Sigma 18-50 f2.8 Macro back in stock @ Amazon

Updated!

This may only concern a narrow audience I imagine, but it just so happens that I narrowed my 'kit replacement' down today to the Sigma and Amazon had it back in stock.

(when I checked a few days ago, it was only available from a vendor at a higher price)

It's a good 'deal' too, in my opinion, compared to the usual places I do comparison shopping with:

Amazon: $395 shipped
B&H: $460 or so (depends on shipping)
Sigma4Less: $400 or so (depends on shipping)*

A few days ago when Amazon was out of stock I thought for sure Sigma4Less would be the way to go, but their shipping charge on this one is atrocious for some reason ($20 was their lowest rate-- ground, I think!?)

*AND remember that they only give you 1 year warranty on the lens as compared to the 4 years you get from Amazon or BH.

Check out this scan from lightrules in which Photography Monthly Magazine declared it the winner of the standard zoom shoot out.


Note that lightrules had the EX included in his own lens shoot out against the 17-55IS, 17-40L, and 17-85, and it did very well--- and that was the old version of the EX! The new one is reputed to be better in every way.


There, I did all the homework for you If you've been eyeing this one, it may be worth snatching it from Amazon before it goes out of stock again.

That's a great deal - I LOVE my Sigma 18-50 - one of the most undersung lenses around here... Less than 1/2 the price of the EFS 17-55 with minimal losses on either end of the range and as most will admit - I/S is nice but not necessary for most walkaround work.

It really is kind of a mystery lens. Not very many seem to own it, and most reviews are for the older non-Macro version which also seems to have caused a great deal of confusion.

I get to see for myself what's what when mine gets here in 2 days I guess!

Price dropped $25 today!

It's a freakin' awesome lens and I have the non macro. I can tell you this, t he 17-55 purchase is on hold indefinitely. The Sigma is so sharp.

i cant wait for mine to arrive.. but beach doesnt have it back in stock since i placed my order 2 wks ago..i'll cancel my order and order it somewhere else if i dont hear anything from them this week..

dude that's crazy, i ordered from amazon like a week ago and got it yesterday

of course, i got a really really messed up copy, read here if you're interested:

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=515765

I am looking at this lens, the Tamron 17-50, and a few ultra wide angles like the Tokina 12-24 and Sigma 10-20 for indoor use (my Tamron 28-75 is awesome, but sometimes just not wide enough in cramped quarters and for group shots). I am leaning towards this Sigma and the Tamron because f2.8 is almost a must for me.

The fact that this lens (the Sigma 18-50) is out of stock quite a bit nowadays has me thinking that it may be getting replaced soon (possibly for an HSM or OS version). If that is the case, I think it may be better to hold off for a while until that version hits (I think adding HSM and/or OS would make this a sweet lens). Anyone hear any rumors about this?

I figure since they are retooling their lenses to add HSM for the crippled Nikons, they will more than likely add HSM to the Canon versions too. Hey, if I am right, then Nikon putting out crippled cameras may be one of the better things to happen for Canon owners.