Extreme reach, Sharp, Brilliant rotating filter system

Heavy (but this is unavoidable) Finish is good but not great. Attracts lots of attention. Case provided is OK for storage but not for carrying. I have a Lowepro Super Trekker which will carry this and a range of other kit.

Excellent optically and gives unparalleled reach and ability to frame shots.
Heavy and demands care in handling. Before purchase I tried 600mm f4 and could detect little difference in quality. The flexibility of the zoom made the decision on purchase easy. Invariably this lens is first choice unless I have a long hike in which case the 200 - 400 or 500 are used

Customer Service

Not applicable has been faultless

Similar Products Used:

Various long telephoto and Nikon 200 - 400 (totally awesome but just too short)

Natural colors, sharp images that can be blown up to see excellent captured details.
Very quick focussing that can be tweeked or over-ridden manually.
A joy to use and fairly easy to carry, either by the supplied strap or by its handle.

The case is made of stout canvas and protects the lens well. However the zippers along each side could be heavier.

Easy to use, Quick, silent focussing with almost no hesitation on my Nikon DSLR's
Shows virtually no vibration. Can be used wide-open at f5.6.
Can be propped on the car widow frame for quick wildlife shots.
Good finish.

Customer Service

Our Canadian warranty is 'Lifetime' Seems to be good. Never tested it.

Similar Products Used:

Russian ZENIT 1,000mm. F9 in 1967-1969

Leica 800mmf6.3 'ED' Telephoto

Leica Modular 800mm. APO lens

Color
Zoom
contrast
sharpness. Excellent to 700mm very good @ 800mm

Yes it is heavy!
The finish of the lens. Use lense Coat!

I own this lens a little over a year and I am very pleased with the results. I hesitated between the Nikon 500 and this lens. The Nikon had more contrast and sharpness and a more bluish character.
I use it for birdphotography. I like it’s versatility. The ability to zoom gives you a high hitrate. With 300mm you search and once you found your target you zoom in. The color, contrast and sharpness is very pleasing. I also own Nikon lenses and I discovered that in CS2 I try to make the Nikons look like the Sigma!
Up until 700 mm the lens is very sharp but also 800mm can be used. Although wide open already gives wonderful images I like to stop down a little. I find myself often choose a higher iso to be able to use f6,3 or f7,1. The only wish I have is that I could focus a little faster in low light.

You can see what I do with the lens at:
http://www.pbase.com/toondesmit/recent_pics
You can also see that I improve my photography over time. I like to think that it is thanks to this piece of equipment!

Customer Service

My first lens was noisy while focussing. I got a new one.
Sigma Netherlands is okay. It was a long wait though...

Similar Products Used:

I compared with the 500mm of Nikon and Sigma.

AF Range Sharpness Price

Size weight no IS

A great lens in the super telephoto range. Sharp at the full range. Good contrast and color. When used with my Canon Mark II AF is right on and reasonably fast for such a range. Also, if you use the cheapo (not SP)Tamron 1.4x or 2x extenders, full autofocus is maintained.

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 400mm f/4 DO Canon 300mm f/4 IS Canon 70-300 DO