Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC SLD ELD Aspherical Macro Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Digital SLR Cameras

by Sigma

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.4 x 3.1 x 3.1 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000JDKGIO
• Item model number: B000JDKGIO
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 4, 2006

Product Description

Manufacturer Description

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC MACRO lens. This lens has a large aperture of F2.8 throughout the entire zoom range, a minimum focusing distance of 7.9-inches and a maximum magnification of 1:3, making it ideal for close-up photography. Specially designed to suit the characteristics of digital SLR cameras this lens provides a high level of optical performance.Its design incorporates both glass-mold and hybrid aspherical lens technology which offers superior peripheral brightness, extremely high image quality as well as a compact and lightweight construction.

Special Low Dispersion (SLD) and Extraordinary Low Dispersion (ELD) glass elements provide excellent correction of color aberrations. The super multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting, a common problem with digital cameras. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range. An inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation, making the lens particularly suitable for using the petal-type lens hood (supplied) plus circular polarizing filters.

EX Lens
The exterior of this lens is EX-finished to denote the superior build and optical quality, and to enhance its appearance.

DC Lens
These are special lenses designed so that the image circle matches the smaller size of the image sensor of most digital SLR cameras. Their specialized design gives these lenses the ideal properties for digital cameras, the compact and lightweight construction is an added bonus ! including compact and lightweight construction.

Product Description

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC MACRO lens. This lens has a large aperture of f/2.8 throughout the entire zoom range, a minimum focusing distance of 20cm (7.9..) and a maximum magnification of 1:3, making it ideal for close-up photography. Specially designed to suit the characteristics of digital SLR cameras this lens provides a high level of optical performance. Its design incorporates both glass-mold and hybrid aspherical lens technology which offers extremely high image quality as well as a compact and lightweight construction. Minimal vignetting and superior peripheral brightness is ensured. Special Low Dispersion (SLD) and Extraordinary Low Dispersion (ELD) glass elements provide excellent correction of color aberrations. The super multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting, a common problem with digital cameras. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range. An inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation, making the lens particularly suitable for using the petal-type lens hood (supplied) plus circular polarizing filters

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC SLD ELD Aspherical Macro Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Digital SLR Cameras, July 3, 2007

By 

John Wright (Salt Lick, Ky USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC SLD ELD Aspherical Macro Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

I have used Sigma lens for many years on different camera. I never owned one of their best until now. This is an excellent lens. I would reccommend it to any one. Very sharp & plenty of contrast. I am 100 percent happy with this lens & the excellent service I received from Amazon. They delivered right on time as promised.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive Quality and Performance, August 5, 2008

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC SLD ELD Aspherical Macro Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

After long research felt skeptical about the quality at F2.8 but decided to get it. I am amazed with the pictures that I took with this lens at all apertures. When compare to the kit lens even at F2.8 the pictures taken using Sigma are way sharper, few reviewers mention about soft image at F2.8 but perhaps my results are different as maybe the kit Olympus lens which is made in China failed quality control and as a result I end up with bad lens. I accepted the quality as standard and would probably never know. I'm very happy with this lens and highly recommend them to anyone.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good glass at a good price, January 27, 2008

By 

Robert J. Crowley (Sudbury, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC SLD ELD Aspherical Macro Lens for Olympus and Panasonic Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

Sigma makes their lenses in Japan using much of the same machined construction techniques we have always been used to. This four thirds Olympus mount macro was my first choice over the more expensive Olympus glass.

This is a large lens with a big front element. AF works fine, it isn't too heavy, the manual focusing is smooth, and the contrast and color seem fine. But I am having a hard time really evaluating this lens on the inexpensive, feature rich, somewhat oddball and discontinued Olympus E330. With this lens and also the cheap Chinese made Olympus lens that came in a kit, there is a noticable lack of "tack" sharpness in the images. I think this is the sensor or the camera itself and not the lens.

Barrel distortion is small. The lens retains decent focus throughout its range, though critical focusing may need a touch up. The mount is smooth and the appearance and quality is good. The useful range is like a 36 to 100mm lens which is useful for table top and product shots which is what I bought it for. I see little evidence of coma, flare, or pincushioning.

I am very eager to try this lens on the new E3. I have other Sigma lenses that I have liked, including the very excellent Minolta mount 24mm macro - a wonderful lens, so sharp, distortion free, fantastic. Now I hope for an 11mm for digital that will do the same thing.