This Sigma lens, which I have had since November 2008 has been great from the very beginning. I paid around $370 for the lens, compared to over $600 for the equivalent Canon lens. Even though price was a consideration when buying this lens, I first looked up different lens reviews in magazine and at internet sites. Most of the reviews concluded that the Sigma lens was, for the most part, equivalent, or even better than the Canon lens. I photograph portraits and weddings all year long and I have always been very satisfied with the sharpness and the color hues in this lens. Many people believe that a brand name lens (Canon, Nikon) is always better and more rugged than an independent brand. Judging from my experience with this brand, SIGMA lenses (I have three Sigmas) have always been of top quality.