Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM is a Fixed aperture Auto Focus (AF)
Super Telephoto Prime lens with 35mm FF max sensor coverage, and it is designed to be used with
SA Mount cameras.
The Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM is also available in the Canon EF , Nikon F (FX) and Pentax KAF mounts.
What type of photography is the Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM lens good for?
The choice of photography type for which you intend to use the Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM is a crucial decision factor. Below, we have assessed its suitability for various photography scenarios:
Reasons to Buy the Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM Lens
Here we've included a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of the Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM lens in a list form to assist you in determining whether it offers the features you need.
| Autofocus |
| Distance Scale |
| Hood supplied |
| Full-time Manual Focusing |
| Covers Full-Frame Sensor |
| 9 Diaphragm Blades for Smooth Bokeh |
| 500mm reach great for Wildlife Photography |
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| Slow Aperture for a Prime Lens |
| Heavy |
| Pricey |
Lens Mount
Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM is compatible with cameras that have a Sigma SA lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with the Sigma SA lenses are Sigma Quattro, Sigma Quattro H and Sigma SD1 Merrill.
Size, Weight and Filter Thread
The size and weight are crucial factors to consider when searching for your next lens. Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM has a maximum diameter of 123mm and a total length of 350mm. It weighs 3150g / 111.1 oz.
Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM has a Drop-in type filter holder with a filter thread of 46mm.
You can also check All Sigma SA Mount Lenses with 46mm Filter Thread Size to find the matching lenses.
Focal Range
Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM has a fixed focal length of 500mm.
Optical Image Stabilization
Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM doesn't have an optical image stabilization system so the only option to stabilize the image taken with this lens is to mount on a camera body with IBIS (sensor based In-body image stabilization).
Alternatively, you can check the Sigma 500mm F4 DG OS HSM Sport in Sigma SA mount that have similar focal range but features Optical Image Stabilization.
Lenses Similar to Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM With Optical Image Stabilization
Maximum Magnification Ratio
Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM has a Max Magnification Ratio of 0.13x with a minimum focusing distance of 4m. 0.13x ratio is quite low, making this lens unsuitable even for modest close-up photography.
Below are the 2 Super Telephoto Prime type Sigma SA mount lens alternatives with highest max magnification ratios:
Aperture
The Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM features a maximum aperture of F4.5 and can be stopped down to a minimum aperture of F32. While a maximum aperture of F4.5 requires a bit more ambient light or a bump in ISO when shooting indoors, it keeps the physical size of the lens much smaller and easier to carry. At 500mm, this lens provides a natural perspective, and opening up to F4.5 offers clean background separation for typical everyday shooting. The minimum setting of F32 is excellent for deep depth of field work like macro photography, though you may want to avoid the absolute smallest settings to skip the sharpness loss caused by optical diffraction.
Optical Formula
Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM's optical formula consists of 11 elements in 8 groups . Special elements used in this design is 2 ELD glass elements.
Lens Hood
Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM comes with a removable lens hood which is handy to reduce lens flare and glare in your photos.
Popular Comparisons of Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM
Here are the 8 most popular comparisons of the Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM amongst Camera Decision readers.
Top Alternatives of Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM Lens
In addition, it would be interesting to check which lenses from other mounts are most commonly compared with the Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM.
Top Alternatives of Sigma 500mm F4.5 EX DG HSM in Other Lens Mounts
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