Sigma's loaner program -- does not exist

[rant_n_rave]

You would think customer service would be on the TOP of the list of things companies would be about in these times, or really during any time. But sadly, no. Sigma doesn't care.

Anyone else know that Sigma had a loaner program? Let me know if they actually sent you one, but so far I have not found a single professional that they have lent to. It's mostly magazines and people who will do a review for them.

I was in the market for a macro lens, and had just bought a 14mm Sigma from a friend who raved about it. So I tried it out and I really liked the lens.

So I thought maybe I'll check out the Sigma macro line, since their HQ is like 15 minutes away from me. I wrote them to ask them if there were any shows or if they had a show room that I could visit and try out the macro lenses. "No" was the answer. I wrote back politely stating that is a horrible sales policy and that Canon and Nikon both were very good at lending lenses to their professionals for whatever.

"Oh, yes we have a loaner program -- no we don't have a show or show room. But we only loan to professionals not just anybody!".

Ok, so can I get in this loaner program .. here is my creds, been in business X many years, website, sample shots, here is my gallery, etc.

A weeks goes by and when I inquire about what happened, I basically get ... well all of our lenses our out.

The best part of the answer .. why don't you "visit the local retailer [ed: I'm sure they'll let you hold the box]."

I'm sure they won't miss my $0.02 and I've always looked their press releases and even purchase 2 of their lenses, one was not so good, one was good. No more though.

[/rant_n_rave]

??????I am confused here..did you have a lens sent in to be fixed and needed a loaner. I am not sure canon and nikon just hand out lenses to use..Usually I thought you only got a Loaner if you are a CPS member and IF that piece of equipment is in for service and they give you one to use till its fixed..To have a hissy fit cause sigma wouldnt just say here ya go try this lens out for a while since your looking at maybe buying one is kinda well..dumb

If you are a CPS member, you are eligible for a 2 to 3 week "loan" program for whatever you need the item for -- replace broken gear, "big shoot", try before you buy. Depending on your program, you can borrow a piece of equipment 2 or 3 times over your lifetime.

So the short answer is, for a Canon pro, yes, you can try before you buy.

What kind of local dealers do you deal with that won't let you try out the lens on your body? (or at least one in the store?) Both Ritz and my local non-chain store are MORE than happy to let you mount ANY lens while you're in the store, and they also have a return policy if you end up not liking it.

I wouldn't expect Sigma (or any manufacturer) to have any "loaner" program in place....

How far are you from NYC?

I wanted them to loan me or show me the same item shot with Len1 and Lens2 -- How is it dumb to ask such questions before plumping down $500-$800? Yes, I can get it from Adorama or B&H and pay the 15% restocking, I could rent them, but the privilege of using their lens is not worth the cost. I already have a favorite with Canon, if they want my business they need to do a bit of a leg work.

They want pros to use their equipment. Because when the pros get published or someone asks they will tell them what they use. It come down to marketing.

Now the question is am I Pro enough for them? And yes, that's a valid question as they may say you're not big enough. Then don't give me a run around either. Say, sorry you don't qualify and go from there. I think that's what annoyed me -- that's not true -- "Visit your local camera shop" annoyed me more.

egordon99 wrote in post #7867873
What kind of local dealers do you deal with that won't let you try out the lens on your body? (or at least one in the store?) Both Ritz and my local non-chain store are MORE than happy to let you mount ANY lens while you're in the store, and they also have a return policy if you end up not liking it.

I wouldn't expect Sigma (or any manufacturer) to have any "loaner" program in place....

How far are you from NYC?

1.5 hour and $20 train ride out -- not even a remote issue though.

I don't want to hold the lens, I want to give it, it's best shot. Proper lighting, background, subject. This cannot be done in 5 minutes with the clerk standing over your shoulder. How are you going to look at the image? You going to bring your laptop and photoshop along with you?

It amazes me that people think they can tell how good a lens is by shooting through it. AF speed, handling and noise are important but only a small portion of the whole story. I would take a noise slow AF lens that produces amazing images over nicely built lens that produces crap.

egordon99 wrote in post #7867873
I wouldn't expect Sigma (or any manufacturer) to have any "loaner" program in place....

I do.

The local sellers here will let me try it, but to return it would have a restocking fee.

Nice to meet a fellow "Gallery2" user

I don't think you'd be hit with a 15% restocking fee at B&H unless you send them back the lens all banged up and in a paper bag
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Center/ReturnEx​change.jsp

I guess they could have been a little more forthcoming about their program and what defines a "pro", but pretty much all folks on this site are in your position regarding whether or not to buy a particular lens, and we all seem to get along fine spending $500-800 without a "loaner" program

Which Sigma macro are you looking at? I had the 105/2.8 when I shot Pentax and it was a great lens!

Ritz doe NOT charge a restocking fee so if you can find one local to you and they carry the lens (and are NOT GOBO ), buy it, try it, if you don't like it, return it

I returned a Quantary 100-300 f/??-6.3 a few years ago and they had no problems taking it back. Granted it was a $60 lens (which was actually "expensive" to me at the time!)...

I guess you'd get hit with tax if you buy from Adorama/B&H though....

aram535 wrote in post #7867906
I wanted them to loan me or show me the same item shot with Len1 and Lens2 -- How is it dumb to ask such questions before plumping down $500-$800? Yes, I can get it from Adorama or B&H and pay the 15% restocking, I could rent them, but the privilege of using their lens is not worth the cost. I already have a favorite with Canon, if they want my business they need to do a bit of a leg work.

Hmmmmmm, that is what the rest of us do and it seems to work.

I doubt Sigma is banking on "pros" as their marketing base. They sell mostly consumer and prosumer lenses. They don't even try to compete with big boys when it comes to pro lenses.

I doubt you would qualify for Canon's CPS membership either. But does that stop you from buying a Canon lens?

Gallery rules. Best thing since sliced bread. No idea how much money it has saved me over the years.

Maybe I'm spoiled. I think the only lens that I didn't try before I bought was a kit lens. Canon, or Canon Rep, or a friend has always loaned me a lens. It's also not like we're lacking in exact Canon lens information but try to find as much information about a Sigma lens. You'll find maybe 1 site, maybe 2, sometimes 5 years ago and they never have head to head from one to the other.

The two I was looking at where the 70mm, and 105mm macros. (Why the 70mm more expensive? Its shorter, has less glass yet costs more)

The job that I'm shopping for is very very precise though. They have to be exact 1:1 shots and the parts are ~ 1cm, sometimes clear and reflective, sometimes matte. I've got a 1Ds Mark III coming for the body. I just ordered the Canon from amazon so that should be here in 2 days.

The 15% I spoke was really local, Cameta Camera, Berger Brothers, these are smaller shops locally here so I wouldn't have to worry about shipping. Also I think B&H and Adorama have like a 7 day return policy which is a blink of an eye.

In2Photos wrote in post #7868005
I doubt you would qualify for Canon's CPS membership either. But does that stop you from buying a Canon lens?

What do you exactly base this on? Since I am a member.

aram535 wrote in post #7868069
What do you exactly base this on? Since I am a member.

Sorry, I was going by your gear list which has 3 L lenses. I thought CPS membership required more, but apparently it is 3.

EDIT: However, in order to qualify for the loaner program you do have to pay a $100 annual fee, correct?

In2Photos wrote in post #7868169
Sorry, I was going by your gear list which has 3 L lenses. I thought CPS membership required more, but apparently it is 3.

And it actually isn't just L lenses anymore. Midline optics, such as many of the EF-S lenses qualify, as do fan faves like the 85 1.8, 15mm fish, etc.....

Sorry, not the point, but worth mentioning......

In2Photos wrote in post #7868169
Sorry, I was going by your gear list which has 3 L lenses. I thought CPS membership required more, but apparently it is 3.

Ah. Funny thing when I qualified, you hardly needed Canon gear. It was more about tear sheets and creds. Funny thing was most of the submissions I sent in where not shot on Canon, but I still qualified.

If you were to walk into a Ferrari dealership, you think that they'd let you borrow the car for a couple days so that you can "give it its best shot" just because you claim that you're a professional driver?

Your argument makes zero sense. The CPS loaner program is a pay for service which Sigma and Tamron do not offer. If you want to try a lens and put it through its paces, then buy one and return it if you don't like it. As mentioned, stores like B&H do not charge a restocking fee.