I just switched back to Nikon for DSLRs, and I bought this lens because it was cheap, and I needed something to get me below 24mm on a Nikon DSLR as a stopgap before I make a major ($400-600) investment in a serious, high quality wide angle (My Nikon-mount AF lenses were left over from my 35mm film days, so naturally, I had a gap in wide angles when moving to a smaller sensor). I was pleasantly surprised with this, especially it's build quality, which is quite substantial and noticeably better than the Nikon 18-50mm kit lens. It's definitely a decent inexpensive lens across it's range, and a reasonable wide in the 18-24mm range that does what I need it to do, and for under $50 I have no complaints. Distortion is not too noticeable, and it's reasonably sharp across the field. It's no $500 lens, but I think it's as good or better than Nikon's 18-50 kit lens in the wide range.
Strengths:
Surprisingly solid build quality. Decent little lens at a fantastic price
Weaknesses:
Small maximum aperture, no built in focus motor (won't AF on D40 / D60)
Similar Products Used:
Nikon 18-50mm kit lens, Tamron and Sigma 28-80mm zooms
I got this lens from an auction site, with the box, a uv filter, manual and singapore warranty.
Although I agree with all the reviews I read about the lens, but this lens for such a price is good to have.
You can get close to an object as short as 25cm (10 Inches) which is almost a macro distance.
I took close ups of dolls, watches, purses, pefumes, water bottles, juice cans and all found their way to magazine and newspapers ads.
I used it on a Nikon D80.
Finally, for such a price, even if it was made of window glass, its good to have.
Fadi - http://www.webandmedia.com
Strengths:
• Light weight
• Cheap price
• Fine results
• Short Close Up distance (25cm)
• Average to good results
Weaknesses:
• Relatively Slow
• Focusing Clunks from one end to end
Non Serious Weaknesses
• Difficult to put lens cover (if hood installed)
• Can't ocus manually with hood in reverse
• Difficult to remove filter
Similar Products Used:
Nikon 18-135
Customer Service:
The dealer in Dubai are very nice and helpfull
http://www.grandstores.com
Great lens! I have the 4/17-40L (on the 5D), but on the 30D the Sigma 2,8/18-50 is sharper and has no CAs. And the sigma is only a crop lens! I ever was a Canon fan (because they were and are the first with good ideass lik USM , and a "L" lens fan (because the L lenses are built very well). But in last time they have problems to keep their promises - they have big problems with quality, especialy with the expensive L zoom lenses. But I have great lenses like 24 TS-E, 2,8/28-70L, 4/70-200L IS too!
So I looked for an alternative zoom lens possibility for lightweight 30D equipment. No even it is neccessary to take the heavy fullframe camera. I tested some lenses, and yes, the Sigmas (2,8/18-50 DC EX and the 2,8/50-150 DC EX HSM) were the sharpest, lightweight, well-built and low-priced lenses for my 30D.
Strengths:
Sharp, no visible CAs, very good contrast, well built, no rotating of front lens during zooming and focusing (pol filter use!)! Fast lens 2,8 helps AF to find its focusing points.
Weaknesses:
No! HSM is not important for landscape and for wide-angle.
Excellent value for the money. It is actually very sharp but at the expense of some distortion and resolution. Very good walk-around and general purpose lens. It is a temp solution until I know what I want to fill this gap in focal length.
Strengths:
Light, compact, sharp and reasonably well built
Weaknesses:
Would not recommend for high quality, pin-sharp, high resolution applications. None otherwise
Rating Reviewed by: Hot and dusty(Unregistered User)
(Intermediate)
Review Date July 18, 2006
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for More than 1 year
Visitors rate this review 4.00 of 5,
2 votes
Review 5 of 9
Price Paid:
$100.00
from Jessops UK
Summary:
Price should be GB£100
Purchased this lens to fill a gap when I got my Canon 10D, quite an amazing little lens for the amount it costs!
I was mobilised as a reservist to Iraq last year where I worked as a unit photographer (amongst other things). The lens performed remarkably well the only problems I had were with heat (I may have gone above the recommended max temp a couple of times) where it the rings became quite stiff but all inner workings worked as they should. Also at the larger end some vignetting was visible depending on the light I was shooting in. This was easliy fixed though with a couple of minutes in PS.
It stood up nicely to knocks and bangs (including an empty case fired from a pistol hitting the front element!) and a constant barrage of Iraqi talc like fine sand.
In fact 70% of the images I took in theatre were using this lens and the results are now starting to go up on Alamy as stock photography.
Over all a lovely little lens that I will continue to use, despite recently getting higher spec lenses!
Sigma deserve a pat on the back for this one!
Strengths:
Small size
Lightweight
Rugged
Best performance per £££ paid that any other kit I have right now.
Weaknesses:
Slight vignetting at wider settings
Does not like 58deg cent + heat (same as most things really)
Sample Images
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