Sigma 8-16

Am I correct in saying there seems to be two versions of this lens, one with the usual sigma "flock" finish and another with a smooth finish like the later version of the Sigma 12-24. Anyone know why? Prefer the smooth version, is that what I'm likely to get if I order one?

They just changed the finish, optically they are exactly the same.

My 70-200mm f2.8 and 50-500mm OS are made up of both types of finish, obviously they wanted to use up the old bits first

Mike is spot on here, and the Siggy 8-16mm is a remarkable lens!
The newer smooth finish is better to be honest, it does not mark up anywhere as easily as the old flocked type matte finish.
Don't confuse it with the finish on the FF 12-24 "New" version as that one is mostly metal and quite heavy in comparison though, that said and as an aside,
the 8-16 does a decent job at 16mm on FF as well in case your interested...
Like I say remarkable lens...

http://www.photoclubalpha.com/2012/08/06/sigma-ultrawide-zooms-old-and-new-12-24...

Thanks for that guys!

I pulled the trigger on getting the Sigma the other day. Build quality is very nice and the new finish is much nicer!

I emailed Sigma to ask them if they would change the finish on my 2 lenses as I would prefer them to be 100% the newer finish. They said certainly sir, that will be £135 for each lens.

Show us!

I'd love to Jules but I just don't have the time at the moment. Most frustrating but nothing I can do about it, maybe in a week or two.

He He, I know what you mean, coming back to Pentax has turned out to be at the same time as a lot of Medical upheaval for me! I'm at the hospital every other day and in the days in between cooking dinner for my 92 (Soon to be 93!) year old mother, I just can't seem to get away! Not complaining about it, it's just all time consuming and involves ten miles cycling every day with a knee I'm not supposed to weight bear on at all anymore but needs must...
I'm sure we'll both get out sometime, hopefully before all the leaves fall off the trees!