I was looking for an easy image-stabilized lens from 50mm outdoor, which complements my Tamron 17-50 VC upwards. After much Board Gelese were for me (as in Canon jargon designated "Consumer") two Favroiten fixed: the Canon EF 55-250 IS or the Sigma discussed here. The Canon I have not tried, but frightened me the cheap plastic mount and the lack GeLi from. The Sigma fits comfortably in your hand, has a metal bayonet and is delivered with GeLi. It sits comfortably at attention on the bayonet, the zoom ring has a nice resistance, ie it does not rotate too easily. Tube moves by the fact not of its own accord, if you hang the lens of the loop down. At issue stabilizer: it works - and it very well. Just how does it work, is a bit confusing at first, especially when compared with Tamron VC. The construction of the lens of the engine of the stabilization always transmit 90-second intervals namely after switching on the Cam or after focusing / tripping softly to himself, even if the switch is set to "off". This probably stems from the fact that a lens element must always be kept in motion and is completely normal. The actual stabilizer function is then switched on and looks at the test photos immediately how well the impact is (Tamron turns on only when focusing and then right again). I can not make too many pictures because of the dam ******** weather, what I've seen so far leads me to the following conclusion: very nice sharpness, very natural, warm color reproduction, cool Bokeh. If someone like me to his "Always top" a slight image stabilized complement upward looking, by weight, and the budget is not to break the camera bag that is well advised here. Add to this the free warranty extension to 3 years and the supplied GeLi. Only better Closest focusing distance / magnification would make the product even more versatile.
In any case I keep my Sigma! Not my Immderdrauf, but next to the EF 50mm 1.8 II my Always-In!
