Originally posted by SpecialK The older one has been discontinued for over a year. The only supplier that still had them for a while, Cameta Camera, ran out some time ago. The newer version is the "macro" variety.
I have the old one which is very good.
Hmmm...the "old one" that I just bought is the "macro" variety, but it's not HSM. Are there three? Non-macro, macro, and HSM? We're talking about the 18-50mm f/2.8 only right? I know there are several 18-50's but they're not all a constant f/2.8.
Regardless of which one I have, I'm loving it. Even the "macro" works very well on it. I was surprised by the rather viciously narrow DOF when it doesn't actually have a macro "mode" or switch.
The Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 was a very close second for me and only because it had a higher price. If I could've found one used like the Sigma 18-50mm I ended up with, I probably would've gone with the Tamron if for no other reason than what I encountered looking for a circular polarizer and a R72 IR filter for the Sigma -- 72mm filter thread! "OUCH!" said my wallet!