The majority of ther images in my gallery were taken with a Sigma 50-500Hsm($999.99). It is heavy but it is the best lens I have used in the last 30 years. Most shots were handheld.

Addendum:  My choice of the Sigma over the Nikon lenses of the same quality was not made by $$ constraints, it was made after actually testing both lenses.
Now that I have converted from Nikon to Canon, the 50-500 will be the first lens I purchase for the Canon system.