Tuesday, February 8, 2011

New Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 with OS!

Not too long ago, I wanted a fast telephoto zoom, but I didn't want to lug around a 70-200 2.8 lens.  I instead chose the relatively compact Sigma 50-150 2.8, which, along with the Tokina 50-135 2.8 and the similar Pentax 50-135 2.8, are currently the only crop-sensor equivalents for the 70-200 2.8.  The Tokina 50-135 has been hard to find for a while now, leaving the Sigma 50-150 as the only viable option for non-Pentax shooters.  I was able to get one, which I reviewed here: http://betterfamilyphotos.blogspot.com/2010/09/sigma-50-150-is-tight.html .


A few months ago, the Sigma 50-150 was reportedly discontinued, to the chagrin of its many fans.  Many people - myself included - assumed that Sigma abandoned the 50-150 to focus on selling the 70-200.  Indeed Sigma recently dropped the price on its 70-200 2.8 OS to increase its sales.
About an hour ago, Sigma issued an announcement to release the replacement for the 50-150: the redesigned Sigma 50-150 2.8 OS.  I'm speechless!  I'm a fan of the Sigma 50-150, although I found it sometimes challenging to use without stabilization.  Although it seemed that adding stabilization was technically possible, I assumed that Sigma wouldn't produce a stabilized version because it would drive up the cost.  Well, Sigma has proven me wrong, fortunately.  With stabilization, the Sigma 50-150 becomes a formidable option for crop-sensor cameras.  Based on the stabilization performance of other Sigma OS lenses, I'm confident that the OS in this lens will be effective.  The only question is how much the new lens will cost.

42 comments:

  1. Given the just discontinued non-OS version was around $750 and the current 70-200 OS is now $1400, I would guess the 50-150 OS will be priced around $1100. If it's priced any more than that, most folks would probably just get the 70-200.

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  2. I sure hope you're right. We'll know soon enough :)

    Best regards,
    Mic

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  3. Really eager to try the os version of this lens. Any thoughts on the release date?

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  4. I am too! Called Sigma to get a better idea. Will let you know when i hear from them.

    Best regards,
    Mic

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  5. This isnt a guarantee but the 17-50 OS was announced in feb 2010 and was released 5 months later in july 2010. We may see a similar schedule here with the 50-150 OS being released in July 2011.

    Best regards,
    Mic

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  6. Im thinking of buying sigma 50-150 too and it is worth to wait if sigma is releasing OS version. Hope to hear some developments thereon in here...

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  7. Yup I'm going to stay on top of this :)
    Latest from Sigma: they will know more about the release date by the end of March.

    Best regards,
    Mic

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  8. Tried a 50-150 for a while but found it a real handful without OS. Didn't buy but stuck with my 70-200 f2.8 instead. I miss the useful shorter focal lengths of the 50-150 but at least the 70-200 has got a tripod mount, lovely optics too.I do hope that Sigma don't shoot themselves in the foot like they did with the 70-200 f2.8 upgrade, the new lens won't go in any of my gadget bags upright, it's far too long, it's also too heavy and far too expensive.I agree with the guy above re pricing, $1000 - $1100 should generate a lot of interest for such a useful and fast lens.

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  9. I agree the OS would make it much more useful. I'm with you - I hope the price and size are right!

    Best regards,
    Mic

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  10. Update: I contacted Sigma and they said we'll know more next month. They MAY even receive the lens next month.

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  11. Regarding the previous comment about the lens not fitting into the person's gadget bag, I have been doing some research on bags lately. There are a very small number of bags out there that will accommodate a 70-200 f2.8 while attached to the body (70-200 f2.8 is used as the benchmark for fitting a body w/lens attached in taller bags).

    Since I plan to buy this new 50-150 OS when it becomes available, I cannot imagine not being able to carry it attached to the body in a bag to be "ready for action". But I also do not want an enormous bag. The bag that seems to fit my requirements is the Tamrac Ultra Pro 7. I just ordered it yesterday, so I do not have it in hand to provide a review. But it looks like it will hold what I need without being a burden to wear. If you would prefer a larger bag, they offer the Ultra Pro 17 that can hold two bodies with lenses attached.

    I usually get a headache over second-guessing what lens I should buy next when I'm ready to add to my collection. But I've just learned that picking a lens is EASY compared to finding the right bag to put all the gear in. I just hope that when my new bag arrives that it lives up to my expectations.

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  12. Thanks James! Much appreciated!!

    Best regards,
    Mic

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  13. The May issue of Popular Photography had a 1/2 page spread about the new Sigma 50-150mm OS. The photo of the lens took up about 1/2 of the spread, but the one tid-bit of information I hadn't seen published anywhere yet was an MSRP of $1500.00 USD. I don't know if the retailers start at the MSRP for new lenses from Sigma or if they discount them right off the bat. But it does seem plausible that we might see a retail price point of $1200.00. Of course we have to wonder how the circumstances in Japan will affect when this lens will actually become available.

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  14. James, thank you very much for sharing that. I couldn't get the Sigma folks to tell me the MSRP (some employees even deny that there's such a lens).

    Anyway, I looked at Sigma's current catalog and found the lenses with closest MSRP, then compared their street prices at Amazon:
    Sigma 150 OS Macro. MSRP: $1600. Street: $1099 (pre-order).

    Sigma 150-500. MSRP: $1470. Street: $1069

    Sigma 85 1.4. MSRP: $1400. Street:
    $969

    Sigma 24-70 HSM. MSRP: $1400. Street: $900
    Sigma 12-24. MSRP: $1150. Street: $900

    Based on the foregoing I think it is indeed reasonable to see a price of $1200 or less for this lens. When the lens comes out of course the price will tend to be a bit higher then gradually decline, unless there's such strong demand that price might actually go up.

    Thanks again James!

    Best regards,
    Mic

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  15. Sigma rep said she expects lens to be released mid to late May.

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  16. Cant wait to know the price..if its too expensive I may go for non OS one..

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  17. anybody can tell me where to get a copy of the lens (non OS) in KL, and how much is the price?

    thanks in advance.

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  18. hi guys, really appreciate the updates here, looking forward to the release of this lens.

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  19. Latest word from Sigma rep: Sigma Japan says that it will be August 2011...

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  20. Latest from Sigma rep: end of July 2011.

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  21. hello
    lol...i cant wait...huhu

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  22. Maybe I shouldn't be holding my breath waiting for this one...but will it have the front focus issues of it's predecessor?

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  23. Maybe I got lucky but my Sigma 50-150 has no focusing errors on either my D300 or D70. My lens was bought used in fact. But I do hope the new lens focuses accurately.

    Best regards,
    Mic

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  24. Posted an update re Sigma's official page for this lens. See betterfamilyphotos.com Price and weight tbd.

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  25. In your opinion, should I wait for this or get the sigma 50-150mm without os, I can still find a place that sell this gem. Is the OS important? I have been waiting and waiting and sigma seems to be taking forever to release this len.

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  26. Anonymous,

    To wait for the OS version or not really depends on how you intend to use the lens. If you are going to use it almost exclusively for sports or other fast-action subjects where you'll be keeping the shutter speed at 1/500 or faster OR if you will be using the lens on a tripod where you'd turn of OS anyways, then get the non-OS version. Otherwise I'd wait.

    I had the non-OS version, and quickly found that I could not hand-hold it effectively because my shutter speeds were not fast enough. I returned it within three days. I wanted the new OS version, but got tired of waiting and bought the 70-200 instead.

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  27. I totally agree with Jim. The release date should not influence your decision.

    I'll post a short comment later today about this.

    Best regards,
    Mic

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  28. I emailed Sigma USA the other day and asked about the status:

    Question: When are we going to get the 50-150 OS ????? Is the lawsuit from Nikon over the OS technology causing the delay? Was it the earthquake?

    Answer: Thank you for contacting Sigma Corporation of America. We are expecting shipment towards the end of September early October. Nothing has been delayed it was just the last of the new lens lineup to be produced.

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  29. Thanks! That's helpful to know. I was worried about that lawsuit too...

    Best regards,
    Mic

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  30. hi, any update on this?

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  31. I just spoke to them - unfortunately they have no updates right now.

    Best regards,
    Mic

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  32. What happen to the lens, I have the sigma 17-50 OS, tokina 11-16,60/1.4,50/1.4, and have saved for a 70-200. I like it lite and thought the 50-150 OS would do the trick but can not find lens any where but on sigma's web site only when I type tele-zoom. It doesn't even come up on sigma's site if you type OS lens. I am about to buy some Gold with the money instead Sigma USA.

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  33. Hey there, my friend. I don't have any news on the release date.

    However, you may want to know:
    1. The 50-150 OS is now listed on Sigma's site with some of the specs: http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/50-150mm-f28-ex-dc-os-hsm-sigma
    2. Based on the published specs, the 50-150 OS is about the same size as the 70-200 OS.

    Best regards,
    Mic

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  34. On a forum I frequent, some noted that the 50-150mm f/2.8 OS HSM is no longer shown on the Sigma website. They asked if anyone knew if this means Sigma decided to drop the lens. Anyone watching this blog know anything?

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  35. I called Sigma and said they took it out of the website because there is no date for its production and release. However it doesnt mean that it's discontinued.

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  36. This is depressing. I've been waiting for this lens for almost a year. There's still no word on a date?!

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  37. Hi Max. I'm glad you like the old one. I totally agree with you about the size issue. Even when the OS version comes out I will probably stick with the non-OS for precisely the reasons you cited. :)

    Best regards,
    Mic

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  38. http://photorumors.com/2012/02/07/sigma-apo-50-150mm-f2-8-ex-dc-os-hsm-lens-to-start-shipping-in-spring/

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  39. Pricing and availability http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/03/30/Sigma-US-announces-50-150mm-OS-price

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  40. Just got mine last week at a price of 1350 SGD. Recently had a photowalk using this lens. It's quite heavy but i can live with it. Fast focus speed and its sharp even wide open at 2.8. Indeed an expensive lens but for the performance that I got from this baby, its a good deal! :p

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    Replies
    1. That's awesome! Congrats!!! Glad to hear the lens performs well. As you know many people have been anxious to find out. Thanks again for sharing and feel free to post a link to pics or your site.

      Best regards,
      Mic

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