[netrex]

Does anyone have any experience with this lens (for any mount)? I might be getting it seems <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I've searched the Internet and found lots of stuff there, just curious what people here think.



These images impressed me a lot (Nikon D700): http://www.pbase.com/powerbauer/sigma_500_ex_dg

[mst]

Sorry, no experience myself. However, the usual advice: carefully test it, if possible. Even the expensive Sigma lenses are not free of sample variation (as I had to learn with the 120-300, which had been my last Sigma lens for quite a while ...).



In addition, be prepared for rather thin DOF with such a long lens, even when stopped down to f/8.



-- Markus

[netrex]

[quote name='mst' date='02 June 2010 - 07:43 PM' timestamp='1275504218' post='96']

Sorry, no experience myself. However, the usual advice: carefully test it, if possible. Even the expensive Sigma lenses are not free of sample variation (as I had to learn with the 120-300, which had been my last Sigma lens for quite a while ...).



In addition, be prepared for rather thin DOF with such a long lens, even when stopped down to f/8.



-- Markus

[/quote]

Thanks. Yes, I will be testing it properly, but hopefully I'm as lucky with this as with my two other Sigma purchases, 105mm Macro which I still own, and the 10-20 (old version), which both were as they should be.



Did you get your 120-300 fixed? I tested it a bit with the 7D on a football match, but the girl using it for a news paper hadn't found the monopod for it, it was quite heavy to hand held <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Update: I see now that I miss-read your post. I can't test it before I buy, but I will test it as properly as I can when I get it and then return it for another if it's faulty.

[mst]

[quote name='Alexander (former netrex)' date='02 June 2010 - 08:10 PM' timestamp='1275505839' post='100']

Did you get your 120-300 fixed?[/quote]



No, I had already made some unpleasant experiences with Sigma's service department in Germany before and just got rid of it. That was quite some time ago when I was shooting with the original 1D (mark zero ) and it was the final reason to avoid Sigma lenses for several years. Actually, the Nikon reviews "forced" me to use Sigma glass again.



-- Markus

[netrex]

[quote name='mst' date='02 June 2010 - 09:45 PM' timestamp='1275511515' post='106']

No, I had already made some unpleasant experiences with Sigma's service department in Germany before and just got rid of it. That was quite some time ago when I was shooting with the original 1D (mark zero ) and it was the final reason to avoid Sigma lenses for several years. Actually, the Nikon reviews "forced" me to use Sigma glass again.



-- Markus

[/quote]

And then you realized hos wonderful it can be? <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[mst]

[quote name='Alexander (former netrex)' date='03 June 2010 - 12:27 AM' timestamp='1275521234' post='113']

And then you realized hos wonderful it can be? <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[/quote]



Well, yes and no. I currently have really great Sigma lenses (the 150 APO for example), some "special" Sigma lenses (like the 50/1.4, technically not all that great, but really buttery bokeh), but than there's the other side of Sigma, too. The 24-70 wasn't great, the 10-20/3.5 was decentered. And Sigma's service hasn't changed, really, I'm afraid ...



-- Markus

[netrex]

I see your point and problem <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> If my luck holds I might buy stuff for you them to you so you get the lenses in good working order <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



I will be posting how the 500mm 4.5 works if I end up getting it.