Sigma loves to make huge fast tele lenses like the 500mm f/4.5 EX DG APO Autofocus Lens for Sony/Minolta A Mount (here at BHphoto). And it looks like there could be two more such lenses in 2014. According got Canonrumors Sigma will launch a new Sigma 300mm f/2.8 OS and 400mm f/2.8 OS tele prime lens in 2014. A new 500mm and 800mm zoom lens could also be announced although CR says it’s not sure about it. Yep, finally some new great tele to take sports pictures or spy your neighborhood 😉
P.S.: And a new tele lens from Tamron will be announced next week (via Photorumors).
63 Responses
Marco should be happy.
Sadly (and obviously) It’s too big!!! 🙁
But isn’t the Oly system you have sufficient?
Vlad, I’m simply trying to find an excuse to buy a new camera! 😉 Is it simply GAS? Jokes apart, I thought I could use it for my works, but it seems that this a7 won’t be as useful as my trust tiny system.
The only reason to buy it is just fun. Fun fun fun. Will it be a pleasure to use manual M mount lenses? If so, then I’ll get one and walk the streets and mountains with it and a nifty fifty, perhaps a wide but not too wide lens too.
The “problem” is that I like to travel light (a shoulder bag is ok), therefore huge lenses do not appeal to me.
This time no review can be decisive to me: I need to try it and feel it in my hands.
Here’s some help. It’s good to have fun. Fun is the path to the light side. Fun leads to motivation. Motivation leads to more effort. More effort leads to better images.
Thanks for the kind words Vlad! Yes, you’re right, that’s why I need to take photos: I consider it some sort of therapy. I can’t wait to try these cameras though.
good news, buy a sigma tele lens and nikon body for animal, although i have sony a99/ 70-400GII， a nikon user said he can set iso 6400 for bird shooting no problem
I have that combo too, the a99 and the 70400G2. Although the G2 does focus a lot better than the older version, I’m still not overly impressed with the IQ, particularly the bokeh, and I find the 5.6 to be a bit slow at 400mm, which is where I always seem to be shooting with that lens. I’m seriously thinking about the Sigma 500mm f/4.5, although it’s not HSM for alpha mount, which is a bummer. Now if a 400 f/2.8 comes out (big “if”), that’d be pretty damn fast. You could put a 2x TC on there and get 800mm f/5.6, and maybe even auto focus. Tough decision about waiting for that one, or getting the 500 now.
bionz is slow, so i alway only use center point foucs and af-c(not afd) shut down the tracking, after that u can get better performance. if jepg, iso1250 is maximum for bird, raw iso1600, i mean the on magazine quality.
i have 1bird photo on the shortlist for a canadian geographic upcoming magazine. https://www.flickr.com/photos/senic/8296063770/
most of photos lots of noise, so if sigma upgrade the 500mm or new 400/2.8 with good price, maybe i will buy a nikon body.
noise usually show at the underexposure area around the subject. That is easy fixed with PS ,just blur the background and the noise area. It always give better look and sharper of the subject.
The new Sony Amount suppose to be better or as good as Nikon and Canon high ISO.
and nikon can 6 fps up to 100 shots, 16s shooting!
how about sony? only 1-2s shooting whatever 7 or 12 fps.
maby bionz x is better
Here is the patent for what the Tamron lens will likely be.
http://egami.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2012-10-26
The Tamron sounds like the range the Sony 70-400 should have been, 150-600mm would be a nice range to use. It would be nice if it’s affordable, but not that hopeful on that issue. At least glad that Tamron is moving again on long tele, the 200-500 has been around for a long time as it’s a evolved MF lens.
a 500-800/4 would be appropriate for sigma everything else would be disappointing. or what about maybe a 1200-1700/5.6. 🙂
Buy a celestron c5…c6….or c8 ( each is f10 ) and an f 6.3 focal reducer.
Schmidt-Cosegrain.
The oldrer version is ok..the edge version is not necessary
I am leaning towards a used c8…. 2035mm f10…1250mm f6.3 with reducer
Should cover ff lmage.
Meade makes a comparable version of both the telescopes and reducer.
animals, I have a friend who uses a C8 for “offshore duck photography”, from a tripod setup, not more than 50′ from the car, usually.
Great stuff, very fun to tag along. He evolved to the C8 from digiscoping with a Nikon scope.
Tell me more ….how sharp is it…..does hes use the f6.3 reducer…?
animals, I really couldn’t give you any technicals. The important things are collimation, and getting the tripod balanced. He has the reducer, but I’ve never seen him use it.
His images are pretty nice, he is very patient. I’ve never been impressed with the sharpness, but I do like the overall quality of the images, which are invariably of ducks and other birds, on and over water in various conditions, sometimes with sky in the image background.
The reach is excellent, of course, and brings into reach birds that are usually around, but which would be inaccessible other than by boat…which would be incredibly difficult, especially in winter on big water. With that reach, patience is really the key, IMO. He is adamant about letting the whole rig “settle down” for a while before he starts shooting, especially in winter, I don’t know if it’s a humidity/temperature effect or what, but he has told me that if he doesn’t, the images tend to take on a “milky” appearance. Not sure what he means by that.
Sorry for the lack of technical info, I just enjoy schlepping for him. Wouldn’t want to do it myself, but I appreciate the fact that he does it–transport is a pain, setup is a pain, “dialing in” is a pain, and protection from elements can be a pain. Fun stuff, if you stay close to the car.
I hope there will be a Sony Version of Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM.
a new sport lens, not a bad idea! Looking forward to change my 70400 to a big prime!
Problem is Sigma usually takes out the OS for Sony alpha mount. Means it won’t be a hug win for those eager to get the a7 series. Unless sigma plans to keep it in.
+1 Agree.~!
Sigma & Tamron should keep their OS in Sony Version too.
Especially for telephoto lens,
Sony IBIS is less effective beyond 200mm.
Damn…just when Sony is starting to make great strides, and 3rd party makers are bringing out awesome new lenses, this happens: http://money.cnn.com/2013/11/01/investing/sony-earnings/index.html?hpt=hp_t3
Ouch. Maybe that’s why they refuse to drop the price on that A99.
400mm 2.8? Sold sold sold!!
The main problem of the Sigma 500mm . The 1.4x converter lens doesn’t work on the lens . I heard the old Tamron 1.4x works but the speed is slow. I own the Sony 500mm f4 . The IQ is very good at wide open and has the fastest focus speed even with the 1.4x converter.
Why not a 400 f4.5? I mean, a lot less and fills a void for alpha shooters. I’d be all in…although, I’m completely excited about this 2.8!
What for a 500 mm zoom lens except for paparazzi or spying your sexy neighboor while sunbathing or under shower :D?
Cool set of lenses. Just what the doctor ordered
Admin, any rumours on Sigma lenses for FE?
Lets see, I am especially interested about the new Tamron lens. BTW – what happened to the rumors about the 400mm f4 Sony lens?
And while we are at Sigma – just looked at a few sample images from the 24-105mm F4 lens and have to say I am totally dissapointed.
400 F4 Sony lens…I can’t even begin to imagine the cost on that thing. I want a new 50mm (I have the Sony 50mm and would like a Zeiss or Sigma ART/if they make it) and 400 F4. If Sigma makes either I’m in. Obviously the 400 won’t be an ART but F4 is more than enough for me.
If you want a 400mm F4 right now what are your options?
Tamron 400mm F4 adaptall (old and manual)
Minolta 400mm F4.5 (WAY overpriced and rarely hit auction on ebay)
Nice options there. we need a 400 F4!
Based on their latest offerings for warmed over GII lenses (not even new optical designs), we can assume the 400mm f4 (if real) will be in the order of $7,000 – $8,000 if we’re ‘lucky.’
My point exactly. No one will touch that thing. Why would you? That price is just crazy.
If we’re right, then I’m a believer of the theory that Sony is attempting to push people from A-mount to E-mount. They keep saying that they’re ‘committed’ to A-mount. But this strategy will give them a way out of A-mount because “demand is down and no one is buying the A-mount gear, so they’re exiting that market.” When in reality, the demand is there, but the price gouging pushes people away.
Even if this isn’t true, the alternative is equally bad…because it means only one thing – the only way Sony can make money on these lenses is to charge a ridiculous amount of money for them…
For Sigma to sell the 400 f/4 OS lens, they will have to be competitive with the Canon 400 2.8 IS Version I lens used in great condition. Why would anybody look at the Sigma 400 f/4 at a price higher than the Canon 400 2.8? I know, this is a Sony talk, but just being realistic.
Neither 300/2.8 nor 400/4 from Sigma or Sony can cost more than EF 300/2.8L IS II. And given the performance level of the aforementioned Canon lens, one would expect both of them to cost at least 1000$ less (unless, of course, they will match it’s optical quality which is hard). Sigma can build a nice 35/1.4 by playing around with compromises like field curvature and edge/corner resolution, but making a super telephoto lens of that caliber leaves much less freedom in term of engineering sacrifices. I don’t care of how much fluorite or SuperED glass they gonna use, just give us impeccable performance with 1.4x and 2.0x extenders, fast AF, 4-stop IS, APO design with fully corrected loCA and laCA, even resolution across the entire frame and zero field curvature, all within 2.3kg weight.
Sigma can win by making the lens cheaper, but if Sony 400/4G will be in the same price/performance ballpark as their current 500/4G … then it would be much better to get a separate Canon body for the 300/2.8L II lens alone.
The Tamron 400mm f4 adaptall is a pretty good lens, and is not all that costly compared to the modern tele prices. Of course you do need to be happy carting around a 5lb lens. I can handhold mine but only for a couple shots at a time with a long rest in between. On a gimbal head on a good tripod it’s very nice to use as all that weight actually damps down vibration there.
The rarity to find is the Tamron 300mm f2.8 AF A mount. Very scarce version grown out of the adaptall lens series, not many were made. But it’s still that 5lb range of weight. Lovely lens to use otherwise, and a whole lot cheaper than the Minolta or Sony equivalent.
Have some hopes for the new Tamron zoom long tele. Hope the price is possible to afford. If it’s at least as good as the 200-500 that would be worthwhile. It’s about time Tamron brought out a longer lens than that one.
but .. sigma/tamron ecc… mirrorless lens? .. are they waiting for nikon and canon to join?
Lens, I’m waiting for
Jack Devant Ballet Photography
If the Sigma 400 mm f.2,8 is sharp. Then i want one
Would you still want it if it’s not as good as other big boys (i.e. Nikon AF-S VR and Canon IS II)? And, which is more important, how much are you still willing to pay for less performance? (just as a reminder, Canon is 11k$ and Nikon goes for 9k$)
Would you pay, lets say, 7500$ for this Sigma 400/2.8?
For my wildlife shooting paying a huge price for only 400mm even if it is f2.8 makes little sense. 600mm or more is where I get interested, though I can’t pay the kind of prices Sony charges for their 500mm.
I have a Tamron f4 400mm and the focal length becomes a problem before the f4 does. At first 400 mm seems like a lot of focal length, but then you run into just how short a long tele that is.
These lenses are NUTS. Nobody really needs these things.
a 400mm f8 is like $100 new
a 400mm f5.6 is around $400
a 400mm f4 is around $6,000
a 400mm f2.8 is around $12,000
a 400mm f1.8 would be like $40,000
a 400mm f1.4 would be like $100,000
Who in their right mind would pay this kind of money for such marginal gains?! Do you know what I do with my money? Invest it in REAL things.
For sure there is a law of diminishing returns, but it really depends on the conditions under which it is used.
For somebody who makes a living doing photography, a $10k lens can make a lot of sense, it is just a business tool on which you take depreciation.
I’m not one of those people, although given that I have sold some images for lots of money, I might consider it…for me, the 200 macro and a new FF body would be the big-ticket things, I guess.
With better sensors and better processing, lens speed becomes less critical, depending on what you want to achieve.
I’m still waiting for a software bokeh or dof implementation.
For a wildlife photographer long tele is a very real thing, essential enough to cause us to work very hard to come up with the money. Though it’s quite clear super wide apertures on such lenses are definitely diminishing returns. Especially when you try to deal with how the size and weight go up even faster than the cost.
Of course buying lenses at these prices does mean you have to have a lot of faith that the lens mount you buy into will be still viable for a very long time. And that the maker will supply parts and repairs for a very long time too. Takes a long time to pay off/justify that money. That is where Sony’s behavior is a very real problem.
WK–A relative of mine has a Canon 1000mm f4 lens that he built a bicycle trailer for…actually, a tricycle trailer, I believe. He rides slowly with all his gear in tow, until he gets where he wants to be.
You can find him on the C&O towpath outside Cabin John.
Totally unwieldy lens…and, it suffers from rather significant CA in the images I have seen.
Were it me, I would go with a significantly shorter lens with better optical performance, and learn to “compose at a distance”.
If the 400 2.8 is not too huge (i.e., much smaller than the 500 2.8), then it will be tempting.
For a 400mm f2.8 you are talking a central physical optical aperture of a bit over 5 and 1/2 inches. For a 500mm f2.8 you are talking a physical optical aperture of around 7 inches. And with either that’s before you wrap around that hole the mechanics to produce it, the AF mechanism and all the rest you can’t do without. So yes there is a difference between 400mm & 500mm in the largest practical aperture, but the difference is still a huge lens. Optics is mean that way, you can’t just wish it away.
was hoping for a 400f4.5 USD tamron. im thinkign that the tamron 150-600 might be too slow at 5-6.3f less its fairly sharp wide open
When did Tamron come out with a 150-600 lens? I must have missed this.
it is rumored to be announced shortly
I have the Tamron 400mm f4, but mostly use it stopped down a stop or two to get suitable DOF. A 600mm at f5 to f6.3 should work quite well, I’d find that more useful for long tele wildlife than a 400mm f4.5. And way more affordable than a 600mm f4. And I’d probably be stopping down that 600mm too.
Modern folk would never have survived back a decade or two ago when the available ISO was much less and so was the max aperture of lenses. Yet millions of excellent shots were taken of wildlife. Are people really that much less creative and adaptable now?
Wish Sigma would reconsider releasing the new 50-150/2.8 and 120-300/2.8 in Sony mount. They originally announced it, then cancelled it. I love my current 50-150, but if it goes, I’d want to replace it even with the bigger new version. The 120-300 would just be awesome to try on Sony. I just prefer zoom teles to fixed lens, and 2.8 is great for low light and shallow DoF.
Greg
hoping they’ll put the hsm also for sony
If tamron makes a new 150-600 it would be nice to also have a new. Higher quality tele- extender that would work with it.
Current tamron extenders for a mount are not that great compared to other brands.
If this lens is affordable and high quality i would most deffinitely be interested.
I would rather see the highest possibl sharpness, good price a n moderate speed than an f 2.8 monster lens.
At f 2.8 a close up of a bird for example would only have a small portion in focus. DOF is critical for these subjects.
I would also very much like to see close focusing on this lens.
There have been a few tamron long lenses available in the past with maximum magnification of 1/2 or 1/3.
If this could have 1/3 at 600mm it would be awsome.
A high quality 1.8x tele extender might be a good compromise betwwen currently available 1.4 and 2.0x.
With current higher iso cameras this would also be more usable than in the past.
Most folks would have enough problem handling 600mm let alone with a TC extending that farther. And since the tripod they are likely to choose (cheap and very light, barely able to stabilize a wide angle lens) is not going to help either, the lens will get this rep of poor images when it’s just folks not providing suitable support to damp motion enough.
A 1.4x TC would still be needed and not a 1.8X.
Yep the Tamron 150-600 is the real interesting news, not Sigma.
I doubt too many people that use a. 1200 mm setup would not put it on a sturdy tripod.
I am also able to hand hold my current 1000mm setup (500+2X) using a special gadjet I came up with.
What kind of gadget can handle 1000 mm ?
The gadjet consists of 4 readily available parts.
A small tool holser on a belt..positioned in fron of one leg.
A sturdy monopod…must be capable of folding SHORT.
a monfrotto shoulder brace…a light wieght plasic device that fits between monopod and head…retail about $15.
A surdy monopod head with quick release…one diriction of movent will work but a sturdy ballhead will also. Work.
Assemble the components in the order i described…the base of the monopod goes in the tool holster..the shouder brace to the shoulder and the head on top…..adjust everythin for comfort and to hold camera at correct hieght and distance from body..secure camera..use lens,bod,and monopod sraps for added security..
Now take pictures in burst of 3 or more..discard firs and last picture..middle pictures will be best….hold camera with both hands..both elbows should be pushed into your ribs…do not use remote cable release..
For added stbility lean your back against a soid object such as a tree or wall.
With practice this method is as stable as a good tripod…note that wieght of the lens and camera sit on your belt and the lens attaches to the head, not the camera.
A good tripod and head set-up (suitable for a 1200mm lens) would cost more than the Tamron lens. Somehow, I suspect people buying the budget priced Tamron lens are NOT then going to go out and spend another $1,000 on a tripod and head.
Also, the idea of adding a 2X TC to the Tamron lens seems unlikely to me as well. This takes the lens out of AF capabilities. Of course one can try to defeat the reporting, but at 1200mm any focusing issues resulting from the “non reporting” would make most all images unusable.
Since the Tamron doesn’t work on the Canon 1D Mk IV, 7D etc. (at least for AI Servo and tracking for objects like BIF), I suspect this lens will run into consumer satisfaction issues.
1.8X is another choice…not a replacement for a 1.4x.
In fact it would more likely be used instead of a 2x.
Of course a 1.6 or 1.7 might be just as reasonable for an in between size tele extender.