[. . . ] If you are not using Optical Stabilizer, please turn OFF the OS switch, in order to prevent consumption of a battery. Be sure to turn of OS switch to OFF position, before attaching or detaching the lens to the camera. The Optical Stabilizer continues to operate after you release your finger from the shutter button, as long as the exposure meter displays the exposure value. Never remove the lens or remove the camera's battery while the image stabilizer is operating, you could damage the lens. [. . . ] NIKON AF, PENTAX AF, and SONY For autofocus operation, set the camera to AF mode and set the focus mode switch on the lens to the "AF" position (fig. 2). If you wish to focus manually, set the focus mode switch on the lens to the "M" position. Please refer to camera's instruction manual for details on changing the camera's focusing mode. For Nikon, Pentax and Sony mounts, it is only possible to use AF with camera bodies which support motors driven by ultrasonic waves such as HSM. AF will not function if the camera body does not support this type of motor. With the camera set to the One-Shot AF (AF-S) mode, it is possible to manually override the autofocus while the shutter release button is pressed halfway. When operating this lens in manual focus mode, it is recommended that correct focus be confirmed visually in the viewfinder rather than relying on the distance scale. This is due to possible focus shift resulting from extreme changes in temperature which cause various components in the lens to expand and contract. Zooming Rotate the Rubber grip on the zoom ring to the desired position. HOW TO REMOVE THE TRIPOD COLLAR 1. It is possible to remove the lens' tripod socket, for more convenient hand-held photography, if desired. To do so, first loosen the tripod collar locking knob, and, align the index mark of the collar, with the REMOVE position (fig. 6). Then, pull the tripod collar straight back, as shown in Fig. 7, removing the collar. When you wish to re-attach the tripod collar to the lens, please reverse the procedure above. Please, do not set the tripod collar to the REMOVE position, except when you are removing, or attaching, the tripod collar, as the lens may inadvertently detach from the collar and fall. Also, please remember to tighten the locking knob to prevent the lens from rotating unintentionally. When the lens is mounted on the camera, the tripod collar cannot be removed from the lens. SHOULDER STRAP Please attach the shoulder strap to the sling as described in figure 8. FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY The camera's built-in flash will cause barrel shadow if used with this lens. For best results, please only use an external flash unit. ABOUT TELE CONVERTERS The lens can be used with Sigma's 1. 4x EX or 2. 0x EX Apo Tele Converters (optional), becoming a 210-700mm F7-9 telephoto zoom lens or a 300-1000mm F10-13 telephoto zoom lens respectively both can be used in manual focus only. Do not use other manufacturers' teleconverter's, only those listed above are compatible. The Pentax mount Tele Converter is not compatible with this particular lens. We recommend the DG APO Tele-Converters when using with DSLR cameras. ZOOM LOCK SWITCH This lens is also equipped with Zoom Lock Switch to eliminate the zoom creep when the lens is tilted down. [. . . ] Do not use thinner, benzine or other organic cleaning agents to remove dirt or finger prints from the lens elements. When using the lens in the rain or near water, prevent it from getting wet. It is often impractical to repair the internal mechanism, lens elements and electric components damaged by water. Sudden temperature changes may cause condensation or fog to appear on the surface of the lens. [. . . ]