New vs Old Version - Sigma 70-200 f2.8

Any opinions on whether or not the extra money for the new version (APO EX DG) is worth the difference in quality from the old one (apparrently non-APO). It looks like people are selling the old version for about $100 cheaper; I just thought I'd ask as I'm pretty anxious to get a new lens.

Has anyone used both? Significant difference?

Thanks!

i was told by a saleman today that the only difference was the coating on the lenses, and he was told by a sigma rep that it is more of a ploy to appeal to digital users. however one of the non dg has to be be sent to sigma for rechipping but my other works great and they were cheaper

I have the non DG and it works great with my 20D. I bought it almost a year ago and highly recomend it. Go ahead and save yourself the $100.

If the non-DG is recent, as in not manufactored before your particuliar model of camera; you should be fine. I would not buy a 3 year old one, with the possiblitly that it wouldn't work with the 20D and may need rechipping. I would not buy a used non-DG with no warranty to save $100 over the price of a new DG model that has a "long" warranty.

FYI.. they are both APO,. as was the model before the first EX.. it is the "DG" that is differnet and that was described above.. new coatings on the glass that calim to be digitally optimized.

This is assuming the older lens is still the "EX" lens,. there was an earlier model,. just APO not "EX" that looked physically very different. You'c not want to gamble with that one,. it may not function with modern Digitals.