SlashGear

The Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG lens was first introduced at last PMA show, the giant barrel and overall physical size draw attention to photography community, not to mention the world’s first F2.8 aperture at 500mm.

Imaging Resource had a video interview with the original Sigma 200-500mm, the sigrep said to expect cost of $10-$20k when it’s ready to hit the street. It doesn’t appear they have the price down but the Sigzilla has gone though a cosmetic change with earth-green painted job. More spec are also disclosed such as three ELD glass elements, 13 groups 17 elements lens construction, F2.8 to F22 aperture range and the closest focus distance is only at 150cm. Awesome! The sigzilla comes equipped with a dedicated hard case and 2x teleconvertor to extend the zoom distance to 400-1000mm F5.6 with the expense of losing two stops of light.

I admire their guts and engineering skills but the sigzilla is not what I call a practical lens in the fields. The fast F2.8 aperture at fixed distance all the way up to 500mm is great, but darn thing is too heavy and cumbersome to move around. Like the super-duper Canon 1200mm F5.6L AF lens, it’s a big NO for wildlife photographer, but it may make its appearance in large sport fields.

Until then, I’ll continue to drool for the newly announced Canon 800mm F5.6L, it may be 200mm too short compare to sigzilla with 2x extension but it’s handheld-able with less than 10lb. I promise I’ll be a good boy if you paypal me your donation to my 800mm’s funding, I’m only $11,995 short *laugh*

[via dpreview]