Sigma and HSM (or lack of it)

Does anyone know why Sigma has so far not added HSM to any of their 'standard' range lenses such as the 24-70 f/2.8? Many of their wide angles and telephotos have HSM, but nothing in the main zoom range. Is it the added cost alone or something else?

I imagine it has something to do with the target market and cost. HSM is more expensive so if they are competing on price they leave it out. For example if a Sigma 24-70/2.8 HSM was almost the same price as a Canon 24-70/2.8 USM L, most people would buy the Canon. In order to compete they have to produce the same quality optics, but sell the lens for a lower price. In order to do that they have to leave out the HSM. The result seems to be a lens that sells very well.

Somehow I doubt that adding HSM would make it three times as expensive. Perhaps you should actually have a look at the price difference between Sigma and Canon, even on lenses with HSM.

Sigma just intro the 70-200f/2.8 ex dg hsm.

'what other reason can there be for not putting it on all their lenses? If it is not a cost consideration there is no rational explanation for not using it. The only reason I wouldn't buy a Sigma 24-70/2.8 is that it does not have full time manual override, that would be included with HSM.

Good question. Can HSM be that much more expensive than the standard focusing motor? Should be standard on the EX series. I have the 18-50mm f2.8. Not a cheap lens and how much better it would be with HSM. The existing focusing ring is exactly where I tend to hold the lens, so I have to be careful not to hold too tightly when auto focusing.

Didnt it already have HSM. I think they just added a macro version if memory serves me correct.

I would give my 24-70ex 2.8 to my wife if they introduced a HSM version. That dang focus motor bugs me.

One of the things they can do, even with the cost issue, is simply introduce a premium version of the lens with HSM. Charge more for it - if that is the only way. Let the market decide. If sales of the regular DC motor version drop out of the bottom, then they know where to go from here.

The "EX" tag has been greatly diluted in my eyes because of some of the compromises they make. Imagine if Canon put DC motors in L lenses with us knowing they have USM technology? Nobody would stand for it. It's not just the optics, as anybody who has handled the 50 f/1.8 knows - superb glass but it is almost universally agreed that there are many other things which justify the existence of, and indeed to some, the purchase of the 50 f/1.4, apart from the larger aperture.