Other

A Big Addition

Published October 15, 2012

Of course, we really couldn’t stand the idea that there was a lens somewhere that we didn’t own. So, Tyler went and got us a new telephoto, the Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 for Canon (Available for rental, of course). It came in a rather large box today.

Even unboxed, it’s rather large.

The Sigma 200-500 f/2.8 between the Canon 500mm f/4 IS II (left) and the Canon 800mm f/5.6.

Despite its size, I found it wasn’t hard to shoot without a tripod – I recommend a Manopod.

I was rather impressed with the 72mm INTERNAL filter.

Using the human mobile tripod system, we did manage to get outside and take a few shots. It was early morning, the light was horribly angled, but hey, we had like 30 minutes before it went on it’s first assignment (if you want to see how it does with video, watch the World Series).

Kenny at 200mm f/2.8

At 500mm f/2.8

And at 1,000mm f/5.6 (with included 2X teleconverter)

Yeah, it does soften up a bit with the converter, but it’s impressively sharp without it. At longer distance (Kenny was only about 25 yards away) it seems to do better, too, even at 1000 f/5.6

If you’re into such things and want to look at 100% jpgs, we’ve put a few up HERE

Author: Roger Cicala

I’m Roger and I am the founder of Lensrentals.com. Hailed as one of the optic nerds here, I enjoy shooting collimated light through 30X microscope objectives in my spare time. When I do take real pictures I like using something different: a Medium format, or Pentax K1, or a Sony RX1R.

Posted in Other
  • Nice stuff! But even much better after walking around at your page I found your “chess offer”!

    Roger (and team) YOU MADE MY DAY!
    I am still laughing and wich you all such a great weekend you just send me in!

    Kisses and huggs
    Ralph

  • Scott

    When does the F-mount one come in? 😉

  • NancyP

    You have to have seen the famous photo of this lens handheld:
    http://ylovephoto.com/en/2009/05/06/monster-zoom-in-test/

  • Roger Cicala

    It’s not front focus so much – we aimed at the cup of coffee not really thinking about how narrow the depth of field is with that aperture and focal length that close.

  • Pepe

    Huge front focus in the 200mm and 500mm samples, the only thing sharp there is the glass of soda.

  • KP

    HA… love that you guys use PBase!

  • NoiseJammer

    “Using the human mobile tripod system…”
    Way, way too much detail. 🙂

  • paul

    the siglauncher makes the canon 800mm look like a baby lens lol

  • Eric

    Does the Human Mobile Tripod always look so pained? Because it kind of takes some of the fun out of the work to be consistently reminded of the human misery being caused by the Sigzilla…

  • Bob

    Awesome! Photogs around the world drool…

  • Dr Croubie

    ps, if you need more prodding to buy “another lens that you don’t own”, there’s always the Zoomatar 250mm f/1.2 (http://www.petapixel.com/2010/09/15/kilfitt-zoomatar-250mm-f1-3-lens-for-hasselblad-medium-format-cameras/).
    Fits Hasseldblad, covers 6×6, and with a teleconverter it’s 500mm f/2.4, so still a smidge faster than the Siglauncher (probably costs more, too).

  • Dr Croubie

    When I first glanced at the title, I thought it said “A Big Addiction”.

    (Although, you’ve got to have a fairly big addiction to buy a Siglauncher.)

    Any chance of a shipping quote to Australia? With 2 weeks total return shipping, plus the hire length, that’d be damned expensive to play around with. (Maybe i should fly myself across the Pacific to play with it, probably cheaper that way)

  • Roger Cicala

    Max, it’s part of our repair and testing area. Mostly optically testing and adjusting lenses in there, but some camera repairs too.

  • Alan B

    Congratulations on your latest acquisition. Does this mean it’s only a matter of time till you get a Canon 1200mm f/5.6?

  • Max Kingsbury

    Is that your electrical rework lab? What kind of work do you guys do in there?

  • Michael

    The Siglauncher!

  • Andrew

    Amazon has this puppy and it’s eligible for free two-day shipping and 2% back in rewards for Amazon Prime subscribers!

  • Joe

    Might as well toss in the Manopod and ship it all commercial, though the TSA may not let it fly. Shipping this beast has to give your FedEx rep heartburn – along with the insurance rep.

  • The problem with this lens is the shipping price, lol!
    Nice images =)
    Unfortunately I live in Brazil, lol

  • Roger Cicala

    Lynn,

    It is Canon mount. The page will be up fairly soon. I’m not certain (I don’t think Tyler has crunched the numbers, but over $1,000 per week rental on the lens.

  • Canon mount?

    I’m curious how much it rents for. I didn’t see this lens on the Canon or Nikon super-telephoto list. Maybe I didn’t look carefully enough?

  • Awesome!!! And go Cardinals!

Follow on Feedly