When I was looking for a walkabout lens around the range of 80-400mm with image stabilizer, I had several choices. It was either the Sigma 120-400 OS, 150-500 OS or the Nikkor 80-400vr. After initial testing of the three lenses, I narrowed down to either the 150-500 OS or the Nikkor 80-400vr.
There were two factors that I deem as priorities for choosing the lens. First, sharpness wide open. Second, focus speed for flight/action.
In the store, I compared the two lenses with the Nikon D3 in the following areas.
Focus speed (Sigma Wins)
Sharpness (Tied wide open)
Colour (Nikon wins)
Image stabilizing (Tied) (lowest speed tested being 1/160th)
Based on the above results, and of course, the price tag, I chose the Sigma. The Nikon costs about S$1000 more than the Sigma.
It does not get a 10 because of the body finishing; that peels off after some use.
There were two factors that I deem as priorities for choosing the lens. First, sharpness wide open. Second, focus speed for flight/action.
In the store, I compared the two lenses with the Nikon D3 in the following areas.
Focus speed (Sigma Wins)
Sharpness (Tied wide open)
Colour (Nikon wins)
Image stabilizing (Tied) (lowest speed tested being 1/160th)
Based on the above results, and of course, the price tag, I chose the Sigma. The Nikon costs about S$1000 more than the Sigma.
It does not get a 10 because of the body finishing; that peels off after some use.