Customer Reviews

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Macro Lens for Nikon DSLR

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This is evidently Sigma's third release of this lens, and it now includes HSM (HyperSonic Motor) so that it will work on cameras like the Nikon D40, D40x, D60, D3000, and D5000. These cameras have no built-in body autofocus (AF) motor. The AF motor is built into the Sigma lens, instead.

The easy way to make sure you are getting the HSM version is to check the sales ad for the filter size. The older lenses had a 67mm filter, while the new lens has a 72mm filter and lens cap. Looking at the lens, it seems a little shorter in length, yet slightly bigger around compared to the older lenses, due to the larger glass.

In shooting with this lens, I find the image quality to be simply superb at f/5.6 and f/8. At f/8 it is every bit as good as some of my Nikkor prime lenses. I don't make that statement lightly! I am a strong user of single focal length prime lenses. The reason I bought this lens is because I own the Sigma 10-20mm super-wide, and found its image quality to be excellent at f/8, also. I am a tripod-based landscape shooter, so I am mostly concerned with maximum sharpness, low chromatic aberration, and nice contrast. The newest Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 EX DC HSM lens delivers on all those fronts. It is a lightweight carry lens for everyday "normal" use.

Opening the lens up to f/2.8 lowers sharpness, especially in the extreme corners. The nice thing, though, is that my Sigma is about as sharp wide-open, as my Nikkor 24-120mm VR lens is at f/5.6. It is quite usable and impressive at f/2.8 and even has very low vignetting, which is an unexpected bonus. Stopping down to f/4 brings this lens into a high-sharpness range that gets progressively better to about f/11. After that significant sharpness is lost due to diffraction (light being diverted by the edges of the aperture blades). At F/22, this lens seems less sharp than when wide-open. I consider the maximum-quality usability range of this lens to be between f/4 and f/11. The larger and smaller apertures are there when you need them, but with some loss of sharpness.

The short focal length range (18 to 50mm) is necessary to keep image quality under strict control. Most "professional" lenses will not have a large focal length range, since it is very difficult to correct for lens issues over a broad range of lengths in one lens.

The Macro feature on this lens is quite usable. I was carrying a 60mm Micro Nikkor in my daily carry bag, but no longer do so. While not true macro, it is very close, and allows me to get up to within a couple of inches of my subject at 50mm. Quite impressive!

Pros:
Light-weight and small size
Solid EX build
Very high sharpness between f/4 and f/11
f/2.8 when you need it!
High contrast
Fast and Quiet AF - HSM Style
Macro that works pretty well
Low price

Cons:
Short focal length range
Loss of sharpness in edges at f/2.8
Diffraction unsharpness quite noticeable at f/22
Mild vignetting (light falloff on edges) wide open.

I've been using this lens for several weeks now, and would buy it again! No lens is perfect, and I don't expect this one to be. However, it easily meets my needs for a very sharp lens that will replace my use of several prime lenses. It adds little weight to my digital Nikons, so I can take it with me everywhere. It has become the daily "carry" lens on my Nikon D300. The images I have created with this lens, so far, have made me very happy. I enthusiastically recommend it!

I've had the pleasure of having this lens for about a week and have to say I'm very impressed by the constant f/2.8 aperture that it offers. In normal indoor lighting and ISO of about 400 or even 200 I can shoot some very nice shots without flash.

Your first reaction when you get this lens is it's freaking huge! It has a 72mm lenscap which is almost 1.5 times bigger than the kit. It also weighs much more because it uses more metal and glass. For handheld shots that's not a problem and in my opinion can actually help stability a little. For tripod pictures however, I will need another tripod because it just makes the camera too heavy. You'll also want to hold on to your kit lens when you are hiking and don't want to carry a heavy lens.

I am a D40 user so I didn't have too many choices that autofocused. the 50mm prime lens that I bought before did was not easy to focus manually and I wish I would have bought this first.

*update*, I've had this lens for almost a year now and have upgraded my body with the Nikon D90 and this lens is still my most used lens and I noticed the price was lower too so it's a true bargin. I briefly tried the Nikkor 17-55mm DX f/2.8 (the one that costs more than 3 times the sigma) just to see whether the grass is greener on the other side and the first thing I missed was that I couldn't get as close to my subjects the way I can with the sigma. I'm sure the Nikkor is better in other areas but at 1/3 the price, you'd love the Sigma. This will be my last DX zoom lens until I upgrade to full frame.

I was looking for a replacement to the very good AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm kit lens that came with my D40. I was looking for a walkaround/travel lens that was relatively inexpensive and in a compact package that would give me better low light/natural light capability. Since the D40 requires lenses with built in AF motors, this Sigma was pretty much my only option unless I wanted to spend more than twice the money for the larger and heavier Nikon 17-55 2.8 or wait for Tamron to release their comparable 17-50 2.8 (w/ internal AF motor) - which I've read is another great lens.

I couldn't be happier with my purchase! Build quality is superb (compared the the plasticky Tamron), the HSM motor is quiet and fast, and IQ has been very good so far. I haven't run the lens through its paces yet, but I'm looking forward to. This lens gives me the natural light capability that I've wanted and the shallow depth of field I couldn't get with my kit lens.

If you're on the fence, I'd say pull the trigger. This is a great lens for the money.

**** Update Jan 2009 ****
I've had the lens now for nearly a year and I've been very pleased. The constant 2.8 aperture has really been great. I will say HOWEVER, it seems as if some of the photos are coming out a bit soft. I suspect a front focusing issue inherent in many Sigma lenses, so I'm sending it in (under warranty) for repair. Hopefully this resolves any softness issues with the lens.

I have been very pleased with this lens. I am using it for a combonation of things. I purchased it primarily for my D80, that my wife uses, for wedding photography. This lens is also great for close up/Macro photography of flowers,etc. I replace a lens, much like this one. The other lens was also a Sigma 17-70mm 2.8-4, and was very pleased with it also. Sigma makes wonderful equipment.

Length:: 9:10 Mins

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Macro Lens for Nikon DSLR
In this video I tell you why this is a good candid portrait and macro lens. I demonstrate using the lens on a Nikon D40 along with the SB-600 flash shooting both macro and portrait pictures.

Searching for a fast DX standard zoom at a reasonable price? Here it is. Sigma has now thrown in HSM on this lens and it works very well. Have not had this lens for long, but it is sharp, fast focusing, and well built (typical Sigma EX). Comparable to the Tamron 17-50 but with HSM and at a decent price (check Norman Camera for even better deal) and about $700 less than the Nikon offering in this category. Enjoy!

Wow! I have 10-20mm Sigma that was pretty good (better sharpness than Nikkor 50mm 1.8), but this 18-50mm F2.8 is simply outstanding. Good optics, focus and zoom operation, working "crazy" macro, compact design, well built , light weight. What else to ask for? May be, I just got a good sample - who knows, time will tell...

The truth is: If it is working - you will like it a lot. If it does not impress you - do not give up and try exchanging it, it could be your lucky ticket.

Good Luck...

I was a little reluctant after reading lots of comments on various sites about this, but I decided to give it a try. The sharpness beat my expectations. I have heard of people complaining about softness and front focusing, but I have not seen either.

I was also surprised the HSM motor. Mine is very quiet and very fast. I have the excellent Nikon 18-200 VR and I would say that the focusing speed is maybe not quite as fast, but very close to it.

I would recommend this lens to anyone who wants a f2.8 lens in this zoom range.

I bought this lens after reading through several reviews both here and other sites. It has gotten pretty much universal praise, as it should. This lens is fantastic.

The first thing I noticed is that the front element, as well as the lens barrel is huge. It dwarfs my Nikon D60. It fits the curve of my hand naturally, and its weight makes the camera balance very well.

The build quality is awesome, even for a lens twice its price. The zoom ring moves smoothly and with just the right amount of resistance. It has a zoom lock to keep the lens from extending past 18mm (zoom creep), but there is enough resistance to keep the lens in place.

The HSM autofocus motor is fast and quiet. It snaps to the focus point with no hesitation and no hunting. The focus ring moves less than a quarter turn from both focus extremes, aiding in focus speed. It is an internal focus lens, so the front does not rotate or extend while focusing.

The pictures I have taken with this lens are a little soft while wide open (common with many lenses), but become razor sharp around f/4. The colors are neutral if not just a tiny bit on the warm side. I haven't had any experience with lens flare, but I use the included lens hood while outdoors.

Overall, this lens is highly recommended. Build quality, focus speed, and image quality are excellent, and it easily rivals lenses priced much higher.

I purchased this lens for my Nikon D5000 to replace the kit lens. I wanted a pro-level lens with a fast aperture, and didn't want to spend the $$ it cost for the Nikon version. After reading many reviews, I decided to try this Sigma.

I am so glad I did! This lens has performed spectacularly, and has pretty much lived on my camera body ever since I've purchased it. It's a perfect walk-around lens, as well as a great lens for portraits. I've shot four weddings with this lens, and it's given me great results. I find it to be very sharp and quick to autofocus. I do wish it had OS (optical stabilization, or VR/Vibration Reduction as Nikon calls it), but I'm fine without it as long as I remember to keep a steady hand!

I recently upgraded my camera body to the Nikon D7000. This lens as truly SHINED with this camera body! I'm getting incredible photographs! I highly recommend this lens to anyone looking for a sharp, fast, every day lens!

See images that I've taken with this lens on my Flickr Stream:
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