Big Mike's SLY500 500mm
Sigma EX DC 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC MACRO
What Buyers Say
Big Mike's SLY500 500mm
This budget telephoto lens receives mixed reviews. Many users praise its value for the price, noting clear focus and decent image quality for occasional use like moon photography. However, several verified buyers report issues with soft focus, dust contamination, and poor build quality, especially with the 2x teleconverter. It is best suited for those with realistic expectations who are willing to use a tripod and manual focus.
Pros
- Great value for the price
- Clear focus for occasional use
- Decent image quality on tripod
- Good for moon and eclipse photography
- Solid adapter and converter machining
Cons
- Soft focus on some units
- Dust contamination from 2x teleconverter
- Requires lots of light (f/8 max aperture)
- No image stabilization
- Adapter lacks back cover
Sigma EX DC 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC MACRO
The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary is widely praised as a compact, lightweight, and sharp standard zoom for APS-C mirrorless cameras. Users consistently highlight its excellent image quality, fast f/2.8 aperture, and affordable price as major strengths, making it a popular upgrade from kit lenses. Common criticisms include the lack of optical stabilization and a poorly designed lens hood, but overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Pros
- Excellent image sharpness
- Compact and lightweight design
- Fast f/2.8 constant aperture
- Great value for the price
- Fast and silent autofocus
Cons
- No optical image stabilization
- Poorly designed lens hood
- No weather sealing
- Plastic build quality
- Zoom ring direction opposite to Fujifilm
Scores
Specifications
| Big Mike's SLY500 500mm | Sigma EX DC 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC MACRO | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | telephoto | macro |
| Focal Length Min | 500 mm | 18 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 1000 mm | 50 mm |
| Elements | — | 13 |
| Groups | — | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | — | 2★ |
| ED Elements | — | 2★ |
| Coating | multi-coated | super multi-layer lens coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/8 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/8 | f/2.8 |
| Constant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diaphragm Blades | — | 7★ |
| Build | ||
| Mount | T Mount | Nikon 1 |
| Format | — | APS-C★ |
| Weather Sealed | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 1.16 kg | 0.29 kg★ |
| Filter Thread | 67 mm | 55 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | manual focus only | inner focusing system |
| Stabilization | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 500 mm | 200 mm★ |
| Max Magnification | — | 1:3★ |
Pros & Cons
Big Mike's SLY500 500mm
- Strong stabilization (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Strong versatility (72nd percentile)
- Below average user sentiment (6th percentile)6th %ile
- Below average af (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average build (15th percentile)15th %ile
Sigma EX DC 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC MACRO
- Strong aperture (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong bokeh (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong macro (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Below average social proof (34th percentile)
Pricing
Big Mike's SLY500 500mm offers 2.1x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 84 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 8 of 21 specs.
