Overview

The Sigma AF 500mm f/7.2 APO is a compact, lightweight 500mm lens from the 1990s, weighing 1.1kg. Optical performance is limited: it requires stopping down to at least f/11 for acceptable sharpness, suffers from spherical and chromatic aberration, and has poor contrast and micro contrast. Build quality is typical of its era, but the coating may disintegrate over time. Autofocus is slow and manual focus is very short and loose. It suits budget-conscious users willing to work with its limitations, especially on a tripod.