Bad news about my Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 lens...

So I dropped my 70-200mm a couple of weeks ago...it worked right away afterwards, but a couple of days later there was no AF (which means I must have banged it again after shooting the last event, but I don't recall doing that). I sent it into a Sigma repair center in Arizona. Got quoted for $180 to repair. Nervous after they said they had to order the parts from Sigma Japan (!) and that it may take 15-20 business days to repair (!!). Just now someone called and said that Sigma Japan didn't have the parts and that they would be sending the lens back to me not repaired (!!!).

For the record, the lens is a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX lens, bought it from a friend about two years ago. I had no idea that the lens was apparently already obsolete.

So the question is, really - what should I do now? if Sigma can't do it, nobody can? Should I pick up a brand new 70-200mm to avoid the "no parts" problem? ideally, I would probably pick up a Canon lens...cheaper to drive down to Irvine than it is to spend $10 each way shipping to Arizona. but now I'm kinda paranoid that Canon will not service the lens when I run into trouble.

try a local camera shop. Sometimes they can repair lenses pretty well.

Due to tsunami damage? Kind of understandable, if that's the case.

How old is that particular model, anyway? Must've been around for a while now.

did they say when they will have the part, or they don't expect to ever be able to fix the lens?

If they don't have an ETA and you need the lens soon, then I say buy a new one.

You can always have it repaired later and then sell the old one. Sure it won't be the most money in your pocket, but it isn't a huge loss either knowing you can sell a working lens for much more than a broken one.

DiMAn0684 wrote in post #12465755
did they say when they will have the part, or they don't expect to ever be able to fix the lens?

No, they're sending it back to me un-repaired. That apparently means the part no longer exists, period.

I'm not sure what lens I have. From Google, there are apparently two versions of the lens (Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM), the original and the II. I remember getting it for a very good price and that the going rate for the lens new back in 2009 was about $800. I remember my friend telling me that one of the cons of the lens was that the minimum focus distance was six feet, so it's probably the original (since the II version has a minimum focus of 39 inches).

There have been a few Sigma 70-200s I believe - a couple without "Macro" in the name (like yours, longer MFD), a couple with "Macro" in the name (shorter MFD), and there is now the OS version. I think the oldest is from the late 90s.

Here http://www.dyxum.com/l​enses/ you can search for almost any third party lenses (it's for sony alpha/minolta mount) but it's a very good reference to see how many models have been.

acording to dyxum.com there have been 4 different 70-200F2.8

Sigma - 70-200 F2.8 EX DG APO -discontinued-
Sigma - 70-200mm F2.8 APO EX DG HSM OS -current-
Sigma - 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG APO MACRO HSM -discontinued- Product code: 579-205 (this one in canon mount I guess can be different)
Sigma - 70-200 F2.8 EX APO IF -discontinued-

BTW: I really like how dyxum.com have everything well organized, would love to see something like that for canon mount.

If you include the new 70-200 OS there have been 5 Sigma 70-200s

1. 70-200 EX APO HSM : discontinued MFD 1.8m
2. 70-200 EX DG APO HSM : discontinued MFD 1.8m
3. 70-200 EX DG Macro : discontinued MFD 1.3m
4. 70-200 EX DG Macro II : available MFD 1.1m
5. 70-200 EX DG OS : available

Sometimes Sigma USA will offer you a new sigma lens at reduced price if they can't repair your lens. Get a copy of non-repair work from CRIS in AZ. Ask for help from Sigma NY.

I got the lens back today. It's identified as a "Sigma 70-200mm 1:2.8 APO HSM E" lens, but I can't figure out what the E is supposed to signify. As I said earlier, the MFD is six feet so it's not the newer macro versions.

I sent a message to Sigma about a discount program and I'm crossing my fingers that they will let me buy a new lens at a discount.

I would call Sigma during business hour. Typically this sort of things are best handled on a one-on-one basis over the phone.