This lens is the main reason I switched from Nikon to Canon, because Canon had this type of lens at an affordable price (less than GBP1000 at the time of purchase, in July 2008) and Nikon did not.
I am currently abroad and this lens has been invaluable for bird shots that I would otherwise not have got with my old Nikon D80 and Sigma 170-500mm set up.
There are two negatives (minor ones): the widest aperture is f5.6 but this can be overcome by use of higher shutter speeds and using 500 ISO instead of 200 ISO (for example), and the minimum focussing distance is 3.5 metres (I missed a male sunbird shot the other week because he was too close!) but these should not put off anyone thinking of buying one of these fantastic lenses.
If you're starting out in bird photography and you are on a budget (or even if you are not on a budget!) then I'd definitely recommend going the Canon route and getting one of these brilliant little lenses.
I am currently abroad and this lens has been invaluable for bird shots that I would otherwise not have got with my old Nikon D80 and Sigma 170-500mm set up.
There are two negatives (minor ones): the widest aperture is f5.6 but this can be overcome by use of higher shutter speeds and using 500 ISO instead of 200 ISO (for example), and the minimum focussing distance is 3.5 metres (I missed a male sunbird shot the other week because he was too close!) but these should not put off anyone thinking of buying one of these fantastic lenses.
If you're starting out in bird photography and you are on a budget (or even if you are not on a budget!) then I'd definitely recommend going the Canon route and getting one of these brilliant little lenses.