Once I heard in regards to the newest Sigma lens, the 500mm f/5.6 DG DN Sport, I wished to revisit the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary. The brand new lens sounded very best as a result of it’s unobtrusive, light-weight sufficient to handhold simply, and has the attain to seize these elusive Wolfdogs of their pure environment.
This sanctuary homes mixed-breed canine which were crossed with Wolves, an animal that over-confident house owners usually discover too difficult to take care of. At Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary, the animals get the most effective care and are housed outdoors in pure environments, that are higher for the canine and potential pictures.
At first, I assumed that this lens was a part of the extra reasonably priced Sigma Up to date sequence as a result of its smaller proportions, however it’s certainly a member of the skilled “Sports activities” sequence as an alternative. This lens is designed for harsh conditions, whether or not on the stadium sidelines, on the dusty streets of the most recent battle, or within the pouring rain throughout from an eagle’s nest.
It’s essential to say that this lens will probably be launched for each Sony E-mount and L-mount cameras. Each mounts lack compact telephoto primes like this, so the Sigma ought to fill a much-needed area of interest.
Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN Sport: How It Handles
The Sigma 500mm f/5.6 is undoubtedly simple to hold as a result of its weight of 49 ounces (1,385 grams). Being a higher-end sports activities sequence lens, the 500mm f/5.6 has a rubberized hood, 95mm filter threads, and all of the controls you’ll anticipate in an expert optic. The aperture ring is an attention-grabbing addition to a telephoto lens and could be set for {smooth} or click-stop motion. The lens has customizable buttons and a five-stop picture stabilization system, which let me preserve the lens on course. I particularly appreciated the lens collar’s 90-degree click-stops and dovetail cut-outs for Arca-style tripod mounts.
Within the hand, the aperture ring is positioned proper the place the fingers naturally relaxation, and the controls are simple to govern. The lens felt proper to carry, which is essential in a software designed for fast and chaotic conditions. The Sigma HLA high-speed linear motors make sure the lens can sustain with fast wildlife and sports activities gamers. As typical, the lens is absolutely sealed in opposition to inclement climate.
Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN Sport: How It Shoots
The apparent cause for the compactness of the Sigma 500mm is its comparatively gradual f/5.6 aperture. The L-mount model can make the most of teleconverters for additional attain, however that does exacerbate the difficulty introduced on by the darker most aperture. I don’t thoughts cranking the ISO to compensate for a slower aperture. Nonetheless, I would like the optical high quality to be uncompromised when contemplating a high-end telephoto lens. I used to be thrilled that the brand new Sigma 500mm f/5.6 doesn’t perceive the phrase compromise.
First off, this lens is sharp. The middle of the picture at f/5.6 is contrasty and wealthy with element. I noticed practically no enchancment when stopping the aperture down as a result of it was already so good to start with. Nevertheless, even the corners are rock-solid at f/5.6 with little or no change when stopping down the aperture once more. That is the sort of lens you possibly can shoot all day at f/5.6 and don’t have any considerations. There is no such thing as a subject curvature to fret about both so if you happen to focus within the heart of a picture the corners could be targeted on the identical airplane, and vice versa.
I checked for any LOCA, or longitudinal chromatic aberrations, that may present up, and the Sigma didn’t present any tell-tale indicators. No shade fringing or total shade casts appeared within the picture’s out-of-focus areas. I additionally checked for flare on the intense and sunny day that I had, and the Sigma 500mm carried out admirably. Even capturing straight towards the solar, there was no vital lack of distinction or ghosting to be nervous about. The superb lens hood may even do a terrific job of defending the entrance factor from any errant gentle from the edges of the body.
With any lengthy telephoto lens, shallow depth of subject will virtually all the time be current within the picture, so it’s important to judge how the lens will render out-of-focus areas. Specular highlights render easily on the 500mm with minimal cat’s eye impact and no onion rings. Stopped down, the lens maintains pretty spherical shapes to the highlights, and this all contributes to creamy-smooth backgrounds with no harshness or frenetic distractions. When capturing wildlife, you desire a softly blurred backdrop that makes the topic stand out whereas showcasing their environment. The Sigma 500mm f/5.6 is not going to disappoint on this regard.
Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN Sport: A Completely Fantastic Wildlife Lens
It’s exhausting to seek out any faults within the Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN Sport. The slower aperture permits for a conveyable and handy lens that may journey wherever, and it retains the associated fee down whereas on the similar time filling a niche out there for which it’s supposed. Optically, this lens is great in each means and simply competes in opposition to any first-party choices from any model on the market. There is no such thing as a compromise within the construct high quality or options which were added to this lens, and the one grievance I’ve is that I can’t get it in all the prevailing full-frame mounts. It’s uncommon to assessment a chunk of drugs that stands out from the gang, however that is undoubtedly a kind of conditions.
Are There Options?
There are not any primes within the obtainable lens mounts that match the invoice, however the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 could be a great choice, albeit with a slower aperture and extra bulk. Equally, the Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 is an exceptionally good lens with extra versatility than a set lens, but it surely nonetheless can’t compete with the wonderful picture high quality of the Sigma 500mm.
Ought to You Purchase It?
Sure. It is a actual gem for somebody who’s okay with a major telephoto wildlife lens. For many who worth pure picture high quality over the flexibility of a zoom, the Sigma 500mm f/5.6 is a stellar selection.
