alansi56

I was looking for a long range telephoto zoom, and initially after the Canon 100~400 USM. But with the prices escalating daily from January onwards has seen this lens price jump from around the high £900's to near enough £1,300. Also against the Canon is it's push-pull zoom design, which I do not like using, and much prefer the Sigma's zoom function. So a month ago started looking at the Sigma, Tokina and Tamron equivelents. After exhaustive research looking through all the reviews and tests I could find I decided to take a chance on the Sigma. In the UK there were a half dozen outlets that had this lens as discontinued stock, and I secured one 2 weeks ago. My test shots on a tripod were excellent right thru the zoom range. On a monopod they were almost as good, but some were not quite sharp due to camera shake. Handheld with the OS system on, I was able to get reasonably sharp images right down to 125th second at 300+ zoom. The lens is very well made - like a tank, and I probably will use it most on a tripod / monopod for wildlfe & birds. Sigma currently have an extended warranty to 3 years on all 'EX' lenses, which adds to the overall value of this lens. SO - if you can find one it is worth the investment at this price. Top quality lens!!