Wrong Lens Received - Canon vs Sigma?

[codex0]

When I recently ordered my 20D, being limited to a pretty tight budget, I bought a package deal that included a Sigma 28-70mm f2.8-4. That lens ended up on back order. When "it" finally arrived, I found instead a Canon EF 28-90 f/4-5.6 III. I have already reported to customer service that they sent me the wrong one. If they give me an option, should I try to get the Sigma or keep the Canon?

Thanks.

[lostdoggy]

Personally I would go with the Sigma because its faster at 2.8. The Canon lens is a Type III lens. Not that good a lens. Usually the canon with USM are the next level up from III lens. Of coarse then there are the L lenses and the DO.

[tim]

Definitely the sigma.

[Skip Souza]

Absolutely the Sigma.
Would you mind sharing the vendor?

[mgbeach]

depending on the vendor, good luck. I get the gut feeling that this was not so much a mistake as a bait-and-switch. For your sake, I hope they are easy to deal with. And definitely insist on the Sigma.

[codex0]

Sunshine Electronics *wince*

I decided to get this camera a couple of months ago, as I have always loved photography, but have always been held back by developing costs. I wanted a 20D because I am considering possibly pursuing photography after graduation, and the reviews and specs were amazing. A couple weeks ago, my dad made an offer to buy a laptop for a graduation present. Instead, I asked to contribute that money (and what I had already saved up) to buy this camera. So I wanted to get the most "bang for my buck" (someone kick me - now that I've read some of these forums I wish I had gone for a body, card, and a good lens :o). I also wanted to have my camera for our senior awards ceremony, graduation parties, graduation, etc.

Overall as a vendor :
2 day shipping to here
Hated phone conversation to pay - bounced around a bit and pressured to get some kind of "special cool service plan only if you pay for it now!" kind of deal that took two or three "no thank you"'s
Customer support gets back to you within 24 hours (if you submit problem via form, respond via email), but
1) when they had my 4 gig card on backorder gave me a couple options, one of which was to get a 3 gig and extra battery - I responded to the email asking them to give me that option... Three days later (responded Sunday), received 4 gig card and the wrong lens.
2) second email regarding the flash (which I have yet to receive) said I'd get a tracking number within 24 hours (I got that Saturday... still don't have one, or the flash).

Three morals :
1) Buy from a vendor you know and trust
2) Don't go super-discount... It doesn't exist

(Upgraded from Minolta 5000 w/ 28-85 and 70-210 Minolta Lenses, if anyone was wondering) *just picked it up for the first time since buying the EOS and laughed out loud*

[Citizensmith]

The Canon lens is a Type III lens. Not that good a lens. Usually the canon with USM are the next level up from III lens.

Unfortunately you are off track here. The version of a lens (I, II, III, IV, V) is independant of the lens being USM. Although there are a few mark II lenses out there the only ones that have made it to III, IV, or V are consumer lenses. These are often available either with or without USM. Maybe thats where you get your misconception from. For instance you can get mark III lenses with USM (28-80, 75-300).

The lens version only indicates that revisions have been made to an earlier model.
USM indicates a type of focus motor.

[lostdoggy]

I stand corrected. My apologies.

[willg]

Unfortunately you are off track here. The version of a lens (I, II, III, IV, V) is independant of the lens being USM. Although there are a few mark II lenses out there the only ones that have made it to III, IV, or V are consumer lenses. These are often available either with or without USM. Maybe thats where you get your misconception from. For instance you can get mark III lenses with USM (28-80, 75-300).

The lens version only indicates that revisions have been made to an earlier model.
USM indicates a type of focus motor.

they usually don't have the ring usm though....my friend has a 28-80 usm and definitely no full time manual focus there

[Mycroft]

they usually don't have the ring usm though....my friend has a 28-80 usm and definitely no full time manual focus there

my 28-135 IS is a ring-type USM with full time manual focus. :p

[lostdoggy]

I've been looking thru the "EF Lens Work III" Book by Canon and can't seen to find the 28-80 USM or the 28-80 MKIII lens??? It does list the 28-80 f/3.5-5.6 II w/ full time manual focus

[willg]

my 28-135 IS is a ring-type USM with full time manual focus. :p


cool! so is my 70-200 f/4

[Citizensmith]

they usually don't have the ring usm though....my friend has a 28-80 usm and definitely no full time manual focus there

Correct, but the original post didn't differentiate between the types of USM. It also implied that USM was a step up from a revision III lens when the two things are totally unrelated.

[Citizensmith]

Actually, for anyone reading this who is wondering what we are talking about with different focus motors here is a quick run down.
The types you are most likely to encounter are....
AFD (Arc Form Drive) - In lenses like the 50 f/1.8, most non-L series primes, and low end consumer zooms. AFD is the slowest and noisiest Canon make. In lenses like the f/50 1.8 its not a problem as the lens is so small. However in lenses like the older 100 f/2.8 macro, or the 100-300 f/5.6L it can lead to some slow and unreponsive autofocus.
Micro-USM (Ultrasonic Motor) - Not much different from AFD. A little faster and a little quieter though. Commonly shows up in consumer USM lenses. The way to tell is if the lens is USM but doesn't offer FTM (Full Time Manual focus). However, two Micro USM lenses (50 f/1.4 and another I can't remember) have a clutch mechanism that allows FTM.
Ring-USM - The fast and silent one everyone loves. It starts showing up in high grade consumer lenses and is prevelant throughout the L series. The way to identify it is USM and FTM noted on the lens (with the exception mentioned above).

[codex0]

I finally received my flash unit via UPS today (a week after promised) and guess what... It was the wrong one (they sent me a Sunpak DS20 - of no use to me whatsoever). I look something like :evil: right now. Tomorrow morning they'll have a call at 11 AM.

[SkipD]

Who the heck are you buying from? I'm sure a lot of folks want to stay away from that place....