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

by Sigma

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.1 x 3.1 x 4 inches ; 1.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001PGXEGA
• Item model number: 18-250mm Nikon
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 15, 2009

Product Description

The SIGMA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM incorporates Sigma's original anti-shake compensation function, with a 13.8 times zoom ratio. For the camera have anti-shake function in the camera body, this lens's Hybrid Optical Stabilizer provide not only anti-shake function for the camera body compensation, but also provide the function to compensate the image shaking in the view finder of the camera like anti-shake compensation built in the lens. Incorporating four Special Low Dispersion glass elements and three Aspherical lens elements provides excellent image quality throughout the entire zoom range. This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 45cm (17.7 inches) at all focal lengths and a maximum magnification of 1: 3.4 reproduction ratio, making it ideal for close-up photography. An inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation, making it suitable for use with circular polarizing filters and the supplied petal-type hood. Incorporating super multi layer coating reduce the ghost in the backlight photography.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

262 of 275 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Sigma vs. Tamron, February 2, 2010

By 

J. Olliphant "jolli107" (South Puget Sound, WA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

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.

155 of 164 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Lens..., May 11, 2009

By 

Ghassan Bedaywi "Gus" (Kuwait) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

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.

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sigma 18-250mm is a good lens at a great price, May 9, 2009

By 

W. Cooper (Santee, CA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

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.