Sigma 170-500 f5.0-6.3

Hi y'all!

Can anyone point me in the direction of a review for this lens? The price seems awfully good for a 500mm telephoto zoom. Anyone ever use it?

I haven`t used it but I`ve heard comments from an owner of the very similar 135-400 model. They are usable but the image quality is not spectacular and focusing is slow. I think the general consensus is that the Tamron 200-500 and "Bigma" 50-500 are better choices, although more expensive.

Anyway, here`s the fredmiranda.com page for the 135-400 version. Its construction and optical layout seems very similar to the 170-500.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=181&sort=7&cat=37&page=1

Also, depending on the system you use, there might be good alternatives in used primes (like a 400/5.6 with 1.4x) that achieve similar reach and speed with superior quality and handling.

Don't waste your money. Spend the extra $300 and get the Sigma 50-500. It is much sharper.

Although the auto focus is slow on this lens it quite sharp at 500mm. My wife uses this lens as it is much lighter than the 50 to 500.

Here's a link to her site where some of the images were taken with this lens:

http://www.meckstein.com/ellen/Home/home.html

I read a review from a guy who said it was the worst lens he ever had. At 500mm the whole lens wobbled. He said it was ok for 4x6 but nothing else. Good luck!

I use a Sigma 170 - 500 mm lens for most of my wildlife photos. The results are very good, the price for the lens is very competative. Have a look on my website at the quality of the images. The proof is in the tasting, isn't it. The only down side to this lens is that it is very heavy and for best results a tri pod or a window mount is a must. I can recomend this lens for sure.

I would go for the Bigma 50-500. I have one and I love it . Photo's are sharp, fast AF, quiet and can use 1X or 2X TC's. A TC does not work on the 200-500mm.