SIGMA has released a firmware update for the SIGMA 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM Sports that improves performance when using the Canon EOS R5 and Canon EOS R6.
SIGMA 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM v2.03
- It has improved the AF speed when used in combination with the Canon mount adapter EF-EOS R series attached on Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6.
Download firmware v2.03 from SIGMA
Thanks David
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Sigma 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM Sports Lens Review
I’m actually surprised Sigma or Canon hasn’t developed one. IMO a 500mm f/4 is for a very serious photographer, but the f/5.6 could be much lighter, more affordable, and would appeal to a wider range of users, including professionals who need to hike into locations for wildlife purposes.
For me, a compact and affordable 500mm F4 would be great, but a 500mm F5.6 far less so, as my 100-400mm with 1.4x extender is effectively a (sharp and close-focusing) 560mm F8. Far more useful to me would be a 600mm F.5.6, and if Canon produced one, I'll bet that it would prove immensely popular with bird and wildlife photographers.
The focus shift issue is significant if you don't shoot the lens wide open. I almost never shoot the lens at an aperture smaller than wide open, so it didn't bug me at all. The distance at which I shoot things tends to make the plane of focus deep enough to not worry about it. And stopping down doesn't improve IQ much, unlike the old days.
Anyway, the focus speed was just poorer enough versus the Canon 500 (which I'd owned previously) that it detracted. Took a great deal away from the R5's tracking capabilities. My sense was that this had more to do with the speed of the tracking motor rather than any algorithmic nuance. I didn't assume a firmware would be able to address it. Would be glad to be wrong.
After the Mark III version of the 600 f/4 came out, the Mark IIs came down in price on the used market, so I went with one of those. The equation was used Sigma 500 at $3800 versus a used canon 600 II at $5500. With the extra focal length and the AF competence (and IQ as good as the mark III), it was the right choice for me. Despite it's larger weight than the Mark III it might continue to be the best choice for me if the new RF 600 turns out to be a glued adapter job.