sigma 18-200 - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

10/06/2005 04:16:28 PM · #1

okay, here goes. Please tell me if I am stupid for thinking about this.

I currently own a canon EFS 17-85 and a EF 70-200L. Now understand that I have probably taken 10 pictures with my 70-200. I appreciate that it is great quality, but almost all of my more beautiful pics are wide open. I love wide landscapes. So, with all of that said I really want the canon 10-22.

Here is how I think I can get it. If I sell both of the lenses I have, I could then purchase the 10-22 and a sigma 18-200. That would cover all the focal lengths I need, and more. But...

Is that sigma trash? I honestly don't use the long end much, but I don't want it to be super soft if I do. I can see that I would use it for shooting my son's soccer games, maybe some portrait work and all the family snapshots.

I can see that this would leave my entire collection of lenses designed for small sensors that very well could become obsolete. do you, my trusted DPC community, think that this would be a wise decision? or a horrible mistake?

drake

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

10/06/2005 04:21:27 PM · #2

I have the Sigma 18-125, and it's as sharp as any lens I own. I hear the 18-200 is similar in quality.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

10/06/2005 04:23:44 PM · #3

I haven't used or owned the 18-200, but none of the latest Sigmas could be classed as trash. In fact, apart from the Canon 50mm f1.8, all my lenses are now Sigma and the 70-300mm APO DG Macro is great value for money.

Hope that helps a little.

Steve

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

10/06/2005 08:23:05 PM · #4

good advice so far. anybody else?

drake

Bud

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

10/06/2005 08:48:49 PM · #5

Here are some of my recent challenge entries using the sigma 18-200...

I use manual focus 90% of the time and have been very pleased with the entire range of the lense. It is a little slow, but that can be compensated for by pushing up the ISO. Overall, an excellent lense for the price.

Olympus 12-45mm f/4.0 Pro

10/06/2005 09:07:14 PM · #6

I had actually studied your work when thinking about the decision. It is often hard to really tell how sharp an image is on the web like that. I am thinking that I will proably go ahead and do it.

drake

OdysseyF22

Panasonic DC-G9

10/06/2005 09:10:33 PM · #7

I've heard from owners that the Tamron 28-200 is pretty good too, better than the Canon 55-200, in fact. I'm about to get one in a few weeks, so maybe it's worth a look? Just a suggestion.

Keith Maniac

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Canon

10/06/2005 09:13:38 PM · #8

I don't have any experience with the Sigma 18-200, but I can say from experience that the Canon 10-22mm is a great, great lens. Lots of fun, and you can get shots that you couldn't possibly get with a longer lens.

yido

Canon EOS-5D

Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX Aspherical DG DF RF for Canon

10/06/2005 11:13:02 PM · #9

If you are into wide angle shooting, another option is to get the Canon 10-22, a nice lens BTW, and consider something like Tamron 28-75. I think Sigma 18-200 may have too much compromises for the versatility. At 18 end, I hear it barrel distorts quiet a bit and if I remember from Popular Photography, the 200 end is very soft. The lens is also slow as well.

Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX Aspherical DG DF RF for Canon

10/06/2005 11:17:53 PM · #10

the 10-22 is why I posted this. I want it, but don't have the money, so I was thinking that the 18-200 would replace my current line up and enable me to buy the 10-22 that I really want. I can deal with barrel distortion for a walk around lens. I wonder how soft the 200mm side is.

drake

yido

Canon EOS-5D

10/07/2005 01:57:11 AM · #11

PopPhoto doesn't have the review on the site but perhaps your local library has a copy you can read, but at 200mm, it scored pretty bad. I'd avoid anything other than a 5x7 print with a 200mm shot. I personally feel that the 18-125 is just as good, as I'd advoid going past the 100mm on the Sigma 18-200. It may be good for viewing on the monitor and especially with good technique and sharpening in PP.

As for the Canon 10-22, if the EF-S mount doesn't concern you, then it's a nice lens, see this review here.
//www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/canon_1022_3545/index.htm
The Tamron 28-75 is a bit cheaper but would deliver a much nicer image than the Sigma 18-200. Plus you can use the Canon upto 22mm anyway.

Another option is if you rarely go long, consider a Sigma 70-300 APO DG. It's $200 and probably the best low cost consumer tele zoom. I'd consider this option over the 10-22 and 18-200.

Message edited by author 2005-10-07 02:00:22.

Bud

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

10/07/2005 04:27:49 AM · #12

Here is the hippo photo, untouched, except to resize it...

Bottom line, I have been extremely pleased with the sigma 18-200. I use it about 80% of the time. The versatility of the zoom range combined with excellent image quality make it a great lense.

Message edited by author 2005-10-07 04:29:12.