You Can Now Rent the Sigma 200-500 f/2.8 EX DG APO

[douglaurent]

Who here among us has a tripod that would support that thing?

it works on tripods that are meant to carry 5-7kg only.  as long as its balanced right, its steady.  but its always tricky to move it up on the tripod first - if the plate doesnt fit on the head right away, you only have few seconds until the beast gets to heavy in the hands

[douglaurent]

I'm very interested to see how this performs at 500mm f/2.8.

Because seriously, if you can afford the size, weight, and price of the Siglauncher, then you can just as easily afford the size, weight, and price of an EF 300/2.8, EF 400/2.8, EF 500/4, and a few backup bodies to make up for the lack of zoom...

to be honest: the 500mm on this are not that much more narrow than on the canon 400mm/2.8.  and under zoom aspects, i was pretty impressed with the new 200-400/4 plus built in 1.4x extender at photokina.  this lense feels really good and has an impressive range.  and the lost stops compared to the sigma are not too much of a problem, because you can increase iso in newer cams like the 5d3, and in tele range the background is blurry enough at f4.  see attached pic shows a 60d with the sigma at 500mm and f2.8.  pic is not edited, it just demonstrates the bokeh.

[dr croubie]

pic is not edited, it just demonstrates the bokeh.

yeah, uh, the bokeh, that's what I'm looking at when I look at this photo... 

[Forceflow]

i do own 2 sigma 200-500/2.8 - one canon mount, one nikon mount.  did do some test shoots "canon girl vs nikon girl" a while ago, but never did release it anywhere.  i'm located nearby frankfurt/germany, if somebody wants to use or test them, just email me to doug@world2media.net

Holy crap! Frankfurt? I might take you up on that offer, I live in Mainz so it's maybe a 45 minute drive. I would LOVE to test that beast with the 2x converter on the moon. Best I've done was the 100-400 with the converter, an additional 200mm would be really cool to see.

[douglaurent]

i do own 2 sigma 200-500/2.8 - one canon mount, one nikon mount.  did do some test shoots "canon girl vs nikon girl" a while ago, but never did release it anywhere.  i'm located nearby frankfurt/germany, if somebody wants to use or test them, just email me to doug@world2media.net

Holy crap! Frankfurt? I might take you up on that offer, I live in Mainz so it's maybe a 45 minute drive. I would LOVE to test that beast with the 2x converter on the moon. Best I've done was the 100-400 with the converter, an additional 200mm would be really cool to see.

just send me an email!

[Sitting Elf]

i do own 2 sigma 200-500/2.8 - one canon mount, one nikon mount.  did do some test shoots "canon girl vs nikon girl" a while ago, but never did release it anywhere.  i'm located nearby frankfurt/germany, if somebody wants to use or test them, just email me to doug@world2media.net

I live in Kaiserslautern when I'm on my six-weeks off from work as a helicopter pilot.
Since you offered, can I borrow your Canon version for my next six-weeks at work.  It won't go far... I work in nearby Nigeria. Very secure there.. no crime or thefts!  I'll get it back to you in 45 days....maybe. Thanks for the free offer!!!

[Don Haines]

Who here among us has a tripod that would support that thing?

How about a motorized tripod? Normally it carries a 12" telescope with the equivalent magnification of a 2200mm lens, but I suppose I could mount something smaller like SigZilla on it