Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Thomas - I totally agree with everything you said - This was a test shot I did just shortly after I got my 150-600 Sport.

I also totally agree with Billnikon's post - you get what you pay for - but I will add a second thought to that - you never get what you don't pay for. . . Just sayin'

These were taken using a D800 and the Sigma at 600mm, F8, ISO 400 and 1/25 sec - I was trying to verify Sigma owners' claims of 3.5 - 4 stops stabilization. First image is uncropped, second is cropped and third is cropped even more. I couldn't find any evidence of movement. I found on subsequent testing that it is just as sharp at F7.1 as it at F8, and backing off 600mm did not improve image quality. I shoot mostly wildlife and landscape, and I also own a 600mmF4 which I no longer use much. I don't miss the production involved in packing the big lens, tripod, gimbal, etc into a backpack - with the camera and battery grip nearly 30lbs of gear - assembling everything on site, then picking everything up to move to another location, etc. Now I just have the lens on a Black Rapid sling strap, and the camera/lens only weighs a little under 8.5 lbs - something I can hike all day with.

In all honesty, I was all set to pull the trigger on the Nikkor, until I borrowed a Sigma Sport - that was a real game-changer - it had everything I wanted, and left me wanting for nothing. That being said, if I had to do it all over again, I'd likely get the Tamron G2 - which is everything the Sigma Sport is, less 2 lbs.

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Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

oops, I posted in the wrong spot...

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

. Check KEH. They might have a used lens that will meet your budget. Sometimes, you can't get what you need by setting a strict budget. You either have to settle for less. Or save more money to get what you want and need. Good luck.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

The G2 has a little quirk that the 1st generation didn’t have. The switches on the G2 are positioned in such a way that I frequently inadvertently switch the focus from A to M. To be honest, though, it seems to be as much a result of my shooting style (mostly handheld) as the positioning of that switch. A few days ago, I just stuck a piece of gaffer tape to hold the switch in place. That should do the trick.Should have done that when I first noticed the problem. Other than that, I do like the lens.

A friend tried to convince me to get the Nikon 200-500 by loaning his to me one day when we were shooting together. At that point, I still had my Tammy G1 and my D7200. I just didn’t like the 200-500 on my D7200, so I kept my G1.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

You might have a different opinion, if that Nikon 200-500mm was attached to a D500.

tetraq69 Loc: Billings Mt.

I might suggest mpb.com the tamron lens you were talking about lists for $669 This is not the G2 model

Bipod

You're welcome. But a plain statement of the facts was more what I hoping for.
Instead, you took a weird,. oblique swipe at Sigma:

Did Sigma fail to respond in a timely manner? That is what you are implying.

If you are going to slag a maniufacture, at least tell us the details so we can learn
from your experience.

Further, you sweepingly imply: aftermarket bad, OEM good. Might be true, might be false.
There are dozens of camear manufacturers--do they all respond more quickly than any
aftermarket lens maker? How do you know?

Then you claiming this of the opinion of "those who make a living from their craft". Really?
Did you conduct a survey? Judging by their posts to UHH, professionals don't agree on much
and use all sorts of different gear.

Are you "one of those who make a living from their craft or was that just blowing smoke?

If you know a camera manufactuer that always responds quickly and always does
quick and good repairs, don't keep it to yourself--please tell us! A lot of people would love to
find a company like that.

My own experience managing professional services taught me that manpower is always
limited and expertise is scarce. One can't just call a temp agency for a technical expert
on the company's products.

Therefore, any company can be slow to respond at certain times: busy periods,
holidays, snow storms, flu season. If you will consult your calendar, you will perhaps
understand why those who make a living from their craft refer to the present season as
"winter".

What does this have to do with anything? How the heck did "birders" come up?

Huh? That's just weird.