Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 discontinued?

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Felisek

Senior Member
I was considering buying this lens but cannot find it anywhere. Amazon UK says "discontinued". Most online shops don't have it. The only place I can find it is either eBay, or one of the grey import shops. It is a bit strange, as this lens is still listed on Sigma UK web site. And the lens was introduced only about 2-3 years ago. Does anyone know what the official status is?

PS: I'm talking about the most recent version of this lens, 50-150 mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Yes, it has been discontinued by Sigma. So if you want one, I'd suggest you snag one from 42nd Street (linked above).

It's a *superb* lens, by the way... It needed some AF-fine tuning on my D7100 but once I did that, it's been like carrying a pocketful of primes.

Edit: I know you're oversea's but B&H still has them in stock: Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 though the price is bit higher.

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ShootRaw

Senior Member
I took this when I used to have that combo D7100/50mm-150mm 2.8os
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Felisek

Senior Member
I know the lens is great, I've read a lot of reviews. It is a pity Sigma discontinued it. I wonder if the market was too small for a rather unusual 50-150 range and the fact that it is strictly a DX lens. On the other hand, if you stick to DX then the lens corresponds (roughly) to the classic 70-200 range.

Well, whether from the US or Hong Kong, it will have to be a grey import for me...
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Felisek said:
I wonder if the market was too small for a rather unusual 50-150 range and the fact that it is strictly a DX lens...
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Personally I don't concern myself with the whole crop-factor thing but I do think the non-traditional focal length is what doomed this lens to such a short life. I find the focal length extremely useful though and will take the extra 20mm on the wide end over an extra 50mm on the long end every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

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Felisek

Senior Member
Yes, I have done it with my current lenses. My Tokina 11-16 required an adjustment, but the Sigma 17-50 was bang on out of the box.
 
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Felisek

Senior Member
When I started this topic here, I sent an e-mail to Sigma UK enquiring about this lens. In particular, I asked why, if it was discontinued, it was still listed on their UK website. They responded today and confirmed that the lens was discontinued. They also took it off their website!
 
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Felisek

Senior Member
I got my lens today. Didn't have a chance to take any pictures outside, as it was late, dark and miserable. But I did a few tests inside. Out of the box it showed some back-focusing. It is not easy to fully correct, as it depends on the distance. It shows more of the front focus close up and a bit of the back focus from a distance. I managed to get a compromise. This is pixel-picking and, hopefully, it should work fine in normal photography. But the depth of field at the long end at f/2.8 is rather narrow!

After this tweaking a few test pictures indoors show that it is really, really sharp!

I noticed that the optical stabiliser is a bit noisy and kicks in with a little jolt. When I half-press the shutter button and the OS activates, there is an audible "click" and the image in the viewfinder jolts a little. It doesn't sound or feel worrying, thought the effect is more pronounced then in my other lenses. I managed to capture it with my phone in this video.

@HoroscopeFish, you have this lens, do you see similar behaviour?
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Felisek said:
I got my lens today. Didn't have a chance to take any pictures outside, as it was late, dark and miserable. But I did a few tests inside. Out of the box it showed some back-focusing. It is not easy to fully correct, as it depends on the distance. It shows more of the front focus close up and a bit of the back focus from a distance. I managed to get a compromise. This is pixel-picking and, hopefully, it should work fine in normal photography. But the depth of field at the long end at f/2.8 is rather narrow!
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My copy had plenty of backfocus across the focal length. The in-camera AF Fine Tune adjustment is currently sitting on (-15) for this lens. Like you, I was pixel peeping but that's the setting that worked for me. Shots are sharp as a whip now.


Felisek said:
After this tweaking a few test pictures indoors show that it is really, really sharp!
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It's literally like having a pocketful of prime lenses. My Nikon 85mm f/1.8G is the only lens I have that can match "The Big Sig" for sharpness. The Sig' will make you sorry you bought every other zoom lens you currently own. Resist the temptation to have this lens welded to your camera.


Felisek said:
I noticed that the optical stabiliser is a bit noisy and kicks in with a little jolt. When I half-press the shutter button and the OS activates, there is an audible "click" and the image in the viewfinder jolts a little. It doesn't sound or feel worrying, thought the effect is more pronounced then in my other lenses.
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I have definitely noticed the OS "click"; I don't think I've noticed anything happening in the viewfinder, though; I'll have to pay closer attention and and let you know later if I see anything like that happening. Do you see this jerking in the viewfinder when using OS-1, OS-2 or both modes?

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F

Felisek

Senior Member
Horoscope Fish said:
It's literally like having a pocketful of prime lenses. My Nikon 85mm f/1.8G is the only lens I have that can match "The Big Sig" for sharpness. The Sig' will make you sorry you bought every other zoom lens you currently own. Resist the temptation to have this lens welded to your camera.
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I also have the 85 mm f/1.8 G. One day, when I am bored, I might do a comparison shootout between the two. As for having it all the time on the camera, I think this beast is just too big and heavy! Oh my word! One thing is to see the specs (weight and size) on paper, another is to hold it attached to the D71000. Also, I tend to take most of my pictures at wider angles. I have Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 as my "standard" zoom. Very sharp as well. They nicely complement each other. Taking into account my Tokina, I have now the range from 11 to 150 mm covered by f/2.8 lenses.

BTW. I recently bought two LowePro bags for my gear, and the 50-150 doesn't fit in any of them. I need a third bag. *sigh*

Horoscope Fish said:
I have definitely noticed the OS "click"; I don't think I've noticed anything happening in the viewfinder, though; I'll have to pay closer attention and and let you know later if I see anything like that happening. Do you see this jerking in the viewfinder when using OS-1, OS-2 or both modes?
Click to expand...

It does it in both modes.
 
Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Felisek said:
As for having it all the time on the camera, I think this beast is just too big and heavy! Oh my word! One thing is to see the specs (weight and size) on paper, another is to hold it attached to the D71000.
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The weight sucks, I agree. Once you see how this actually performs for you on a day-to-day basis you will stop caring. You will find yourself hitting the gym to bulk up your arms and chest... JUST SO YOU CAN CARRY THIS LENS!


Felisek said:
BTW. I recently bought two LowePro bags for my gear, and the 50-150 doesn't fit in any of them. I need a third bag. *sigh*
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Just got a Manfrotto Backpack Pro 50 to accommodate my D7100, battery grip and Sigma 50-150mm... Seriously, I feel your pain.


Felisek said:
It does it in both modes.
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Give me some time to play with my Sigma and I'll see if I can duplicate what you are experiencing. I'll let you know...

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