Sigma 70-200mm 2.8

[malibubts]

Hey Guys,

I've been looking at getting a zoom lens to supplement my Canon 50mm 1.8. Looks like the Sigma lens or the Canon 70-200mm 2.8 is what I'm looking for. After reading up it seems like it will suit my needs for theater photography and concert photography. But going to price; Amazon has the lens for about $700. I took a quick look at ebay and found this (http://cgi.ebay.com/Sigma-70-200mm-f-2-8-II-EX-DG-APO-AF-4-Canon-70-200-HSM_W0QQitemZ180338539665QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera _Lenses?hash=item180338539665&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50). Plus I have an 8% off coupon bringing the total to $630 with shipping insurance. What do you guys think, is this too good to be true? He says it's fully sealed and I sent him a message asking if the warranty was valid and I haven't gotten a response yet. I'm not 100% sure this should be in the lens section so I also posted it here.

Thanks,

Eric

[beme]

*post this in lens & gear section*

well, my advice is why dont you give it a try the lens 1st. borrow them from friend or rent them from photographic shop. that is what i would do, it hard one , i wanted 70-200 2.8 L IS Canon for a long long time, and also i considered the sigma one but i always ask my self again...

- is this just for fun or for photography business...any future expectation ?

sigma is good but i know there are some AF problems with sigma with canon body. i heard, Sigma is going to update 70-200 2.8 to version 2 (fix the AF problems - i think). personally i prefer use canon lenses. if i were you, i spend the money on 580EXII - because i run a photographic business with friend.

what is your canon body ?

hope helps
cheers

[Metalphotographer]

I have that same lens and have had very good performance with it whilst shooting shows.

[malibubts]

Beme...I went ahead and did post it in there. It's mainly for fun but there is always the possibility that it could turn in to some sort of a business. Right now I'm a student in high school shooting for fun and for the school paper/yearbook so who knows. I've been reading and didn't really see anyone complain about the AF with a Canon body but I will take a second look. Do you have any idea when the update will come out? And I have nothing against the canon lens but it has an $1,100 price tag, even more $ if it has IS. The Sigma doesn't seem much worse for the price. The problem with a flash is that I can't use it for a lot of the shots I want to take. I'm in technical theatre also so I have a lot of freedom to shoot the show but my director would go nuts if I started popping off a flash. Same for any concert type of photography. And I'm using my parents Rebel Xti that was collecting dust until I started using it, I'm looking at upgrading to the 40d but that will have to wait until summer when I can work full time.

Metal- I saw your sit but could you post a couple links to shots you have taken with the Sigma?

Thanks,

Eric