Good images, nicely built, good macro & range, good price

Compatibility problems, longevity problems, distortion

The continuing saga.... I did a lot of research and made two costly trips into NY before buying this lens. In theory, it's great - good image quality (though distortion is substantial), great macro and zoom range is very useful, good build quality (it seems). I've taken some great photos with it. BUT...I've also lost a great many with it. First, it has never worked right with my early EOS Rebel (nor did a longer zoom Sigma I tried, though Canon lenses work perfectly on it). I get weird aperture readings of 1.0, 2.8, etc. and the camera locks up sometimes, too. Sent it back for repair, it was improved but not perfect, now after a year it has deteriorated again and acts up constantly. Moreover, the autofocus crapped out as of a few days ago. Motor is running, but focus ring won't move. All this wouldn't be so bad if I weren't in Nepal at the moment, where there are no service centers, and India most of the last year, where the service center is said to do more damage than good. And there are an awful lot of photographic opportunities here to be missed. Now what do I do? Sigma needs to do more homework before introducing new lenses. This is ridiculous - and I know I'm not the only one who's experienced it - I've found other such complaints online.

Customer Service

Was fair the last time.

Fast AF. Good compromise between longer zooms and kit zooms. Good build. Sharp images/accurate colors. Macro capability w/ good results. WONDERFUL value.

I did notice the softness at wide angles and bit of distortion at full zoom. Not a factor for casual photography.

I bought this on advice of positive reviews here and as a compromise between the kit lens and a bigger/heavier zoom. I get great pictures---suitably crisp and accurate. Just the right range for family, school, event pictures. It is exactly what I'd hoped for---versatile, inexpensive, great quality, good performance. I also carry the Minolta 50mm 1.7 lens. The duo works very well with my Maxxum 5.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta lenses.

After reading reviews, decided to make this my first SLR lens purchase. I am thus far very pleased with this lens. I was first impressed with how solid the lens feels. I was next impressed with the AF speed. Having recently upgraded from a Nikon CP995 to the Canon 10D(awesome!), I was not sure what to expect for AF speed. I can tell you that I have yet to miss a candid shot while shooting my 1.5 yr old twin boys!! I have also done some studio portraiture and the lens produces very good results. I have never owned a Canon "L" lens, so do not have this as a reference for comparison, but for my shooting level/style/etc. I feel this lens will suit my needs for some time to come!

Sharpness better than expected for a zoom in this price range. Shows its strength when shooting chromes. Macro feature is an unusual bonus. Lets light in through 62mm front thread

Exhibits noticeable distortion at widest end, too much for my liking. As one reviewer mentioned, architecture=big NO NO Pincushion distortion from longer lengths and horizontal skew noticeable from maximum zoom setting. Some older ones must be rechipped to work with Elan 7/EOS 30, though Sigma were good her in the UK.Ä

A reasonable consumer-grade lens which delivers good sharpness and colour fidelity compared to similar-level offerings. Would make a good lens for the beginner moving up from basic/kit lenses

Customer Service

Good so far from Sigma

Similar Products Used:

canon EF 50/1.8 canon 75-300 USM (AVOID!!!) Canon 28-90 (insult to photography) Various L-series (sadly not mine :-( )

Sharpe,Macro,fast focusing,low cost

A little soft between 50-90

I read the reviews and I found that for the most part they were right on the target.I have used the lens in a number of situations and find the results to be pleasing in every way. It dosen't give prime quality results, but the colors are nice and the pics are sharpe and clear. The macro is not as sharp as I had hoped, but does very well except for those extreme situations. I use it with a EOS 1N and find they work very well together. The balance with the 1N is good and the hood works nice. A very good lens for such a low price. I compared it with the Canon 28-135 and found only one advantage to the Canon. The USM on the Canon is faster than the HSM on the Sigma, but when it come to the quality of the prints,I could not tell any difference. There was one more difference worth mentioning. The Canon cost about $250 more than the Sigma!

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 50-500 Canon 50 Canon 70-210 Canon 28 sigma 28

Sturdy Tight zoom ring and manual focus ring AWESOME value

My problem

This lens is great. Though theres something that other people have written about that bothers me too. Its the fuzziness of left corner on 28-50mm settings. When i got it, the fuzziness was present from 28 to 135 mm. But then it went down to 28-50mm. I also found a cure. On my Canon EOS 300 i just have to select the leftmost focus point. BAM! Problem solved. Or just use manual focus.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 28-80 II Zenith 35-70mm Sport 50 mm Kiev 45mm

28-135 range Macro setting and close focusing Included hood Better color and sharpness than Sigma 28-200 DL Large 62mm diameter Internal focusing, non-rotating front element (a plus for use with filters) Metal lens mount Sturdy build despite the plastic used Good investment for the money until I can afford Tamron 90mm macro, Tamron 24-135SP, or Canon 28-135IS USM or an "L" series, which is a few years off.

Not as sharp as "pro" lenses by any means Sharp in center, but some soft edges at 28mm and 135mm settings Consumer grade variable aperture 3.5-5.6 Zoom creep (not as bad as some lenses, but still there)

I bought this lens based on reviews here, and because of its affordable price. I originally had a Sigma 28-80 macro with my first camera (EOS IX) and was very pleased with its performance, just wanted something with a longer telephoto macro for my EOS-3. This lens fit the bill. It produces better sharpness and color than Sigma's 28-200 DL, and the close focusing is a plus. The macro works well, though supposedly the Tamron 90mm macro is supposed to be the best consumer macro lens, it costs 2X the price, so for the money spent I'm happy with the Sigma. Though I usually shoot nature, I recently took some enviromental portraits and candids and was very happy with the results, as was the client. Very bright, sharp and colorful pictures. Make sure you use the lens hood (included) to reduce flare and increase contrast. I also use a polarizer frequently to punch up the colors of nature, especially sky and water.

Customer Service

not needed

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 28-80 f/3.5-5.6 macro Sigma 28-200 DL f/3.5-5.6 Canon 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 Canon 70-210 f/4 Canon 50mm f/1.8 II Canon 28mm f/2.8

Macro is fun useful zoom range well-built

zoom creep possible compatibility problems weight slow (dark)

I'd basically concur with the majority view as expressed by others with respect to image / build quality, etc. BUT...The BIG problem has been one of an electronic glitch - I use the lens on a first year EOS Rebel. When I first got the lens the mirror would lock up, film would not advance after shutter finished. Prints came out okay, but only way to reset each time was to remove and reinstall the battery. This would happen at least a couple times per roll, often more. Besides this, if not used for a half hour or more, I'd consistently get strange aperture readings like 1.0, 1.4, etc. which of course don't exist, and the backlight in the viewer gets dim, and the camera won't fire at all. When this happens, removing the battery doesn't help - the lens must be unlocked and twisted "off" and back on - once the electrical contact is broken, it resets and all is normal. None of this ever was or currently is a problem with my original kit lens. Weird. I found a website with a page-long list of other buyers with similar problems with certain Sigma lenses on certain EOS models (mostly older ones), and some had been corrected by the factory. So I sent the lens back and they replaced the "D-gear" (?). Service was not quite as speedy as they'd promised - it was apparently finished but sat on the boss's desk for two days before it was shipped (though I'd called to express the urgency, as I was leaving on a long trip the following week). When it came back, the mirror lockup / advance problem was solved (has only done it once in eight months), but the bogus aperture readings persist to this day. All the camera electrical pin contacts have been carefully cleaned, etc. Unfortunately all this happened just before coming to India where I'll now be for some time - and there's no Sigma service centers here. By the time I'm back home, the warranty will have expired, so I guess I'm stuck with this problem. This is the risk with third-party lenses. But with more typical lens / body combinations, it's probably not a problem, and in that case it's a good lens for the money. Zoom creep is bad - but I adjusted the length of the cord that hangs my lenscap from the body, so when the cap is on, there's no creep. Sometimes it's a real pain when shooting up or down, though. The macro has really been fun. The specs seem to say it'll focus within 8", but that must be without macro, because

Customer Service

not quite what it should be.

Price Range Good construction

tend to be soft around 28mm

I was surprised buy this lens. I was worried that it would have problems with my Elan 7. I took a chance on it after reading review in Pop Photo and so far I have not been dissappointed. Relatively sharp pictures and accurate colors. It's the standard lens on my camera.

Customer Service

Havent' needed

Similar Products Used:

Canon lenses Minolta lenses other Sigma lenses

Very sharp.

A little bit of distortion and horizontal skew at 135mm.

The first Sigma lens I bought since my involvement in photography. I am very impressed with the sharpness and contrast that this lens brought out. Worth having it.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 75-300 USM, Canon 50 1.8, Canon 17-35 USM, Tamron 2x Conv