Is an RF 100-500mm lens on the way? [CR2]

SecureGSM

2 x 5D IV
Feb 26, 2017
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I've seen it. Used it. Recommend it!

Yes it will be expensive, and heavy and ridiculously cool.

So far, I don't see a problem.
You do not see it is the issue.
sigma 200-500/2.8 lens is a monster at around 18kg body mass. A 100-500/4.0 FF lens would be a pushing it at around 8kg -ish Still handholdable for you? Now imaging zooming while handholding at the same time. Not a practical lens.
 
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You do not see it is the issue.
sigma 200-500/2.8 lens is a monster at around 18kg body mass. A 100-500/4.0 FF lens would be a pushing it at around 8kg -ish Still handholdable for you? Now imaging zooming while handholding at the same time. Not a practical lens.

Ok, lets unpack because you've assumed a lot.

First off, the BIGMA 200-500 was a f/2.8. That's why it was so heavy. A similar f/4 would be significantly lighter. The BIGMA was also made in 2008 (probably designed 5 years before that). So we're talking 15 years or more. Many improvements have been made in material science, lens design and manufacturing to reduce the weight should it come out today.

Finally, I'm not saying it will be practical or handholdable. Or even that it will ever come out.

I'm saying it would be cool if it did.
 
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AlanF

Desperately seeking birds
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Aug 16, 2012
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Ok, lets unpack because you've assumed a lot.

First off, the BIGMA 200-500 was a f/2.8. That's why it was so heavy. A similar f/4 would be significantly lighter. The BIGMA was also made in 2008 (probably designed 5 years before that). So we're talking 15 years or more. Many improvements have been made in material science, lens design and manufacturing to reduce the weight should it come out today.

Finally, I'm not saying it will be practical or handholdable. Or even that it will ever come out.

I'm saying it would be cool if it did.
The “bigma” was the Sigma 50-500mm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigma_50-500mm_f/4-6.3_DG_lens now overtaken by the 60-600mm.
 
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AlanF

Desperately seeking birds
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Aug 16, 2012
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Seems you are right. Having never owned or used any of sigma lens I figured BIGMA would be reserved for the actually Big...Sigma. The 200-500 f/2.8 and the 300-800 f/5.6. Those are truly BIGMA's (Big M'fing Sigmas)...but I guess a cheap 50-500mm can be big for some people too. ;)
The 300-800mm is nicknamed the “Sigmonster”. I saw someone struggling with one once. The bigma weighs only 1.84 kg, and is light by modern standards. In its time, 500mm was a long focal length for a hand-held lens to put it in perspective.
 
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SecureGSM

2 x 5D IV
Feb 26, 2017
2,360
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Ok, lets unpack because you've assumed a lot.

First off, the BIGMA 200-500 was a f/2.8. That's why it was so heavy. A similar f/4 would be significantly lighter. The BIGMA was also made in 2008 (probably designed 5 years before that). So we're talking 15 years or more. Many improvements have been made in material science, lens design and manufacturing to reduce the weight should it come out today.

Finally, I'm not saying it will be practical or handholdable. Or even that it will ever come out.

I'm saying it would be cool if it did.
massive, unwieldy lenses are cool. gotcha.
 
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AlanF

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Aug 16, 2012
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Perhaps. But there are zooms...and there are ZOOMS.

I know it's not apples to apples, but the 200-400 f/4 is not your average zoom. And lets not forget someone once made a 200-500 f/2.8. Yes, it's crazy and weighs as much as a panzer tank. But they made it....So, it can be done. Should it be done? Well, as a wildlife photographer I say it should. Let the market decide.

Hell, I know a few people who have the 200-400 TC and they claim IQ is better than the primes and it's significantly more versatile in the field.
This is not meant to be a snarky comment but just to show what is happening in the world of Big White prices (the 200-400mm is a fabulous lens). The price of a new EF 200-400mm lens in the UK from WEX is £10,089. They have a lightly used grade 9 one on sale for £5445.
 
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This is not meant to be a snarky comment but just to show what is happening in the world of Big White prices (the 200-400mm is a fabulous lens). The price of a new EF 200-400mm lens in the UK from WEX is £10,089. They have a lightly used grade 9 one on sale for £5445.

Sounds like someone is going to be real happy when they pick up a 10k glass for an almost 50% discount!
 
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AlanF

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Sounds like someone is going to be real happy when they pick up a 10k glass for an almost 50% discount!
Yes. I wrote somewhere else that it's a good time to pick up such lenses and a bad time to sell them. But, maybe it will get even better to buy and worse to sell in the future. Who knows, I wish I knew.
 
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Optics Patent

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Yes. I wrote somewhere else that it's a good time to pick up such lenses and a bad time to sell them. But, maybe it will get even better to buy and worse to sell in the future. Who knows, I wish I knew.

What would you say is a prime example of a sweet-spot model that is a great buy used considering performance and comparable new pricing? 300 f2.8 IS I for $1500-2000 seems like a good example.
 
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Aug 9, 2016
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I've seen it. Used it. Recommend it!

Yes it will be expensive, and heavy and ridiculously cool.

So far, I don't see a problem.

I do because now youve taken the rumored 100-500 which is most likely a answer to Nikons 200-500 5.6, Sigma's 150-600 6.3 and Tamron's 150-600 6.3 and Sony's 200-600 6.3 and youve just removed it and put that lens into a completely other catagory that is thousands of times more expensive and for a much smaller crowd. Yeah there is your problem.
 
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AlanF

Desperately seeking birds
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Aug 16, 2012
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What would you say is a prime example of a sweet-spot model that is a great buy used considering performance and comparable new pricing? 300 f2.8 IS I for $1500-2000 seems like a good example.
Nice lens, 400g heavier than the II and not as good with the 2xTC. I'd personally go with the II if your budget is not tight.
 
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I do because now youve taken the rumored 100-500 which is most likely a answer to Nikons 200-500 5.6, Sigma's 150-600 6.3 and Tamron's 150-600 6.3 and Sony's 200-600 6.3 and youve just removed it and put that lens into a completely other catagory that is thousands of times more expensive and for a much smaller crowd. Yeah there is your problem.

I have no idea what you're on about man. But by all means, keep going.
 
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