Question about a Sigma Lense

[Rigrider]

Ok, first off, I'm not sure if this is the right area to ask this, but I thought I'd give her a go.

Was at one of the local camera shops recently and saw a Sigman 70-200 (maybe 210 can't remember now) f2.8 lense up for $888 CND. I was quite interested in the lense, but at the time I didn't even own a Canon camera 9was actualy there to look at the D300.)

Was at another local camera shot yesturday and was talking about the lense with the owner, who basically told me he wouldn't even order a Sigma lense, "I've seen them fall apart right at the counter." is what he said. Plus went on to say that he had sent one in for repair for another photographer and didn't get it back for almost 9 months.

So here's my question: What do you guys think about Sigma lenses in General, and specifically, do you think it's a decent deal for the one I posted above??

thanks in advance.

L8r,

[condyk]

Be better in the lens section I reckon ...

I've had more Sigma's than any other brand and happy to buy more of them when appropriate. At the moment, by coincidence, all my lenses are Sigma. I like lenses from all the big brands and have no agenda re. pushing one over another. Check out fredmiranda.com reviews section and it's very clear which are the superb, good, average and rubbish models within each brand. Then make you choice.

Sounds like he was trying to sell you a brand he did sell ...do you really think a specialist lens manufacturer would stay in business if their lenses fell apart at the counter, or they couldn't return a lens repair within 9 months :lol: :lol: If someone gave me that kind of guff in a shop, about any brand they didn't sell, I would think he was a joker and never return. Even saying that kind of stuff to you is an insult. He must have taken you for a soft touch :rolleyes:

Just post here what you're interested in and you'll normally get very relevant responses from people with experience of the specific lens. The Sigma 70-200mm 2.8 is outstanding and so are the Canon versions, but the latter cost more unfortunately. There is a review of both below. They are so close that it's irrelevant to select on optical performance, but that's just my view: others will no doubt say one is better than the other:

http://www.pbase.com/fstopjojo/lenstests

The price quoted sounds OTT for a second hand one ... definately at the very top end. I assume you get some kind of warranty? Was it a SH or new one? I dunno Canadian prices. US is certainly lots cheaper than here.

[Rigrider]

No no, that was the price for brand new. And to be honest, the guy that was telling me they fall apart at the counter I have known for quite some time and I really do respect his opinion. Otherwise I would have blown it off as a sales pitch as well. I just never leave anything on one mans opinions. I do believe he may have seen a lense fall apart at the counter, but with any and all products there are bad eggs in every bunch! lol. Thanks for the reply though, I'll have to look into sigma a little more. Honestly my knowledge of lenses is quite limited.

L8r,

[ScottE]

In the past Sigma has produced some really terrible cheap lenses that built them a rather poor reputation. The EX line of Sigma lenses has always been top notch and I believe the non-EX consumer line has improved greatly in recent years.

I have had good luck with the Sigma lenses I have owned, but most of them have had the EX designation. The 70-200/2.8 HSM lens also has an EX designation.

[Rigrider]

Thanks for the tip scott....think I'll definatley have a closer look at that lens.

[DavidEB]

There are many happy users, including me, of the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 HSM EX on this forum.

You can get a good idea of people's impressions by clicking "search" and typing in "Sigma 70-200" ---> you will get 17 pages of hits. Here are some threads I remember as being helpful...

thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=74557&highlight=sigma+70-200) thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=84643&highlight=sigma+70-200) thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=83914&highlight=sigma+70-200) thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=83723&highlight=sigma+70-200) thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=13944&highlight=sigma+70-200+ducks)

and my favorite: ducks (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=22421)


good luck...