Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC

[plyngby]

Hi

I am considering a purchase of the above lens. But wanted to know if anyone here had any inputs about the Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC

or maybe some pictures i could take a look at.

Brgds

Plyngby

[Ultra]

I cant speak on experience with Sigma but most of my friends from a photography school near all hate sigma... no idea why but thats what they say???.

On the other hand Tamron, which I have a 28-300mm and love, they have an 18-200mm as well http://www.tamron.com/lenses/prod/18200_diII.asp

I plan on selling my 28-300 and getting the 18-200 within a few months.

[evandavies]

The zoom rule applies here. "The greater the zoom range the lower the quality"

Its also very slow at the tele end.

I don't think its "bad" but you'll get better quality with two lenses for that range.

If you really want it then also consider waiting for the "OS" version out soon.

[darktiger]

I had the Sigma 18-200 for 6 months and it was a pretty good lens. Great outdoors, that was until I got the 24-105L. Big difference. The Sigma was nice where there is light, but once it starts getting dark, it wasnt that great. Here are some of my old pics.

These are jpgs straight from the camera.
http://www.stanandjenny.com/temp/Sigma/

[GAELICSTORM7]

My wife uses that lens she loves the flexibility it gives her in not having to change lenses, she's taken some nice photo's with it, it's not 'L' quality by any means, but it's not 'L' price either.

Here's a lens shootout I did with it against my 70-200f4 'L', pretty good really I think.

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=166288

Alan

[jorj7]

I have this lens, and find it very useful. It's small, has great range, and the images
are decent. It works better in good light, so I only us it outdoors. I mount it on the
20D (without grip) and put it in the back of the rally car. When I get a break, I take it
out and shot the action.
1
http://sis24.berkeley.edu/928/2006-pony/images/0827-142304.JPG
2
http://sis24.berkeley.edu/928/2006-pony/images/0827-075509.jpg
3
http://sis24.berkeley.edu/928/2006-pony/images/0827-111845.JPG

[supatt]

off topic but i have actually got a tamron version of this lens 18-200 and it is a really good all round travelling lens. picture quality wise obviously not comparable with any L lens or any fast primes....but for travelling lite....and daylight shots...it is very handy to use. once it hits dusk though......it is quite useless without a tripod.

[razyl]

I used this lens when i first got my 350D. Was great for it's versatility but as everyone has said not as good as more expensive lenses. A number of the shots on my website are taken with the 18-200mm, especially the South American shots.

For it's price you get great value and a big zoom range, but the (inevitable) tradeoff is quality.

[JohnJ80]

Everybody pans this guy, but I have to tell you that it does surprisingly well. It isn't fast but it does have very good optics. There is no better walkaround lens that I know of. I use this on an XT when I want to travel fast and light.

I also think it makes a great starter lens for a crop camera. The range is great and the quality is better across the range (by a bunch) than the kit. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this lens for the purposes I listed.

J.