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Message: <blockquote data-quote="paul goode" data-source="post: 1209697" data-attributes="member: 5522">"For some reason, the Sigma primes get a bit of a slamming for shots taken wide open and in low light. I can't quite work this out. I use the Sigma f4.5 500mm regularly in low light and wide open."  Must admit I've not come across this Adrian. I also used mine regularly wide open with no problems. "If you have the cash to get a secondhand Sigma f5.4 500 then perhaps you should consider going for it. Brand new it is still a very good value lens. The facility of IS on the Canon equivelant and I suppose its slightly faster speed will bring some benefits but I do not accept that the difference in quality (for most shooting situations) is as great as many might imagine...and yes I have used the Canon."  On this point I'm going to have to disagree Adrian I've owned the Sigma 500mm f4.5 and own the Canon 500mm f4.  In my experience there is a marked and obvious difference in IQ.However this difference didn't appear straight away. For the first month I owned the Canon I wondered what the hell I'd wasted £3500 on. Images weren't sharp, I was having to use higher shutter speeds than I used on the Sigma and nothing was working. Practice paid off though and as I got used to the lens the images improved to the point now that I'm totally happy that the expense was justified.I'd owned 500mm lenses and IS lenses but I still found a big learning curve to get used to the Canon, which I admit was the last thing I expected. Its been a relief to talk to one other former Sigma 500mm f4.5 owner who had exactly the same experience.</blockquote>

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