Sigma 500mm f/4 DG HSM Sports Lens - Canon EF Mount
Sigma 500mm f/4 DG HSM Sports Lens
This lens combines top-level optical performance with outstanding functionality for challenging shoots.
Top-level optical performance and functionality: the new standard for high-performance telephoto lenses.
Introducing the flagship lens of the Sports line
Covering all the essence. Portable, durable and of a high-standard – A Masterpiece of the hyper-telephoto lens. Photographers typically choose a prime lens when they require top image quality. However, the new flagship lens of our Sports line, the SIGMA 500mm F4 DG OS HSM|Sports fulfils this need while incorporating SIGMA’s latest technologies and delivering a full range of advanced features and functions: enhanced dust- and splash-proof construction, Optical Stabilizer (OS) system, SIGMA Tele Converter compatibility, AF function switch, SIGMA’s latest-generation Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM), and more. Combining top-level optical performance with functionality for challenging shoots, SIGMA 500mm F4 DG OS HSM|Sports sets a new standard for high-performance telephoto lenses.
Embodying the concept of our Sports line of lenses, this lens responds directly to photographers' needs with outstanding action-capture performance.
In addition to the highest levels of optical performance and photographic expression, SIGMA's new Sports line of lenses offers the kind of action-capture performance that precisely executes the intentions of the photographer. Uncompromising optical performance and photographic expression allow the photographer to shoot fast-moving and distant subjects, while exceptional functionality makes possible excellent shots even in the most challenging of situations. Fully customizable, it allows the photographer to create his or own specification. It is an ideal choice for photographing many different subjects; birds, wild animals, airplanes, motorsports, and even portraits. And SIGMA's exclusive software makes the lens extremely easy to customize.
Outstanding functionality for challenging shoots.
Support for the adventurous photographer: all the functions you need to perform under tough conditions.
Ideal for all sports photography: birds, animals, and other nature shots; aeroplanes and trains; motorsports portraits; and much more.
Enhanced dust/splash-proof construction and available exclusive Protector
Designed for top performance in tough shooting conditions, the SIGMA 500mm F4 DG HSM | Sports features highly effective dust- and splash-proof construction. The front of the lens features a water- and oil-repellent coating that allows water to be wiped away easily and helps prevent oil from sticking to the surface. This feature is particularly useful when shooting in a drizzle or near ocean spray. The lens is compatible with the exclusive SIGMA Protector LPT-11 (sold separately), which effectively helps prevent damage to the lens during shooting and maintenance.
Magnesium alloy barrel
To help minimize the weight associated with a hyper-telephoto lens, the lens barrel is made with a magnesium alloy. Both lightweight and tough, this alloy contributes to the outstanding maneuverability of SIGMA 500mm F4 DG HSM | Sports.
Carbon fibre hood
The lens hood is made of carbon fibre, which is both lightweight and strong. In fact, the entire lens is designed to be lightweight for outstanding performance in tough shooting conditions.
* Tripod socket cannot be detached from the lens
- Strap included
Tripod socket with 90° click stops
Since photographers often prefer to use a hyper-telephoto lens with a monopod or tripod, the lens features a large and extremely stable tripod socket. Antistatic nickel plating on the socket parts helps enhance the quality and durability of the 90° click stops, which make it easy to switch between vertical and horizontal shooting positions. The click position may be fine-tuned by “de-clicking” with the press of a button and manually adjusting the lens. The lens also comes equipped with a dedicated strap for the tripod socket, making it easy to carry equipment without undue stress on the camera mount.
Nikon electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism included
The lens for the Nikon camera includes the electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism and is able to receive the appropriate signals from the camera body. This feature ensures precision diaphragm control and stable Auto Exposure (AE) performance during continuous shooting.
Top-level optical performance
Transverse chromatic aberration, which can be an issue in the telephoto range at the edges of images, has also been effectively minimized.
The lens incorporates two FLD and one SLD glass elements, while the optimized power distribution helps minimize spherical aberration and axial chromatic aberration. The optical system also effectively minimizes transverse chromatic aberration, which can affect the edges of the shots taken in the telephoto range. In addition, image quality remains exceptional when the lens is used with a SIGMA Tele Converter (sold separately).
Circular PL Filter RCP-11 is a drop-in polarized filter (sold separately).
Circular PL Filter RCP-11 is a drop-in filter that can easily be rotated while the lens is in use. (A WR Protector filter that is inserted in a slot at the rear of the lens comes with the lens as standard equipment.)
Flare and ghosting reduction
From an early stage in the lens design process, flare and ghosting have been measured to establish an optical design resistant to strong incident light sources such as backlighting. SIGMA’s Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting to help photographers produce sharp and high contrast images even in backlit conditions. The included lens hood can be attached to block out extraneous light, which can have a negative effect on rendering performance.
Exclusive low-dispersion glass
The degree to which light is refracted by glass depends on the light's wavelength. This fact causes different colours of light to focus at slightly different points. The result is chromatic aberration, the colour fringing that is particularly noticeable in telephoto lenses. Most chromatic aberration can be removed by combining a high-refractivity convex lens element with a low-refractivity concave element. Yet residual chromatic aberration known as “secondary spectrum” may still remain. To minimize this secondary spectrum, which can be a serious issue with conventional lenses, SIGMA lenses feature up to three types of exclusive low-dispersion glass offering superior performance: ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion), SLD (Special Low Dispersion) and FLD (“F” Low Dispersion). In particular, FLD glass offers ultra-low dispersion in combination with high transmittance and the anomalous dispersion characteristics of fluorite. Meticulous deployment of these types of exclusive low-dispersion glass and optimization of power distribution gives SIGMA lenses superlative image rendition undiminished by residual chromatic aberration.
Functions that satisfy the demands of professional photographers.
True functionality developed to fulfil the demanding concept of the Sports line.
Manual override incorporated to make two full-time manual modes switchable
In addition to AF/MF, MO (Manual Override) is incorporated as one of the options of the focus mode switch. By setting it to the MO position, it switches to manual focus by rotating the focus ring even during continuous AF. With AF position, standard full-time manual focus is available. Using the optional SIGMA USB DOCK, it is possible to adjust the MO position’s sensitivity to switch to manual focus.
AF function switch with preset AF modes
The AF function switch allows you to set your own autofocus specification. The lens can remember the focus position of your choice or turn off AF until it is needed.
Note: Image is for SIGMA mount lenses. Available switch functions may vary by the mount.
Intelligent OS featuring updated algorithm
The Optical Stabilizer (OS) function features an acceleration sensor to ensure even higher precision. Two OS modes are available: Mode 1 for general photography and Mode 2 for motorsports and other applications requiring panning. In Mode 2, the acceleration sensor teams up with the Intelligent OS and its updated stabilization algorithm to deliver effective stabilization while you move the camera horizontally, vertically, or diagonally—regardless of the position of the lens. This feature helps ensure effective panning and outstanding capture of moving subjects.
SIGMA Tele Converters, mount converters, and USB DOCK make possible customization and flexible adjustment for convenience or a specific purpose.
Use higher telephoto magnification while using AF. Make fine adjustments to the point of focus and OS system. Use your valuable lens asset with a different camera body. SIGMA responds to photographers’ needs with top-level functionality!
New exclusive software and SIGMA USB DOCK make customization simple.
For our new product lines, we have developed exclusive SIGMA Optimization Pro software that allows the user to update the lens firmware and adjust focus position and other parameters. The user will be able to connect the lens to a computer with a special SIGMA USB DOCK and use easy-to-operate on-screen controls to create personal lens specifications.
New SIGMA GLOBAL VISION product lines are setting new benchmarks for image quality
Evaluation with SIGMA’s own MTF measuring system: A1
We used to measure lens performance with a Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) measuring system using conventional sensors. However, we have developed our own proprietary MTF measuring system (A1)* using 46-megapixel Foveon direct image sensors. Even previously undetectable high-frequency details are now within the scope of our quality control inspections. All SIGMA 500mm F4 DG OS HSM|Sports lenses are checked using this A1 system before they are shipped.
46-megapixel Foveon direct image sensor
The 46 effective megapixels (4,800 × 3,200 × 3 layers) and 44 recording megapixel (4,704 × 3,136 × 3 layers) 23.5 × 15.7mm APS-C X3 direct image sensor captures all primary RGB colours at each and every pixel location, ensuring the capture of full and complete colour. Using three silicon-embedded layers of photodetectors, stacked vertically to take advantage of silicon's ability to absorb red, green and blue light at different respective depths, it efficiently reproduces colour more accurately and offers sharper resolution, pixel for pixel, than any conventional image sensor. Since colour moiré is not generated, the use of a low-pass filter is not required, meaning light and colour, generated by the 46-megapixel APS-C X3 direct image sensor is captured with a three-dimensional feel.
Ultra-high precision and quality—all made in Japan.
With only a few minor exceptions, all of SIGMA's manufacturing, including moulds and parts, takes place under a single integrated production system in Japan. We are now one of the very few manufacturers whose products are truly made in Japan. We like to think our products are somehow imbued with the essence of our homeland, blessed as it is with clean air and water, and focused, hard-working people. We pride ourselves on the authentic quality of SIGMA products, born of a marriage between highly attuned expertise and intelligent, advanced technology. Our sophisticated products have satisfied professionals and lovers of photography all over the world because our manufacturing is based on genuine craftsmanship, underpinned by the passion and pride of our experts.
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Product Overview
Sigma 500mm f/4 DG HSM Sports Lens
This lens combines top-level optical performance with outstanding functionality for challenging shoots.
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