zoso

Does anyone have any experience in comparing the Sigma 150-600mm f5 FX lens to the Nikon of comparable size other than Nikon is 4x more expensive?

Robeng Loc: California

I have a Nikon 200mm-400mm f4 and a Sigma 150mm-500mm. Bottom line, the Nikon is faster focus, sharper and much better built. The Sigma is a better value at its price, since most photographers can't afford the Nikon's $6000 price tag. The Sigma does fine.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Nikon does not make any zoom past 400mm, neither does Canon. Sigma and Tamron literally OWN the superzoom telephoto market.
Simply put, neither Nikon or Canon could afford to manufacture such a lens. While their quality may be significantly better, their pricing would also be significantly higher. Sigma and Tamron can make their lenses in several different mounts spreading the R&D costs over a much wider customer base. Nikon and Canon? Well they have limited their lens customers to only THEIR camera owners.

Don Fischer Loc: Antelope, Ore

If Nikon and Canon can't afford to make them, how does Sigma and Tamron afford it?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Read my reply above, its already explained there.

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

How much is the average cost to Sigma & Tamron to add the lens mount to a lens?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

The COST of the lens mount is included in the production cost, after all, a lens is pretty much worthless without it. But Sigma saves a lot of money by offering the same lenses in multiple lens mounts rather than just one.

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

If you decide to change brands of camera, Sigma will change the mount on the lens you already own, thus helping offset the cost of switching camera brands.

Per website....

Mount Conversion Service

Sigma will convert the current mount of your Sigma Global Vision lens to another of your choice. Sigma lenses currently from the Contemporary, Art or Sports line, in Sigma, Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax mounts can be converted to Sigma, Canon, Nikon, Sony or Pentax*. Mirorrless lenses can be converted to Micro Four Thirds and Sony-E Mount. They cannot be converted to either an APS-C or a Full Frame format.........

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Just be aware that this service is not free and varies depending upon which lens you are converting.

Macronaut Loc: Redondo Beach,Ca.

Right...still less expensive than buying a new lens/lenses in most cases. Just another consideration

As of August, 2013, all Sigma Global Vision are eligible for this service.

*Subject to mount, parts and service availability. Not all products are available in Pentax and/or Sony Mounts. Please check the specific product page to check availability in those mounts.

The conversion service will be handled by Sigma in Japan so upon receipt, your lens will be sent to Japan to be converted to the desired mount and returned to Sigma America, who will, in turn, ship it directly to you. The anticipated turn-around time for this service is two - four weeks.

The pricing range for this service can be between $80 to $250.

Shipping and Handling can cost between $25 to $100.

This service is handled only by the original purchaser of lens. If your lens was purchased in the U.S.A., the Mount Conversion Service will be handled by Sigma America only. Other Authorized Sigma Service Centers will not handle this operation. Please send your lens(es) only to Sigma Corporation America by filling out the Online Mount Conversion Service Request Form and sending the product to:

nchalmer

I absolutely LOVE my Nikon 200-400mm f4. The quality of the pictures is unbelievable with this lens. I don't own a Sigma. but I own a Tamron 150-600mm lens, which has never taken a good shot. I've sent it back to Tamron twice, and now I can at least get some shots in focus. It was a lot less than the Nikon, but a waste of $1100.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Interesting thought here. Are Canon or Nikon mounts patented? Are they liscenced to Sigma and Tamron? If not why don't Canon or Nikon make lenses in each mount to broaden the customer base? Just curious

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

To do that would only legitimize the third party competition. Something Canon and Nikon do not want. They want the impression of superiority to justify their pricing.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

But it is only an "impression". I don't think that any one seriously considers Canon's or Nikon's lenses are actually better than the others. And after all that's the reason that both Sigma and Tamron are in business. Virtually no one would buy either of them if Canikon woud reduce their prices to compete. I think they probably have thought about it. And for one reason or another decided against it.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Nikon is competing well against the third party overall, primarily because of competitive pricing and warranty overall.
Canon's lens sales have plummeted in recent years due to exorbitantly high prices and a worthless, shortest in the industry, one year lens warranty. Canon has made 3 comprehensive lens price cuts in the last 3 years trying hard to increase sales numbers, but without a competing warranty program they are still losing market share to Sigma and Tamron at an alarming rate. They just steadfastly refuse to offer a comparable warranty to every other lens product on the worldwide market.