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

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

  • Gene jb

    It seems like sigma is releasing a special adapter to fix focus and other settings.

    • Novel

      This is for the new lens series (Art, Sport etc). For older lenses, performance is not guaranteed (

  • anonym

    It is strange that the sizes are larger than the full-frame 80-200 2.8

    • Alexander E.

      It's just that the body of this lens is taken from a full-frame sigma lens - Sigma APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM, apparently to reduce the cost of development and production.

  • anonym

    Great, but were there any interesting cases when the analogue was superior to the original (nickor)?

    • Alexander

      Yes. New Sigma Art Series.

  • StudioRAK

    I have been using it since September 2013 - a chic everyday lens :)

  • Artem

    I read like a forum on ixbt. There, one person wanted to buy such a lens on Nikon. I checked several instances, but there were problems with focus everywhere. I gave them for adjustment, but this did not help. Apparently, the focus deviations at different focal lengths differ. As a result, he bought a nikon micro 2.8 100 and was delighted with it.

  • anonym

    Toothless boy smiles on a bike :) drawing by the glass of hoo)

  • Sergei

    “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 completely identical, the only significant difference is that version II was also produced for Pentax and Sony cameras. ” I will add on my own: the first version has an M / AM switch near the bayonet, while the second version has a constant manual focus adjustment option, so it lacks this switch.

    • Sergei

      I apologize, the error in the previous comments: the switch is not AM / M, but AF / M.

      • Arkady Shapoval

        Thanks for the addition.

    • M

      Arkady correctly wrote in the review of the unstabilized model: Nikon has no switch (in both versions), the rest have it. I have not seen exceptions.

  • Yuriy75

    And everything started so well ... And the drawing is good and the execution, and the fly in the ointment crossed out everything! It's a pity, but the third-party manufacturer, even if they try very hard, will not soon get rid of the bad reputation - good, but unstable product quality. And we sirens only have to save money for our own optics or put up with the bestial attitude of manufacturers towards themselves. And the phrase: "What do you want for that kind of money?" will always be relevant :(

    • Alexander E.

      I own such a lens on a Nikon D7000 camera and am very pleased with it. I don't feel any bestial attitude on the part of the manufacturer of this lens, although my copy has back focus. On the contrary, thanks to Sigma for this lens.
      Because no matter how much money you save to buy such new native optics from Nikon or other third-party manufacturers, you will not buy anything like that with such focal lengths. At the present time it is the only “light reporter” (I mean max. Aperture and focal lengths) produced specifically for cropped cameras and only by Sigma. All other "reportage" lenses with focal lengths of 70-200 or 80-200 are intended for full-frame cameras and on the crop will look (in terms of angle of view) as moderate "telephoto" ones. It seems to me that this lens in terms of price-performance ratio is a very good choice for an amateur photographer with an average income. Precisely for the amateur, yet as a “professional reporter” this lens is not accurate and fast enough.

  • anonym

    Well, at least according to Canon it is - the Sigma F2,8 are priced like the Canon F4. And there, let everyone choose for themselves. There are aperture fans who are willing to take the risk. And there are fans of external effects, for whom the black / white Canon F4 lens is cooler than the F2,8 sigma only because of the views of others. In general, if the hens do not peck money, then the native F2,8 with a stub will be better than sigma.

  • Julia

    photo to watch is a pleasure! Great lens, great view !!

  • Vladimir

    Arkady, if it doesn't bother you to answer, what is the “mileage” of your test D80?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      You can download RAW files and see for yourself. More than 160.000.

      • Pastor

        Great, mine has only 45000. He still has to click and click!) I heard about mark 2, which changed the shutter on such a resource, even about d3. There, of course, the rate of fire is different, but still amazing reliability for an amateur camera. Plus magic colors ...

  • Roman D

    It is interesting to see what vignetting creates a monitored lens in full frame. Can you turn on the review? Suddenly it is not strong and with reservations it can be used on the FF.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      I can’t add because the lens has left. But on the d700, the vignette at any focal length and at any focusing distance and at any aperture is incurable.

    • Alexander Fetisov

      The vignette is serious there, for a full frame there is a similar 70-200 F 2.8. Review coming soon :)

      • Vladimir

        Yes, in principle, not very serious, you can completely sprinkle from 24 megapixels to 17-19. However, everyone can see the review on LENSTIP / It's a pity you can’t add a photo, I have examples with a vignette with nikon 700

    • Vladimir

      I have this lens for 2 years. I bought it in the USA from 2 times (on the first there was a back focus). The lens is very excellent (in the picture). Now, on your question: I tested it on a full frame on the NIKON D700. There is a vignette, it takes 5-7 percent of the image (in the very corners). If the camera is 24 megapixels, then you can safely sprinkle a little. But recently my stabilizer got covered and began to squeal. Well, Allah is with him, I still almost always remove from the monopod, I forgive him everything for his picture. Portraits - only to them, I sold my NIKKOR 85 / 1.8D, in my opinion sigma boke is more plastic. Autofocus is very fast. If you find a good specimen, it's a fairy tale, BUT HEAVY, INFECTIOUS, however I'm used to it ... Working and very sharp right from the open 2.8

  • anonym

    But how did you deal with back focus? Everything is wonderful in the photo!

    • Arkady Shapoval

      No way. I just shot a lot of frames, there was something to choose from, and manual focus is present.

  • anonym

    The price you specified for the second version of Sigma, unfortunately Sigma 50-150mm 1: 2.8 APO DC HSM EX Optical Stabilizer is nowhere on sale

  • anonym

    Is the lens compatible with the D90? Amazon says that the old camera ...

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Compatible :) especially since the d80 is older than the d90, and as you can see from the review, it runs normally on it :)

      • Yana

        Arkady, tell me, please, does it make sense to use this lens with a cheap Nikon D3000 body or is it better to buy a more expensive body? I realized that this was a lens with a screwdriver and that it would work on my camera too. But I am confused by the weight - 1340 grams on such a light carcass. Will this heavy lens fall off corny?

        • Arkady Shapoval

          Do not fall off)

        • Alexander E.

          Do not fall off if you hold on to the lens, not the carcass. It is not difficult, with such a lens you will always hold the camera with both hands, one hand will not do here.

  • anonym

    Where can I get it?

    • Alexander Fetisov

      In Europe or the USA, if you are lucky to find this glass. This copy was sold in Ukraine.

      • R'RёS,R ° F "RёR№

        Look at the Belarusian site of Sigma, a store in Minsk.

  • Komarek

    A strange lens of some kind. It is impossible to find it for sale on the Internet. On the Russian site of sigma, it is not listed at all. In Japanese, no. In American, no. It's strange, considering that it has been produced since the age of 13 (it seems). Maybe someone will reveal the secret of this universal secret? It's just the impossibility even to find out its approximate cost, I'm already silent about ordering and purchasing.

    • Vladimir

      There it was: NIKON made a claim to Sigma on a seemingly stolen stabilization system, they were suing, but apparently found some kind of commercial compromise. Apparently, therefore, they do not advertise much. I bought it for $ 998 two years ago.

    • Alexander E.

      This lens is not on the Russian sigma site and has never been listed. Apparently they did not have time to make it earlier, but now it is not necessary. This model appeared on sale in 2012, overseas. I bought my lens with the number 13136338 in November 2013. The difference in the room with the copy from the review is 370 units. Perhaps it was produced in small quantities for a short time, but now production has ceased. On the Internet, offers for sale have practically disappeared. Already last year, in Moscow, there were a very limited number of offers for sale - literally in several points. And now this is not.

      • Alexander E.

        I forgot to add that I bought my copy last year for about $ 1000.

  • Vovka Good

    Just the other day, I was picking a 28-200 sigma from a pentax, and it turned out right under a decorative ring with inscriptions, three screws that make it possible to adjust. That is, there is a system for changing the position of the front lens block. I rebuilt it, it’s happy as an elephant, and the scatter of different lenses is such that only in debug mode you can configure it, but you’re tired of climbing there, that's why I put the K-7 on the shelf and bought a nikon. Now, with zero af adjustment values, everything is in focus. Maybe this sigma has such a system, at least there is a chance!

  • Rasamaha

    http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/apo-50-150mm-f28-ex-dc-os-hsm he is on the site, but is listed as discontinued

  • Victoria

    I read the review. I liked this lens very much. Tell me, does Nikon have such a camera for DX? I reviewed the catalogs did not find this.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      No, there is no such thing. A close relative - nikon 70-200 / 2.8 VR.

  • Rasamaha

    Recently I came across a used one.
    1100 dollars.
    On OLH in Kharkov exhibited.
    Ad Number: 161778269
    In general, the price comes out adequately - the same money as for 70-200 sigma and about half the price of Nikon's 70-200 2,8.

    • Pastor

      Come to the Russian Federation :) For $ 1100 +/- 200 bucks, take a used 70-200 2.8vr.

    • Jury

      And about 2 prices from Nikon 80-200 MK2.

  • Oleg

    I have been using this for over a year. I bought a new one from a private person who brought glass from the USA. Very high quality lens, sharp and with nice color reproduction. I shoot with D7000 and D5300. At first there was back focus on the D7000, but this is not the fault of the lens. this was observed with all my glasses on this camera. Then I came across a recipe for software alignment for Nikon (there is a theme on Videomax) and I completely eliminated this camera problem. Now it's order. I also tried this lens on the D3200, D5200 and D5300 cameras, it focuses without misses. Since I am a videographer, the optical stabilizer turned out to be very useful for me - it allows you to shoot at 150 mm handheld. Very high-quality and perceptible stabilization, only when panning you need to remember to switch to the appropriate mode, otherwise sticking and specific twitching of the image may be observed.

    • Andrei

      Can you throw off a few examples of videos shot on this lens? I myself am engaged in video shooting and looked at this glass

      • anonym

        From September 1, I will do it. I can’t earlier, sorry. Far from home and working pc.

    • Sergei

      Good afternoon, a lot of time has passed since 2015, but you do not accidentally remember how you set up the Nikon d7000, if there is a link, please discard

  • Dmitriy

    I have such a miracle for the same year ... with cenon 7d ... it works perfectly, everyone is happy and so on ... only recently, something fell off inside this glass, it seems to be connected with a stub. The question is, who will tell you a proven service where you can send by mail (I live in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and really have nowhere to fix it), thanks in advance to everyone

  • Maugli

    Gentlemen, there is a new art sigma 50-100 / 1.8 for crop.

    • Vita

      Good day! Tell me, please, is the release date known?

  • Zulfiya

    Hey. My husband has this lens, I was indifferent to him at first. We were even going to sell it. Before the sale, I studied the prices and sites where it can be done, in general, it came to the point that now I would never sell it ... a decent lens. Works great on D90.

    • anonym

      Zulfiya, according to your comment, the following impression was formed: the lens is so-so, at least sell it! but second-hand prices are so low that there seems to be no sense in selling.

      • Zulfiya

        Well, no)) according to the principle - I myself need such a cow)) I did not shoot at all on it, we decided to sell it. I read the reviews, tested it and voila. And selling at a good price is not a problem, we live in Denmark. They don't waste time on good new optics here.

        • Oleg

          That is, you made conclusions about the quality of your lens from other people's tests? It can even be nominated for the Darwin Prize ...

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