| Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Ok for the price, but not for professional printin, Wednesday, 29 October 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		3.3
Sharpness		4.0
Build Quality		3.0
AF Speed		2.0
Value for Money		4.0

I purchased the Sigma 18-200 for use with a Canon Xt because I needed a wide zoom range and was on a tight budget. For the price this lens is OK. The auto-focus is slower than I anticipated, despite the reviews that say so. The lock on the one I purchased seemed stuck and the barrel kept coming out on it's own while walking. The first pictures I took with it were a great disappointment. I recently started a small pet photography business and also work for a local paper as their sport's photographer. I use a Sigma 70-200 2.8 for sports and it works great at an affordable price. As soon as I uploaded the test shots of the Sigma 18-200 I realized that despite my ISO being at 200, there was unbelievable grain (shot in daylight) as well as an overall muddy look to my pictures. It may have just been my lens. I tested it out against the kit lens (18-55) and the nifty fifty (50mm 1.8) and the Sigma was the worst in quality. I print pictures for my clients and I could not imagine sending a shot of such bad quality to print. Like I said, it may have just been the one I received, but the quality was just not good. I returned it and got the Tamron 28-75 2.8 for a couple of bucks more and could not be happier with it.

Was this review helpful to you? yes

Report this review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Great All Around General Purpose Lens, Saturday, 19 April 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		5.0
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

This lens provides adequate telephoto and a nice wide angle in one package. I've used it on both the Canon XT and XSi and it works great. It is the one lens I just leave on.

Was this review helpful to you? yes

Report this review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

An OK lends for the price; autofocus is hit and mi, Saturday, 12 April 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		3.5
Sharpness		4.0
Build Quality		4.0
AF Speed		3.0
Value for Money		3.0

I received one of these for Christmas...so I've had it for 6 months now. I've taken thousands of shots with it, on both a Canon Digital Rebel XT (350d) and a Canon EOS 20d.

The bottom line...I like the lens - but the focus is not that great. Abour 35% of your shots are blurry due to inaccurate auto-focus.

Specifics...

1) At 200MM (Max telephoto), you will see some blur if you don't use a high shutter speed and hold it steady. This means that just placing your camera on the green "point and shoot" mode, or even "P" mode may not give you a fast enough shutter speed to keep from having blur unless you are in bright daylight. So....here's my technique: at 200MM you may want to bump up your ISO (film) speed to 400 or 800, then use Tv mode (Canon settings I'm talking about - manual shutter speed control) to get a fast shutter speed. I also hold the end of the lens (the petal filter) with my left hand and lean against a solid object or have a good foot stance - or use a tripod. All of this is not any sort of lens defect; rather, it is typical of using a long tele lens that does not have Image Stabilization (IS). You can get IS from Canon, but be ready to lay down some $$$ and carry multiple lenses...more on that later.

2) Noisy autofocus. Yeah, true, it is louder than other lenses, but so what. It is not any louder than the fake autowinder sound my Rebel XT makes. I find its focus quick and only sometimes accurate - except in low light. Although, I will say my 20d does much better than my 350d did with this lens in low light. But, honestly, I don't think the low light autofocus is any worse than the Canon 18-55 kit lens I initially ised. It hunted a lot too in low light, and often would not lock - necessitating manual focus. The manual focus on the Sigma works great in low light, or, to keep autofocus, you can use an external flash for IR focus assist and it locks right up - but it is not always accurate.

Other than the Tamron, you WILL NOT find as versatile a lens as this one, especially at this price point. Optical quality is great on my lens. You can do better - but with two lenses. My solution to have this kind of range if $$$ was no object would be the Canon EF-S 17-85MM f4-5.6 IS USM and the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM...this would add image stabilization and 100MMs more range, but at much more cost, and you would have to carry two lenses.

I specifically bought this lens to have a compact, one lens solution. If you read all the reviews you can find, the general consensus is that the Sigma is better than the Tamron 18-200. Plus, the end barrel does not rotate, so you can use a circular polarizer. Show me a lens that has better bang for the buck in a one lens solution, and I'll buy it.

Update: I got sick of the blur with the Sigma. The focus is just not reliable enough. I bit the bullet and bought a Canon 28-70 F2.8L USM. Yeah, it is moe than double the cost of this lens and it is huge and weighs a ton, but the quality of the image is unbelievable.

Was this review helpful to you? yes

Report this review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Great all purpose walkabout lens but could use ima, Tuesday, 01 April 2008


Overall rating (weighted)		4.5
Sharpness		4.0
Build Quality		4.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

I bought this lens for its compactness and light weight and nothing can beat that its amazing how compact and light it is. The range of 18-200mm is very useful and covered almost all my needs. The image quality is great and its truly an all around lens. At the full range of 200mm an image stabilizer can help. Overall this is a great lens its inexpensive and it is very recommended to cover a range used by 95% of the people from portraits to nature and wild life photography.
If you can spend more opt for the more advanced lens with image stabilizer this will be your final lens you will need nothing more......

Was this review helpful to you? yes

Report this review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

This Lens Rocks!, Wednesday, 21 November 2007


Overall rating (weighted)		4.5
Sharpness		4.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		4.0

I've been using this lens with my Canon 20D for 3-4 months now, and I think I've taken it off only once or twice in that time. I love it. Its focal length range makes it incredibly versatile, and it's tack sharp through most of the range. Not as much distortion as I would expect at the 18mm end, and (as long as I keep a fast enough shutter speed and/or stabilize the camera) very crisp at the 200mm end. Best of all, when you're zoomed all the way out, you can actually get pretty close to a subject (within a foot or so) and still get a focus. Most longish lenses won't let you get anywhere near that close.

Another bonus with this lens: the seal with the camera is much tighter than with any of my Canon lenses -- so way less sensor dust!

It's my all-time favorite lens.:)

Was this review helpful to you? yes

Report this review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Very good walk-around lens, Friday, 19 October 2007


Overall rating (weighted)		4.3
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		4.0
AF Speed		4.0
Value for Money		4.0

I've had this lens for about 9 months and have shot thousands of photos with it. It's really a great lens for a frequent traveler like me. I keep it on the camera and toss it in my computer bag and go. The very wide zoom range is ideal for everything from group shots to shooting sports from the stands. For this capability and price, it does have some drawbacks, of course. It's rather slow, and therefore not well suited to shooting intimate gatherings at night or dimly-lit museum exhibits; you'll have to crank up the ISO to 1600 to get decent shots. And its images are noticeably soft in the middle range. (Get a $75 Canon 50mm f1.8 "plastic fantastic" and compare.) I'm preparing to give this lens to my niece and upgrade to either the OS version (optical stabilization) or maybe the Canon 17-55mm f2.8 IS (image stabilization) and a long lens, which would be much more expensive and less convenient. This Sigma is hard to beat.

Was this review helpful to you? yes

Report this review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

8 Stars for Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Lens , Sunday, 23 September 2007


Overall rating (weighted)		5.0
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

This lens deserves more than 5 stars; I give it 8 stars, if it is possible.

The Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Lens is one of a kind. It is very impressive in every aspect.

- It covers a wide range of focal lengths from wide-angle to telephoto.
- A minimum focusing distance of 45 centimeters at all focal lengths.
- The length of the lens does not change during focusing, ensuring convenient handling and ease of use.
- Excellent lens coating, which reduces flare and ghost effects.
- Magnificent pictures at all Light conditions.
- Compact and slim construction.
- Light weight, only 405 gm.
- Very good price compared to similar lenses by other manufactures.

Was this review helpful to you? yes

Report this review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Great all around lense, Saturday, 28 July 2007


Overall rating (weighted)		5.0
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

Let me start by saying I am not a professional photographer. I take pictures of family at various events. Having just one lense with such a wide range is perfect for me. I found myself switching between my 18-55 and my 75-300 2 to 3 times an event and it did not make sense. I am very happy with the range and quality of this lense.

Was this review helpful to you? yes

Report this review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC lens for Canon Digital, Saturday, 28 July 2007


Overall rating (weighted)		4.5
Sharpness		4.0
Build Quality		4.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

Photography is a new hobby for me. Because I have very little experience with the camera, I have had to rely on what others tell me and what I read. I chose this lens because I felt the wide range would suite my needs best as a beginner. I am so happy that I did. It is very easy to use and takes great pictures. I used it on the family beach vacation for my first big practice session and the results are beautiful. When I am ready for another lens I am sure to by another Sigma. Very Pleased.

Was this review helpful to you? yes

Report this review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

sigma dc lens, Saturday, 12 May 2007


Overall rating (weighted)		3.5
Sharpness		4.0
Build Quality		3.0
AF Speed		3.0
Value for Money		4.0

the quality of this lens seemed to be good for the price but i was not happy with the image and sharpness in my pictures.I returned the lens for the canon L f.4 70-200mm,non is model.This lens is the ticket in the 600.00 price range,no complaints what so ever.If you want clear results,spend the extra money.

Was this review helpful to you? yes

Report this review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Sigma 18-200mm for Canon XTi, Friday, 11 May 2007


Overall rating (weighted)		5.0
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

A nice vacation lens - reasonably priced - it works fine, is relatively quiet, and focuses fast in good light - produces very nice results with my Canon XTi - much better than I expected frankly. In low light at full zoom it focuses well in bright to good light. Considering it's zoom range it produces excellent picture quality. Always stop down to f8 or f11 outdoors and you will be amazed at the quality. Macro performance is good with a close focus of 17 inches so you can capture large flowers and even larger butterfly's. Build quality is very good with no wobbles and a good finish to it. A very good choice for walkabout's or a vacation lens.

Was this review helpful to you? yes

Report this review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

awesome "every day" lens!, Friday, 06 April 2007


Overall rating (weighted)		4.8
Sharpness		4.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

I recieved this lens as a gift for my birthday to go with the Canon SLR that I recieved for Christmas. I am extremely happy with the lens. Recently I went on a trip to italy, and this was the lens I brought along. All of my pictures turned out beautifully. I was travelling with several friends, and whenever it was time to take portraits ("take a picture of me infront of the colloseum!") my camera was the one that was requested. This lens does beautifully with portrait shots--- SO much better than the stock lens that came with the camera. Gets that nice blurred backround effect with complete ease. I also used the camera for lots of close flower shots (did you know that callalillies grow wild in north-coastal italy?), and of course countless panoramic landscape shots. All were fantastic. No complaints at all.

If you are looking for an easy to use, general purpose lens that you can pop onto your camera and not need to worry about? This is the one. GREAT bang for your buck and definitely gets the job done.

Was this review helpful to you? yes

Report this review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Love the zoom range! And, the photos are sharp!, Monday, 12 March 2007


Overall rating (weighted)		4.8
Sharpness		4.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

This lens is not perfect, but for $350 dollars it is a great bargain!
I love my L lenses but I get frustrated having to switch lens all the time.

With this lens, I only have to carry my camera. Not the heavy camera bag. I love being able to use wide angle and then immediately switch to 200mm (300mm on the Rebel XT) within a second! The lens is light and is a pleasure to carry around all day.

It has a hard time focusing in low light so it is best to use outside when you have a decent amount of light.
I don't like that you cannot override automatic focus. That is one feature I really enjoy on my L lens. If the camera isn't focusing correctly you have to switch to manual before you can manually focus.
I am very surprised on how sharp the photos are. I wasn't expecting anything great in such a low priced lens. I am pleasantly surprised. I may be carrying around this lens a lot more than my 70-200 L and 17-40 L. I have missed many good shots due to the time it takes to change lenses. Also, every time you change a lens you take a chance of adding more specs (dust) to your photos.

It is kind of slow at the long end of the zoom range. (6.3 at 200mm) But, I don't mind it when there is a decent amount of light available.
It is an excellent walk around lens. It is so nice not to be carrying around a bag full of lens all day. My shoulder is thanking me already. Since it is so light, my neck doesn't hurt at the end of the day.
If I need the utmost quality, I will of course use my L lens. But, in the mean time this lens will suffice. I am having a lot of fun with it. I will post some shots soon.
I was kind of surprised that there are only 7 sample shots available here on Amazon. I promise I will add more so people can have a better representation of what this lens can do.

Was this review helpful to you? yes

Report this review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Great Lens, Saturday, 10 March 2007


Overall rating (weighted)		4.8
Sharpness		5.0
Build Quality		5.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		4.0

Obviously the first thing that drew me to this lens was the great range for its price. However, this lens works very well.

Although not having as fast an autofocus as a more expensive lens, it is still quite quick; unless you are a frequent shooter of fast-changing scenes like sports, it will not be a problem. It produces very sharp images.

Pros: Auto focus is fast enough for most uses.
Outsatnding range. About 11x
Lightweight
Cheap

Cons: Zoom ring does not have the nice feel or action as an expensive lens
No image stabalization
No AF overide (while in AF; it can be switch to manual when you hit the switch if you new to this stuff)

Overall: Outstanding range; outstanding price; outstanding lens. All of the cons for this lens are things that you generally only have on expensive lenses anyway.

Was this review helpful to you? yes

Report this review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Lens for Canon Digital, Tuesday, 13 February 2007


Overall rating (weighted)		4.5
Sharpness		4.0
Build Quality		4.0
AF Speed		5.0
Value for Money		5.0

Arrived very quickly. Tried it with my cannon EOS 10D. I am very pleased with the results.

Was this review helpful to you? yes

Report this review

Most Popular...