Evaluation: 
Conclusion: Fast and sharp
Review: Since purchasing this lens I have put away the Kit lens that came with my Pentax100D super. This lens is fast all the way through the focal length. The price was a real bargain compared too other lenses with the same stats. I'm looking forward to finding more zoom lenses, with higher focal length, and low stops to fill out my photo needs in future Amazon bargain alerts. Thanks Amazon!
Joe L.
Evaluation: 
Conclusion: Nice
Review: I needed a lens with a bit more zip. This one is fast enough for my liking and in my price range, much cheaper without the macro option of the new model.
I find the sweet spot for this lens is between f8-11...crisp and clear.
Images tend to be soft at upper and lower f-stops.
Filter are on the expensive side.
Over all I'm satisfied.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Nice fast 18-50 zoom
Review: I did a lot of research on the Sigma 18-50 f 2.8 zoom lens before I bought it. I have to say that it meets everything I've read about it. It is fast, really sharp and enables use in lower light and gives you the opportunity to get good depth of field. This is a lens worthy of replacing the standard kit lens included with most DSLRs. Five stars.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Great replacement for the kit lens.
Review: First of all, if you have already bought the kit lens, and use it mostly outdoors, don't bother to buy this one. However, if you are doing a lot of in-house shooting, say, in a museum; or other situations you need this f/2.8 yet no tripod is available, then this is the lens for you.
Comparing to the kit lens, the most impressive property of this lens is its f/2.8. As said before, it gave you a night-&-day difference in low-light conditions. The quality of the Sigma brandname is satisfying.
Budgetwise, if you have more money, go for the SLD/ELD model, which is only $70 more. If you are tight on the green, don't forget this: for the kit lens, the fliters-kit are only $17 at amazon, yet for this 67mm, a single filter will cost you $50+.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Better Than The Pentax Kit Lens
Review: Allow me to start off by stating that I am an "old school film" photographer. When I mean old school I am talking about Nikon F and Nikkormat cameras. I also acquired some Pentax screwmount bodies and lenses back in the late sixties and early seventies. The lenses were made of metal and glass. They were sturdy, uncomplicated and still considered sharp to this day. Today we have too much plastic IMHO. Not to mention motors!
I joined the digital revolution awhile back. I'm still waiting for affordable Nikon bodies that meter with the AI lenses. The D200 is just too much for me to consider.
Recently, I purchased an affordable Pentax K100D with the kit lens. After doing my own testing at various apertures and focal length settings, I came to the conclusion that it was OK for the money but I wanted something sharper.
So I bought this Sigma lens. This Sigma lens is way better and more costly but definitely worth it. Wide open it blows the kit lens away. Its wider (f:2.8) than the kit lens (f:3.5). In darkened interiors that little extra one half F stop will come in handy and be sharper as a bonus! Also, its F:2.8 over the entire focal range. This lens is a worthy investment and you will notice the sharpness.
Pros:
Sharp
Larger minimum F stop
responsive
Cons:
Costs more than the Pentax kit lens
Uses larger filters (62mm as opposed to 52mm)
Weighs more (I don't mind though)
I feel that the Pros outweigh the Cons. Go for it. You won't be sorry.
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