Customer Reviews

Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC Macro Lens For Canon

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Image stabilization is the new hotness in lens design, but being an old-fashioned sort, I went on a search for a lens with a wide maximum aperture instead. Sure, IS and VR give you the ability to hand-hold week long exposures, but what if your subject is moving? Amazing what a difference that extra stop can make when you need to capture action in low light. Plus, the AF system works better, and the viewfinder is brighter.

Cost, however, is what drove me to this lens. Due to financial constraints, I could afford no more than $500 for a lens for my 300D, which knocked the Canon L-series glass out of contention. After looking at the Tokina and Sigma 28-70 F2.8 lenses, I discovered this lens was in the pipeline and held out for it.

It's not a replacement for the Canon L-Series lenses. That's the bad news. The good news is that this is possibly the PERFECT advanced amatuer lens. Good optical quality, though a little soft at F2.8. Focuses quickly, and "wanders" less than other EF-mount lenses I own (18-55mm EF-S kit lens; low-end Sigma 28-90). The wide aperture allows for auto focusing in what feel like "no light" situations.

Strengths:

Quick focus, little focus "wander", good build quality, included sunshade and case, relatively light weight and small size

Weaknesses:

A little soft at F2.8

I bought this lens hoping that I would get a sharper "normal" zoom than the kit lens Canon 18-55. Unfortunately, this is barely the case. I took several test shots comparing the Canon and the Sigma. The Sigma IS a little bit better, especially in the corners, but you have to really look close to see the difference. At f2.8 the Sigma is not that impressive. Between f3.5 and f8 the Sigma is better than the kit. At f8 and higher, the two lenses are nearly identical. Colors seem more accurate and pleasing with the Sigma. Focusing is quick and fairly quiet. And I like the fact that it comes with a good lens hood. I would have given the lens 4 stars, but since I spent nearly $500 for it, I expected just a little sharper image from it. I rarely use f2.8 in order to get sharp images which sort of defeats the f2.8 advantage. I should also add that I owned the Canon EF-S 17-40 f4.0 for a few days and then returned it. I was not impressed with it either. I really wish there was a tack sharp "normal" zoom out there... For now I will keep this lens, but if someone produces an affordable zoom in this range which is of better quality, I will go shopping again.