Sigma Unveils the 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS Sports Lens
The Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS Sports lens is not completely unique, but it fills a gap in the E-mount and L-mount systems. The 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS Sports prime, like the other new lens, the Sigma 15mm f/1.4 DG DN Diagonal Fisheye Art, is designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras manufactured by Sony, Panasonic, Leica, and Sigma. The Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS Sports lens, which promises an entirely new ultra-telephoto experience, is compact, lightweight, and intended for both enthusiasts and professionals.
The Sigma 500mm f/5.6 lens has 20 elements divided into 14 groups, including three FLD and two SLD elements. Sigma claims that by using exclusive low-dispersion (LD) convex elements at the front of the lens, the telephoto prime will have much lower aberrations and a shorter overall length.
The lens weighs 1,370 grams, including the tripod foot, which is extremely light for its focal length. The lens has optical image stabilization, as indicated by the “OS” in the model name, making it suited for handheld shooting.
“The lens has excellent correction of all aberrations, especially axial chromatic aberration, which cannot be corrected by the camera body, ensuring a stable high resolution from the center to the periphery of the image,” the company states.
A 500mm f/5.6 lens is ideal for sports and wildlife, but only if its autofocus technology can keep up with fast-moving subjects. Sigma’s new technology features a high-response linear actuator (HLA), which offers great focus accuracy and speed, as well as quiet focusing.
“The HLA enables fast and accurate autofocus even in ultra-telephoto photography, such as sports and bird photography, where extremely precise focusing is required,” according to Sigma.
The lens can focus up to 320 centimeters, yielding a maximum magnification ratio of 1:6. The L-mount version of the lens is compatible with Sigma’s 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, allowing for a larger magnification ratio at the penalty of a slower maximum aperture. Furthermore, a 1000mm focal length can be appealing, particularly if the available light allows.
Optical image stabilization is essential for handholding any lens, particularly one as long as the Sigma 500mm f/5.6. Sigma claims the lens has the most recent OS2 optical stabilization algorithm and can give up to five stops of shake reduction. It has two modes, fittingly dubbed Mode 1 and Mode 2, which are ideal for general shooting and panning, respectively.
The materials utilized for the lens body play a role in reducing weight, in addition to the optical design. The lens incorporates high-precision TSC (thermally stable composite) and magnesium components.
The mount connection, manual focus ring, switches, and outside connection are all dust and splashproof. Furthermore, the front portion has a water and grease repellent coating. On L-mount cameras, the focus ring can be altered between liner and non-linear modes. While this capability is not accessible for E-mount cameras, the lens does provide AF assist, which is a Sony-specific feature.
Switches include an aperture ring and three AFL buttons that can be programmed to execute various operations.
Like other Sigma lenses with a tripod foot, the 500mm f/5.6 has a removable tripod foot that is Arca-Swiss compatible, which means it may be mounted directly to Arca-Swiss tripod heads without the need for a specific plate.
The Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS Sports lens will be available in L-mount and E-mount models on March 14 for $2,999. It comes with a case, lens hood, tripod socket, front (95mm) and back caps.
