the early HSM version was very good wide open, i've had one in a Canon fit and one in a Nikon fit and both were excellent, it's the later Macro version that wasn't as good wide open, still very good just not as good as the non macro IMO
Agreed - Sigma threw the baby out with the bath water with that "macro" feature.
FYI
There's was a Canon 70-200 f4L (non-IS) on sale as Cash Converters in Bristol (Gloucester Rd). Not sure if it's still there or not or whether they post. The last time I walked passed it was there (about a week ago) and had been there for around 2 months.
Sorry but I can't remember the price.