Sigma 18-200 for less than £100 should I as a temp solution?

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nictry

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Just spotted the above lens (non-OS) at this price at our favourite retailer (Jessops!) and although I know I will still be hankering after the Nikon VR version I do need a walkabout for a holiday in a few weeks and for this price I am seriously tempted (even I just sell it on later?)

I have done some review searching and other than the drop off towards 200mm and the general Sigma quality stuff I can't actually find anything that really says it is that bad!!

So my question is should I just go buy this and use it for a few months or should I wait and sell or P/X my Sigma 17-70 to part fund the 18-200?

Advice welcome? TIA
 
Nick, for what its worth the few reviews I've read have been very positive, for the money I would just give it a go really.

Google for Adam T. on DRPeview, he has one and reckons its better than the 18-200 VR. He knows his stuff too.

Any 11x zoom is going to be a compromise, I don't think the 18-200 VR is worth the money, although used for a good price its a bit more on an interesting prospect.

For the Jessops price, I'd give it a go, just out of morbid curiousity!

TBH I'd keep your 17-70 which will murder it, and get a 55-200 VR for the times you need 200mm, the 55-200 VR is so small its an ideal travel companion.
 
Well I took the plunge and picked one up and TBH I am fairly pleasantly surprised with the results, only got a few quick snaps before it got dark but have posted a link to a full size taken at 200mm and the clarity on the sign is pretty good I think!

Will have a proper play tomorrow but for the money I am well pleased

3162843959_26c9f1632f.jpg


Original: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3092/3162843959_a9c145669c_o.jpg

And another at 45mm:

3162863233_9fcc1e7441.jpg


Original: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/3162863233_a4acce56dd_o.jpg
 
I don't like the look of that top right hand corner much ("Hampton Inn")...
 
I have a Sigma 18-200 as my walkaround lens. Yes, of course a combination of (say) a Sigma 17-70 and a new 55-200 will be better optically, but for me the convenience of having that focal; length range without having to swap lenses (usually) wins the argument.

I've found it's a bit soft beyond about 150mm. But in the medium focal length range, it's not bad at all.

This landscape - the May photo for this year's TP calendar - was taken with it, at around 40mm (several frames stitched).
 
StewartR said:
I have a Sigma 18-200 as my walkaround lens. Yes, of course a combination of (say) a Sigma 17-70 and a new 55-200 will be better optically, but for me the convenience of having that focal; length range without having to swap lenses (usually) wins the argument.

I've found it's a bit soft beyond about 150mm. But in the medium focal length range, it's not bad at all.

This landscape - the May photo for this year's TP calendar - was taken with it, at around 40mm (several frames stitched).
Click to expand...

Beautiful picture :love:

I bought this as I am off on hols in a few weeks and just wanted a walkaround as CBA to lug a load of lenses as it is a week lounging on a beach with probably just a few trips out to 'see stuff' and the Sigma is so light it is almost unnoticable on the D200!

I think it probably performs better in stronger light as it was getting pretty dim when I picked it up so will have another play tomorrow, not quite sure what Andy has picked up other than possibly the sign which appears not to be lens related but to my eyes (and for < £100) I think it will do me fine for general strolling about!
 
StewartR said:
I have a Sigma 18-200 as my walkaround lens. Yes, of course a combination of (say) a Sigma 17-70 and a new 55-200 will be better optically, but for me the convenience of having that focal; length range without having to swap lenses (usually) wins the argument.

I've found it's a bit soft beyond about 150mm. But in the medium focal length range, it's not bad at all.

This landscape - the May photo for this year's TP calendar - was taken with it, at around 40mm (several frames stitched).
Click to expand...


That's one hell of an endorsement for a £100 lens
I'm on the edge of getting the os for £250 or the nikon for £350 but this is really making me think twice..
alex
oh and if the edging on that sign is a criticism its faint indeed for being 1/3 of the price of some others. I don't think I would pay £200 just to make the sign on the edge of shot sharper:thinking:
Anyone else got a zoom photo from it
?
bu££er, won't AF on a d40
 
I have one of these lenses too and it does quite a good job in all honesty, although i may be selling up soon as i've just received a 70-300VR, along with my 18-50 f2.8 i don't think i'll use it any more!
 
I've had mine for a while now luv it, thats a great price cant go wrong
Phil;)
 
i have a sony equivalent for my sony a300 and loving it as my only lens at the moment, but will be adding my collection in the not so distance future
 
Ah I was just about to ask about putting this on an Alpha. Can anyone compare the Sigma to the Sony offering?
 
Hi Nic.
You need a 70-200vr!

Jpeg straight from the camera click on pic for full size




Allan
 
allanm said:
Hi Nic.
You need a 70-200vr!

Jpeg straight from the camera click on pic for full size




Allan
Click to expand...

Ah but the bank manager and my wife would probably not like me very much if I had one ;)
 
nictry said:
Ah but the bank manager and my wife would probably not like me very much if I had one ;)
Click to expand...

I just hid the receipt from them both! ;)
But, the Sigma lenses are really very good. My first zoom was a Sigma 28-200, I sold it on here for about £65 :shrug: . In good light, it was superb, I dont think you can go wrong with your new lens, especially at that price.

I think its important to take a few shots to find the lens` sweet spot. Mine was
best at around f8.
This was 1/250 at f8 with my D50



Allan
 
allanm said:
I just hid the receipt from them both! ;)
But, the Sigma lenses are really very good. My first zoom was a Sigma 28-200, I sold it on here for about £65 :shrug: . In good light, it was superb, I dont think you can go wrong with your new lens, especially at that price.

I think its important to take a few shots to find the lens` sweet spot. Mine was
best at around f8.
This was 1/250 at f8 with my D50



Allan
Click to expand...


I think the light issue is key to both this and my Sigma 120-400 as in low light that is not great at all but in good sunshine it performs pretty admirably! Just need to move nearer the equator and that should fix that problem nicely :nuts:
 
I've been thinking about getting more of a walkaround lens as I hate having to keep swap lenses. So I might give this ago to go with my D90.

I hired the 18-200 VR a few months back and used it on my D40 and whilst it was good it was very heavy which has kind of put me off buying one.

How would this compare to the Nikon 18-55 DX and Nikon 55-200 DX lenses I currently have?
 
Well I went and picked one up after reserving one at my local store. First impression is wow its small and quite light.

Will post my findings when I've had chance to try it out :)
 
Wouldn't say I've had much of a chance to try it yet but.

This is @ 200mm


Link to Large

This is @ 18mm
 
Took my lens back this evening. From what I used it I thought it was ok. Maybe I should have given it more of a try but taking some pics yesterday in lowlight I realised VR would have been handy.

Decided to go for a Nikon 18-105 VR instead. Should arrive tomorrow:)
 
Ballgirl said:
Took my lens back this evening. From what I used it I thought it was ok. Maybe I should have given it more of a try but taking some pics yesterday in lowlight I realised VR would have been handy.

Decided to go for a Nikon 18-105 VR instead. Should arrive tomorrow:)
Click to expand...

New toys are always cool to play with ;)
If they didn't have the OS version of the Sigma, then I guess the Nikkor won't be bad either.
It looks like a neat walkaround lens. Could post some sample shots and a few thought on it when you get it and try it out? It would be great.
 
Well, have dived in & convinced the kids to buy me this for my birthday. Again hoping to use it as a general walkabout lens- fingers crossed!!!

:clap::shrug::thumbs:
 
i rate my nikon 18-200 very highly, it's probably my most used lens day to day unless i've a specific task that i know i'm going to need something else for, it's useful and pretty sharp considering the range it covers
 
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