,

taken with Nikon D2X

The following images were taken with the Nikon D2X using the Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC lens. Each image was recorded using the Large Fine JPEG mode, optimised for quality rather than size. The D2X was set to Matrix metering with A for Image Sharpening and Tone Compensation. The individual file size, exposure mode, shutter speed, aperture, ISO and lens details are listed for each image.

The crops are taken from the original files, reproduced at 100% and saved in Adobe Photoshop CS2 as JPEGs with the default Very High quality preset, while the resized full images were made in Photoshop CS2 and saved with the default High quality preset. The three crops are typically taken from far left, central and far right portions of each image.

Festival: 6.04MB, Program, 1/90, f4.8, ISO 400, 18-200mm at 34mm (equivalent to 51mm)

Decoration: 6.10MB, Program, 1/320, f9, ISO 200, 18-200mm at 31mm (equivalent to 47mm)

						This detail shot of lanterns was taken with the Sigma 18-200mm at 31mm. Bathed in bright sunlight with a deep blue sky, these are conditions where any lens should perform well, and as you’d hope the Sigma crops are clean and show a high level of detail.

Portrait: 5.50MB, Program, 1/100, f6.3, ISO 400, 18-200mm at 200mm (equivalent to 300mm)

				As explained in the first example, the beauty of having an 11.1x optical zoom is the ability to quickly switch from wide angle to a tight portrait without having to swap lenses. Here we did just that, grabbing an opportunist portrait from a distance just moments after shooting wide-angle scenes. The crops are again detailed with only slight evidence of camera shake as a result of the long focal length and modest exposure.

City: 5.59MB, Program, 1/640, f12, ISO 400, 18-200mm at 200mm (equivalent to 300mm)

						This shot was again taken at the Sigma’s longest focal length, but bathed in bright sunlight the faster exposure eliminated any concerns of camera-shake. The crops are detailed but reveal a little fringing in areas of high contrast.