Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

Comments

1. Ghassan Bedaywi says:

   August 25, 2010 at 9:08 pm

   Review by Ghassan Bedaywi for Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
   Rating:
   Actually my review is somewhat similar to the previous review by W. Cooper. I, like him, didn’t find much resources about this lens, but was confused between the Tamron & the Nikon long range lenses, I was about to go with the Nikon 18-200mm because I felt that the Tamron 18-270mm lens didn’t really get good reviews and I didn’t like the fact that it was slow in focusing. And boy am I glad that I waited for this one. I think I gambled (being an early adopter) and it worked.

   Its really a great all around lens which is exactly what I was looking for (I hate changing lenses). The best thing about it is that its really pretty fast in focusing at 250mm, maybe even faster than my D90 kit lens the Nikon 18-105mm. It really is a HSM equipped lens, I saw a few threads in forums about ppl debating this fact, so rest assured it has a motor. The OS is working as it should at maximum zoom as well so no issues here. I have been using it for a couple of days only to be fair, but I’m very excited about it and about the quality of the images I have took so far. I’m taking it out for a full test in the next few days, if I feel that things weren’t perfect I will update this review. I didn’t notice a lens creep (yet!), but in any case there is a lock switch on the lens, this switch will only work when the lens is at 18mm. I noticed that when you are trying to shoot close-ups at 250mm, the lens wont focus properly if you are too close to the subject, manual focus will still work though and you can take a clear sharp picture. The make and the body of the lens feels nice and durable as well, it doesn’t feel cheap at all.

   In the end I have to say that this baby will beat the Tamron 18-270mm lens hands down, and surely the Nikon 18-200 if you want a bigger zoom. And the price is surely worth it and acceptable.

   Update: I think I was wrong about close-up focus, it still focus pretty well and fast at close range while at maximum zoom.

   Update 2: I have uploaded some pics in Picasa, plz see comments for link. The images don’t look good after uploading to Amazon.

   Update 3: I have to confirm again my initial statement that sometimes it fails to auto focus at close range (according to my tests), I would have to use manual focus. Going back to auto focus it would then work, it seems it needs a reset from time to time!

   Update 4: It weighs around 650g or 1.43 pounds.
2. D. P. Murray says:

   August 25, 2010 at 9:43 pm

   Review by D. P. Murray for Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
   Rating:
   I just recently bought this lens primarily for its Optical Stabilization technology.
   
   My past lens the Sigma 28-300 was a great all around lens but it didn’t have the image stabilization that this lens does. This lens with the range of 18-250 actually works better for an all around lens. I was a bit skeptical about the OS (IS Canon) technology but after using a Canon 70-200 2.8 IS. I couldn’t go back to my sigma 28-300 without OS. I mean the difference was and is well worth the extra cost. I zoomed in all the way with the OS and without the OS on a rusted mailbox. The OS showed all the rust particles, the Non-OS showed blurred particles. That convinced me it was worth it. That extra crispness makes all the difference. Also, the price for this lens was outstanding when compared to the closest competition. I didn’t really want the Tamron, and I wasn’t about to pay 2,300 for the Canon 28-300 IS 3.5-5.6 that’s nuts. Closer to 1,000 I might have. But this lens as far as I can tell is just as good as the Canon for a lot less expensive. I have NEVER and I repeat never had a problem with my previous Sigma lens. I had the 28-300 for about 3 or more years. And the image quality was always right up there with my Canon lens. I work with a 24-70 2.8L and a 70-200 2.8L IS, as well has 16-35 2.8L, my sigma photo quality kept up with if not is equal to them. Though the L series are built very heavy duty and are really great lens all around. The image quality is not all that superior if any. With the OS on this new lens the only advantage to a L series Canon would be the better build and better dust and weather resistance. But by all means the Sigma 18-250 is a all around winner for anyone wanted an all around lens.
   
3. J. Olliphant says:

   August 25, 2010 at 9:57 pm

   Review by J. Olliphant for Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
   Rating:
   I would not give much credence to reviewers who compare lenses they have not actually used, or have only used one of them. We bought both This Sigma and the Tamron 18-270 and used them for a week in Mexico. We have a Nikon D70s and a D300, and exchanged the lenses after a few shots at the same time and place. We shot about 75% RAW and examined severe crops of the images on our 30″ Apple Cinema Display before and after correction with Photoshop. Here is our opinion:

   The Tamron is noticeably sharper. The Sigma is very soft except at the low-medium zoom range, and it’s still softer than the Tamron over its best range. The higher distortion of the Tamron is much less noticeable and easily corrected with software. The CA is about the same for both. Image stabilization was clearly more effective with the Tamron, especially at the long end where you really need it.

   The Tamron is noticeably slower in focusing than the Sigma, which is very fast for this class of lens. However, the Tamron often was more accurate and we missed several shots when the Sigma balked and did not focus at all. Over 5% of the shots we took with the Sigma were significantly out of focus, but only a few with the Tamron.

   With superzooms, you pick the weaknesses that bother you less. It was a close, but fairly easy decision. Though it was sometimes annoying to use, we got obviously better pictures with the Tamron. We both agreed to return the Sigma.
4. W. Cooper says:

   August 25, 2010 at 10:03 pm

   Review by W. Cooper for Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
   Rating:
   With lack of reviews on this product, it was a difficult decision to purchase this lens instead of the Nikon 18-200mm or Tamron 18-270. Since I was very happy with my Sigma 10-20mm lens, I thought it would be worth the risk–and it was, I am very pleased with all my test shots and look forward to taking it on my next outdoor adventure. This “super zoom” lens has great range, appears to have fairly sharp edges, low barrel distortion, and low bokeh effect. It is a good, solid lens with minimal zoom creep, and consistent feel throughout the zoom range. It focuses fairly quickly with the Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM), and the vibration reduction system (OS) comes in handy on those long range shots. This lens will probably spend 95% of it’s time on my Nikon D60 camera. When combined with the Sigma 10-20mm, almost all my lens range needs will be met in a 2 lens kit.
5. Andrew S. Koenig says:

   August 25, 2010 at 10:06 pm

   Review by Andrew S. Koenig for Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
   Rating:
   I was hesitant when it came to this lens. I have had Sigma lenses for >10 yrs and liked them, but found little to know information about this lens and was leaning toward the Tamron 18-275. The Sigma was about $30 less and I have never had trouble with my 3 other lenses. I even had Sigma replace one whose chip did not play well with my 20D, so I feel some loyalty to them. On preliminary use, it is about a pound and feels solid, and well made. Some complained about the mechanism being tight about half way from 18-250, I did not find it any more tight then my 28-70 or my 70-300 both by Sigma. The images are sharp generally except for the extremes on either end, so I will just avoid the very end of each side of the zoom range. I have not put the stabilization to the test yet, from what I can tell it does add about 2 stops and makes the hand held shots passable at longer focal lengths that would not have worked with out it. The other bonus is the rapid focus and quiet operation of the HSM.

   The one trade off and the reason for 4 vs. 5 is the weight. I have an 18-200 that does not have stabilization and the images at full or near full zoom are not so crisp (not the fault of the lens, but my not so steady hands). I always keep a monopod with me to minimize the shake, but this is not so convenient, so theOS is the reason behind the new Sigma. I understand the trade off for sharp pictures is some extra mechanics, but, it Sigma is reading this, shedding a little weight in the next version will go a long way. My only other comment is the f6.3 make it a bit dark at the high end of the zoom, again, trade offs are needed. If you use this outside you should be fine, but inside at a school play you may still need the monopod (got mine from REI – it is walking stick that has a removable head where you can attach your camera for about $60! REI Hiker Shock Light Staff) Over all I am very happy with another Sigma lens. and my next lens will be a 30 mm f1.4 prime sigma!

   Follow up 30 May 2009 – I had some more time to use the lens and found the OS works very well. I will post some images, but hand held at 1/15 gives a nice crisp image at f5.6. I don’t have the most steady hands in the world and these shots at 250 mm would never have been worth anything before the advent of OS for hand held shots. Other shots in the 18-80 range are nice and sharp from about f5.3 and up. Very happy and with 17th St. Photo as well, very fast shipping and easy to deal with. Great lens for the money