Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC

Review Date
July 17, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
CJY , Expert

Price Paid
$400.00 at B&H Photo Video

Photography Experience
21+ years , People

Summary
The lens was sent in for warranty service twice for focusing problems, primarily back focus. The second trip fixed the problems and I'm happy to have a lens I can count on again. I'm not sure if I will purchase third party lenses again as the quality control just doesn't seem up to par. The time and energy spent troubleshooting the problems and sending it in for service just isn't worth the cost savings in the long run.

Strengths
Constant f/2.8, relatively quiet focusing for not having HSM, sturdy and solidly built, good overall sharpness,

Weaknesses
Sample variation can be a real annoyance, some distortion at the wide end

Customer Service
Sigma warranty service was fast enough, though it did take two time to fix the problem. The second trip included a politely worded note explaining my frustrations, so maybe that helped.

Review Date
February 27, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
amandaW65 , Intermediate

Price Paid
$340.00 at private seller

Photography Experience
11-20 years , People

Summary
a sharp wide angle lens with 2.8 capability

Strengths
This is an super sharp, low-light lens great for indoor photography. i photograph sculpture and fine art pieces in museums and I found this to be an excellent choice. also great for weddings, etc, where flash is not allowed but max aperture is needed. i find the usual amount of softness right at 2.8 but stopped down a little, the lens is at max sharpness. beautifully built.

Weaknesses
pricey. AF hunts a little in low light.

Review Date
October 30, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
misterg , Intermediate

Price Paid
$0.00

Photography Experience
21+ years , People

Summary
Have used this lens for a few weeks now and am very impressed. It is tack sharp at all but the widest aperture (still good at f2.8) and focuses quickly and accurately. Very well made and an absolute bargain. 95% performance of pro glass at less than one third of the price!! If you have a full frame dslr then maybe something better would be apropriate but for those of us using aps sized sensors , it ticks all the boxes...get one!

Strengths
sharp
well made
quick focus

Weaknesses
slightly soft at f2.8

Similar Products Used
sigma 18-70
nikon 18-70

Review Date
October 2, 2008

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.33 of 5, 3 votes

Reviewed by
Claudiu , Intermediate

Price Paid
$480.00 at online

Photography Experience
0-1 years , Outdoor

Summary
I bought this lens because I've seen many good reviews and very good pictures taken with it. I also saw some bad reviews, but I thought I can't be that unlucky to get a bad copy.
Well, I was that unlucky. It had bad front-focus, it was extremely soft on the top-right corner too and even from day one I noticed some dust particles inside it.
Fortunately the shop that sold it to me (online shop) is replacing it with a Canon 17-40 L F4 and I am paying the difference. I'm not willing to go over several lenses just to find a good copy, so I'm betting on Canon L glass this time.

All in all, this isn't a lens you want to order online. Be sure you test it before paying for it, or check the return policy of the shop.

Strengths
- F2.8, but if you aren't lucky enough to get a good one, it will be soft at 2.8
- good focal range
- relatively small and easy for- macro, even if it isn't true macro (1:1). It's just 1:3 magnification.
- polarizing filter can be used since focusing doesn't rotate the front element
- the build is pretty good, it feels solid; the zoom ring feel comfortable in using too; the finish gives it a classier look
- even with all the problems I mentioned, at smaller apertures it produced good images; for as long as the subject was in DOF it worked pretty well

Weaknesses
- Sigma has bad QC, especially with this model it seems (heard other users complaining about it)
- bad front-focus
- top-right corner very soft
- AF behaves erratically especially in low light, but it might be because the above problems
- AF isn't HSM, thus it's a bit noisier and slower
- Focus ring moves while using AF
- Focus ring has a very small rotation angle, making it impossible to use Manuel focus
- if you want manual focus, you need to switch to it

Similar Products Used
Canon 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 (Canon 400D kit lens)

Customer Service
Extremely bad service in Romania: there is a dealer but they won't help you unless you bought the lens from them; International Warranty has no meaning here it seems.

Review Date
December 29, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
gilliamhome , Professional

Price Paid
$400.00 at Adorama

Photography Experience
21+ years , Other

Summary
Excellent - fast, perfect zoom range, and quality of image with this zoom lens speaks volumes. Reasonably priced. 18mm-50mm range is a perfect "Default" lens for quick shooting. A super alternative to more pricey Zuiko lenses.

Strengths
Good auto focus and manual focus relationships to the Evolt camera. 2.8 provides a speedy lens that is less prone to noise or slow shutter speed issues in low light situations. Built like a rock! Sturdy and dependable. A tribute to Sigma's keeping up with the 4/3 format camera needs.

Weaknesses
some potential for vignetting with 18mm setting and lens hood. Careful composition can prevent this.

Customer Service
Not necessary - this quality, may never have to return for repair.