Ah, I love the smell of gear announcements in the morning, and nothing brings in new announcements quite like conventions such as Photokina. According to the latest buzz out of the Sigma rumor mill, the company is poised to announce a new 150-600mm F/5.6-6.3 for their sports lineup, as well as a pair of new teleconverters.

119401_Sigma150-600mmDG-OS-HSM-8

This lens makes sense for Sigma. Tamron just released their 150-600mm to rave reviews, and Canon is rumored to be producing a 100-400mm replacement which could be announced shortly as well. This 150-600mm from Sigma may not be the flashiest lens out there, but it fills a hole in the Sigma system.

[REWIND: Initial Thoughts On Tamron’s 150-600mm]

Sigmas 150-600mm will be larger, and heavier than the Tamron lens, due to larger glass elements. But, despite matching the Tamron in focal range and aperture, the Sigma is targeting professionals by adding weather sealing and optimizing AF and OS performance on the lens. Put simply, this will be a birder/wildlife photographer’s dream lens. The specs below are official (translated from a polish press release):

Sigma 150-600mm F/5.6-6.3 Sports Lens Specs

  • Construction: 24 elements, 16 groups
  • Filter diameter: 105 mm Minimum focusing distance: 260 cm
  • Dimensions: 121 x 290.2 mm
  • Aperture blades: 9, rounded
  • Maximum magnification: 1:5 Weight: 2860 g / 100.88 oz.
  • Available mounts (at launch): Canon, Nikon, Sigma
  • Expected US price: around $2,000  (Tamron costs $1,069)

119402_Sigma150-600mmDG-OS-HSM-1a

Price will be a key factor for this lens, too expensive and many users will go with the Tamron – which is a great performer for only $1,000. The rumored price will be $2,000, which in my opinion, is too much of a pricing gap between it and the Tamron, even with the more advanced features of the Sigma.

The teleconverters are expected to be a 1.4x and 2x, but there are not any additional details about those at this time. So far, this announcement has only been made in Poland, so we are still waiting on official announcement from Sigma USA. Stay tuned.

____

What are your thoughts about this Sigma 150-600mm? Do you think $2,000 is too much? Leave a comment below!

[via Sigma Rumors]