Reviews by rezMole

I got one not long after it came out and it takes great quality photos (for a zoom lens). Despite being water resistant, mine did eventually let water in, which wouldn't dry out and eventually mould set in. But, it served me well for a number of years. Build quality was good and it survived numerous bangs and drops (including a drop which totally smashed my Nikon D800!)

Really pleased with this lens. Not had chance to test thoroughly (not much around in winter), but seems like a great lens for the cost (got it just before Sigmas price hike! Build quality seems very good - it is quite heavy, but feels like it'll take some knocks. Perfect fit on Nikon D300 - no play at all - unlike some lenses I've had. Good lenshood included.

Seems to work OK with Kenko Pro 1.4x coverter.

Just an update to report that the "Dead battery sysndrome" where the camera eroneously reported a dead battery or then locked up when some long lens and or teleconverters were used (such as the Kenko Pro 300), has now been fixed by a firmware update.

It has been a long time coming, but now makes the camera a ten rating.

Purchased six months ago, secondhand, I was using this on my Nikon D70. It was an upgrade from a Tamron 200-500 (itself a great lens for the price).

It was only after upgraging to a Nikon D300 that I have realised just how good this Sigma is! AF is fast and images are sharp.

Although best on a tripod, this lens is quite usable resting on the window ledge in a hide or used on a monopod - unlike some 500mm lenses.

the lens hood is large and solid so offers decent protection to the front element. The foot is also large alloing firm attachment to a tripod. It is a large, fairly heavy lens, and definitely works best on a tripod.

For anyone wanting a good quality prime lens for birding, this is the one to buy - unless you win the lottery or have a very well-paid job, an understanding wife and can afford a Nikon or Canon prime!

As an upgrade from my Nikon D70, this camera is an absolute marvel. I've only had it a couple of weeks but already I'm getting far more usable shots than I did before.

Took several shots from the Bunting Hide at Pennington on a dull, rainy day, today (something I just couldn't have done with my D70), and I upped the ISO to 3200 just to see what the camera was cabable of. Yes, there was some noise, but only as much as I was used to at 400 ISO with my D70. On it's own, this is worth the upgrade, but the camera offers so much more.

6 frames per second is ample for most situations, and with the battery pack that goes up to 8!

Build quality is exceptional, and rubber seals are use throughout - the camera isn't waterproof, but it'll keep the rain and dust out.

I am still getting used to the camera - the manual is over 400 pages - and that's just the one language! I love the way you can focus using the AF-ON button instead of the shutter release button - makes it so easy to go from manual to single to continous focussing without having to use any switches.
I have used it mainly with the Sigma 500mm f4.5 HSM, and it's a cracking combo - photos are so much more sharp than what I was getting before.

So far I've only got two gripes - the first is the price is still a little high, but it is falling somewhat - I just couldn't wait any longer!

The second "proplem" is that when I use the Kenko 1.4x converter with the Sigma 500, if the light isn't great, the low battery warning light comes on and the camera freezes, - switching off and on unfreezes the camera. This isn't a major problem - I always used to have to focus the Sigma and converter combo manually on the D70 anyway as it used to hunt too much.

This last issue is the only reason i haven't given a score of 10.

I won't go into the multitude of other things this camera can do - there are far too many for here, and I haven't even tried most of them (live view, 51 point focussing, etc). And it has got a fantastic monitor on the back too.

Last words - this is a great camera!

Nothing to add to the review above.

Agree with first review. It is a great lens for the price. Often compared to the Sigma 50-500, and seen as second best of the two - i suspect this isn't true. It is lighter and other reviews seem to imply the Tamron is better at wider apertures.
It is fairly easy to use handheld for flight shots and i find that i rarely use a tripod with it anymore - although it is useful to rest on something.
The AF is a little on the noisey side and hunts a fair bit at low light levels - but i don't think this is unusual.
All-in-all though, for the price, i don't think you can beat it. Together with the Tamron 28-300mm zoom, you have a great "starter" kit for well under a thousand pounds - which should be good enough for most people (until a good quality prime is affordable!)
Rating based on 8 for quality and 10 for value for money