Evaluation:  
Conclusion: Good lens for the money
Review: I buy many products based upon reviews from other users. That is also the case with this lens. I bought my Nikon D40 about 3 months ago (after 10 years of using point and shoots, including my treasured Canon S2is super zoom), with the kit 18-55mm lens, plus I bought a Nikon 55-200mm VR lens. I love the VR lens, but traveling through Europe for 2 1/2 weeks proved to me that I HATE changing lenses. It's inconvenient and potentially contaminates the inside of the camera body. So, I started looking around at something that I could use as a single walk-around lens. I love the wide angle perspective of the 18mm end, plus needed at least 200mm for the wide end. I liked the idea of Tamron's 18-250mm, but it's not image stabilized, which is really essential at the telephoto end. So, back to the Sigma. I read Camera Labs review of the non-stabilized Sigma 18-200mm, and it was favorable. So, I figured that the new stabilized version would be at least as good, and probably better.
I have not used this lens much over the past couple of weeks, but have found that (with a couple of exceptions), it focuses at least as quickly as the 18-55mm Nikkor kit lense, if not faster. The OS works great, making hand-held photos rock solid at 200mm. The only thing that I haven't spent a lot of time doing is taking indoor photos with it. I have taken indoor photos with the onboard flash, and they seem to work fine. I have not had much luck getting sharp photos at the telephoto end indoors, but admittedly have not tried very hard. I'll update this later, as I get more experience. Based upon what I know now, I am NOT AT ALL SORRY that I bought this lens. I was really having a hard time choosing between this and the [MUCH more expensive] Nikkor 18-200mm, but this lens seems like it is well worth the money spent. The focus/OS noise does not bother me at all (In fact, it's reassuring to hear that the camera is trying to focus, etc...). The only thing I wish Sigma had done was to make the lens Auto/Manual focus without having to move the switch from Auto to Manual, which the Nikkor can do. However, if it auto-focuses reliably, I guess it won't be a big deal. The zoom ring is a little tight right now, but I imagine that it will loosen up over time (hopefully not to the point of requiring the lock to be engaged). I also like the large manual focus ring; the Nikkor's is much smaller. Don't be put off by the 72mm diameter (which I was initially). It's not a big deal. Yes, it is quite a bit heavier and larger than the kit lens (or even my 55-200mm Nikkor), but not overly so. In fact, it makes the camera easier to hold, since I think the D40/40x/60 grip is just a little too small. I was concerned that the onboard flash will be blocked by the lens, but it seems to have no effect. I'm not seeing any shadowing. I'll keep you advised on how my ongoing review is going.
Happy shooting!
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Sigma 18-200mm Image stabilization, for Canon
Review: I bought the lens to give me more range without changing lens. Does the job. I bought it right before I went on vacation. Took a while to get use to it. Makes very good pictures at all ranges. I found that I didn't need the 200mm, except for rare occasion. The Image Stabilization was what I wanted since I could not use a tripod on vacation. Only a few pictures showed movement. Even used it in helicopter ride. Got some good pictures.
The only problems I had were the weight. It is heavy for me. Carrying it all day gets tiring. The barrel is quite big, but know it is the I.S. There is some lens creep, had to use the lock. One thing that was hard to get use to was grabbing the focus ring with it in auto focus. The ring is too easy to find.
Overall, it is a good lens. Picture quality is good, and price is good. Good general use lens.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Sigma AF 18mm-200mm review
Review: This is a great lens. My wife is a newspaper photographer/reporter. She uses this lens as her primary walk-around. The 18mm-200mm range gives her a great deal of flexibility without having to carry extra lenses and go through the lens changing dance. Imagery with this lens is first rate. The optical stabilization works like a charm. We use it on Canon 30D and 40D bodies. You can find some low-res images here:
[...]
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Great Lens
Review: I have this lens for almost two weeks and I took already almost 500 pictures. The zoom works very prezise and the optical stabilzer is amazing. I took some pictures inside a church and didnt have my tripod with me. All pictures were in focus.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Outstanding Lens!
Review: I don't know alot about lenses but my wife wanted this for her birthday. I purchased off of Amazon and my wife loves it. The only drawback is she says when she's taking pictures in public it makes her look like she knows what she's doing. HAHA!
|
