Anyone used the Sigma 18 - 50 2.8?

[rjlhughes]

I see some good reviews around for this lens - anyone put it on a camera?

I expect it to be between the kit lens and the pro lens, but any other feedback?

[fozzie]

rjhughes/Bob,

Kerry Pierce has this lens but on a D70. Please refer to the following threads:

http://www.d70users.net/viewtopic.php?t=5896

http://www.d70users.com/viewtopic.php?t=5810

I think this will be enough examples for you to make an assessment.

Although if you want more information suggest PM to Kerry Pierce.

[rjlhughes]

Thanks Fozzie,

I should have searched....I forgot.

I think the issue of a better general purpose lens is more acute for the 350D user, because the kit lens is I suspect not as good as the kit lens was even for the 300.

I'll go have a look....

[rjlhughes]

interesting shots from Kerry.

I wonder if anyone else has had any experience with the lens?

It gets very good reviews on Fred Miranda (which I can be sceptical of).

[fozzie]

Bob,

Just found this, which may be of assistance to you:

Sigma 18-50 f2.8 EX DC v. Canon 17-40 f4 L USM

http://www.pbase.com/fstopjojo/lenstests

[rjlhughes]

That's very useful, thank you....I'll have a really good look at that over the weekend.

the key words for me are always sharpness/image quality and value. I can work around other issues, including autofocus, 'build quality' and feel.

Often though it is the hands on experience that tells you of something is useful practically. Which is where the mini meets are so useful for members here I'd think.

Now back to work to maje the money to afford the lens.

[Chaase]

Is anyone currently using this lens? Most of the reviews have not been too bad (obviously not a professional grade lens)

I am looking for a new lens with similar specifications ie 2.4 thru it's zoom range but don't want to spend the bigger $$$ on a Canon.

If there is another brand/lens I should consider I would appreciate some feedback.

I mainly want it for family pics and general photography and I would like to have a lens for low light and can also blur backgrounds on portraits.

Budget, no more than $6/700.

Cheers
Bruce

[chrisk]

i had this lens for a while, its contrasty and sharp. build quality is also very good, (taking into account is cost). macro-like MFD is very useful aswell.
the downsides are the AF is far too slow and noisy, which ended up being the reason i got rid of it.

[moz]

Have one, like it a lot, have sold it to my gf for her 30D because the corners are dark on my 1DIII (no, really ) The new version is apparently slightly better, but even the older one I have is quite nice. The biggy for me is that it's light and focus is pretty fast from the f/2.8. Focus is slower than the comparable Canon lens, but it's 1/3 the price and about 1/2 the weight... you decide.

The more I carry the 1D around the more I empathise with the guy I saw using a 28-80 on a 1DsII as a walk-about camera. His explanation was that it was cheaper than buying anything else... the lens was less than $50 second hand.

Moz