Sigma 500mm f4 OS Sport

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Jbear

Jbear

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Sometimes when you aren't looking, you come across an "offer you couldn't refuse." I just picked up one of these to replace my very-much-missed 500 f4 G VR. I have read the Brad Hill report and others, so...I know what I am getting. What I'd love to know is your practical experiences (not conjecture or hearsay) with:

1. The USB dock specific to this lens.

2. Results with the tc-2001 converter (or any other converter other than the tc-1401 which will be included with the lens...I can test that myself).

I'll add that I will use the lens for a time before I decide whether it even needs adjustment, but some of the other features and customizations are intriguing. I shoot nature/wildlife so...that's my application...like most of us here I suppose.

I'll also just say that I am not inclined to categorically dismiss tc usage, as I have had some fantastic experiences with them (and...some not so fantastic ones of course).

Thanks all!
 
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Jbear said:
Sometimes when you aren't looking, you come across an "offer you couldn't refuse." I just picked up one of these to replace my very-much-missed 500 f4 G VR. I have read the Brad Hill report and others, so...I know what I am getting. What I'd love to know is your practical experiences (not conjecture or hearsay) with:

1. The USB dock specific to this lens.

2. Results with the tc-2001 converter (or any other converter other than the tc-1401 which will be included with the lens...I can test that myself).

I'll add that I will use the lens for a time before I decide whether it even needs adjustment, but some of the other features and customizations are intriguing. I shoot nature/wildlife so...that's my application...like most of us here I suppose.

I'll also just say that I am not inclined to categorically dismiss tc usage, as I have had some fantastic experiences with them (and...some not so fantastic ones of course).

Thanks all!
Click to expand...


I purchased this lens 'as new' recently. I use it primarily on a Canon 5D MK IV although I have also used it successfuly on a Sony a6400 via MC-11

The lens had the original firmware so I used the USB dock to update it to the latest version. Supposedly improved AF. I also used the dock to set C1 for faster AF speed (I found a forum post that suggests there's no consequent loss of accuracy) and more stable OS while composing. If your lens behaves similarly to mine you will find the OS is not super effective (but it's not bad).

I haven't used the tc-2001. Image quality remains quite good with the tc-1401, even when using it on a crop sensor camera. I haven't had problems with AF and haven't had the need to micro adjust.

Regarding the tripod foot, I'm considering a brand called HejnarPhoto. Seems to tick all the boxes. Sigma have their own alternative TS-81.
The lens hood is massive so I'm considering getting a more portable TravelHood to use on occassion.
 
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Thanks so much for your reply. I have used plates from Hejnar...he's very responsive to requests for fabrication as well. This lens has a Hoage foot installed...we shall see.
I will be thrilled if it equals the 500 G VR I had. By most accounts...it's better on several counts.
 
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The dock is super easy if you have a Nikon with auto back focus adjust . Set up the target and note the figures given by the camera on a paper chart and then transfer to the lens. takes about 20 min once you get a rhythm to it . Main problem is to check the REAR SCREEN to see its in AF-s not AF -f or it wont work
 
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D500/D850. I'll have to choose one. Actually, if I can save the AF behavior and OS behaviors and have these to apply to both cameras, I can live with focus adjust for only one. Hope that's the case. If not...I'll have to choose one I suppose.
 
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Jbear said:
D500/D850. I'll have to choose one. Actually, if I can save the AF behavior and OS behaviors and have these to apply to both cameras, I can live with focus adjust for only one. Hope that's the case. If not...I'll have to choose one I suppose.
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OS behaviour and focus speed (and range) are assigned to one of the custom mode buttons (C1 and C2). I keep C1 enabled all the time.
 
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Also, keep in mind that the tripod feet are interchangeable between the Sigma 150-600 S and the Sigma 500 f4 S. Since the 150-600 S is more common, it might be a good idea to look for feet designed for that lens.
 
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I bought the Sigma 500 f4 G VR 3 years ago and have taken thousands of images with it since at Bosque del Apache as well as Costa Rica and Ecuador. I used the Sigma dock and Focus Tune software to correct for front focus issues the lens exhibited on both my D500 and D850. The D850 required much more adjustment than the 500. No experience with the TC 2001 but have had excellent results with the 1.4 teleconverter.
 
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So here's a question...if I dial it in for a D500...do I have to dock it and reset for an 850? If I don't, will it just apply my D500 settings? Trying to figure out the best/most efficient way of doing this. I could dedicate it to only one body I suppose. Perhaps a Sigma firmware update will add multiple bodies down the road (although it's been out for a while).
I took it out today ro see how my adjustments translate to the field. Nasty weather so...that's challenging for any gear. Not home yet so...verdict is out for the moment. More to come!
 
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Jbear said:
So here's a question...if I dial it in for a D500...do I have to dock it and reset for an 850? If I don't, will it just apply my D500 settings? Trying to figure out the best/most efficient way of doing this. I could dedicate it to only one body I suppose. Perhaps a Sigma firmware update will add multiple bodies down the road (although it's been out for a while).
I took it out today ro see how my adjustments translate to the field. Nasty weather so...that's challenging for any gear. Not home yet so...verdict is out for the moment. More to come!
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As far as I know, the lens only remembers one set of adjustments made with the dock. I'd hoped the settings would stay the same with the D850, but that wasn't the case. What I had to do was to leave the lens at the settings I made with the dock for the D500 and then fine tune the Nikon D850 body until I corrected the front focusing. I then saved that fine tune setting (+16 ) on the camera. The camera remembers which lens is attached so I don't need to "re-dock" the lens before switching bodies. .
 
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Would this be an accurate statement? Just making up numbers here.
The lens w/D500 is set -5 @ 8M...the lens remembers -5 and applies it to the D850 as well. I then use D850 AF tune as necessary...to counter or supplement what is set via dock.
Am I getting it right?
 
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Jbear said:
Would this be an accurate statement? Just making up numbers here.
The lens w/D500 is set -5 @ 8M...the lens remembers -5 and applies it to the D850 as well. I then use D850 AF tune as necessary...to counter or supplement what is set via dock.
Am I getting it right?
Click to expand...
Yep, at least that's how it worked for me.
 
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Thank you!
Here's how today went...I headed out to see the results of my testing/distance settings. It was challenging because it's dark/rainy/misty/drizzly here, and that is great for macro and landscapes, but a challenge for any lens and camera body for wildlife (particularly at distance). In any case, I wanted to go shoot so...I did.
I'm pretty happy with what I see. For the conditions, the IQ was better than I had hoped for, especially with the tc (this tc happiness trend continues).
Interestingly (or not...it is to me), I opened the images and began viewing. Initially my thought was...this isn't too bad considering the day. Then I realized I was viewing at 200%. At 100%, I was REALLY happy with the results. I did that once before with a lens test...another Sigma. That was the 180 OS 2.8 macro...it's also pretty impressive.
I was able to find a Great Blue Heron that was wading in a spot where I often put my kayak into the water. It's a good place for that, and for lens testing. I'd estimate the first episode was at 50-70M...then maybe 100-150M...ballpark. Found some Canadian geese at another spot along the river. First at 8-20M and then a pile of them in the distance...not sure...far though. From what I see so far I will not hesitate to shoot this lens at f4, and I am super-happy about the distance performance...again...especially given the conditions. I think I feel the same about the converter...f5.6 without hesitation, but down to 6.3 bumps the contrast back up, and it was tough to tell, but I might want 6.3 at distances over a few hundred feet. I don't know that I shoot that far away very often...have to think about it. I just like to know what to expect rather than come home from an opportunity and realize I should have gotten closer or stopped down.
My calibration seems pretty good overall. I was shooting handheld at 1/125-1/1000...mostly 1/400 or 500 though. I didn't get anything worth putting on my site...I don't think. I wasn't thinking about composition. Hopefully I'll get some more tele-friendly weather to really see how we do.
That's it for now...I don't want to sound like one of those folks who post to justify a purchase, but I am really excited about the potential for this lens!
 
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Great to hear you are happy with the lens.
How did you find the effectiveness of the OS? Handheld I prefer to shoot at 1/640 or faster. With my previous 50-500 OS and 150-600 OS I could often shoot at 1/200 with excellent results.
Also, did you find the Hoage Arca foot long enough to keep the lens well balanced on a tripod/monopod without using a vertical grip?
 
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I have successfully glshot the 200-500mm down to 1/20 in my kayak, but that is probably the best VR system I have encountered. I really don't remember how slow I could get my 500VR G to perform. I will have to search the files. This seems pretty effective, but...conditions were not good so...it's going to take more shooting.
I like the foot...I don't have anything to compare it to though. I did shoot off a tripod on the first day but that was pre-adjustment. When I get an opportunity, I'm going to use my Sidekick next.
I never shoot without the grip so I can't answer that question.
 
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Shot today and made some further adjustments in better light, and it keeps getting better. It's a process. I could wait for better conditions and probably just do it once...the "right" way, but...I have time so...onward. Love the 200-500VR, but I sure did miss that f4 subject separation!
One thought for those who perhaps debate hauling a lens and support gear like this vs. a more portable, hand-holdable lens. I look at photo gear like guitars...I pick up certain guitars and they inspire me to play certain styles. Certain camera/lens combos inspire me to shoot with certain a certain mindset. I tend to enjoy hiking to a spot and sitting for hours. I like the process, and I like it just as much even if I don't get one usable shot. I don't mind hauling gear to the spot...plus I like the workout. I also enjoy shooting from my kayak...that's a different mindset and different spacial parameters. I love the 200-500VR for that application. I get incredibly close to a lot of things in a kayak and a zoom is essential. I often have a macro or wide on another camera as well. There's no way I'll try to wrangle a 500/f4 in that boat...because of the size and the fixed FL.
I would like to try the 500PF, but it just doesn't really fit my style...but that's just me.
 
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So...fun fact...AF and OS work with my old Sigma 2x tc...and at f10 it's sharp and at f11...it's sharp as hell🤣!
That was a nice surprise, and unless the tc-2001 is sharp at f8 (this is not)...I just saved some money!
 
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Spent the past two days "field calibrating" with the D500 and D850. I think I have it pretty close now. Still need to determine whether I actually need to set different distances on the dock. Even if not...the dock is worth it to set the AF speed and OS modes!
I still need to do the 1.4x on the D500...I think it's good on the 850. Also the 2x on both, although the 20-30 shots from yesterday looked pretty good on both.
The whole process has reminded me how much time and attention needs to go into learning a new lens...especially a supertele!
I think many bad experiences are simply not enough dedicated energy and patience when new gear is acquired. Reminds me of other guitarists who complain that they can't find a good tone from a Mesa Boogie amp. "How long did you play with the settings?" "At least two hours." Well...that's why you can't dial it in.
Same deal here...can't spend a couple hours (weeks even) with a long lens and be upset when you aren't getting perfect images.
 
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I have to correct a previous statement. I spent the afternoon using the older 2x tc on this lens, and it turns out after adjustment...it is critically sharp at f8. What a killer surprise that is!
 
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Newbie to your forum. Hello to everybody.
To Jbear: Is the AF speed and accuracy good for moving subjects on the Sigma 500 f/4 with 1.4x on the D500 and D850?
Has anyone else tried this combo with moving subjects on an R5 or R6?
Tnx in advance for your lights.
 
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dtsagdis said:
Newbie to your forum. Hello to everybody.
To Jbear: Is the AF speed and accuracy good for moving subjects on the Sigma 500 f/4 with 1.4x on the D500 and D850?
Has anyone else tried this combo with moving subjects on an R5 or R6?
Tnx in advance for your lights.
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Hi, AF speed issues on the R5 and R6 have been reported by a few users on the Dpreview forums. Me and a couple of users have shared our concerns with Sigma and the company has recently sent a message saying that they are looking into it. They might fix it via firmware. Fingers crossed.
 
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