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Sigma Corporation's New APO 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM Now on Shelves

Manufacturer Announces Pricing, Availability for Newly Stabilized, Ultra Telephoto Zoom Lens

Sigma Corporation (www.sigmaphoto.com), a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world's most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, is pleased to announce that its newly-upgraded APO 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM, which was first announced at the Photo Marketing Association's 2010 Conference and Trade Show last month, is now available.

The Sigma APO 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM lenses are now available for purchase in Canon mounts through authorized Sigma dealers at the MSRP of $2,400. Nikon mounts will be available later this month, and they will be followed by Sigma, Pentax and Sony mounts in April.

This 10x high-zoom ratio, ultra telephoto zoom lens differs from its predecessor with the incorporation of Sigma's original Optical Stabilization (OS) function, which offers the use of shutter speeds approximately four stops slower than would otherwise be possible. Only Sigma has made it possible for Pentax and Sony shooters to utilize an anti-shake system in either the lens or the camera body. The compensation for camera shake is visible in the view finder for all mounts, which makes accurate focusing fast and easy.

This versatile lens is ideal for landscape and wildlife photography, but also boasts a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.1 at the focal length of 200mm, which allows photographers to focus close on small objects like flowers. The addition of the optional 1.4x EX DG or 2x EX DG APO tele converters produce a 70-700mm F6.3-8 or a 100-1000mm F9-12.6 MF zoom lens, respectively.

"This lens has historically been a favorite with nature and wildlife photographers because the zoom range covers everything from close-up shots of flowers to far off images of animals and landscapes," said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, general manager of Sigma Corporation of America. "That popularity will surely grow with the addition of our unique, Optical Stabilization function."

The 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM incorporates Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM), ensuring quiet and high-speed auto focus, as well as full-time manual focus capability. Its four Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements provide excellent correction of color aberration and the Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghost, and ensures high image quality throughout the entire zoom range.

This lens is equipped with a petal-type hood to block out extraneous light and the filter size of this lens is 95mm. A supplied step-down ring enables digital cameras with an APS-C size image sensor to use an 86mm filter.

To locate an authorized Sigma dealer near you, visit http://www.sigmaphoto.com/where-to-buy-sigma. To use Sigma's new Lens Finder Tool to find the best glass to suit your needs, visit http://www.sigmaphoto.com/sigma-lens-finder. For information about Sigma Corporation of America, visit www.sigmaphoto.com.

About Sigma Corporation
For nearly 50 years, Sigma Corporation's expertise and innovation has driven the company's core philosophy of "knowledge, plus experience, plus imagination," with an emphasis on producing high-quality, high-performance photographic technology at moderate prices. This family-owned organization is the largest, independent SLR lens manufacturer in the world, producing more than 40 lenses that are compatible with most manufacturers, including Sigma, Canon, Sony, Nikon, Olympus and Pentax. Sigma Corporation also produces digital SLR cameras and high-definition digital compact cameras. The company is headquartered in Japan, with offices strategically located throughout Europe, Asia and North America. For information, please visit www.sigmaphoto.com.

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        Specifications for the Sigma APO 50-500mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM
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Lens Construction          22 elements, 16 groups
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Angle of view              46.8-5.0 degrees
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Number of diaphragm blades 9pcs (rounded diaphragm)
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Minimum aperture           F22
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Minimum focusing distance  19.7-70.9 inches/50-180cm
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Maximum magnification      1:3.1 (f=200mm)
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Filter size                Diameter 95mm
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Dimensions                 Diameter 4.1 inches x 8.6 inches/104.4mm x Length
                           219mm
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Weight                     69.5 ounces/1,970 grams
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Corresponding AF mounts    Sigma, Canon, Nikon (D), Sony (D), Pentax
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NOTES:

• The Pentax mount Tele Converter cannot be used with this particular lens.
• It is not possible to use a Polarizing filter with the step down ring. If you attach a Polarizing filter, you may not be able to remove it from the lens again.
• Nikon and Pentax mounts do not have an aperture ring. Some functions may not work depending on the camera model.
• For Nikon and Canon mounts, Optical Stabilization (OS) function will not work with film SLR cameras except Nikon F6 and Canon EOS-1V.
• For Pentax and Sony mounts, it is not possible to use the AF and the built-in OS function of this lens when attaching it to film SLR cameras as well as Pentax *ist series and K100D.
• When using the OS function of a lens with a camera which incorporates a stabilizer unit, please turn the camera's stabilizer unit off.