I've recently sold my trusty Canon 28-105 USM, Canon 100-300mm 4.5-5.6 USM adn will be selling my 18-55 kit lens in favor of purchasing a higher end/brighter 2X-7Xmm lens and an all around single lens that I can pack when I want to travel light - I decided to get a Sigma 18-200mm.
I've posted photos of my first day with the lens to a local park here in VA. You can see some of the images and crops
1. On a normal day like this - I had my rowdy dog with me an two kids - I would have only been carrying 1 lens and would NOT have been able to shoot the majority of these shots. Yes the shots aren't GREAT - most I wouldn't want to print then at 20-30", it would have been nice to have been able to get the bald eagles at 300mm and 5.6 rather than 200mm 6.3, or to have had my 10-22mm (keeper) for the beach shot. But I wouldn't HAVE HAD THESE LENSES with me.
2. The sigma lens is very close to the quality over most of the range as the three combined lenses I'm (I've done) doing away with, and for some of the range slightly better.
3. Very little flare.
4. Pretty decent macro (better than the 28-105 or 100-300).
5. Good build quality
6. I'll say it again - it's ONE lens.
7. While at $329 (Sigma4Less) it's not cheap, there are not other alternatives of this quality at this price range or even 2X this price range (yes I looked at the Tamron)
Cons-
1. Much slower focus than the 28-105, a bit slower than the 100-300, and about the same as the 18-55mm. Much noisier that the first two and a bit noisier that the last.
2. A bit of CA at the very long end maybe the range marked 180-200mm. Very good otherwise, notably better than the much more expensive and less versatile 17-85mm which I considered.
3. Yes, it's not really a 200mm lens, more like 170mm when focused an infinity, but certainly as much more reach than my 28-105 at the long end.
4. It's not an L lens, so 30% of our neighbors at Miranda will look down their noses at me from now on.
Edited by byteseller on Aug 17, 2005 at 11:12 PM GMT
Not me! I own this delightful lens and it stays on my 20D. I own or have owned every piece of "L" glass in it's range and I just love carrying just one lens sometimes.
I find the quality of shots to be good with comparable prints, with top glass in that range, up to 8x10. I purchased it as a walkaround fun shot lens and it fills that niche perfectly.
I don't have the 18-200, but I have the 18-125, and I love it. I'm currently saving up to replace my entire focal range with 'L' or Sigma EX lenses, but even after that's all covered, the 18-125 will stick with me because of the image quality and convenience. My 18-125 is very sharp over the entire range (a bit soft wide open, but not bad), and I'm consistently impressed with the results...I'm sure the same is the case with the 18-200. Impressive little zooms, they are.
I've been very happy with this selection to fill the one lens for any occassion nitch. Along with the 10-22mm, a couple of sharp primes, all I realy need is a 2X-7Xmm f2.8 lens for available light and higher quality shooting - any suggestions?
tamron 28-75 2.8 or sigma 24-70 2.8.. the tamron's smaller and uses a smaller 77mm vs 82mm filter.. but the sigma's made of metal and is a little wider.. good copies of these lenses are very similar optically..
I also have the 18-200 for a couple months and I agree with everything that was said, even with my more expensive "better" glass, 18-200 still regularly makes it on the camera because it's so versatile!
If I go during the day and don't want the camera bag, here comes the 18-200
I have the 18-125, and it made my trip to Italy very, very convient. I had that on my 300D and my 50/1.8 in my pocket, and I was pretty much set for anything.
My biggest lens re-arrangement dilema now is that I have both a 50mm 1.4 and a macro 60mm 2.8. These two obviously overlap a LOT, If I had to give up one it would be the 50mm, but OUCH! the available light on this is fantastic - as far as sharpness and color they are about dead even.
OT: Don't you love a website that decides it is *so* important it deserves to cover your 23" screen 1920x1200 with it's window, then display it's content in small size in the middle ? (/me slaps a webmaster)
They make sensible choices however, P2000, 350D, Sigma 18-200... I just have to get myself a D2X and I'll have almost the full list!
(just kidding )
I'll try and post some additional 100% crops if we get decent weather this weekend and I can get some more shots - any of the other 18-200mm owners out there have photos to post (or posted)?
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