Get the Sigma, against the Canon it wins the vast majority of reviews. I use the Siggy on my 5D with no issues.
Forget Siggyphobia, much of it is internet crap IMVHO
It appears most would go for the Sigma then.
I see Panamoz have it for just over £300 if BT, but will need to see what the deal is with returns first, if the lens is poor.
one thing i would say, avoid grey imports as sigma can refuse to work on them (which could land you with an expensive paperweight outside of the retailer warranty).
In my experience and others I know, they dont refuse work they just put you at the back of the queue and if your lens needs an AF part that only Japan has they ship it back to Japan for repair, you wait, you pay for all labour, parts and shipping.
ive heard of work being refused without a UK VAT receipt. why take that chance..
I'm struggling to consider a used Siggy at around £280 when a new one with their own warranty from Panamoz is just over £300. Ok it's an import, but that doesn't bother me.
my ebay 1 month old uk lens was 287
Sigma, get test shots if buying used.
I think poor sigma copies were the old versions The one I bought from ebay is only a month old and is perfect
I have even managed to get the sigma 3 year extended warranty
I'd say this to anyone going through three copies of any lens... the odds against getting three duff lenses in a row from different places and over a period of time must be remote and when it happens technique and camera body must come into question.
you could be right who knows, all the manufacturers keep very hush hush secret squirrel when they have issues with their products and there are no exceptions to this rulei believe they are all the same, its just the coating that was changed.
i cant find anything to suggest different.