326The sigma is almost half the weight, and sharper and better IQ from initial reviews. If sony didnt clip the wings of 3rd party lenses it would be a no brainer.
@@sergeyzakharov7326 on a 61mp camera the Sony 200-600 isn't very sharp, so you may want to buy this Sigma if you want more sharpness. But I'd honestly just go for the Sony as well. Or save up for the 300/400/600 primes
I sense deep discounts coming for this lens.
I hope to god this gets on the Canon RF mount one year....
If only it could accept teleconverters with Sony bodies, this lens would be hugely popular!
Wow, I’m super early to a video for once.
And Nicholls, don’t encourage the manufacturers to make their lens feet far off the lens! They need to make them MORE low profile!!!!!!
Ohhhh lala
How does Jordan dare to insult ravens? They are holy in Nordic mythology after all
I wish this existed for Canon. Tho I know that's Canon's fault and not Sigma's. There's no reason for Sigma to release new EF mount lenses, and Canon won't let them make RF lenses.
Nikon was first with the AF-S 500mm f/5.6 E PF ED VR lens. Sigma is just a copy of that.
At Sony you buy the 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 with an AF you can trust in photo and video and save more than half of the cost of this Simga. If this would have been a 500mm F4 I would get it, but that price for this lens and that medicore bokeh - no way. This lens looks like a 300mm F4 with a welded on 1,4/1,5 Telekonverter. The thing with the sharpness. You tested it on a 60mpix sensor. Where should this Lens get any sharper than at F5.6, as at F5.6 the diffraction is starting to kick in even at FF sensors?
If it were a 500mm F/4, it would cost WAY, WAY more. That's the whole point of this lens, is to provide a prime telephoto that is affordable!
@@user-dd7ss8yr2v A prime makes just sense, when I get quit a few advantages. I don’t see these in this lens. If it is double the price of a zoom lens from the origin brand, that offers more or less the same, the lens is obsolete. We might have a different view on this, but I don’t see the purpose of this lens. For this price and medicore f-stop it must have been optically perfect and have best in class af. We won’t find it in this lens.
OM system should adapt this lens to M43, not 150-600. It's only 100 grams heavier than their 300/4 pro.
That will be 5999 thanks!