Sigma 600mm F8 Mirror A-mount lens review by joestealthmode

joestealthmode#10371 date: Jul-10-2012
sharpness: 5 color: 3 build: 5 distortion: 4 flare control: 5 overall: 4.4	tested on: film camera: APS-C: 6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP; 16MP; 20MP; 24MP full frame: 12MP; 24MP; 36MP; 42MP; 61MP
ownership:	I own this lens
compared to:	Nothing to compare it to.
price paid:	160 USD (used)
positive:	Razor sharp when you get it right. Built like a tank. Huge hood. Length! Surprisingly good closeup/macro.
negative:	Weighs a metric ton. Requires a good tripod or 10 second countdown. Bokeh donuts.
comment:	I picked this up because frankly it was cheap and I was bored. This is a fun lens to play with, but I need my tripod. I was pleasantly surprised at the 1:3 magnification at 2 meters. On the A77 I was able to get the helix detail on a dragonfly's eye. I am still getting used to the lens. I haven't had a nice enough day to try to handhold the lens. I've had to use a tripod. The colors seem a bit bland, but I am holding off until I know the white balance is good to fully judge colors. The bokeh donuts are either a homerun or a strikeout, but never in between. I don't have a sturdy enough tripod to take advantage of the quickness of the A77. I have to set the camera in delay mode. Focus peaking shines big time with this lens. Updated on 1/4/2013 to reflect use on A99. This lens does well on the A99, except the colors tend to be a bit off. The greens show up on the gray side. Fixable to a degree post-processing. I am also spoiled by good colors from other lenses.