Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS APO RF ...- User Rating: 
Summary for Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS APO RF ...- Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS APO RF Telephoto Zoom lens, Nikon mount
Notes on Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS APO RF ...- I am very excited about this product. Originally, I was planning of getting the Nikon 80-400 AF DX zoom lens. But after reading reveiws on the internet and talking to my brother who bought one a couple of months earlier. I decided on the Sigma. I was more than willing to pay the $1199. asking price from B&H Photo (OneWay Photo wanted $2999), but I found it on Amazon through PhotoWorld for $899. The lens performed as promised, and would recomend this high quality lens to anyone in the market for a top quality super zoom. Aloha, Ted.
Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS APO RF ...- User Rating: Summary for Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS APO RF ...- Great for capturing nature and moving subjects
Notes on Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS APO RF ...- I was really impressed while hand holding I was able to get every photo taken quickly of jumping horses. I also had the same success with tracking flying birds ( cranes, other water birds) . All the images were sharp at the widest f stops. It is an amazing lens, the OS is great- no need for a tripod. I also got some great flower photos. I highly recomend the innovative lens.
Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS APO RF ...- User Rating: 
Summary for Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS APO RF ...- I think it is a fine lens. Possibly better than Nikon's version
Notes on Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS APO RF ...- I disagree with the below user's review. He could of possibly gotten a bad one. I agree that out of the box the rings are a bit stiff but with time and use they became much smoother.
Also, this lens does not have Sigma's HSM motor but it DOES have a focusing motor which the Nikon 80-400 VR does not. Thusly it focuses a tad faster.
It took me a little while to get used to using this lens. At first most of my pictures would not come out as good as I would like them to. Lots of them were very blurry. As time went by and I improved my technique, my pictures are getting better and better. Many pictures are starting to come out excellently. They make you say - "Wow! Look at the color". I believe this to be true for the Nikon 80-400 VR also.
This lens is a bit heavier than the Nikon however, it was still designed to be hand-held (thusly the OS). It is also several hundred dollars cheaper.
Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS APO RF ...- User Rating: Summary for Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS APO RF ...- Get the Nikon lens instead of the Sigma.
Notes on Sigma 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS APO RF ...- I have had my Sigma 80-400mm for about 6 weeks now. On the surface the Sigma 80-400mm lens looks like a great bargin over the more expensive Nikon version (a few hundred bucks cheaper). However, after having used both the Sigma and Nikon versions there are differences in other areas besides the price.
Goods:
- The Optics are fine on this Sigma lens. You get an 80-400mm lens. If you like to get close to a subject then the lens does the job.
Others:
- The Vibration Reduction works pretty good on this lens. It will facilitate better pictures if you are taking pictures with out a tripod or if you are not using a remote shutter release. However, I have also used the Nikon lense and it's Optical Stabilization system is better.
- The Sigma VR tends to drift over time as you hold the shutter release (even when you are using a tripod).
Bads:
- When using the adjustment rings for the zoom and manual focus I was not satisfied. Unlike the smooth movement on the Nikon lens the Sigma tends to stick as you adjust (to me this is the mark of inferior craftmanship). This is the primary reason that I will stick to Nikon Nikor lenses from now on.
- I am not impressed with the clarity of the lens as well however some of this may be atmospherics during the times that I have used this lens.
Bottom Line: You get what you pay for. If you can afford it, stick with the Nikon 80-400mm lens. If you can't afford it, save your money until you can purchase the Nikon. Trust me you will be 100% satisfied in the end.
