Photography enthusiasts are no strangers to drooling over rare, expensive lenses that often push the boundaries of what’s possible. Among these dream lenses, the Sigma APO 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG stands out as a legend.
This lens doesn’t just break the mold; it shatters it. Weighing nearly 35 pounds and boasting a constant f/2.8 aperture, the Sigma APO 200-500mm f/2.8 is more akin to a military rocket launcher than a conventional camera lens. ‘BEAST’ doesn’t begin to cover it. It’s hefty enough that you’d better be built like Dwayne Johnson just to handle it.
And hey, let’s talk dimensions. With a 236.5mm diameter, this green giant maintains a 200mm+ diameter down the majority of its barrel, making it tower over lenses like Canon RF 1200mm F8L IS USM. You can forget about hand-held shooting; even a standard tripod won’t cut it. You’ll need a professional fluid head and a heavy-duty video tripod just to support its massive frame.
But don’t let its size fool you into thinking 500mm is the limit. Sigma had the foresight to include a bespoke 2x teleconverter, boosting the range to 400-1000mm. Sure, it drops to f/5.6, but that’s still impressively fast for a lens stretching to 1000mm. Special features include a dedicated li-ion battery for the autofocus motor and electronic power zoom, plus an onboard LCD status display.
Sigma launched this big boy back in 2008, and although it’s had a decent run, the company has decided to pull the plug. ‘The lens isn’t directly compatible with modern mirrorless cameras,’ explains Ben Andrews, the Imaging Labs manager at Digital Camera World. Given its price tag of $26,000, it’s not like they were flying off the shelves anyway. Still, it begs the question: why not keep it available for special orders, even if just a few a year?
I’ve only ever seen this beast at photography trade shows like The Photography Show, where it inevitably becomes the star attraction. It’s almost a shame to see it retired. But scarcity adds to its allure, cementing its place in camera lens history as unique, iconic, and downright awesome.
So, here’s to the Sigma APO 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG — a lens that’s more legend than practical, but unforgettable nonetheless.
