Sigma 70-200 f2.8

[faisal]

Can purchase this for $250. 8 months old - supposedly in mint condition though no warranty (mostly). Meeting the seller today. Reason for selling : friend lost job due to recession, so selling his lens for him. Is it worth it??? Is there a way of checking how old the lens is through serial number or something. I'm guessing it's the older version (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3316&navigator=3) of the lens though I'm not sure if there is anything different in the new one (http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3340&navigator=3)....

EDIT: brand new costs $750....

[Honest Gaza]

Sounds too cheap to me....be careful.

[faisal]

yeah I think so too...that's why I'm not paying him today...either borrow it for a day or two to test it or try testing it for an hour and then check the pictures out on my pc. Either way, not buying it on the spot!!!

[Gintaras]

Faisal, I agree with Gaza. Someone (not a shop outlet) selling a good lens for 30% of the original price has a reason for doing this which he may not like to tell. at least I recommend to test this lens and see the images on laptop before paying. A 70% discount from a "jobless person" does not sound like a true story, because IMO 25% off would be a maximum discount for a good lens.

[Gintaras]

Faisal, recently I saw 24-70L /2.8 advertised for 300 Euros, called the guy and he told me the lens was mechanically broken but glass was Ok, and he wanted 300 Euros for BROKEN lens !!! so much for altruism of people.

[faisal]

Thanks for the advice Gintaras....

I've bought the lens after testing it as much as I can. It is in mint condition, the only problem is a small 1 cm scratch on the edge of the front element but I think that shouldn't be much of a problem in terms of IQ. It is the 70-200 f2.8 APO DG HSM version i.e the non-macro version.

Focus speeds are as fast as my 85mm in most conditions, IQ seems fine wide open apart from at 200mm which seems to sharpen up at f4. It makes my 400D camera struggle with the weight (especially when holding the camera from the grip). It seems fine for now, I can always sell it off later on if I want.

Here's a test shot I took right now comparing IQ to my previous moon shooter....
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q121/faisal7/400D/IMG_2912.jpg
200mm, 1/200, f6.3, ISO 100 (100% crop with my usual sharpening)

[FLiPMaRC]

:eek: $250! Wow, great price!

[Elisha82]

good buy. the scratch should not effect the picture at all.
Sigma has a HSM version of the 70-200mm as well that is supposed to be faster and sharper but it is also much more $$.

[adam75south]

congrats. that 70-200 range can really come in handy sometimes...especially at f/2.8

[faisal]

:eek: $250! Wow, great price!

Tell me about it!!! :D
He's now selling a Bowens Quad 2000 Power Pack for $2000 which I think is another great deal!!!

good buy. the scratch should not effect the picture at all.
Sigma has a HSM version of the 70-200mm as well that is supposed to be faster and sharper but it is also much more $$.

That's what I thought....a small scratch shouldn't be much trouble. I got the HSM version though it's not the Macro version....

congrats. that 70-200 range can really come in handy sometimes...especially at f/2.8

This isn't too sharp at 200mm at f2.8 but is fine at all other focal lengths....It's quite heavy and the grip on the 400D is inadequate... :o

[talkingdog]

Yeah but for $250 for a 70-200, its probably sharper than anything else in that price range. Nice find,

[Rooz]

thats about the best value purchase i've ever seen. lucky man !!!

[faisal]

Yeah but for $250 for a 70-200, its probably sharper than anything else in that price range. Nice find,

True that...thanks!!!

thats about the best value purchase i've ever seen. lucky man !!!

:D