Canon 20D with Sigma 18-200 DC

snapperBB · 20th August 2006

Hi all,
Happen to browse through PP mag and saw this lens on the advert. Is wondering if any 20D users are using this lens and how is the performance? Want to use it as a travel and GP lens.
Regards.

fWord · 20th August 2006

I've never used this combination before and have also not tried out the lens in person, however, do read the reviews and make the judgement for yourself. Here is an example:

http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/len...3563/index.htm

There are more out on the net and searchable via Google. Most people do not view this lens favorably, but that being said, it's supposed to be better than the Tamron equivalent in terms of resolving power and control of CA...and maybe bokeh. I've seen some sample pictures comparing both before but cannot remember where I viewed them.

Most people would tell you that the lens is like a swiss army knife. It does a lot of things but it does not do them exceptionally well. It is a jack of all trades and master of none. If you are a casual traveller who hates lens changes and only wants one lens to live on the camera, this might work for you, and it's also decently-priced. Alternatively consider the less ambitious Sigma 18-125mm.

Remember that f/6.3 is very slow for this lens at the 200mm end. Focussing speed will slow and AF may hunt. Plus, you'll need a high ISO in low-light conditions if you want to shoot without a tripod.

For the 20D, a nice travellers setup might be things such as a Canon 17-40mm f/4L (zoom range may be limiting for some) or Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS (has its own strengths and weaknesses), or a budget 2nd hand Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 plus Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro.

If you are not in a hurry to buy into a lens, consider using the 20D with the kit lens (if available) and decide what other lens to get from there, depending on what you want to shoot. The kit lens is itself quite a decent piece of glass, stopped down to f/8 or f/11.

Denosha · 20th August 2006

My CCA in uni just got this Sigma 18-200mm lens around a month ago. I tried it out on the club's 20D and I must say, the zoom range is really killer. However, if you're used to more high-end stuff, you'll find the image quality quite crap. Built quality is surprising decent. AF is noisy but not as bad as the non-HSM Sigma 20mm F1.8 I used to have. AF surprisingly doesn't really hunt that much, even in low light. If you're on a budget and aren't so obsessed with image quality, it's a pretty good lens to own.

holeinone · 20th August 2006

These super zooms are there for one sole purpose - versatility. It's the one lens that covers all when you are on a trip. You can bring 3 different good lenses to over the same range on a casual trip but chances are that you will not be swapping lenses in the open every other photo.

I dont really think the pic quality is that bad for the versatility it gives. And the price for these lenses are reasonable too. No real harm having one of these sitting around in the camera bag when on a casual trip. I say casual trips bcos for photo trips, you will probably want to bring the entire arsenal along.

snapperBB · 21st August 2006

Thanks for the replies. Appreciate that. Who knows, Canon may come out with something like that in the future - Similar to the Nikon 18-200 VR lens.

20th August 2006	#1
snapperBB Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Changi Posts: 80	Canon 20D with Sigma 18-200 DC Hi all, Happen to browse through PP mag and saw this lens on the advert. Is wondering if any 20D users are using this lens and how is the performance? Want to use it as a travel and GP lens. Regards.

20th August 2006	#2
fWord Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,347	Re: Canon 20D with Sigma 18-200 DC I've never used this combination before and have also not tried out the lens in person, however, do read the reviews and make the judgement for yourself. Here is an example: http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/len...3563/index.htm There are more out on the net and searchable via Google. Most people do not view this lens favorably, but that being said, it's supposed to be better than the Tamron equivalent in terms of resolving power and control of CA...and maybe bokeh. I've seen some sample pictures comparing both before but cannot remember where I viewed them. Most people would tell you that the lens is like a swiss army knife. It does a lot of things but it does not do them exceptionally well. It is a jack of all trades and master of none. If you are a casual traveller who hates lens changes and only wants one lens to live on the camera, this might work for you, and it's also decently-priced. Alternatively consider the less ambitious Sigma 18-125mm. Remember that f/6.3 is very slow for this lens at the 200mm end. Focussing speed will slow and AF may hunt. Plus, you'll need a high ISO in low-light conditions if you want to shoot without a tripod. For the 20D, a nice travellers setup might be things such as a Canon 17-40mm f/4L (zoom range may be limiting for some) or Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS (has its own strengths and weaknesses), or a budget 2nd hand Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 plus Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG APO Macro. If you are not in a hurry to buy into a lens, consider using the 20D with the kit lens (if available) and decide what other lens to get from there, depending on what you want to shoot. The kit lens is itself quite a decent piece of glass, stopped down to f/8 or f/11. __________________ LightWorks Portfolio Night Photography

20th August 2006	#3
Denosha Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bukit Timah Posts: 1,298	Re: Canon 20D with Sigma 18-200 DC My CCA in uni just got this Sigma 18-200mm lens around a month ago. I tried it out on the club's 20D and I must say, the zoom range is really killer. However, if you're used to more high-end stuff, you'll find the image quality quite crap. Built quality is surprising decent. AF is noisy but not as bad as the non-HSM Sigma 20mm F1.8 I used to have. AF surprisingly doesn't really hunt that much, even in low light. If you're on a budget and aren't so obsessed with image quality, it's a pretty good lens to own. __________________ My Photo blog \| Photo gallery \| My music profile

20th August 2006	#4
holeinone Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Tampines Posts: 1,316	Re: Canon 20D with Sigma 18-200 DC These super zooms are there for one sole purpose - versatility. It's the one lens that covers all when you are on a trip. You can bring 3 different good lenses to over the same range on a casual trip but chances are that you will not be swapping lenses in the open every other photo. I dont really think the pic quality is that bad for the versatility it gives. And the price for these lenses are reasonable too. No real harm having one of these sitting around in the camera bag when on a casual trip. I say casual trips bcos for photo trips, you will probably want to bring the entire arsenal along. __________________ There is no life without fast cars....

21st August 2006	#5
snapperBB Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Changi Posts: 80	Re: Canon 20D with Sigma 18-200 DC Thanks for the replies. Appreciate that. Who knows, Canon may come out with something like that in the future - Similar to the Nikon 18-200 VR lens.