Review of the Sigma 500mm f/5.6 for E Mount on the Sony A7RV

[@Vantrakter]

Nice overview, it seems like a really nice lens if a prime can work for one's purpose. What I miss though, from this and other reviews, is How do you carry it? You mention towards the end that the 200-600 is harder to carry around but with a Blackrapid sports strap that goes over a shoulder and fastens to the screw point on the lens that the foot attaches via (so remove the foot first) like Ryan Mense advices, I can carry it for longer stretches against a hip and it isn't especially tiring and readily available to shoot with. I wouldn't want to keep a tele lens in a bag if I were walking about looking for small birds, yet I've seen or heard zero examples of how to actually carry this lens in the field. I.e what strap attaches where?

[@cameraprepper7938]

The Sigma 500mm 5.6 DG DN OS Sports Lens do NOT have "DO" or "PF" elements in the Lens design, so it is VERY impressive that Sigma managed to get the Lens so compact and Light weight !

[@cameraprepper7938]

I sold my big and heavy Sony 200-600mm 5.6-6.3 G Lens which was not handy ! Now I got the very Light weight and compact Sigma 500mm 5.6 DG DN OS Sports Lens which have excellent optical image quality, I use it on my Sony A7RV, so I can crop a LOT !!! The Sigma Lens is very easy to use and operate, I can hike with it, carrying it my hands for hours without problems ! 5 fps are more than enough for me !!!!! So "speed" cameras with too low megapixels are not for me ! I can very highly recommend the Sigma 500mm 5.6 DG DN OS Sports Lens.

[@thebinpustey6497]

Hi there. How do you find the stabilization compared to the Sony? (I believe Sony is 3 stops stab, and the Sigma is now 5 stops..?)

[@cameraprepper7938]

@@thebinpustey6497 The Sigma feels more stabilized and it is much easier to handhold the Sigma for a long time !

[@pentagramyt417]

On my A7-IV and 200-600, i have situation like: *sharp image* followed by *unsharp image* followed by *unsharp image* followed by *sharp image*

[@cameraprepper7938]

I also have the Lens button to activate the APCS mode

[@KurtisPape]

Interesting about the autofocus 'pulsing', could it be the camera body? I used the Sony A7R IV and the 200-600mm lens and I would have 1 shot sharp, 1 soft, my hit rate would go up in sunlight because of the contrast. Now I'm using the Sony A1 at 30fps and it never pulses and I can reliably have all sharp photos with a still subject, showing me the problem was with the camera body and not the lens. I would be interested to know if you had 1 shot sharp 1 soft in all lighting situations?

[@MatthewRaifman]

Yeah, it could be. There are a few theories I have. 1) lens pulsing af 2) image stabilization 3) camera pulsing as you mention 4) mechanical shutter shock. I don’t think I adequately explained this in the video but that is what I’m thinking. I’m curious, for the A1, do you shoot electronic shutter exclusively? I wonder if it might be shutter shock on the R series cameras where we shoot mechanical because the readout is so slow. I can definitely test this in a forthcoming video.

[@KurtisPape]

@MatthewRaifman Yes, with my A1 I exclusively shoot in electronic shutter. With my A7R IV I used mechanical shutter majority of the time to get 10fps and no rolling shutter. You would think shutter shock wouldn't effect mirrorless cameras as much compared to DSRL's with a mirror, but the mirrorless camera needs to 'reset' the shutter each time, where DSLR's shutter already starts in the closed position, so the mirrorless cameras have an extra step to the shutter. This is just for the electronic viewfinder. Something you could test is using shutter speeds like 1/4000sec, that should be fast enough for shutter shock to not affect things.

[@MatthewRaifman]

@@KurtisPapethis has me thinking it might be shutter shock. I agree it should be minimal, even at normal wildlife speeds of 1/2000s, but at 61 mp with a crop maybe this is it. I will test further.

[@FocusRocus]

If 10 fps yields five sharp images, are you suggesting that 6 fps might yield more consistent keepers, allowing more time for shutter shock to calm down, or just stay with 10 fps and hope for the best? Great review, thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@MatthewRaifman]

You know, that’s a great question. I suspect fps might affect shutter shock so maybe 6fps is better but probably safer with 10 fps

[@prjct72]

Hi! thanks for the review. I immediately thought about combine this lens with the A7RV as a way of replace Teleconverters. I have tried 2 copies and both times I have had problems connecting the mount with the lens (no reassuring “click”). After a while the lens disconnects and the camera behaves as if it had a manual lens without an electronic connection. I’ve got other lenses (Sony and Sigma) without any problems. Have you experienced any of this? Thanks!

[@MatthewRaifman]

Hey! Thanks for reaching out. No, my copy clicks. I just checked it compared to the 35 GM and the click is exactly the same. That’s really odd.

[@JavierMorenoX]

For me the lack of TC imposed by Sony subtracts from from this option. I have 200-600 on a A9, and a TC is needed in some situation as A9 PAS-c mode would get you into a too few megapisxel situation. The frames limitation again is painful, no so much today but in the years to come. I am sorry Sony is so protective here

[@MatthewRaifman]

Yes, absolutely agree and good point. Maybe the A1 price will drop enough that you can consider that an option down the road. Certainly having an APS-C mode with sufficient mp is a nice arrow to have in the quiver.

[@cameraprepper7938]

I sold my big and heavy Sony 200-600mm 5.6-6.3 G Lens which was not handy ! Now I got the very Light weight and compact Sigma 500mm 5.6 DG DN OS Sports Lens which have excellent optical image quality, I use it on my Sony A7RV, so I can crop a LOT !!! The Sigma Lens is very easy to use and operate, I can hike with it, carrying it my hands for hours without problems ! 5 fps are more than enough for me !!!!! So "speed" cameras with too low megapixels are not for me !

[@stripes_in_raw]

The alternative non sharp photos are due to the A7RV. Had the same problem with the A7R4 & 200-600mm. The autofocus on these cameras might be great but they just don't work as well on f/5 & above. It's just frustrating & not good enough when you are also investing in a one in a lifetime trip.

[@MatthewRaifman]

That is pretty frustrating. I know it was an issue with the a7riv but haven’t seen it to be a challenge on the rv. I will try to test this with my 35 gm

[@stripes_in_raw]

@@MatthewRaifman 35gm will be fine....affects only long focal lengths like the 200-600, Sigma 150-600, Tamron 150-500 with narrow apertures. The 100-400mm is a lot better. I think it's a stabilisation issue like the Camera stab and lens stab not working hand in hand. The problem doesn't happen with the A7R3, minimal if any with the A7iv.

[@MatthewRaifman]

What’s the logic there with why it would only affect the longer focal lengths?

[@stripes_in_raw]

@@MatthewRaifman The stabilisation has to work at a much higher level for longer focal lengths, most probably creating certain blurry images. You can compare it side by side with your Nikon Z8+400mm f4.5 & Sony A7R5+500mm f5.6. Do the test specially in the early morning golden hour and late evening.

[@MatthewRaifman]

@@stripes_in_raw yeah, makes sense. I am planning on doing that comparison for sure. I suppose one way to test whether is it shutter shock or stabilization is to determine if there is an issue at slow shutter speeds when mounted on a tripod. If there is still an issue, then it's the shutter shock. If the issue goes away, then it's stabilization.

[@georgewelch2366]

Hey, look what video I found.😊

[@MatthewRaifman]

Haha, totally forgot I did this review. There you go! My first impressions.

[@georgewelch2366]

@@MatthewRaifman It was actually very helpful and honest. Not sure how I missed it before. Now to decide on a camera.

[@possisvideos]

no TC is a reason to avoid. bad practice, sony.😢

[@MatthewRaifman]

Agreed!

[@pursuitofmotive]

It’s damped not dampened

[@MatthewRaifman]

Neat. Thanks for watching the video.

[@frostybe3r]

A7RV is just bad for wildlife…

[@MatthewRaifman]

Nah, it's more nuanced than that in my opinion. There are pros (AF and resolution) and cons (rolling shutter and fps).

[@frostybe3r]

@@MatthewRaifmanI didn’t get on with the delay in refocusing with mechanical shutter so ended up going back to the A1, but anyway, do you think there’s any point buying this lens if I’ve got a 200-600?

[@MatthewRaifman]

@@frostybe3ryeah, I think if the A1 is an option that is definitely preferable to the A7RV. I don’t think there is much point except weight savings. It is likely to be a tiny bit sharper than the 200-600 (depending on the copies) and of course it’s 100mm less focal length and is capped at 15 fps. The only really is that it is really wonderfully light. It feels so nimble and easy to use.

[@frostybe3r]

@@MatthewRaifman Mm, I suppose losing half my framerate and 100mm wouldn’t be ideal, the 200-600 has felt pretty sharp

[@frostybe3r]

​@@MatthewRaifman Sold the 200-600 after using the 500 for abit