Camera Labs

Hello,

I was thinking about changing my primary lens from teh standard 18-55 mm Nikon kit lens to something better, considering this is the lens I will be using the most. I already have the Sigma 10-20mm EX and Im very happy with the build quality of that lens so I was wondering if anyone had an opinion about this lens? (Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM) Ive surfed around quiet a bit and haven't been able to find any decent reviews of it. Im particularly interested in the f2.8 as it would a good improvement (or would it? ) from the kit lense.

All opinions welcome, should I go for it or try something else?

Thanks

-John

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Nikon D700, Nikon F301, Nikon FG and Nikon FM
Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR, Sigma 12-24mm, Nikkor 50mm f1.8 D, Nikkor 50mm f1.4 AI, Sigma 35-70 f2.8-4
Benro C-297 w/Benro KS-2

I say try for a Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 or even a 24-70mm f/2.8.

Awesome build quality and focal range, I am upgrading bodies soon and when I do I am getting a Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 as a walk around lens, but when I get a Sigma 10-20mm I will definetely walk around with that aswell.

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Canon EOS 5D + 50mm f/1.8

http://flickr.com/photos/nathan_ward

There's a review of the Sigma AF 18-50mm f/2.8 DC EX macro here. The review specifically states that their sample didn't have HSM but looking at this page from Sigma Imaging where they say "the Nikon fit version also includes an HSM auto focus motor" I get the impression, but don't know for sure, that the optics are the same.

Photozone also have a review of the similarly priced Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD..... here and there is a review by SLRGear here. Of course, this lens doesn't advertise a macro capability.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

I would go for the 24-70mm however I need the HSM because I have D40x body. Does the Tamron have autofocus on D40? (This is the time I wish I had gone for the D80 instead, but oh well), I probably wouldnt miss the 4 or 8 mm between 10-20 and 24 or 28. However my D40x limits my choices it would seem.

Thanks for feedback!

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Nikon D700, Nikon F301, Nikon FG and Nikon FM
Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR, Sigma 12-24mm, Nikkor 50mm f1.8 D, Nikkor 50mm f1.4 AI, Sigma 35-70 f2.8-4
Benro C-297 w/Benro KS-2

Good point, I am glad I am upgrading from a D40 soon. It is great to learn on but you feel like you need an upgrade to soon.

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Canon EOS 5D + 50mm f/1.8

http://flickr.com/photos/nathan_ward

Yeah, I just bought my camera a couple of months ago and I am happy with it except for the lack of AF engine and that the controls are a bit slow, a small lcd screen on the top would also have been nice. However Im still learning and I probably wont upgrade for a couple of years, Ill focus my money on lenses for now, because they don't need upgrading that often.

Anyway, as I am looking to upgrade my kit lens, the Sigma 18-50 mm HSM lens sounds very tempting as I hope it would be of good enough quality for any future body I would buy as well as a boost to my current one. As I understand the (and have experienced myself) the 18-55 mm kit lense I have now is fine but I would love to have a constant f2.8 through the whole focal range.

Any idea how it would fare against the Nikon 18-200 mm VR in the range of 18-50? I imagine that the difference between an aperture of f3.5 and f2.8 would be noticable?

Again, thanks for feedback

-John

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Nikon D700, Nikon F301, Nikon FG and Nikon FM
Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR, Sigma 12-24mm, Nikkor 50mm f1.8 D, Nikkor 50mm f1.4 AI, Sigma 35-70 f2.8-4
Benro C-297 w/Benro KS-2

Well I did some reading on this lens to since right now for me my upgrade lens when I get my new body is between the Sigma 18-50mm EX DC f/2.8 and the Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5.

I am almost positive I am going to get th eSigma since I think Sigma EX lenses are some of the best out there and my personal favorite lenses.

Check theses 2 links out. The first one is pictures of it mounted on the Nikon D80 and then the second one is a review.

http://www.pbase.com/viljamix/cameras

http://photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sig ... /index.htm

Hope this helps and be sure to tell me if you buy it.

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Canon EOS 5D + 50mm f/1.8

http://flickr.com/photos/nathan_ward

Thanks !

I actually ordered the 18-70mm Nikon lens already Mainly because its a bit cheaper and as my understanding is it has a good build quality which I ultimately came to understand was what I needed. Since I just bought a flash I cant justify for myself to buy the Sigma 18-50. I got the nikon lens for 279$ at B and H photo, which was more within my price range.

I too really like the EX (expensive according to Ken Rockwell, man I just dislike his reviews more and more, way to personal) Sigma lenses. the build quality of my 10-20 mm is miles better than either my 18-55 nikon or 55-200. Hopefully the 18-70 will be as good.

Thanks again, I really do think the Sigma 18-55 f2.8 looks really interesting, money was what stopped me ultimately this time though. Ive found Ive gotten additcted to getting camera stuff in the mail, so I need to stop! way to exciting.

Thanks for all the advice

-John

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Nikon D700, Nikon F301, Nikon FG and Nikon FM
Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR, Sigma 12-24mm, Nikkor 50mm f1.8 D, Nikkor 50mm f1.4 AI, Sigma 35-70 f2.8-4
Benro C-297 w/Benro KS-2

Actually scratch my last post, I canceled the Nikon and ordered the Sigma 18-50 mm f2.8 HSM instead, as I think it should be the better lens. Th eNikon in terms of aperture etc is too similar to my 18-55 mm. Besides if I look ahead I can use the Sigma for a long time with future bodies and be happy with the f2.8. Also its useful if I were t try out astrophotography anytime. My flash wouldn't help me there

I only hope the quality is as good as my Sigma 10-20mm, which I think it should be.

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Nikon D700, Nikon F301, Nikon FG and Nikon FM
Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR, Sigma 12-24mm, Nikkor 50mm f1.8 D, Nikkor 50mm f1.4 AI, Sigma 35-70 f2.8-4
Benro C-297 w/Benro KS-2

OKay so Ive had the Sigma 18-50 mm f2.8 HSM for a couple of weeks now.


Ihaven't gotten to use it as much as I would like but Ive tried it out. So far I like the build quality, perhaps not as good as the 10-20 mm I had but still, better than budget Nikons. The f2.8 is very fun to play around with, I like the bokeh it produces. The autofocus is very fast and silent. The weight of the lens itself is about teh same as the 10-20, which is good as it gets my camera heavier so its easier to keep steady, and it feels better. One minor problem however is that the zoom ring is backwards from Nikon lenses, that is, you have to turn it to the right to to zoom out instead of left. Im guessing Ill get used to it though. Another minor annoyance is that the focusing ring rotates when it autofocuses so its very easy (if you have big hands like me) to be holding it when you focus, and then youll feel a tug at your fingers. I heard a very unpleasant sound when this happened so Im going to try the utmost not to let that happen again. I do however like the focusing ring on my 10-20mm much better, where its not in the way of my hand.

The picture quality as far as I can judge is very good. Sharpness at f4 and up is better than my Nikon lens. Colors and chromatic aberations are okay. the Macro is very good, I found that I could use my lens hood as stabilization when taking close ups. It focuses closer than what Sigma said it would (20cm) for some reason, more like 7cm. Its fun to play around with.

In short, Im happy with it, except for the focusing ring turning around and tugging at my hand. The light gain compared to my old nikon kit lens is about 2 stops faster I figured, zoomed all the way out. At 50 mm it would be far more of course (5.6 versus 2..

Bottom line, Im happy with it, except for focusing ring

-John

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Nikon D700, Nikon F301, Nikon FG and Nikon FM
Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR, Sigma 12-24mm, Nikkor 50mm f1.8 D, Nikkor 50mm f1.4 AI, Sigma 35-70 f2.8-4
Benro C-297 w/Benro KS-2

Hi John
Can you post some link to photos taken from the new lenses Sigma 18-50 mm F2.8.
Thanks

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Nikon D7000 and a bunch of Nikkors

Yeah that is because focus distance is officially measured from the sensor-plane, not the front-lens

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Okay, a few quick shots take with the 18-50 mm

All pictures taken in Jpeg Fine mode, color setting IIIa (vivid, landscape) The droplet pictures have been cropped or/and edited, no post prosessing on the other pictures

http://picasaweb.google.com/staverjg/Sigma1850mmQuickTest

also

http://picasaweb.google.com/staverjg/Diverse/photo#5138524070663463266

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Nikon D700, Nikon F301, Nikon FG and Nikon FM
Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR, Sigma 12-24mm, Nikkor 50mm f1.8 D, Nikkor 50mm f1.4 AI, Sigma 35-70 f2.8-4
Benro C-297 w/Benro KS-2