This lens is heavy and solid… the hood does not detach but considering that I tend to lose lens caps and hoods – that is not necessarily a bad thing. This lens is also tack sharp. I used it for Astro photography and was amazed by the results – after not really even messing around with it too much. I have owned sigma art lenses before when I owned a Nikon and I am currently using this lens with a Sony ariii. I can’t wait to take this to the beach in a few weeks with less light pollution and see the results then!