

Remember the Canadian nature photographer Brad Hill who correctly "predicted" the Nikon D500 camera (see this post)? Well, he is now saying that Sigma will announce a new flagship 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM Sports lens next week at Photokina and I do believe him. Here are the details taken straight from his last blog post:

WEIGHT : 3310 gm (7.3 lb). This is only 220 gm (about 0.5 lb) heavier than Nikon's "new" 500mm f4E (fluorite) lens.

: 3310 gm (7.3 lb). This is only 220 gm (about 0.5 lb) heavier than Nikon's "new" 500mm f4E (fluorite) lens. LENGTH : 380.3mm (15"). This is very slightly shorter (7 mm) than Nikon's "new" 500mm f4E (fluorite) lens.

: 380.3mm (15"). This is very slightly shorter (7 mm) than Nikon's "new" 500mm f4E (fluorite) lens. COUNTRY OF CONSTRUCTION : Japan

: Japan MATERIALS : Magnesium alloy barrel, carbon fiber hood, brass bayonet mount.

: Magnesium alloy barrel, carbon fiber hood, brass bayonet mount. OPTICS : 16 elements in 11 groups, including 2 FLD (presumably fluoride?) elements and one SLD element.

: 16 elements in 11 groups, including 2 FLD (presumably fluoride?) elements and one SLD element. NUMBER OF DIAPHRAGM BLADES : 9.

: 9. ENVIRONMENTAL SEALING : Dust and Splash-proof construction.

: Dust and Splash-proof construction. ELECTROMAGNETIC DIAPHRAGM : Yes (Nikon version only).

: Yes (Nikon version only). OPTICAL STABILIZATION : 4-stops; 2 modes (mode 1 for general photography; mode 2 for panning).

: 4-stops; 2 modes (mode 1 for general photography; mode 2 for panning). CUSTOMIZATION & FIRMWARE UPDATES : Via USB dock.

: Via USB dock. OTHER: Tripod collar with 90 degree click stops (that can be turned off); optional teleconverters, mount converters, drop-in polarizer, and USB dock available.

The official announcement could be on Monday (Sigma has a press conference) or on Tuesday - they first day of the 2016 Photokina show.