Hi,
I currently have the non-DG version of the Sigma 500mm f/4.5, which I use with a Canon 40D and 20D. When I used the lens with film cameras, I was very pleased with its sharpness and lack of any noticable chromatic aberration. However, with digital, the C.A. is very noticable on contrasty shots: say, a white bird against a dark background.
So, I`m thinking of upgrading the lens, either to a Canon 500mm, or the DG version of the Sigma 500mm. I`m tending to discount the Canon on the grounds of extra size and weight, and the fact that my photography style involves a lot of walking around - and I`m not getting any younger!
So, what I`m really asking is, has anybody compared the performance of the two Sigma lenses (DG and non-DG), and does the DG version have less C.A.? Are Sigma 500 DG lens owners happy with its quality?
Hope that makes sense!
Thanks,
Jeremy.
Hi Jeremy , nice to have you drop in. I do not have the EX.DG version of the lens, just the EX version. I don't think that the DG model is meant to cure CA that was ever attributable to the version I have. It was meant to deal with flare or ghosting. I did read a review that was carried out (I believe) by AP and they found no difference between the quality of the two types of lens that warranted an upgrade. The upshot was that they advised getting the EX lens if it was still available as there would be a considerable cost saving. I also use the 20D and 40D and do not see a problem with CA. It would be interesting to see an example of your problem on 1 to 1 crop.
I have attached a few pics so that you can perhaps make comparisons. I have not deliberately sought best pics for the 1 to 1 crops (first 3 shots attached) , I have simply gone for fairly high contrast scenes in order to assist you. The 1 to 1 crops have not been processed. They were taken in very high winds. I have also bunged in a couple of pictures where if there was a CA problem it might show. I think there is a program knocking around which can be applied to an image to reduce CA but I have not looked it up nor do I know how affective it is.
I do note CA creeping in with converters , especially the 2X but it is not always a problem and can be dealt with by a bit of selective tweaking. In fact with the 1.4 converter I cannot in all honesty remember a shot where there was noticeable CA .Anyway , hope this helps
Kind regards
Adrian
400% enlargement attached from 1 to 1 crop.