ed_chambers

Responding to Colin Southern: I use a 30D with two Sigma EX zooms. I'm an ameteur, but take lots of pics. Well, a 30D is a nice Camera, but it ain't a Ferrari -- let's call it an Acura. A Sigma EX lens is no Lada, it's an. . . . Acura, too, maybe a Honda. Any way, they perform together nicely.

For what it's worth: I bought a Sigma 70-200 2.8 five years ago to use with my Elan 7. I took it on a whale-watching trip off the coast of Maine. No IS, of course. Well, we got lucky an saw dozens of whales in a rolling sea. I set the shutter at 1/1000 and took over four rolls of film (400 ISO). Got some great pics, very few of which were blurred. The zoom feature was a blessing. One moment I would be aimed at a whale 300 yards away -- the next instant one would pop up within 30 yards. I still use this lens with my 30D and it works great. I think the benefits of IS may be overrated, especially with the amazing versatility of modern digital SLRs such as the 30D.

I use a 30D. I'm an ameteur but I take lots of pics -- all in JPEG. I have

been using Canon's Zoombrowser software to edit my prints, and I have been

very pleased. Will I see improved results, by purchasing Photoshop or some

other product? I've heard complaints about complexity with some software.

I bought a Sigma 70-200 2.8 EX APO HSM five years ago. I am an amateur, but I take lots of pics. I had the Elan 7 then but I went digital with a new 30D last summer. I like this lens a lot and it made the transition to the 30D without a hitch. This lens has not been babied. I've hauled it on many trips in harsh conditions -- whale-watching in Maine to the galciers of Alaska to the Great Wall of China. It always performed extremely well. I had a problem two years ago. It became a little "loose" near the end that attaches to the camera, which didn't affect its performance, but I was worried. I took a deep breath and shipped it to Sigma. Within a week they returned it to me, repaired. No cost and no questions asked. It's been fine ever since. I also use a Sigma 18-50 2.8 EX. Never a problem.

I had a problem three years ago with my Sigma 70-200 EX APO HSM. I sent it to Sigma with a brief letter and it was returned to me one week later, repaired at no charge. Still works fine.

I have the 18-50 2.8 mated to a 30D and have been very pleased. Sharp, excellent AF, sturdy.

I am a long-time Canon amateur, currently using a 30D with two Sigma zoom lenses -- the 90-200 2.8 and the 17-70 2.8. Not one problem with the 17-70. A few years ago the 90-200 became a little "loose" near the mount. (This lens is not pampered.) I sent it to Sigma and they returned it a week later, repaired, no charge, no questions asked. Never a problem with compatibility, AF, etc.