Sigma 50-500: should I buy?

[Riley Blue]

I sent my 80-400 Sigma in for repair (the mount is pulling away from the lens body) but Sigma tell me they don't have parts and can't repair it. They've offered me a tempting P/X against a 50-500 and I've read lots of reviews but what is it like in use? It's motorsport and aviation that I'll need it for; camera is an aging (but very reliable) EOS 20D.

If not the Sigma, what other lens might I consider?

[jurbie]

I've used one for years for both motorsport and aviation and I can't really fault it.

[droopsnoot]

I've got a 50-500 that I use for some bits of motorsport and air stuff, though for motorsport at the venues I go to I rarely go above ~300mm. It's heavy though.

Before you buy it, ask them if they've got spares to fix it. I had a problem with my 50-500 at Southport last year where it wouldn't zoom out past 90mm, sent it in for repair to be told they hadn't got any spares for it. They did the repair as it was something that didn't need spares, and it's been fine ever since, but it's worth asking. Mine was a used lens to start with so I have no idea of its age or usage prior to my purchase.

[Riley Blue]

It's been offered with a 3-year guarantees so I've bitten the bullet and ordered. After lugging around the 80-400 I'm quite used to the weight, I found it helped keep it steady as I seldom used the OS.

[GetCarter]

Probably O/T but I borrowed a mates Sigma (full frame) 150 - 600 a while back and it was pretty bloody astonishing (considering the Nikkor/Canon equiv).

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/sigma_150_6...

[Riley Blue]

It's just arrived; it doesn't look much larger than the 80-400 but it's noticeably heavier: 1.97kg against 1.65kg - off to the gym for me...