New Sigma APO 50-500mm lens now on shelves

Written by Adorama News Writer
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Published on March 22, 2010
Adorama News Writer
Adorama ALC

RONKONKOMA – Sigma Corporation (www.sigmaphoto.com), a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, is pleased to announce that its newly-upgraded APO 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM, which was first announced at the Photo Marketing Association’s 2010 Conference and Trade Show last month, is now available.

The Sigma APO 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM lenses are now available for purchase in Canon mounts through authorized Sigma dealers at the MSRP of $2,400. Nikon mounts will be available later this month, and they will be followed by Sigma, Pentax and Sony mounts in April.

This 10x high-zoom ratio, ultra telephoto zoom lens differs from its predecessor with the incorporation of Sigma’s original Optical Stabilization (OS) function, which offers the use of shutter speeds approximately four stops slower than would otherwise be possible. Only Sigma has made it possible for Pentax and Sony shooters to utilize an anti-shake system in either the lens or the camera body. The compensation for camera shake is visible in the view finder for all mounts, which makes accurate focusing fast and easy.

This versatile lens is ideal for landscape and wildlife photography, but also boasts a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.1 at the focal length of 200mm, which allows photographers to focus close on small objects like flowers. The addition of the optional 1.4x EX DG or 2x EX DG APO tele converters produce a 70-700mm F6.3-8 or a 100-1000mm F9-12.6 MF zoom lens, respectively.

“This lens has historically been a favorite with nature and wildlife photographers because the zoom range covers everything from close-up shots of flowers to far off images of animals and landscapes,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, general manager of Sigma Corporation of America. “That popularity will surely grow with the addition of our unique, Optical Stabilization function.”

The 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM incorporates Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM), ensuring quiet and high-speed auto focus, as well as full-time manual focus capability. Its four Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements provide excellent correction of color aberration and the Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghost, and ensures high image quality throughout the entire zoom range.

This lens is equipped with a petal-type hood to block out extraneous light and the filter size of this lens is 95mm. A supplied step-down ring enables digital cameras with an APS-C size image sensor to use an 86mm filter.

Specifications for the Sigma APO 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM

Lens Construction: 22 elements, 16 groups
Angle of view: 46.8-5.0 degrees
Number of diaphragm blades: 9pcs (rounded diaphragm)
Minimum aperture: F22
Minimum focusing distance: 19.7-70.9 inches/50-180cm
Maximum magnification: 1:3.1 (f=200mm)
Filter size: Diameter 95mm
Dimensions: Diameter 4.1 inches x 8.6 inches/104.4mm x Length 219mm
Weight: 69.5 ounces/1,970 grams
Corresponding AF mounts: Sigma, Canon, Nikon (D), Sony (D), Pentax

NOTES:

* The Pentax mount Tele Converter cannot be used with this particular lens.
* It is not possible to use a Polarizing filter with the step down ring. If you attach a Polarizing filter, you may not be able to remove it from the lens again.
* Nikon and Pentax mounts do not have an aperture ring. Some functions may not work depending on the camera model.
* For Nikon and Canon mounts, Optical Stabilization (OS) function will not work with film SLR cameras except Nikon F6 and Canon EOS-1V.
* For Pentax and Sony mounts, it is not possible to use the AF and the built-in OS function of this lens when attaching it to film SLR cameras as well as Pentax *ist series and K100D.
* When using the OS function of a lens with a camera which incorporates a stabilizer unit, please turn the camera’s stabilizer unit off.

The above is an unedited press release provided by Sigma Corp.