Advice on sigma lens

[local lens]

Hi so im looking to get a reasonably priced telephoto lens i think i have decided on the sigma 150-500 f5-6.3 has anyone had any experience with this lens? also i have found a refurbished lens for about 130 less than the cheapest new one I have found, is getting a refurbished lens a good idea or is it worth getting a new one? this is the one I was looking at

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any advice would be good thanks

[NoSideshow]

Ah...the seductive BigMa. Very cheap for what you get. At the long end with that f6.3 wide open, expect some autofocus issues. Nikon for instance only guarantee accurate AF up to f5.6.

So in real life, you are out in the marshes shooting birds at 500. Everything will be ok until the sun fades a bit in the afternoon,so you can't open up any more, can't slow the apreture and you won't be able to lock on. Thats when the denouement in expectation sets in.

Its like those old reflex mirror long lenses. Look good on paper but very limited with a fixed f8 aperture.

[Cage]

Ah...the seductive BigMa. Very cheap for what you get. At the long end with that f6.3 wide open, expect some autofocus issues. Nikon for instance only guarantee accurate AF up to f5.6.

Don't mean to be pedantic here, but my belief is that the 'Bigma' is the 50-500mm, and not the 150-500mm.

Be aware of this issue.

Sigma Autofocus Issues
June 16 (news)--Sigma has announced that three recent telephoto zoom lenses may have problems correctly autofocusing in some cases. Contact your local Sigma service center to obtain information on how to have your lens inspected and corrected (in the US, you'll have to call, as the support bulletin is not yet on the US Web site that I can see). The three lenses are:

50-500mm f/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM with serial numbers between 10633051 and 1097200.
120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM with serial numbers between 10574001 and 1097200.
150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM with serial numbers between 10674301 and 1097200.

[Epoc]

Hi,
I believe this lens is called the BigmOS as it has OS. I just bought one. It it is a LOT of lens for the money. If your on a budget and you shop around, you can pickup very good examples 2nd hand. I bought my Aussie stock version with 15 months warranty left (original receipt purchased from Ted's), in as new condition, hardly used (the person bought it for OS travel, but turned out to be too big) for $630. I have seen one other still under warranty sell for $650.

This can be a tricky lens to get a grip on. It likes light and good amounts of it. The OS is excellent and helps in this regard. If you are going to be shooting outdoors during the day, go for it. If indoors for sport, look elsewhere as low light performance is ordinary. Best results are achieved at F8. Be mindful, it is quite heavy for handheld shots. I like shooting handheld and have invested in a Cotton Carrier for my bushwalking.

Below are a couple of shots from my weekend attempts at taming this beast. Any other questions, feel free to fire away.

Cheers,
Epoc

[Epoc]

Oh and I have no problems with AF at F8 and beyond on my D300.

[Epoc]

Not sure what happened to my pics. Try again:

[local lens]

thanks for the input epoc, yeah most of my work is outdoors and i am definatly on a budget so i thik this will suit me just fine thanks!