Long lenses - Sigma 170-500mm

[DoctorIt]

So I really really want a long lens. The kind of stuff I love to shoot - birds, bike racing, candid shots of folks on campus - would really benefit from a longer lens. I currently have the EF 75-300mm IS USM and like it very much, image quality is great, and especially for its fairly compact size. But as always, I'd like more.

I've read the reviews, but would value any first hand opinions about the Sigma 170-500mm:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=121739&is=REG&si=acc#goto_itemInfo

The new one is out of my price range, but I see them on ebay every once in a while. Or, any other alternative lenses that I don't know about that would fit the bill?

[patch29]

I have not seen this lens personally, but I would recommend finding one first you can try at a camera shop to see if you like it. It is a slower/darker lens, being that long camera shake will be an issue, but if you try it and like it go for it. I think you need to head to B+H for a hands on review.

[GREAPER]

I have one.

Patch is right, you need to try it for yourself.

One of my club members had one and I asked him how he liked it. He said he didn't, but i bought it anyway.

The lens is slow, so shooting with low ISO film is a waste of time. It loses so much light that the autofocus hunts terribly so I use mine in manual focus all the time. When carrying it around the lens creep is so bad you might as well leave it extended all the time.

It sounds like I dont like my lens, but i tell you it is the one on the camera 90 percent of the time. With practice a person with steady hands or good tripod skills can get decent stuff with it. I take a lot of bad pictures with it, but it is my technique that needs improving.

I will post three shots of birds I took with it so you can kindof see what it can do, just imagine what a skilled photographer could do with it.

First shot:

1/250th at f8, ISO 200 at 380mm

[GREAPER]

second shot:

1/200th at f8, ISO 200 at 500mm

[GREAPER]

Third Shot:

1/80th at f6.5, ISO 400 at 500mm

Note... All three shots were handheld with a Nikon D100

[DoctorIt]

Thanks for the test shots Greaper! Your comments are exactly what I was looking for too.

Now, to find the $$$...