My search for 350D lens continues....

I'm currently looking at a 18-200, as a sort of everyday, good all rounder lens, in place of Canon's std 18-55 offering. Anyone use this Sigma? Either with a 350D or other D-SLR?

It's the f3.5-6.3 model I'm looking at, in particular.

Thanks,

Steve

I've used a Sigma 70-300 APO Macro on my minolta slr and dslr, quite impressed for £180, although quite slow to focus on auto, due to large range. But it has just broken, my fault. I've ordered another as it compliments my standard 18-55 lens.

Thanks - anyone else? Really after direct experience with the 18-200. Thanks for the post though Ants

Steve

I would have thought you'd be better off with a range of lenses. I looked at a Tamron with a large range 18-300 I think. In the end I decided 2 different lenses would probably do a much better job, but not as convenient to cart about which I assume is what you're after. Hopefully someone will prove me wrong and give a good review of the 18-200!

Hi Wardy

Have a search for lens hire, I know cameraworld do Sigma lens hire with option to purchase, failing that get your local dealer to let you try the lens in store with a couple of test shots.

It pays to try the lens first and reject it if not happy, for some reason there is a massive difference in identical lenses performance, make sure you get a good one.

The lens in question gets good reviews although 200mm at F6.3 is pretty slow and will need plenty of light for decent shots.

What do you intend taking pics of??

Taz

I recently had a look at a Sigma 18-200mm lens for my Nikon D50 (sorry for swearing ) and found it was a bit too slow as an all round lens. So I ended up keeping my 18-70mm Nikon lens and getting a Sigma 70-300mm telephoto to complement it. My 18-70mm stays on the camera for the most part and I switch to the telephoto when needed

The Sigma doesn't feel as good quality as the Nikon (and the motor is slower and noisier), but the pictures still come out well and considering the price, very little else can touch it

Chris

sigma 18-200 is a fair lens for its price. it's a bit slow if you are used to canon L lenses, but fairly sharp and has no more flair and other distorsions than a kit lens. It makes its job correctly between 25 and 150mm and 5-13 blends. if you travell alot and don't want to take tons of other photostuff with you, then buy it. i've found it a bit too slow for my work (especially pannings), but as a "second lens you dont really care about" it does it's job ok.

Thanks for the reply - what sort of money would I be looking at for something a bit quicker? Next level up as it were....

Steve

Unless you have a steady hand, or you're going to be standing still when shooting at 200mm, I would suggest getting a lens with an Image Stabiliser.

Ultimately though, the lens you mention gives you the ability to shoot extremely close subjects. I would personally get a decent lens with a much lower focal length, such as the 28-135mm that Jessops offer at £374. It's image stabilised and you can get them to price match a company in Bristol called "Bristol Cameras", for £319.

Would you really utilise the full 200mm on that lens?

If you're after a review of that lens too, then you've not long to wait. I shall be picking mine up sometime at the end of this month or start of next.

Cheers for the post John, I'll bare that one in mind. It's just that the Canon you mention offers quite a large overlap with my existing 70-300.

So at the moment, I have my eye on getting a Canon EF-S 17-85, as it still maintains the bottom end of the standard 350D 18-55.

Would be interested to hear your review of the 28-135 though

Steve

Just make sure it is compatible with the Canon ...I have heard stories of them needing to be upgraded to work with the EOS system sometimes

You might want to wait for this due out soon:

Sigma 18-200 mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS: Digital Photography Review

Just make sure it is compatible with the Canon ...I have heard stories of them needing to be upgraded to work with the EOS system sometimes

Yes, they on't officially licence the EF (or EF-S) mount from Canon, so they reverse engineer it. I was looking at a Sigma 300mm (non zoom) F4 APO lens for my EOS 350D, but they don't work with any of the digital cameras properly (aperture fixed wide open), Sigma will rechip lenses for free for a time, but after a few years of a particular lens, they stop offering this as they use up their chips.

If you're buying a new Sigma now and not looking at updating your Canon body for a while then they are still worthwhile, if this concerns you though, you may want to go for one of the safer manufacturers who do license the mount. Or Canon (but I think their optics on their budget lenses are just that, budget, speaking from experience of the 18-55 and a slightly soft 75-300)

Oops - sorry its FranV8 - accidentally using Sciencebirds login on her PC (Sorry hun! Xx)

Cheers for the post John, I'll bare that one in mind. It's just that the Canon you mention offers quite a large overlap with my existing 70-300.

So at the moment, I have my eye on getting a Canon EF-S 17-85, as it still maintains the bottom end of the standard 350D 18-55.

Would be interested to hear your review of the 28-135 though

Steve

I too have a 70-300 lens so I can appreciate what you mean.

If you do pick up the 17-85 lens be sure to let me know how it goes!

If I can find one for a decent price, I'll let you know what I think

Steve

Tried the Sigma and Tamron 18-200's. Found the Sigma slightly sharper, though differences very small when stopped down. Sigma did not focus as accurately as Tamron, so went with Tamron.

Samples here -

Tamron 18-200 zoom lens samples Photo Gallery by oddlegs at pbase.com

I have the 350D and also have a Sigma 18-200mm lens. I got it as I got a good deal on it and wanted to see how I got on with my first DSLR camera without the hastle of lots of lens changing. It is a decent enough lens and quite good really when you consider it enormous range. It is a bit slow though. After playing with one for a few months I ended up getting 2 separate fast lenses which pretty much cover the 18-200m range (slight hole in the middle of this mind you as one lens is 18-55 and the other 70-200mm) currently Sigma do a very good 18-50 F2.8 (or something around this) and the brilliant 70-200mm f2.8 (which I now own) and it also has macro on it now. It really is a terrific lens and I have seen Professional snappers using it on occasion. I guess it would still be second choice to the Canon L glass zooms but it is half the price of one.

If you are interested I can let you have a go with my 18-200mm and see what you think (I live in Stretford). Oh, one other thing is the Sigma has a metal mounting collar which the Tamron doesn’t. It’s a small thing but I feel happier with the substantial feel that it affords.

I have a sigma 18-125mm 3.5 5.6 on my sigma SD9 and get great results the focus is a bit slow but the focus ring moves a short amount from inf close focus

Thanks Chris, sounds like the 18-125 may be the answer. Will try to get hold of one this week for a test. RRP looks reasonable and the F3.5 would appear manageable.

Steve

I have just invested in this for my Pentax IstDl2

Sigma 28-200 (1:3.8-5.6 72mm)

I wouldn

Just to update: I ended up buying the Sigma 18-125 last week

Not given it a proper test yet, but initial quick tests look promising. Seems well made and certainly more robust and solid than the std 18-55 EF-S.

Bit of a shame it's a 62mm filter fitment, as I'll have to double up on ones got for the 18-55 and 75-300, but never mind.

Got a Hoya polarizing thrown in too, so I'm up and running at least.

The std inclusion of a lens hood is nice as well, certainly highlights Canon as being tight in that respect

Cheers for all the advice guys

Steve

Excellent, sound promising Steve!

I picked up the 28-135 IS lens that I mentioned to you a few weeks ago and so far it's been pretty fantastic. The IS is brilliant for getting sharper still images.

If you're interested I have a sample image if you'd like a gander. Likewise, I'd like to see some samples from your Sigma lens too, Steve!

Hi Steve

I know you have already purchased, but you really ought to try the Sigma 18-50 F2.8 EX DC. This is a truly exceptional lens. I sold mine as it was not fully compatible with the Minolta autofocus system, but in image quality terms, the lens was outstanding. The 70-200 F2.8 may be on my shopping list next year also. That will move your image quality up a notch ot two in terms of detail and contrast. And of course move your bank balance down by a similar degree.

Chris