Sigma AF 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro : Specifications and Opinions

Reviews

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Fritz Panter

sent on 19 Novembre 2024

Pros: Quite Sharp, constant F2.8 aperture, build quality if compared to kit zooms

Cons: I did not like the colours, AF is not the fastest, no stabilizer

Opinion: I bought it long ago with the intention to replace both a Canon 18-55 IS and a 50 mm F1.8 prime in one lens. Although its sharpness was better than that of the 18-55 mm IS at the same apertures and similar to the 50 mm prime at F4 and above it never became one of my favourite lenses. Colours were to cool and lifeless for my taste, AF was a bit slow and noisy. Other than that it had a nice build quality and gave no reasons to complain. I nevertheless sold it again and kept the prime and 18-55 IS, because the stabilizer was more helpful than one or two stops aperture for static objects and I preferred the character of the prime for shooting people. Today I would probably buy a Tamron 17-50 F2.8 VC to have the best of both worlds (then it was quite expensive).

The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.

Umberto Divella

sent on 14 Aprile 2024

Pros: Cost in Used, Focal Range, Constant 2.8, Weight, Macro

Cons: Construction, sharpness from f/4 down, slow and noisy, sometimes inaccurate autofocus. Unusable in low light.

Opinion: Taken to replace the 18-55 kit on my Canon 70D. For a novice photographer it is a good lens, especially if we consider the fact that you can now find even under 250, which for a standard 2.8 lens for aps-c is a great price. In addition, the size and weight are quite small. The strengths, however, end there. In my opinion, this is not a lens that can be used at a professional level due to the outdated, slow, noisy and inaccurate autofocus, especially in low light. Not very good sharpness below average apertures. The build isn't that of high-end lenses, and it doesn't feel like you're holding a particularly solid lens. The macro function is good and allows you to take home pretty photos.

Vefazi

sent on 17 Febbraio 2024

Pros: Good lens to replace the kit one. Good brightness at all focal lengths Robust construction

Cons: It's a bit poor in backlight, not very precise and noisy focus, barrel distortion especially at the minimum focal length

Opinion: I've owned it for many years now and it still does its job with my dated Canon EOS 50D, which is also very old but for now I wouldn't replace it with the new Canon M system that still doesn't convince me. It is a very good lens both for its brightness at all focal lengths, and for its versatility on almost all occasions. It's sharp and quite defined throughout the frame, although in my opinion it looks much better at medium apertures, especially between f/4.0 and f/8, A f/2.8 has a really nice blur and therefore suitable for portraits. It gave me some problems in backlighting, but not being very fond of this type of photography, it is certainly my fault. Don't expect high performance on the autofocus, as the lens is not ultrasonic, the slow speed and noise are noticeable. The front lens is quite exposed. It must therefore be protected to avoid scratches or worse, better with a rigid lens hood, especially if those like me who do not like to add other glass in front of the lens such as UV filters etc. I recommend it both for the price, and for the fact that when compared to the kit lenses it is definitely the top (even if the kit lenses should not even be compared to certain lenses)

Buck81

sent on 16 Settembre 2019

Pros: Construction,Robustness,definition,general yield,constant opening f2.8,blurred pleasant.

Cons: On some occasions, there is little resistance to backlights. Focus a little noisy. Focus that rotates in AF.

Opinion: Optical taken for "two lire" to be mounted on a Pentax K3. I didn't expect much, given the age of the project and knowing the past Sigma reliability. Well... I soon had to think again!! Used on a number of occasions and, really, never let me down. Almost certainly, I was lucky with this specimen,but the sharpness, the definition on the whole frame (even at TA), is really remarkable. The ACs, there are, but they're correctable. An 18mm hair of distortion, but nothing dramatic or unrecoverable. The zoom dial flows smoothly, without hinting. In landscape photos, it behaves well from f4 onwards. In portraits, 2.8 is really SUPERB. Details in large quantities and a really nice detachment of the floors. Generally, in the backlights, it does not create problems (I love to take portraits in the light of sunset), but I happened to take some landscape photos at a sunset and I noticed that in some image, or rather, in some angle, a very bad reflection appears impossible to correct. But given the age of the project and the cost, I think it's more than acceptable to have some compromise. The focus, well... it does not have an AF engine, so its speed and partly its silence, depend on the reflex on which it is used. Pentax, you know, certainly doesn't shine on the AF side, yet it's quite quiet and precise on all occasions. Even the most difficult ones, like a backlight or the like. On average, the percentage of shots lost is 2%. Like the other photographic systems I had previously (Canon,Nikon,Fuji) and used in a very similar way. The construction, it's solid. Robust. The only negative note,is the opaque coating,which personally, I do not like very much; gives me the impression that it "attracts" the dust. But maybe it's just suggestion. The weight, of course, is compared (for example) to a Fuji 18-55 2.8-4. But we're looking at a zoom optics f2.8 FIXED... Many builders don't know how to do much better. I mean, dated optics, sure. But definitely valid to replace the classic kit lens... and make an abysmal leap in quality, because with kit optics, nothing has to be shared (if not focal), as it is much superior. He plays it quietly with more emlasic optics. Honest dimensions; he's fine on a slad. Beautiful to see,fluid ghiere, great sharpness,blurred pleasant.... for that little money it costs, to have absolutely!!

Michele06

sent on 26 Ottobre 2017

Pros: Brightness, robustness

Cons: Focusing on low light difficulty (coupled with external flash), failure to stabilize

Opinion: I have this lens for more than a year and with the passing of days I'm getting more and more defects. By doing a substantial use with low light the shutter 8 times out of 10 is out of focus. Instead, for optimal light conditions it is also great at maximum aperture and the focus though not being ultrasonic is very accurate. Recommended for those looking for an economical substitute for the base kit.

Balsa85

sent on 18 Gennaio 2014

Pros: Good build quality from f.9 is perfect to f2.8 is good, even at night

Cons: focus ring is difficult to operate, the rest is a great lens to replace the kit

Opinion: I took this view for two months and I must say it is a good quality lens, I replaced the 18-55 kits, the difference is more accurate af, at f2.8 allows fuzzy good night behaves well, neutral color, it offers a nice yield from f.9 already, I recommend it as a first lens in place of the kit is located at good prices.

Mar_bo

sent on 24 Aprile 2013

Pros: robust, good quality if prepunched (f 8-11), the overall yield acceptable to f2.8.

Cons: distortion "barrel" very obvious focal length 18, is corrected only in PP, there is the possibility to correct the focus manually while in AF, (the ring is locked), AF slow (non-USM).

Opinion: I have this light for 6 years and use it regularly, is solid and robust as Sigma has accustomed us. Good overall performance for sharpness at f2.8 at all focal lengths, even the good macro. Unfortunately, at least my copy, has back focus problems with my 30D, Canon unsolved problem from assistance that does not even come into the lab Canon lenses do not, I'll keep that. Aberration decided to "barrel" to the focal length 18, which decreases as you go up the focal impractical for photos of architecture and interiors, autofocus is not fast and noisy, due to the fact that it is not USM.rnSostanzialmente good alternative to the kit plasticone , at least it was in production until, well as a handyman and reportage, good for portraiture.

user24002

sent on 08 Aprile 2013

Pros: brightness and sharpness

Cons: front lens against dust too exposed to the impact and scratches

Opinion: goal is a relatively inexpensive but quality ', the images are very sharp at all focal lengths f 2.8 even while there is some reflection in the light, partially solved with the lens hood supplied with the lens front is a bit exposed to shock and scratches therefore recommend a filter uv permanently mounted Great price performance