Last Updated: Review by PhotoReview.au (02 October’07)

Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC is exclusively designed for use with digital SLR cameras featuring APS-C size image sensor. It’s a Compact, Lightweight and Durable construction lens with diameter of 70mm (2.8″), length of 78.1mm (3.1″) and weight of 405g./14.3oz. The lens is featuring two Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements and two hybrid aspherical lenses offer the utmost correction for all types of aberrations, new lens coating to reduce flare and ghost, which is a common problem of digital cameras and also creates an optimum color balance.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars | Latest Price Info

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The Sigma 17-35mm f/2.8-4 EX DG IF HSM is a super wide-angle zoom lens specially designed only for DSLR cameras with 1.6x crop factor. The lens features HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) provides quiet, high-speed autofocus shooting, as well as full-time manual focus, Inner Focus System, and aspherical lens elements in the front, as well as rear lens groups. (MTF Chart) | (Download Free Lens Hood)

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars | Latest Price Info

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What lens to buy for nature “all around” photography? I owned Nikkor 180mm f/2,8. It is an exceptional lens, but 180mm it’s a little bit short. There are few options, but what to choose? I didn’t want to go on “consumer tele ” path, since on 300mm I want to have f/4. So all those 70-300 were out. Yes, f/2,8 is better option, but we are talking budget here! At the end, there were only 2 lenses left. Nikkor 300mm f/4 and Sigma 100-300mm f/4. Original or third party lens? Prime or zoom? I was comparing photos and specifications for both those lenses on the net. I called some people, checked prices and finally I decided. Sigma 100-300mm f/4. Or Sigma 100-300mm F4 APO EX IF HSM . This is how it’s called officially. It’s very well build (EX), focus and zoom rings run smoothly, front element does not rotate (IF), focusing is fast, silent and you can override AF manually whenever you want (HSM). At last but not least, length of this lens does not change. Nice, ha? Optically it’s very good, it’s sharp at f/4 from 100-270mm. Between 270-300mm sharpness and contrast get a little bit worse, but usable without any hesitation. It come with a removable mount tripod

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Well, it’s not a classic review. It’s more or less my impressions of this lens. Yes, it’s a lens. Yes, it’s small. Yes, it’s cheap. But what a small cheap lens it is! Metal mount, DOF scale (Canon 50mm f/1,8 users, eat your heart out!), fast focus and reasonably well made. Fast focus? Yes. It is a fast focusing lens. It takes approx 1 sec to focus from infinity to min focus and back! For me this is fast. Is it for you? Sharp? You bet it is! At f/1,8 I don’t hesitate to take a portrait. Of course, you can’t expect to have sharp corners here. But on min DOF portraits, this is an advantage, not a weakness. For me at least. If you shoot a lot of resolution charts with this lens at f/1,8, you can be disappointed with corner sharpness and CA. But, than again, why would you do that? Shoot a lot of charts… It’s my lens of choice for walk-around and it’s happily mounted on my Nikon D80 (you can read my review of Nikon D80 here). I know it’s not wide enough for street-photo, but which lens with f/1,8 or less would you recommend?! Oh, would you? And price for this lens is….? Now, don’t get me wrong here. It’s far from perfect, it has limitations, but it’s hard to beat price/performance ratio for this lens.Would I recommend this lens? Without any hesitation.

Take a pictures and decide for

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Last update: Review & Sample Photos @ FourThirdUser (added on 14 August’07)

Sigma has launched the new Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG Macro for Four Thirds lens, a large aperture macro lens enables you to shoot up to 1:1 life size close-ups optimized specially for digital SLR cameras. The lens featuring Super Multi Layer (SML) coating reduces the ghost caused by reflections from the surface of digital image sensors, and a “Focus Limiter Switch” that limits the AF range so improving the speed and accuracy of autofocus.

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | Latest Price Info

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Thinking of upgrading your Canon EFs 18-55mm to make the most of your Canon 30D/400D? CameraLabs has a review with video and sample images comparing the Canon 17-55mm, Canon 17-85mm, and Canon 17-40mm f/4 L;

“There’s no perfect lens for everyone as specific requirements vary between photographers, but the Canon EF-S 17-85mm remains the most flexible choice overall for general purpose use..”

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