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<blockquote data-quote="BackdoorArts" data-source="post: 543355" data-attributes="member: 9240">&quot;Sport&quot; is a label Sigma uses to categorize lenses, but it does not necessarily dictate intention of use - it is used for their longer, more ruggedly constructed lenses.&nbsp; Their &quot;Contemporary&quot; series may just as easily be referred to as &quot;Budget&quot;.&nbsp; &quot;Art&quot; is what they use for their faster high quality glass.&nbsp; I am not a sports photographer.&nbsp; 95% of my use of this lens will involve pointing it at a bird or other non-human.&nbsp; I am buying it because it's a better lens.&nbsp; Better constructed, better focusing, better optically.&nbsp; I have the 150-500mm and have used it with great success in spite of its shortcomings.&nbsp; I could do the same with a 150-600mm Contemporary, but it's like trading in a low mileage Camry for a new Camry that gets a little better gas mileage - what I gain in fuel savings will likely take years before it justifies the cost.&nbsp; I know what I'm getting here, and I know what I'm losing.&nbsp; It's a great lens that adds 3 pounds to what I have in my arms.&nbsp; It's going to take some serious getting used to in the handheld department and I'm going to likely learn to love using a monopod.&nbsp; But I've been frustrated by my &quot;Great&quot;-to-&quot;Good Enough&quot; ratio when shooting with what I have now, and wildlife photography is one of the things I do, so this and the D500 are something I've been planning on for some time.If I'm going to simplify things then I'll put it this way for you - if you're looking for something &quot;adequate&quot; for shooting wildlife (it's a hell of a long lens for landscapes) then I suspect you'll be more than pleased with the Contemporary.&nbsp; Just realize that there are known issues with lens to lens variance, and I've seen (but not investigated) something about focus locking that would likely have me concerned if it is &quot;a thing&quot;.&nbsp; You'll certainly be happier with the weight, I know there will be times when I will wonder why the heck I did this to myself as I sit crouched in a field waiting for something to show with 8 pounds of camera in my arms.&nbsp; I'm just tired of &quot;adequate&quot;, as well as it's served me for 5 years.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="BackdoorArts, post: 543355, member: 9240"] "Sport" is a label Sigma uses to categorize lenses, but it does not necessarily dictate intention of use - it is used for their longer, more ruggedly constructed lenses. Their "Contemporary" series may just as easily be referred to as "Budget". "Art" is what they use for their faster high quality glass. I am not a sports photographer. 95% of my use of this lens will involve pointing it at a bird or other non-human. I am buying it because it's a better lens. Better constructed, better focusing, better optically. I have the 150-500mm and have used it with great success in spite of its shortcomings. I could do the same with a 150-600mm Contemporary, but it's like trading in a low mileage Camry for a new Camry that gets a little better gas mileage - what I gain in fuel savings will likely take years before it justifies the cost. I know what I'm getting here, and I know what I'm losing. It's a great lens that adds 3 pounds to what I have in my arms. It's going to take some serious getting used to in the handheld department and I'm going to likely learn to love using a monopod. But I've been frustrated by my "Great"-to-"Good Enough" ratio when shooting with what I have now, and wildlife photography is one of the things I do, so this and the D500 are something I've been planning on for some time. If I'm going to simplify things then I'll put it this way for you - if you're looking for something "adequate" for shooting wildlife (it's a hell of a long lens for landscapes) then I suspect you'll be more than pleased with the Contemporary. Just realize that there are known issues with lens to lens variance, and I've seen (but not investigated) something about focus locking that would likely have me concerned if it is "a thing". You'll certainly be happier with the weight, I know there will be times when I will wonder why the heck I did this to myself as I sit crouched in a field waiting for something to show with 8 pounds of camera in my arms. I'm just tired of "adequate", as well as it's served me for 5 years. [/QUOTE]

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