Sigma

Sigma 184306 500mm f/4.5 Telephoto Lens for Nikon

4.3 (12 reviews)
f/4.5

Capture Distant Subjects with Clarity and Precision The Sigma 500mm f/4.5 EX DG APO Telephoto Lens is a high-performance lens designed for capturing distant subjects with exceptional clarity and detail. Featuring a fast f/4.5 aperture and advanced optical design, this lens delivers stunning image...

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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

Capture Distant Subjects with Clarity and Precision

The Sigma 500mm f/4.5 EX DG APO Telephoto Lens is a high-performance lens designed for capturing distant subjects with exceptional clarity and detail. Featuring a fast f/4.5 aperture and advanced optical design, this lens delivers stunning image quality with minimal chromatic aberration. Its HSM motor ensures quiet and fast autofocus, making it ideal for sports, wildlife, and action photography.

Specifications:

  • Brand: Sigma
  • Focal Length: 500mm
  • Aperture: f/4.5
  • Mount: Nikon SLR Cameras
  • Optical Design: Apochromatic (APO)
  • Focus System: Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM)
  • Elements: 2 ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass elements
  • Focusing: Internal Focus (IF)
  • Filter Holder: Rotatable 46mm drop-in

Key Features

A large f4.5 aperture telephoto lens for Nikon film and digital cameras

Two ELD elements for high contrast and high resolution images across the entire aperture range

HSM motor for quiet high speed focusing

Full time manual focusing

Multi layer coating optimises quality for digital photography

Specifications

Brand
Sigma
Focal Length
500mm
Maximum Aperture
f/4.5
Lens Elements
Two ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion)
Autofocus Motor
HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor)
Focusing Type
Full-time manual focusing
Coating
Multi-layer coating
Camera Compatibility
Nikon film and digital cameras

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • This Sigma 500mm f/4.5 telephoto lens features a large f4.5 aperture, excellent for low-light conditions and subject isolation.
  • Equipped with two ELD elements, it delivers high contrast and high resolution images across the entire aperture range.
  • The Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) ensures quiet, high-speed autofocusing, crucial for capturing fast-moving subjects.
  • Full-time manual focusing allows for precise adjustments without switching out of autofocus mode.
  • Its multi-layer coating optimizes image quality specifically for digital photography, reducing flare and ghosting.
  • Designed for Nikon film and digital cameras, offering broad compatibility across many camera bodies.

👎 Cons

  • As a 500mm telephoto lens with a f/4.5 aperture, it is likely a very large and heavy lens, impacting portability.
  • The specialized nature of a 500mm fixed focal length may limit its versatility compared to zoom lenses.
  • The absence of optical stabilization (OS) could make handheld shooting challenging without high shutter speeds or a tripod.
  • This lens is likely to be a significant investment, making its purchase a serious consideration for many photographers.
  • Focusing performance in extremely low-light conditions may still be challenging despite the f/4.5 aperture.

Frequently Asked Questions

The large f4.5 aperture on this Sigma 500mm telephoto lens allows for excellent light gathering in dim conditions and provides shallow depth of field for strong subject isolation and background blur.
The two ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) elements significantly reduce chromatic aberrations, resulting in images with higher contrast and improved resolution across the entire aperture range.
Yes, the HSM motor supports full-time manual focusing, allowing you to make fine adjustments to focus even when the autofocus system is engaged, without needing to switch modes.
The product features do not specify if the Sigma 184306 500mm f/4.5 Telephoto Lens is weather-sealed or has specific protections for harsh environmental conditions.
Given its likely size and weight as a 500mm f/4.5 telephoto lens, it is probable to include a tripod collar, but the product features do not explicitly state its inclusion.
The minimum focusing distance for the Sigma 184306 500mm f/4.5 Telephoto Lens is not provided in the available product information.
The multi-layer coating helps to minimize lens flare and ghosting, common issues with digital sensors, thereby optimizing image quality and color fidelity in digital photography.