Sigma 400/5.6 APO Macro HSM Compatibility question

Hi folks,

somehow the usual ... I'm considering to bid on a Sigma 400/5.6 APO Macro HSM to use on my 20D.

I definitely know that older Sigma lenses often do not work on current Canon dSLRs, so the normal suggestion is 'ask the seller if it's compatible' ... which makes sense, if the seller knows

In this case, the seller doesn't know, and it's not possible to try it out before bidding.He was using it on his analog Canon camera, so it also definitely has not been rechipped (if that is necessary)

I think I have heard that there are at least 4 versions of this lens ...

- 'old' 72 mm version ... soft, not compatible
- 'newer' 77 mm version without APO MACRO designation ... optically better, but possibly also not compatible
- APO MACRO version ... pretty new, compatibility?
- APO MACRO HSM version ... latest version that was built, quite good optically

My question to those who have experience with this lens is ... how safe is it to get the APO MACRO HSM version? Can one assume that this version does not have to be re-chipped?

Best regards,
Andy

PS: And please, I've already heard all general opinions on using Sigma or other third party lenses

Hope it works as the APO HSM Macro version gets good reviews. You probably know it is tested at photozone.de with a 350D and worked well ... but he warns about older versions which may or may not work, and also to check with newer DSLR's, but otherwise seems to be an unknown quantity.

I would bid low with the cost of rechipping in mind. Contact Sigma in advance for an estimate (assuming they can even provide one).

Problem is, it can't be re-chipped anymore. Sigma would do it for free, but they don't have any more chips for those old lenses.
So either it works or it doesn't (or only works wide open).

The www.photozone.de review suggests it's a very decent lens wide open.

Best regards,
Andy

Andy_T wrote in post #3271717
Problem is, it can't be re-chipped anymore. Sigma would do it for free, but they don't have any more chips for those old lenses.
So either it works or it doesn't (or only works wide open).

The www.photozone.de review suggests it's a very decent lens wide open.

Best regards,
Andy

Ohh ok. Didn't know that (obviously). If it's the one I'm thinking of on there, it's not far from me. Would you want me to buy it and try it then send it your way if it works?

I couldn't spring for it right now, but if you provide a max bid and shoot the cash over, it would at the very least save you several weeks of shipping time to find out and possibly be disappointed, then try to resell it. I'd have better luck reselling it here in the States if necessary.

CDI ... thanks a lot for that offer ... but it's not in the US
Shipping is not the problem, just figuring out how much I want to bid for it

Best regards,
Andy

Update ... well, I'll never know whether it was compatible or not ... because somebody else was willing to bid more than I was (~ 300$). I don't need a long lens urgently, but it would have been nice ... so I had my limit.

Some you win, some you lose. Good luck to the acquirer

Best regards,
Andy