Sigma Reviews

Received lens as a gift, was thinking of buying myself. Was impressed with the looks of this monster,looks very expensive to unfamiliar folks. I use this lens on my Canon Elan 7e and from the start had a problem that I wasnt informed of when bought by friend. Problem was that certain Sigma lenses don't work properly with the new Canon camera. After some research, i found I had to ship my lens to New York Sigma factory for a free upgrade, A+. received lens in a few weeks and problem was solved. Other problem was the tripod collar is in bad spot for use with some Bogan tripod heads. the head must be used sidewards to be used with the lens. Not a big problem but a problem. Next problem is that when carrying camera with lens attached and pointing downward, the lens slides to the fully extended position and could get damaged by banging into things when not noticed right away. Other than that I like the lens. Its definitely not a pro lens but it will serve the advanced amateur well.

One of the best on the market. Even using a 2x adapter to get 1000mm. It is big and not too heavy and has a tripod collar ring for added stability.

This is a moderately priced alternative telephoto lens. Althought quite bulky, lens are not heavy, and they fit perfectly well in my LowePro Min-Trekker backpack.

Lens are not fast enought to take pictures without a tripod in less then bright light conditions, however, if you can afford a longer exposure times and tripod, you can get good results. Not suited for sports or fast animal photography, but if you want zoom into the landscape, architecture or people, here is a perfectly fine lens...There is really no good alternative lens if you need a range of 170-500 mm.

This is was my thrid Sigma EX HSM lens. While I've had other Sigma lens I purchased them mostly for the price. The quality was OK/acceptable. But these EX HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) lens are the finest quality lens I've ever put my hands on! They are mostly metal vs mostly plastic. They are smooth as silk and extremely FAST focus. They seem not to seach back and forth as much for the focal point--they lock on almost immediately. This lens makes brilliant true color shots and works great with my Nikon D100. With the digital camera 1.4x factor this lens is like having a 24-50 on a film camera. While with telephoto lens this is like getting extra lens for free--with wide angles you loose a bit. But that is the camera's fault not the lens. The lens comes with a beautiful case and a high-tech lens shade. You'll never buy anything but a Sigma HSM lens again. Too bad they don't make the HSM for all their models.

I purchased this lens for my Canon Elan IIe in June, 2000. I've run about 50 rolls of print film through the camera with this lens and have been very satisfied with this lens. Please note that if you get the Canon EOS mount, the HSM is "micro-HSM," which like Canon's "micro-USM" does not allow full time manual focus (you must toggle a switch on the lens barrel to go from autofocus to manual focus). Filter size is 82 mm, which is large and increases the price of filters. The up side is that I have had no vignetting with a Hoya HMC skylight filter (normal, not thin width) a very good performance with an ultra wide angle zoom. Minimum focus distance is 0.5 meters (about 19"), slightly longer han one would like. Flare seems well controlled with the included hood and ghosting is minimal when shooting into the sun at f/8-f/16. Lens has very usable depth of field scales for f/11 and f/16. Nice sharp and contrasty results with this lens make it a bargain when compared to some of its competition.