Sigma 150 mm-500 mm F/5.0-6.3 Lens For Sony/Minolta

I bought this product to get closer to wildlife than with my Sony SAL70400 G lens and for the

aperture rating that is better than my Sony 500mm/f8.

Pros:
Weighs less than the SAL70400G
Works with Konica Minolta 7D and Sony a300 cameras (as well as other Sony DSLR's).
Nice storage bag
Affordable
Good for a beginner that doesn't have the budget for a pro-lens

Cons:
Noisy
Slow
Does not have focus limiter-often takes too long to focus and shots are more often than not -

missed.
Clarity is poor - detail is minimal.
Color is fair to poor even with lens hood.
Unless there is bright sunlight there is a fog/haze on photos that I don't find with any Minolta,

Konica Minolta or Sony lenses.
Must use post-processing on all images such as Lightroom or PhotoShop to get any usable images.
Keep rate of even post-processed photos is less than 5%.
Does not lock focus on anything but takes picture anyway. It appears to be in focus in viewfinder.

I don't recommend this lens if...

...you are used to using a professional quality lens
...you want any kind of detail and color for reproduction online or in print
...you want to be able to crop at all I don't recommend this
...this is your only chance to get the photo
...you are inexperienced with your camera settings
...this is the only telephoto/zoom lens you are going to have in your kit - DON'T - wait and save up

for a better one.

No, I will not buy another Sigma lens for my cameras.

This lens was discontinued because the 50-500mm is more popular, I believe but if the image

quality is the same or worse which I'd have to guess with the extended range, no thanks.

Compared to my SAL70400 G the extra 100mm zoom is just not worth it. Even at 170 the quality is not good so I will keep the SAL70400 on my camera and probably sell this one when the time is
right.

Compared to the Sony 500mm mirror lens which is less expensive, and is f8, I'd say the photos with the Sony are better. There is no haze. Some strange bokeh at times but once you learn where the light should be for the best results that can be worked with, sometimes to your advantage.

Since you need bright light for both lenses, the 500mm Sony is lighter and smaller, focuses faster and is more precise. Photos are clear and colors are much more impressive.

If you can't afford a pro-quality lens, and thus have not experienced such results, you may be quite satisfied with this lens for the price.

This lens works well with the A700. Have taken some great shots. Focus is a little soft on the edges.

Excellent lens for wildlife. works very well at f5.6 to f8. G pood crisp vivid pictures. Light enough to carry around even though its quite a large lens. Worth taking a lightweight tripod with you for best results.

Overall, a fantastic lens at a reasonable price (I got mine from America) at a huge saving on UK prices, some £400 saving even with some import tax paid!