Sigma 500 F/4 compared to Nikon 500 pf F/5.6 on the Nikon Z9

Introduction: 00:00
Resolution: 00:39
Bokeh: 02:13
Image Stabilization: 02:45
Test Shots: 02:56
Birds in flight after sunset: 04:07
Introduction:
Nikon currently offers no Z-mount 500 mm prime lens even though
500 mm is very versatile for environments and 700 mm with
a 1.4 times TC for animal portraits. If you need it - 1000 mm with a 2 times Tc.
I compare the Sigma 500 F/4 to the 500 mm pf/5.6. The 500 mm F/4
has the same entrance pupil diameter as the 800 mm pf F/6.3
The price of a lens often scales with the entrances pupil. In this
regard both the Sigma 500 F/4 and the Nikon 800 pf F/6.3 stand out.
Since the Nikon 500 pf has legendary status and I like the
lens a lot let us compare it to the Sigma 500 F/4. I am testing these lenses on the Nikon Z9.
Resolution:
500 mm: At the same stop the Sigma is visibly sharper
than the really sharp Nikon !
700 mm: The story continues when using Tc's at 700 mm the
Sigma at F/7.1 is sharper than the Nikon at F/8.
100 mm: The same is true with the respective 2.0 times Tc's. Note,
that diffraction will start to dominate resolution beyond F/11 on the Z9.
Bokeh:
The Bokeh balls are larger and less structured on the Sigma 500 F/4
due to the larger entrance pupil and no pf optical element. The transition between foreground and background is smooth and soft.
Image Stabilization on the Z9:
The image stabilization of the Sigma, however, cannot compete with Nikon's even after fine
tuning it with the USB dock. However, with the USB-dock clear improvements
are possible. You can also customize focus range and speed !
Test Shots:
Birds and Squirrels. With a Tc the lens has the highest sharpness stopped down by a
third of a stop. It is sharper than anything I have seen with a Tc.
Birds in flight after sunset (ISO 1800-25400):
Cranes coming back after sunset to their sleeping trees. Birds in flight after sunset. Cranes coming back from the feeding grounds to rest during the nights at the wetlands. High ISO ....
A rough evening with dark and changing clouds and heavy rain.... 30 minutes after sunset you start to reach the limits (color noise)... still subjects are still no problem and a lucky shot....
Best 500 mm pf Review:
photographylife.com/reviews/5...
Comparing the 500 pf with the 800 pf:
photographylife.com/nikon-800...
Considering that the 500 F/4 from Sigma with Tc is much sharper than the 500 pf with Tc I would think that the Sigma 500 mm F/4 is a true match to the 800 pf as they also have identical entrance pupil diameters.
More details soon on:
www.naturephotobooks.com/revi...
Link to the Nikon 500 pf:
www.nikon.de/de_DE/product/le...
Link to the Sigma 500 F/4:
www.sigma-foto.de/objektive/5...

[@abhim22]

Great comparison! What settings did you use for OS on the dock for best results?

[@DynNat]

Hi Abi, the best results are for me "Dynamic View". I have currently in both C settings dynamic view. In C1 with fast AF and in C2 with precise AF. Sometimes I use the dock to also limit the AF range in C2 in particular when shooting with the Z6 that is not so strong in subject detection. The best results obtained in the video are also with Dynamic View the other setting at that time was Steady View. However, I do not use this one anymore.

[@jfphotography69]

I have been shooting with the fantastic Sigma 500mm f4 sports for four years now, D500, D850 and Z9. Tack sharp with the Sigma 1.4x TC and without.

[@DynNat]

Thank you for sharing your experience and I could not agree more. The Sigma is clearly sharper than the 500 pf, which is a sharp lens already. This helps when using the lens with Tc's - to me the performance of this lens with both Tc's (1.4 and 2.0) is remarkable when stopping it down by 1/3 of a stop.