Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8-4.5 SLD Aspherical DC Optical Stabilized (OS) Lens with Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

by Sigma

• Optical Stabilizer: Sigma's own OS System
• Large Aperture/Wide Angle: Superior low light photos
• High Image Quality: Two SLD glass elements and three Aspherical lenses corrects all aberrations
• Includes: Petal-Type Hood
• Mounts: Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony and Pentax

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3 x 3 x 3.7 inches ; 13.9 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B002332KC8
• Item model number: 18-50mm OS HSM Nikon
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (94 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Style: Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

An upgrade to its predecessor, the 18-50mm F2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM is a lens dedicated to digital SLR cameras with APS-C size image sensors offering a large aperture and Sigma’s Optical Stabilization. Once again, Sigma has also engineered the built-in OS function, an anti-shake system, for Sony and Pentax mount allowing the photographer to see a stabilized image in the viewfinder. The combination of the large aperture of F2.8 and anti-shake function makes capturing exceptional photos in low light achievable, and the wide angle is well suited for indoor photography. Two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements and three Aspherical lenses provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations. The Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting. Designed with inner focusing and inner zooming systems, high image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range. The overall length of the lens does not change during focusing and zooming ensuring convenient handling. This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 11.8 inches (30cm) throughout the entire zoom range and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4.1. The incorporation of HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) ensures a quiet and high speed auto focus.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 61 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A mixed bag but an overall win especially for the price April 7, 2010

By John W. Griggs

Style Name:Nikon Digital SLR Cameras|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm using this lens on a Nikon D200. After destroying my 18-200mm Nikon VR I wanted a cheap "walkabout lens" that I could risk destroying as I do a lot of industrial shooting where it's easy to whack a lens.

I bought this lens despite some less than glowing reviews. I really liked the self-contained design where nothing changes length when zooming or focusing. I also liked the idea of it being f/2.8 at the wide end.

This lens has a boatload of chromatic aberration at wider settings which is it's chief drawback. I use Lightroom 2.6 and it's perfectly correctable which enhances its wide end sharpness as well. This lens is sharp enough at all zooms stopped down just a little. It's really quite a surprise. I wouldn't try to make billboards with it, but it should print up to 12x18 with a little care in shooting. The optical stabilization on mine is really very good and I'm impressed with how far it allows me to push the shutter speed on still life shots.

Like most inexpensive wide lenses, it shows corner softness and vignetting at wide settings but this can actually be used to push the viewer into the center of the shot, or vignetting can be corrected in post. Wide open at 50mm (it's full zoom limit) it's soft all over but sharpens up by even F/5.6 on my copy. Not bad since most lenses in this price range are already F/5.6 at this zoom and have to be closed further to get any sharpness at all.

I have a number of Nikon and Sigma lenses and this one sits on my camera almost all the time. I've grown to know and trust it in just the short time I've had it. The autofocus has been very good in low light -- contrary to some reviews I've read elsewhere -- and I have to say this lens is easy to like once you understand its limitations.

For the very low price this lens sells for and the features it has (non-rotating filter mount, internal zoom and focus) it's a very attractive lens for a shooter like myself.

42 of 45 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent lens for an amateur photographer on a budget! August 23, 2009

By N. J. cruz

Style Name:Nikon Digital SLR Cameras|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm an amateur photographer, whose pictures are taken indoors, with no flash. I could not afford higuer-end class just yet, so I opted for this lens, knowing that 18mm, it gives you f2.8. That is pretty awesome. IT works fantastic and smooth. From the beginning, my photos came out pretty sharp, thanks in part to the Optical Stabilization offered, something that other brands cannot offer for that price.

Strongly recommend this lens for your everyday photos. Outdoors and indoors. It is not heavy, it is fast, sharp, and practical.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A superior lens July 24, 2009

By Jerry Massey

Style Name:Canon Digital SLR Cameras|Amazon Verified Purchase

Test photos made with this lens on a Canon XSI were beautiful.
The photos showed no chromatic abberation or edge distortion.
The colors were true and images sharp as a tack. Depth of field was excellent due to the large aperature.
Large blow up of text revels sharp edges. I would recommend this lens to anyone who likes good quality and price value.