Sigma 50-150mm 1: 2.8 APO DC HSM EX Optical Stabilizer Review for Nikon

According provided by lens Sigma 50-150mm 1: 2.8 APO DC HSM EX Optical Stabilizer (OS, AF) for Nikon huge thanks to Alexander Fetisov.

Sigma 50-150mm 1: 2.8 APO DC HSM EX Optical Stabilizer

Sigma 50-150mm 1: 2.8 APO DC HSM EX Optical Stabilizer

The Sigma 50-150 / 2.8 OS is a wonderful lens, probably the best telephoto lens specially designed for APS-C DSLR cameras. This review presents a copy with Nikon F mount, but Sigma 50-150 / 2.8 OS exists for Canon and Sigma cameras. As far as I know, the lens has never been released for Sony and Pentax cameras, and the company's official website states that the lens is no longer available for Sigma and Canon cameras (strange, isn't it?).

The Sigma 50-150 / 2.8 OS has a rather strange 50-150mm focal length range, all due to the fact that the lens is intended only for cropped cameras, on which its equivalent focal length will be 75-225mm. In fact, the Sigma 50-150 / 2.8 OS is the equivalent of a full-frame lens in the class TBU, TBU и TBU. In addition, when recalculated for EGF, Sigma 50-150/2.8 OS captures even slightly more range than classic full-frame analog lenses. The convenience of using such a range is difficult to overestimate.

Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM Tripod Lamp

Sigma AF 21-50 mm F 150 EX DC OS HSM Tripod Foot TS-2.8

Please note that Sigma has two more older models of this lens: Sigma 50-150mm 1: 2.8 APO DC HSM EX and Sigma 50-150mm 1: 2.8 APO DC HSM EX II. In fact, the first two models are almost completely identical, the only significant difference is that version II was also produced for Pentax and Sony cameras. The first versions do not have a built-in stabilizer, and their optical design differs from the lens presented in this review.

Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM with tripod foot

Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM with tripod foot

The Sigma 50-150 / 2.8 OS lens is top notch. First of all, I want to note a very good assembly, at first I even thought that they sent me some professional TBU, because the lens, after all, is simply huge and heavy - it weighs as much as 1340 grams. The native Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 2.8GII ED VR FX weighs just 200 grams more, and the 77mm filters are loved by many professional photographers as they are a kind of standard for professional photography. It turns out that cropped lenses catch up with their full-frame counterparts in weight and all their vaunted 'reduced' weight is reduced to nothing.

I want to point out that the letters 'EX' ('Excellent' are the highest quality lenses) on this lens are written for a reason. The lens really meets the highest standards for build quality and optical image quality. Ray is happy!

Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM, rear view

Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM, rear view

The focus ring and zoom are rubberized, rotate smoothly and nicely. The focus ring is a little narrow, its stroke is 120 degrees. During auto focus, the ring remains stationary. In manual focus mode, when the ring reaches its extreme positions, it does not abut, but continues to rotate, slipping through like many native Nikon lenses. Apparently, such a mechanism is provided as protection against damage to the focusing mechanism from too zealous photographers;).

When focusing and changing the focal length, the lens does not change its size, because it has internal focusing and zooming systems. In this case, the rear lens also remains stationary (no 'vacuum cleaner' effect).

Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Focus Distance Scale

Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens Focus Distance Scale

The lens focuses using an HSM motor (HyperSonic Motor, an analogue of Nikon SWM) rather quickly and almost silently. It's a pity, but still I did not observe an instant reaction from the focusing system. The Sigma 50-150 / 2.8 OS will fit all Nikon DX cameras, even those without a built-in focus motor. The minimum focusing distance is 80 cm and the maximum macro zoom ratio is 1: 6.3.

There is an 'AF / M' ('Auto / Manual') focus switch on the lens barrel, as well as a three-position stabilizer mode switch 'OFF / 1/2'. In '1' mode, the lens performs 2-axis stabilization (analogue to Nikon Active VR). In mode '2', stabilization is performed in only one direction (mode for shooting panoramas, analogous to Nikon Normal VR). In the 'OFF' position, the stabilizer is disabled.

The stabilizer turns on when you press the focus button (usually half-pressing the shutter release button). As soon as you press the shutter button, for an instant, the picture in the viewfinder shudders perceptibly. The same happens when the stabilizer stops working. This is normal and should not be feared.

Tags and switches on the Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM lens

Tags and switches on the Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM lens

The lens comes with a wonderful case, lens hood and tripod foot. The tripod foot can be easily removed, and there are 3 marks on the lens body to quickly rotate the camera mounted on the tripod to portrait or landscape position (vertically or horizontally). The lens hood can be installed in the reverse position (transport mode), only when the hood is worn back and forth, access to both the focus ring and the zoom ring is completely lost. With a lens hood, the lens looks very, very solid :)

Interestingly, the TS-21 tripod foot and LH850-02 lens hood are also used by the lens. Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM, which is an analogue of Sigma 50-150 / 2.8 OS for full-format cameras. In addition, the TS-41 tripod foot can be attached to the lens.

Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM with hood LH850-02 589

Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM with hood LH850-02 589

The lens creates a quality image. Even at f / 2.8 and even when shooting at 50 and 150 mm, there are no special complaints about the quality. I would like to note the low level of chromatic aberrations, the APO prefix does not just flaunt on the lens here too. Also, overall nice lens design. In particular - good bokeh, even at closed apertures, since the lens uses 9 rounded aperture blades. The only thing is that the lens is not strong, but it still catches glare in the backlight.

It is not surprising that the lens is optically very good, because its optical design, which consists of 21 (!) Elements in 15 groups, contains as many as 6 (!) SLD elements. 'SLD' - 'Special Low Dispersion' - 'elements with low dispersion', analogue Nikon Extra-low Dispersion. Personally, I do not know other lenses with a large number of low dispersion elements.

Here link to the archive with the originals - 586 MB, 73 photos in .NEF format (RAW) from the camera Nikon D80.

Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM with hood LH850-02 589

Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM with a hood mounted for transport.

First fly in the ointment

It is stated that the lens supports constant manual focus control. This is true, only such control works exclusively in AF-S and AF-A and only after the camera successfully focuses. The lens does not have a full-fledged mode of constant manual focus control Nikon M / Aand, in fact, doing manual focus override with the Sigma 50-150 / 2.8 OS rivals camera and lens automatics. Personally, it annoys me a lot. Native Nikon optics with this mode immediately turn off auto focus as soon as you touch the focus ring, and this does not depend on the focus mode set in the camera. Most (I even think all) third-party vendors have not learned to copy this great feature. Of course, you shouldn't worry about this, because most users of this lens will never notice the difference :)

View Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM on the camera

View Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM on the camera

Second fly in the ointment

The instance that I visited on the review has an explicit back focus (focuses behind the subject). I found a lot of information on the net about focusing issues with this lens. Part of the problem can be solved by fine-tuning the focus on those cameras that have it. But the trouble is, for the review I used the old-combat Nikon D80where it was not possible to cure this defect. I suspect that the focusing problem is one of the biggest reasons why third-party optics are often mistrusted.

View Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM on the camera

View Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM on the camera

My experience

There’s nothing special to say the lens is just lovely! Sigma 50-150 / 2.8 OS is a real find for those who shoot with cropped cameras. Convenient focal length range and high-quality picture do their own thing. For example, for wedding photography on a crop, there is hardly anything more convenient than a bunch of Sigma 50-150 / 2.8 OS and Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-55mm 1: 2.8G ED IF SWM DX.

But due to problems with focusing accuracy, I personally would prefer the native, darker, nanocrystalline, full-format Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 4G N ED VR, even though it is more expensive than the Sigma 50-150 / 2.8 OS. If you still want to use optics with F / 2.8, then I would recommend the old one, proven over the years, but without a stabilizer - Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D MKIII... Unfortunately, there is only one such lens for cropped cameras among competitors - Tokina AF 50-135mm F2.8 and the one with a shorter range of focal lengths, without an image stabilizer and a focus motor, and it is no longer produced.

I believe that the difference between 50 and 70 (80) mm is not worth it to spend your hard-earned money on cropped third-party optics.

Dimensions View Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM and Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKII)

Dimensions Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM and Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKII)

Catalog of modern Sigma lenses can look at this link.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.


Enlightenment of the front lenses of the Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM and Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKII) lens

Enlightenment of Sigma AF 50-150 mm F 2.8 EX DC OS HSM lenses (left) and Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKII)


Results

The Sigma 50-150mm 1: 2.8 APO DC HSM EX Optical Stabilizer is an excellent fast telephoto zoom lens for cropped cameras, but with some reservations. The main thing is to find an instance without focusing errors;)

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Artem

 

 

Comments: 66, on the topic: Sigma 50-150mm 1: 2.8 APO DC HSM EX Optical Stabilizer review for Nikon

  • Sergei

    Good day to everyone, I own this lens from the review, bought it from Alexander who put it on the review, now I am selling it due to the switch to ff. The lens was adjusted in the Sigma SC, the focus is now perfect. In cosmetics, he still looks like new. If it’s interesting and Arkady is not against this message, I am putting it up for sale. The price and photos are laid out in olx he is there 1 such for sale.

    • Artem

      Are you that madman who is trying for 33 thousand UAH to vparit it? Oh well!

      • Sergei

        Good afternoon, this lens was also purchased for almost 1300 (at that time there were no offers on the market, and I really wanted glass), since there were expenses for adjustment, shipping, etc. the previous owner sold it for such a price; I plan to sell it for the same price.

        • Sergey is different

          Sergei, you made my day! I looked like it in one small town apartment. Prices for a single room are around $ 20. And one has $ 50. And there is nothing unusual there. I ask why? -And I bought it out of stupidity before the crisis for $ 50. So that. This is Ukraine, baby!
          Ps According to this scheme, a car after a monstrous accident should cost more than a new one from the passenger compartment. "There were big costs"

          • Sergei

            Good afternoon, I don’t have a single drop of regret about the purchase, I wanted it then and at that time I practically didn’t care how much it cost ... for focus on crop, there was nothing better and no, I will not sell at this cost, I will sell it cheaper ... Even at ff I really like it, during post processing I immediately notice when it appears in a series of shooting photos from this glass ...

  • Svetlana

    Hello! Thanks for your review! I try to shoot a competition (basketball) for them on Nikon D70S. What (what settings) would you recommend to look out for when shooting in Sport mode? Thanks in advance for your reply.

  • Alexander

    For good shooting speed, be sure to turn off the stabilizer and shoot from the monopod.

  • Land

    Front back focus is treated with thin spacers under the bayonet

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