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Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Macro Lens for Nikon DSLR

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Macro Lens for Nikon DSLR
Brand: Sigma
Category: Photography

List Price: $419.99
Buy New: $379.00
You Save: $40.99 (10%)



Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars 14 reviews

Media: Electronics
Fragile: No
Batteries Included: No
Maximum Focal Length: 50
Minimum Focal Length: 18
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.1
Dimensions (in): 5.7 x 5.5 x 5

MPN: B000UC5YSQ
Model: B000UC5YSQ
UPC: 085126582593
EAN: 0085126582593
ASIN: B000UC5YSQ

Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Features:
  • A minimum focusing distance of 20cm (7.9"), a maximum magnification of 1:3
  • Large aperture of F2.8 throughout the entire zoom range
  • Special Low Dispersion (SLD) and Extraordinary Low Dispersion (ELD) glass elements provide excellent correction of color aberrations. This lens produces an exceptional level of optical performance
  • Compact and lightweight lens
  • Reduced Ghosting and Flare The super multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghost. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range

Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Large aperture zoom lens designed specially for use with digital SLR cameras with a minimum focusing distance of 20cm (7.9"). This lens is specially designed to suit the characteristics of digital SLR cameras and provides a high level of optical performance. It has a large aperture of F2.8 throughout the entire zoom range, offers superior peripheral brightness as well as a compact and lightweight construction. A maximum magnification of 1:3, making it ideal for close-up photography.

Amazon.com Product Description
Sigma's 18-50mm EX series macro lens is specially designed for Nikon digital SLR cameras with a minimum focusing distance of 20 cm (7.9 inches), making it suitable for a wide variety of subjects. The lens offers a large aperture of F2.8 throughout the entire zoom range, along with a maximum magnification of 1:3 for close-up macro photography. The interior, meanwhile, incorporates both glass-mold and hybrid aspherical lens technology to deliver superior peripheral brightness and extremely high image quality. Add in Special Low Dispersion (SLD) and Extraordinary Low Dispersion (ESD) glass elements and you have a lens that can correct all types of color aberrations while providing a high level of optical performance at every interval.

The lens also offers a super multilayer lens coating that reduces flare and ghosting, a common problem among many digital cameras. Users will also appreciate the inner focusing system, which provides a fast autofocus speed while preventing the front of the lens from rotating, making it particularly suitable for use with circular polarizing filters and the petal-shaped lens hood (included). The Sigma 18-50mm lens--which measures 3.1 inches in diameter and 3.4 inches long--weighs only 15.9 ounces and carries a one-year warranty.


Customer Reviews:   Read 9 more reviews...

3 out of 5 stars ..not great   September 18, 2008
Werner Nicdao (Philippines)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful


I really wanted to buy this lens. Unfortunately, my kit lens (Nikon 18-55 EDII) is a lot sharper than this!! I tried this previously at a local trade show. Although the build quality seems very good. It appears very soft at f/2.8 across its entire zoom range. That in itself was a deal breaker for me. The whole idea of having a lens like this is low light performance and some respectable sharpness. Sharpness does not come close to respectable for my taste. I was told that there are sample to sample variations on Sigma lenses and not to mention some focus issues. Looking for an acceptable sample is like picking straws!! I decided not to go thru this hassle. So for everyone else, test your sample carefully before making your purchase if you really want this.



4 out of 5 stars Another good Sigma Buy...   September 5, 2008
Ismail Basaran (Istanbul, Tr)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I received my Sigma 18-50 f2.8 lens from 47th Street photo via Amazon a few days ago. This was my second sigma lens and I am quite satisfied with my very first experiences as a replacement of the kit 18-55 lens. The only draw back is that I realized a shadow on the photos when I used the built in flash of my Nikon D40x, most probably because of the size of the lens.

The quality of the lens itself (including the lens bag and construction) and the photos are incomparably better than the kit lens and next to all it is affordable...

I did not realize any focusing problems as it was the case for some of the buyers.



3 out of 5 stars Another Sigma front-focus problem   April 21, 2008
C-Money (Sugar Land, TX)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

I've owned Sigma before and this is yet another lens from them that has the front focus problem. I used this on the D200. I own the Sigma 24 1.8 and I had to send both the lens and camera body to Sigma to fix the focusing problem. I just don't want to bother with that any more so I returned it. The Sigma 18-50 has the potential to be a good lens but focusing issue causes images to be extremely soft (especially at 50mm). I borrowed a friend's Tamron 17-50 and it focused perfectly on his D80 and my D200. The pictures on the Tamron 17-50 were much sharper (because it focuses correctly). The Sigma has HSM which is nice but focusing was not quicker than the Tamron's. Also, the focus ring turns during autofocus which is annoying since you have to be careful of your hand position. Tamron has just released the 17-50 with an internal motor so that should be equivalent of the Sigma with better sharpness. Go with the Tamron for the same price.

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