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This is was my first Sigma EX HSM lens. The 50-500mm was just too good to pass up for the price. While I've had other Sigma lens I purchased them mostly for the price. The quality was OK/acceptable. But these EX HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) lens are the finest quality lens I've ever put my hands on! They are mostly metal vs mostly plastic. They are smooth as silk and extremely FAST focus. They seem not to seach back and forth as much for the focal point--they lock on almost immediately. This lens makes brilliant true color shots and works great with my Nikon D100. With the digital camera 1.4x factor this lens is like having a 70-700 on a film camera. The only note is the lens is HEAVY like as in 4lbs! You really can't imagine it until you mount it on the camera and shoot--you'll need a mono/tripod for using the 500mm. The lens comes with a beautiful case and a high-tech lens shade. You'll never buy anything but a Sigma HSM lens again. Too bad they don't make the HSM for all their models.

Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX RF HSM is a new addition to Sigma family of EX grade lenses. EX stands for "excellence" and is the high end of the manufacturing line. It means that the build quality of this lens is very good. You are not likely to end up with front glass falling out as it happens on some consumer-grade products. The quality of optics is rated "good" in its category of the wide-range zooms by www.photozone.de. However, this "good" is bordering with "average", so don't expect crisp sharpness of the prime lenses especially at wide open aperture at 500mm. The lens is heavy and very big. People will definitely notice it when you carry it around. Hood, case and the tripod collar should come with the lens, which is a plus. Filters, though, may be quite expensive. The lens has no image stabilizer which make a tripod or a monopod necessary when you shoot for slide film. However, for digital or for 4x6 prints it may be okay. The big plus is that you don't have to change lenses when a different focal length is needed. Another big plus is its price. Nobody can beat Sigma in that. I recommend this lens for those who cannot afford long focal primes or for those who prefer the convenience of all-in-one.