Range. Optical performance at this price point. Build quality.

Noisy AF

I ordered this lens to replace the kit lens on my Canon Rebel XT.It has exceeded all my expectations.It is sharper at all focal lengths than my neighbor's Canon 28-135mm IS.It is solidly built and operates well.The focus is accurate in anything but poor light.It focuses MUCH better than my Panasonic FZ20.But it is a bit noisy,especially compared to the Canon.I really don't miss the IS in this focal range.This lens is a terrific walk-around lens.The 10mm from 18mm to 28mm is really a lot of difference.18-125mm is almost ideal.Especially when you complement it with something like a 70-200mm or 70-300mm tele.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 28-155 USM IS Sigma 18-200mm

Sharp, good colours, high contrast. The best apertures 6,7 to 13,5. AF is O.K., not too noise.

Sample variations, watch it. Chroma abberations on wide end to middle, strong distortions thru the zoom, but still O.K.

Excellent sharpness thru the zoom, well build, good hood, small and light, affordable.

Customer Service

Never need.

Sharp outdoors Compact Very good value for money

Not as sharp as Canon's top line L series and high-priced lens Picture post-processing needed to achieve better results Flare when faced to sunlight

Excellent zoom range. Light, compact and yet solid built (much better than Canon 18-55 kit lens). Aperture large enough considering its size. Sharp overall and wide-open still OK. Color a bit reddish pink, not so good for forest/green fields photography.

Customer Service

None so far

Similar Products Used:

Canon: 18-55mm 28-135mm IS USM 28-70mm 2.8L 50mm 1.8 Tamron: 19-35mm 3.5/4.5

Good to excellent sharpness Excellent color fidelity Quick focus in AF mode Compact design Creep lock when transporting Solid build

Except for higher-than-average motor noise, none that I know of

I needed a lens that could serve as all-purpose on vacations and other trips. But I also wanted sharpness, color fidelity and, overall, a lens that could make the most of my Foveon Sensor/Sigma SD-9's qualities. I first tried Sigma's 28-200, but was very disappointed. I exchanged that lens for this one, the 18-125mm. It satisfies all of my requirements, and then some. Indeed, I find this lens to be a remarkable value, particularly in light of the fact that it's nearly a 7X zoom. On my sample, there's no barrel distortion at the wide end and only a minor amount of pin-cushion at 100 to 125mm. Results are excellent indoors or out at f8 to f11. Though not a fast lens, it does quite well indoors with available light during the day. I intend to use this lens often. It is truly an all-purpose lens, and one of Sigma's best at this price point.

Customer Service

Adorama has been my primary supplier of photo equipment and accessories. Excellent pricing. Excellent service. I have never had a problem or issue that Adorama couldn't satisfy or solve.

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Sigma 70-300mm APO Sigma 24-70mm f3.5

Pretty sharp across the range. Good contrast. Solid build. Not too heavy to carry around all day.

Noisy autofocus, can hunt at full reach.

Sigma's range of good quality consumer lenses, the 18-50, 55-200 and 18-125 (and maybe the 70-300, but I'm not so sure about that one) are inexpensive and well worth having. I use this one, the 18-125 f3.5-5.6 DC, on a Canon 300D as a walkabout lens when I don't want to be changing lenses. It focuses well although noisily and has good colour balance and contrast and optically it is good enough for 11x9 prints. It's replaced the Canon 18-55 lens that came with the 300D as a kit and I would say that it is a little better than the Canon and definitely more sturdy. I've "pro" lenses for my Canon 20D but I do tend to grab a bag with the 300D, the Sigma 18-125 plus the Sigma 55-200 whenever not on a specific assignment.

Customer Service

Sigma in the UK have excellent customer service.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 18-55 f3.5-5.6 Sigma 55-200 f4-5.6 Canon 50 f1.8