Although hardly what you could call a budget price, this lens is the most affordable of the 500mm prime lenses that are available. Primes at this sort of focal length are well into the realms of ‘specialist' lenses, so we take a look at what you are getting for your hard earned cash.

Good build and finish; Fast quiet autofocus; Very usable wide open; Manageable for its type; Close focus distance is good

Lacks a little contrast; Hood a little short for the focal length

Ask any group of professional sports or wildlife photographers to name their favorite lens, and most will mention a "fast" 500mm f/4 model with internal focusing and low dispersion glass elements. Ideal in many respects, such lenses offer several advantages.

Although hardly what you could call a budget price, this lens is the most affordable of the 500mm prime lenses that are available. Primes at this sort of focal length are well into the realms of ‘specialist' lenses, so we take a look at what you are getting for your hard earned cash.

Good build and finish; Fast quiet autofocus; Very usable wide open; Manageable for its type; Close focus distance is good

Lacks a little contrast; Hood a little short for the focal length

I am an amateur photographer owning this lens for last 3 months, spending every weekend for bird and wild life photography. This is a very good,solid lens. It produces good image in f4.5, and step down to f5.6 very good, f.6 -f8 tack sharp image. I got some excellent shots.

I've purchased this lens for handheld using, and it work perfectly for birdwatching. This 500mm is relatively lightweight, few weight more than Nikkor 300/2.8. The AF is quick and precise with both the D2x and D700.

Lightweight; sharp; good AF both in DX and FF

no water sealed; TC 1.4X without AF on Nikon cameras

I was torn being a Canon user for years and buying a non-Canon lens. The price was $1300.00 less than the Canon 500mm. Weight and size were an issue also, the lens head is smaller and fits better in traveling cases. Carrying this lens (6.9 lbs) on a monopod you will notice the difference.

I purchased this lens used as an inexpensive way to enter the super telephoto arena.

Good build; fast auto-focus; sharp results; cool filter drawer design

Case could be a little beefier; otherwise; get one

The only one thing that does work dispite what Sigma says, the lens does auto focus on a Canon 1 series body with a teleconvertor, but with the 2x times it does hunt a bit, but with the 1.4x + tripod great combo.

Consistent Output; Durable; Easily Interchangeable; Quick Focus; Rugged; Sharp Focus; Strong Construction

Heavy

what a lens did every thing that I could wish for.

Brilliant sharp lens for wildlife and sports photography

managable size; sharp; good build; great HSM; value

shortish hood; fractionally less contrast than nikon/canon competition