Hot on the heels of the optic launched yesterday Sigma has announced the ultra-telephoto 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG/HSM lens, which is also optimized for digital SLRs. It has a new lens coating which reduces flare and ghost and also creates an optimum color balance. It also features HSM （Hyper Sonic Motor）which provides a quiet high speed AF function, a zoom lock switch and has four pieces of SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass for correcting color aberration. It costs £899 and will fit SLRs with Sigma, Canon, Konica Minolta, Pentax and Nikon-D mounts.

Press Release:

50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG/HSM

High Magnification Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens, with a 10x zoom ratio from 50mm to 500mm, optimized for digital SLR cameras.

• Most effective coating for minimizing flare and ghost with digital SLR cameras.
• Triple-cam Rear Focusing System ensures high precision throughout the whole focus range.
• Uses four SLD (the special low dispersion) glass elements for superior optical performance.
• Accepts both 1.4X and 2X APO EX Tele-Converters, the lens can be used as a 1000mm ultra-telephoto zoom lens.

Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 50-500 F4-6.3 EX DG/HSM lens.

This high zoom ratio lens is optimized for digital SLR cameras and capable of covering a wide range of focal lengths from 50mm standard to 500mm ultra telephoto. This ultra-zoom lens employs a seven-group zoom system, which provides a high zoom magnification of 10x. Triple-cam Rear Focusing System ensures high precision throughout the whole focus range.

The new lens coating reduces flare and ghost, which is a common problem of digital cameras and also creates an optimum color balance.

This lens uses four pieces of SLD (the special low dispersion) glass for excellent correction of color aberration. A zoom lock switch eliminates ‘zoom creep’ during transportation, a convenient addition when traveling. The HSM（Hyper Sonic Motor） models provide quiet high-speed AF function, as well as full-time manual focus capability., The rear focus mechanism produces a non-rotating front lens element which accepts a bayonet "Petal-type Hood", which prevents extraneous light from degrading the image quality.

By adding an APO teleconverter (sold separately), you can use this lens as a 140-700mm F7.3-8.8 MF ultra-telephoto zoom lens with a 1.4X EX teleconverter, or as a 200-1000mm F10.4-12.6 MF ultra-telephoto zoom lens with a 2X teleconverter.（Teleconverters can be used in 100mm – 500mm focal length range）

Specifications:

Focal Length: 50-500mm
Minimum Aperture: F22
Lens Construction: 20 Elements in 16 Groups
Angle of View: 46.8°- 5°
Number of Diaphragm Blades: 9pcs
Minimum Focusing Distance: 100cm –300cm(39.3”-118.1”)
Maximum Magnification: 1:5.2
Filter Size: 86mm
Lens Hood: Petal Hood
Dimensions: Diameter 95mm (3.7”) x Length 218.5mm (8.6”)
Weight: 1842gr/64.9oz
SRP: £899.99
Fittings: Sigma, Canon and Nikon-D, Konica Minolta and Pentax

NB: The appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice.