Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC

[dawgbyte77]

I'm thinking of getting myself a wide zoom that starts with 18mm and F2.8 throughout. Nikon is quite expensive and so I'm eyeing at this lens for my Nikon D70. The reviews seems like good, but, as always, I'd keep an open mind on any published reviews.

Anyone here have used this lens? I would like to have feedback from current or previous owners, as well as those who are familiar with this range or alternative lens. My main reason to get this glass is to achieve sharper images at ambient light compared to what the kit lens can offer, and a better group photo (normally with a huge group of people in tungsten-lighted room, the faces are smaller and tends to get rasterized, although this could be caused by my [lack of] skill). Am I making the right decision?

Anyone knows how much is the streetprice of this lens at the moment and where is that price offered? I understand it was $850-$880 last year (Sigma Singapore website is not very helpful on this). Planning to get one to be used this weekend.

[ST_sg]

Some user review here... http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/s...&cat=37&page=2

Don't know why Sigma lens always has mix feedback, especially some say sharp thoughtout f/2.8 and some complaints soft.
- Sigma 18-50 f/2.8
- Sigma 20mm f/1.8

[dawgbyte77]

Thanks... already bought one... improvement from kit lens but can't fight with my 50mm prime (of course). Tried a test at 50mm F2.8 ISO 800 under flourescent light shooting a user manual (white paper and black text). Both are sharp but Nikon Prime color is white, while Sigma is a bit grey. Haven't tested against kit lens yet. But at that price, I'm already happy with it.

[catchlights]

Originally Posted by dawgbyte77 Thanks... already bought one... improvement from kit lens but can't fight with my 50mm prime (of course). Tried a test at 50mm F2.8 ISO 800 under flourescent light shooting a user manual (white paper and black text). Both are sharp but Nikon Prime color is white, while Sigma is a bit grey. Haven't tested against kit lens yet. But at that price, I'm already happy with it.

When you did the test, are you shooting on tripod, using manual mode and without changing f-stop and speed, preset or custom white balance? Is all the variables the remain the same except the lens? No filters attached?

[dawgbyte77]

Originally Posted by catchlights When you did the test, are you shooting on tripod, using manual mode and without changing f-stop and speed, preset or custom white balance? Is all the variables the remain the same except the lens? No filters attached?

Oh... its just a quick 10minute test after excitedly openning the box, since the 50mm prime is attached to my camera, took 1 shot. Then tested if the sigma is working and tested one shot. Both at 50mm F2.8 ISO800 manual mode, same shutter speed and other factors, handheld, and approximately in the same position. Took 2 photos alternately while changing lens alternately. But ashame to say I did not took note anymore. So my test is just a personal one and not in a stringent condition. Just wanna see how it feels in my hand.

[pianodancer]

Originally Posted by dawgbyte77 Oh... its just a quick 10minute test after excitedly openning the box, since the 50mm prime is attached to my camera, took 1 shot. Then tested if the sigma is working and tested one shot. Both at 50mm F2.8 ISO800 manual mode, same shutter speed and other factors, handheld, and approximately in the same position. Took 2 photos alternately while changing lens alternately. But ashame to say I did not took note anymore. So my test is just a personal one and not in a stringent condition. Just wanna see how it feels in my hand.

Do shoot more and share your valuable reviews. Who knows, I may be the next to get it! How much is it anyway?

[catchlights]

Originally Posted by dawgbyte77 Oh... its just a quick 10minute test after excitedly openning the box, since the 50mm prime is attached to my camera, took 1 shot. Then tested if the sigma is working and tested one shot. Both at 50mm F2.8 ISO800 manual mode, same shutter speed and other factors, handheld, and approximately in the same position. Took 2 photos alternately while changing lens alternately. But ashame to say I did not took note anymore. So my test is just a personal one and not in a stringent condition. Just wanna see how it feels in my hand.

Hope I’m not giving you a feeling of I being too critical about your test, because base on what you descript here is the Sigma lens is about 1/3 stop different compare to the Nikon 50mm.

My friend is also looking for this lens, so your finding on this lens would be valuable to him.

Thanks

[fotoudavid]

how much you buy?

[dawgbyte77]

Originally Posted by catchlights Hope I’m not giving you a feeling of I being too critical about your test, because base on what you descript here is the Sigma lens is about 1/3 stop different compare to the Nikon 50mm. My friend is also looking for this lens, so your finding on this lens would be valuable to him. Thanks

Oops... no problem. I should have pointed out its an unofficial testing just to see if its good enough for the money I paid. Testing it under daylight might give different result as well since flourescent has a color cast (auto white balance). I will try it out this coming sunday and will post some afterwards and let you guys decide how it is, because I'm not too critical if the lens is not that expensive (compared to 3x the price for Nikon version). I used D70 by the way.

So far, the negative issue I read is that this is only for digital (which is not an issue for my D70), this tends to have vignette (which can be romantic in wedding photos), and this has distortion at 18mm (which is normal for all wide angle anyway).

As for the price, CP out of stock and the shop in front is selling at $890. AP quoted me $880 and finally at John 3:16 is $830, that is where I bought it from. The most polite service among the 3 as well.

Guys, check the 2nd hand from B&S as well... one Nikon mount is selling by end of month (which I can't wait) and another Canon mount.

[snowspeeder]

That's rather pricey on this lens that you've paid. I used to own this lens and recently sold it to a nice gentlemen. Got this Sigma earlier this year from Lords at under S$800 nett. Indeed it is a remarkable improvement as compared to the kit lens. I used it in conjunction with a B+W UV haze filter.

From my experience in taking events and landscape photos using this lens, the Sigma lens has a nice sweet spot when using between f8.0 to f16.0. Sharpness is excellent. f6.3 & f7.1 is still relatively good when taking group photos (though I prefer f8.0 while using bounce flash in low ceiling indoors). But seldom will I use f2.8 unless in cases where flash cannot be used and in low light condition. At this aperture, images tend to be soft. And if you crop the photo, the image quality may not be acceptable to some.

But on the whole, it is a great lens at a good price vs. performance ratio.
For those who intend to get one, might be a good idea to look for one in the BUY/SELL forum. From the $ you save instead of buying a brand new one, you can get a good filter to go along with this lens.

[dawgbyte77]

Originally Posted by snowspeeder That's rather pricey on this lens that you've paid. I used to own this lens and recently sold it to a nice gentlemen. Got this Sigma earlier this year from Lords at under S$800 nett. Indeed it is a remarkable improvement as compared to the kit lens. I used it in conjunction with a B+W UV haze filter. From my experience in taking events and landscape photos using this lens, the Sigma lens has a nice sweet spot when using between f8.0 to f16.0. Sharpness is excellent. f6.3 & f7.1 is still relatively good when taking group photos (though I prefer f8.0 while using bounce flash in low ceiling indoors). But seldom will I use f2.8 unless in cases where flash cannot be used and in low light condition. At this aperture, images tend to be soft. And if you crop the photo, the image quality may not be acceptable to some. But on the whole, it is a great lens at a good price vs. performance ratio. For those who intend to get one, might be a good idea to look for one in the BUY/SELL forum. From the $ you save instead of buying a brand new one, you can get a good filter to go along with this lens.

Thanks for telling me AFTER I bought my lens when no one seemed to help when I was checking the market. But seriously, I'm okay with it. One thing I can do without is regret for something I have no control over. So I'm still happy to overspend a few $ than think about what could have been.

[nikonsiao]

looking forward to seeing models' pics with this glass....

[clicknick]

Originally Posted by dawgbyte77 Oh... its just a quick 10minute test after excitedly openning the box, since the 50mm prime is attached to my camera, took 1 shot. Then tested if the sigma is working and tested one shot. Both at 50mm F2.8 ISO800 manual mode, same shutter speed and other factors, handheld, and approximately in the same position. Took 2 photos alternately while changing lens alternately. But ashame to say I did not took note anymore. So my test is just a personal one and not in a stringent condition. Just wanna see how it feels in my hand.

Hi, is your lens useable at 2.8? Sharp enuf for your liking? Or too soft at 2.8, as snowspeeder pointed out?

[dawgbyte77]

Originally Posted by clicknick Hi, is your lens useable at 2.8? Sharp enuf for your liking? Or too soft at 2.8, as snowspeeder pointed out?

Actually I haven't tested yet but I think it also depends on the usage. My objective is to use it for tea ceremony in cramp HDB bedroom so I need wide and zoom function. It is definitely better than kit lens and cheaper by far than Nikon so at that point, I don't have much alternative. For the subject, I shoot people and the most important factor is to capture the mood at ambient light. Sharpness is secondary for me (because I can't afford high quality zoom at F2.8)... but I'll try to post a photo next week if you guys can wait.

[tan131]

Chill guys, why bother so much with sharpness.. seriously.. nothing is more scary than a sharp pic with fuzzy ideas..

seriously speaking.. i dunno wats the expectation here on sharpness.. for me.. its good enough

[clicknick]

Originally Posted by dawgbyte77 Actually I haven't tested yet but I think it also depends on the usage. My objective is to use it for tea ceremony in cramp HDB bedroom so I need wide and zoom function. It is definitely better than kit lens and cheaper by far than Nikon so at that point, I don't have much alternative. For the subject, I shoot people and the most important factor is to capture the mood at ambient light. Sharpness is secondary for me (because I can't afford high quality zoom at F2.8)... but I'll try to post a photo next week if you guys can wait.

Thanks. If it's not too much trouble, pls post some shots taken at f/2.8, 100% crop, for us to check out the sharpness.

[clicknick]

Originally Posted by tan131 Chill guys, why bother so much with sharpness.. seriously.. nothing is more scary than a sharp pic with fuzzy ideas.. seriously speaking.. i dunno wats the expectation here on sharpness.. for me.. its good enough

Cos I " Ai Pi Ai Qi Ai T........i " mah

[tan131]

You can check these images out.

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthrea...=1#post1539514

all are shot if i remember correctly, on the sigma 18-50. IMHO, its a good lens

[melnjes]

Have also been thinking of this lens when I have the $. Especially want to compare between this lens and the kit lens.

[T16]

Originally Posted by melnjes Have also been thinking of this lens when I have the $. Especially want to compare between this lens and the kit lens.

Sigma 18-50 f2.8 is definitely better than the kit lens.