SIGMA LENS 50-500mm f4-6.3 EX APO RF HSM SLR CAMERA LENS

Rating:
Summary: Bigma gets the job done well if you're thogh to carry it
Review:
I've had this lens for over 2 years now, and am quite pleased with its performance.

The lens is from the Sigma's EX top of the line Pro lenses; has a great build quality and respectable weight. It extends, quite much actually when zooming.

The lens is said to be the cheapest way to reach 500mm and it delivers surprisingly well for a "hyperzoom". When I received it, I made some comparison shots, in the respective focal length, testing side by side the Bigma (this Sigma lens) with a 200mm Canon prime L (pro) lens without noticing difference, throughout the comparable f stops.
The Bigma is a bit slow to autofocus (when compared to the USM, canon lenses) but hey, you can't beat the price, and it gets the job done just fine.

The zoom is manual; the lens extends to 2-2.5 times its folded length while zooming, but does not rotate the front element. There is a manual focus ring that can override the autofocus. Its front opening is quite large, 82 mm, so plan ahead for filters if you’d need any, as they get expensive this size.

Another nice thing: in Canon mouth, it actually reads 5.6, full extended zoom (500mm), not 6.3 as advertised. Still, don't expect to get many (if any) wildlife images at the best light - dusk, and dawn (you really need a much larger aperture opening then) with this lens.

This lens has been my lens of choice for wildlife. Some images that I took look "soft", but this has most likely been a result of a camera/lens wobbling (good luck keeping steady this beast extended) rater than the optics.
It has seen quite rogue use in my hands, and it’s holding quite well for being lugged around in conditions from rain to snow.

Sorry to hear for the troubles of the previous reviewer, I don't think it's usual for an EX lens, built like a tank as this one to “come apart” within a year. Sigma's customer support has been responsive to my pre- and post-purchase questions so far, haven't needed them for anything else than general questions; no any problems with the 2 EX Sigma lenses that I own.


Rating:
Summary: Great product - TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE
Review: I bought this lens in October and loved it. It's great when it works, but the manufacturing sucks, and the lens came apart in under a year. I sent it in for warranty repair and got a bill. I spent HOURS on the phone with Sigma's repair department and, after being passed around from technician to manager to Sales Manager, I was told they'd pay for the repair labor, but I had to pay for parts. They were totally unconcerned with customer satisfaction, totally unconcerned with the reputation of their equipment. They just weren't going to fix the problem with the piece of equipment I paid $800 for. Sigma makes a great product, but isn't at all concerned with customer Satisfaction