Sigma 500mm f4 OS Sport

[Tiago C]

Great news regarding adapting the EF-mount version of lens to the Canon R5/R6:

The engineers at Sigma responded to user feedback by developing firmware that significantly improves AF speed.
At least a couple of UK users have already gotten Sigma to install firmware (not yet available via the USB dock) and have given very positive feedback.

Dpreview forum user 'Pnut007' said the following:

"Good news to all that own this lens with the r5 (not sure about the r6) I had mine updated with the new firmware at sigma UK today and it now works as quickly as it did on my d850/d500 naked. With the 1.4 teleconverter I'd say just a tad slower than it did on my Nikon but worlds faster than it did before the update and is now very usable. They did it in about 20 minutes while I waited and used my r5 to double check it had worked. When I first tried it it was through their window and I said oh yeah that's better as I tried to find something with contrast but it was only when I put it away from my eye that I realised it actually had the teleconverter attached lol so it was faster than naked before the update. In my back garden now with poor light and it nice and quick. I hope this helps any who has been struggling with this beautiful lens. Hats off to Sigma for helping us out without too much fuss."

A great thing about this lenses is that Sigma can do a mount conversion from Nikon-F to Canon-EF and vice-versa for a relatively low cost (when compared to the cost of the lens). I think it's safe to say that anyone who owns this lens for F-mount can now consider using it on the R5/R6 (and presumably future RF mount cameras).

 

[ChrisM]

A question about the Sigma 500/4S: is the drop in filter that is supplied with the 500/4S a solid one piece unit, or is it made like other conventional drop-in filters: comprising of a holder and a screw in filter that can be removed?
I cannot find info on this, but Dustin Abbott mentions in his review that he believes it is a solid unit, so not with a screw in filter that can be replaced.

 

[Tiago C]

A question about the Sigma 500/4S: is the drop in filter that is supplied with the 500/4S a solid one piece unit, or is it made like other conventional drop-in filters: comprising of a holder and a screw in filter that can be removed?
I cannot find info on this, but Dustin Abbott mentions in his review that he believes it is a solid unit, so not with a screw in filter that can be replaced.

Hi Chris,

You can detach/attach screw in 46mm filters with the standard filter holder (Part No. 185701) that comes with the lens.

Check page 17 of the product manual for more info:

https://www.sigma-global.com/en/wp/wp-content/themes/sigma/tool/s3_io.php?filepath=en%2Fwp%2Fwp-content%2Fdownload%2Fcatalog-resource%2Flenses%2Fsports%2F500mm_F4_DG_OS_HSM_S016.pdf&show=1

 

[ChrisM]

Hi Chris,

You can detach/attach screw in 46mm filters with the standard filter holder (Part No. 185701) that comes with the lens.

Check page 17 of the product manual for more info:

https://www.sigma-global.com/en/wp/wp-content/themes/sigma/tool/s3_io.php?filepath=en%2Fwp%2Fwp-content%2Fdownload%2Fcatalog-resource%2Flenses%2Fsports%2F500mm_F4_DG_OS_HSM_S016.pdf&show=1

Thanks for that Tiago!
Dustin Abbott got it wrong then.
I am going to purchase a 500mm f4 lens soon, already having the Nikon 500PF. The Nikon 500PF is a great lens, but I feel it lacks the finesse, fine detail, clarity and 3D rendering of the top 500/4 lenses. Also, AF on BIF is only reliable at fairly close distance and it does not shine with a 1.4TC. So although I will certainly keep the lens, after 1,5 years of exclusive use after a switch from Canon, I am ready to go for a 500/4.
The Sigma seems a superb offer, but I want the option to remove/replace drop-in filters, as my experience has been that they can have quite a profound effect on certain aspects of image quality. Perhaps because of their flat glass surface, which apparently is much trickier than curved lens elements.

So good to know that Sigma allows removal/exchange.

 

[Tiago C]

Thanks for that Tiago!
Dustin Abbott got it wrong then.
I am going to purchase a 500mm f4 lens soon, already having the Nikon 500PF. The Nikon 500PF is a great lens, but I feel it lacks the finesse, fine detail, clarity and 3D rendering of the top 500/4 lenses. Also, AF on BIF is only reliable at fairly close distance and it does not shine with a 1.4TC. So although I will certainly keep the lens, after 1,5 years of exclusive use after a switch from Canon, I am ready to go for a 500/4.
The Sigma seems a superb offer, but I want the option to remove/replace drop-in filters, as my experience has been that they can have quite a profound effect on certain aspects of image quality. Perhaps because of their flat glass surface, which apparently is much trickier than curved lens elements.

So good to know that Sigma allows removal/exchange.

Happy to help, Chris.

Please note that Sigma recommends keeping a filter on the lens: "This lens has been designed to deliver optimum performance with a filter installed in the lens assembly. The quality of the picture decreases if the filter is not installed inside the lens. Please always use a filter inside the lens assembly"

If you are planning on using the lens with a Nikon mirrorless camera, it is good to be aware that that it might not focus as quickly as it would on a DSLR. This will depend on the camera, firmware and lens but the tendency I feel is that AF of adapted lenses is becoming faster and more reliable than it used to be.

If you are planning on using it with a Canon mirrorless camera, I recommend getting Sigma to install the newly developed firmware that dramatically improves AF speed on cameras such as the R5 and R6. This firmware is still not available to install via the USB dock.

I use the lens with a Fujifilm X-T4 via the Fringer EF-FX II adapter and I am quite happy with AF performance.

 

[ChrisM]

Happy to help, Chris.

Please note that Sigma recommends keeping a filter on the lens: "This lens has been designed to deliver optimum performance with a filter installed in the lens assembly. The quality of the picture decreases if the filter is not installed inside the lens. Please always use a filter inside the lens assembly"

If you are planning on using the lens with a Nikon mirrorless camera, it is good to be aware that that it might not focus as quickly as it would on a DSLR. This will depend on the camera, firmware and lens but the tendency I feel is that AF of adapted lenses is becoming faster and more reliable than it used to be.

If you are planning on using it with a Canon mirrorless camera, I recommend getting Sigma to install the newly developed firmware that dramatically improves AF speed on cameras such as the R5 and R6. This firmware is still not available to install via the USB dock.

I use the lens with a Fujifilm X-T4 via the Fringer EF-FX II adapter and I am quite happy with AF performance.

I will be using te lens on the Nikon D500. I had the Z7 for half a year, but preferred the D500. The Z9 seems very appealing, but also very costly and I don't have a need for a full frame sensor for wildlife and birding, so I intend to keep using the D500 until perhaps a crop version of the Z9 eventually materializes.

Regarding the note on the drop-in filter, I know the manufacturer advice, it was in my Canon 400DOII manual as well. But using my own eyes, I never succeeded to see any "image degradation" when leaving out the screw-in filter, but díd instead notice a reduction in artifacts and better AF when shooting against bright light, a better fine detail rendering and better micro contrast. I suspect that the gel-filter holder in the Canon 400DOII simply has a piece of plain flat glass, which is dubious, as it is an integral part of a 6800,- lens and Canon appears concerned about loss of image quality in the brochure.

Let's put it this way: I personally think the drop-in filter design thing is a waste, I don't think anybody uses the drop-in polarizer and all that flatt piece of glass at the back does, is reduce the IQ of 10.000,- lenses and increase artifacts. It should be left out alltogether, and the 500PF certainly does not miss it. I have experimented with leaving the glass out with several super telelenses, also the older Sigma 500mm f4.5, and in all cases the image quality improved. The only downside I could determine, was that infinity focus shifted position a bit, and probably something similar happens at closest forcus. But the tales of image degradation by the manufacturers seems little more than nonsense. I have been in discussions about this on fora several times, but the image degradation has never amounted to more than a theoretical one. Perhaps a tiny bit of additional CA in very special cases? I am still open to anyone proving me wrong. To me, taking out the filter with the Canon 400DOII, felt like lifting an obnoxious veil.

But that aside, the Sigma 500S seems a great lens, and a fair bit more affordable than the Nikon 500E. A tough choice still, the Nikon is lighter and native, but not neccessarily better optically than the Sigma....