Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Price Paid:  $195.00 from Seasons Photo

Summary:
The lense is good compare to the price you pay. Quite sharp and bright. You can find a little bit soften at the end of 300mm, you need to stop down a bit to get crispier result. The Bokeh also acceptable. Macro 1:2 is a bonus for this lense.
Over all this lense is reliable, especially when you hunt outdoor. Value more than what you pay.

Strengths:
Value for money, sharp and produce natural colour.

Weaknesses:
The zoom ring is heavy compare to my other zoom lenses. Focus hunting in low light (for me is acceptable), and a little bit soft at the end of the zoom 300mm (need to stop down to correct the result).

Similar Products Used:
No other Sigma Lense Used

tecomella

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.90 of 5,
1 votes

Price Paid:  $222.00 from India

Summary:
Considering the price I paid for this lens, I am not complaining at all of focusing speed, slow aperture,VR etc. If this lens would have had everything, Sigma would price it at 1200$.
So lets move ahead.
This lens is an extention of my birding hobby and is a great companion on my birding trips. The versatile macro lets you grab the mini world of insects, flowers, lizards, etc. A big plus for naturalists.
Combining it with my D50 delivers good punchy colours, thanks to the APO lens elements.
A very big plus in my opinion is the minimal Chromatic aberrations at wide open shots. On my 6MP D50, CA is hardly visible even in high contrast situations.
A must buy for all those looking for a long end zoom and don't want to sell their car.

Strengths:
1. Minimal chromatic aberrations at wide open. Even high contract shots are passable.
2. Relatively sharp at wide open at 300mm (Than competition)
3. Good Macro mode
4. Good build quality and finish
5. relatively silent (Of course nothing compared to silent wave) but better than competition.
6. Good focusing accuracy, say 85% in normal conditions

Weaknesses:
1. Focus sometims hunts at 300mm in low contrast situations and confusing backgrounds. otherwise spot on
2. Front of lens rotates when focussing

Dutchman

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
4.54 of 5,
13 votes

Price Paid:  $236.00 from Henk Booms - Holland

Summary:
This is a surprisingly good lens. Built quality feels ok. It's a fairly compact lens with a nice matte black finish and a red ring (!). This lens is exceptionally sharp for a so called "consumer lens" and rivals my Canon 70-200 f/4L. All focal lengths are very useable but you need to stop down a little for optimum quality, which is not uncommon for telezooms in this category. There is no distortion or chromatic abberations whatsoever. Contrast is not as good as high-end glass but this can easily be adjusted in PS, but what do you expect for a lens that will cost you only one quarter of the price of a L-zoom or less? Autofocus is a little slow but spot-on even in low light. So don't write a bad review about the AF before you've tested the lens on a tripod at least. A great value for money!

Strengths:
Very sharp, even at 300mm when stopped down a few clicks. Neutral color rendering. Good and fully useable range. No flare, distortion or vignetting.

Weaknesses:
Noisy and slow autofocus compared to expensive telezooms but it doesn't bother me for my purposes. Contrast is a little bit behind.

Similar Products Used:
canon 90-300 f/4-6.3, Canon 70-200 f/4L, Canon 17-40 f/4L, Sigma 18-50 f/2,8 DG-EX

Customer Service:
Not needed yet.

Samontuesday

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.95 of 5,
21 votes

Price Paid:  $275.00 from www.warehouseexpress

Summary:
This is my first telephoto lens so i have nothing to compare it with, but I am very impressed, the picture quality is pin sharp. The zoom is a little stiff, which is sometimes annoying, and it has a tendency to hunt in low light but for value for money wise it is a bargin. It feels well made and tough, and looks good to. The macro function is really good, and usefull for people who are just starting out in that area. I've heard complaints about it being hard to switch off, this is not true!! you have to make sure that the lens is zoomed out to 200 and that the focus ring is twisted anticlockwise fully. The auto focus is a little slow when zoomed in close and a bit on the noisey side, but hey, its only 160 quid!!! Personaly I would reccomend this lens for anyone who can't afford forking out large sums of money for better quality, usually you get what you pay for, with this lens, you get a bit more.

Strengths:
Great Value for money. Macro function is excellant. Pin sharp images. Feels tough and durable. Comes with free hood.

Weaknesses:
Hunts in low light, (don't they all) Noisy. Slow to auto focus.

Similar Products Used:
None used

Customer Service:
Not used