Sigma 18-200 OS - Sample Shots

[JTL]

Well, it arrived on Friday, 6/22. I haven't had a lot of time to put it through it paces...just random shooting of things around the house to get a "feel" for the lens. It's bigger and heavier than the non-os version...plus it takes 72mm filters (as opposed to 62mm). I have not done any controlled testing of the lens. Most shots were at full zoom or full wide angle (it's the extremes where the potential problems would show up, I figure). Also, everything I've shot so far has been in P mode (Reb XT/350D). All shot RAW and converted to JPEG via Capture One LE (every RAW shooter should try it at least once...so simple...so amazing...so fast). I've spent only an hour or so with the lens and have 12 more days to return it if I decide I don't want to keep it (got it at B&H for $549.00).

Some initial subjective observations:
My copy of this lens is BETTER than my old Sigma non-os 18-200 in a very significant way. What's that you ask? It focuses faster and more accurately. A lot more accurately. The bokeh is still very good, and it's as sharp as the old lens (maybe a little sharper) but the contrast and color are not as good as the old lens. Also, the zoom ring is quite stiff. The old lens was very smooth. So far, no CA to speak of and not as much distortion as I expected. The OS has been a non-factor for me so far. It’s on…but I don’t notice it. It will require some real testing to understand its effectiveness and/or limitations. That's about it. So far, the lens is a keeper.

BTW, there was a rant against this lens on some other site by someone who didn't provide any objective criteria or sample photos. The poster ranted about distortion and CA like it was a Coke bottle. I hate to question people's integrity, but that person either used a bad copy or had no clue what they were doing...or they are just a Sigma basher (imagine that?). Given the features/functionality of this lens and the price point...there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, so far, for what it is. Is it as good as the Canon 24-105? No way. But is it good enough to leave on your camera as your primary lens for 90% of non-pro shooting situations? For me, that would be a very big affirmative.

Here are a few sample shots:


http://JTL.smugmug.com/photos/165858025-L.jpg

http://JTL.smugmug.com/photos/165838367-L.jpg

http://JTL.smugmug.com/photos/165855867-L.jpg


Here's a gallery link to some others (I'm posting as I process them, and it's taking forever to upload them...Smugmug is like molasses today, so keep checking back if you're interested...):

http://JTL.smugmug.com/gallery/3045430/1/165838367

[timmciglobal]

Doesn't look that bad.

So now we've got nikon and sigma making 18-200's... nikon with a VR lens < 250$ and canon still missing any real "all in one" or cheap IS lens.

Really confuses me since obviously sigma and tamron selling enough of these to keep making them you would think canon would do what nikon did, slap IS into a somewhat better but not great lens and sell it.

Tim

[JTL]

And the wierd thing is, a Canon rep said to me last Summer that they were working on one...either that wasn't true, or they're not ready to release one for whatever reason. But I know two people personally who bought D80's just for the Nikon 18-200 VR! There must be thousands of people making that same decision. Now add in all the folks like me who will buy the Sigma and Canon is missing out on a s-load of money...not to mention looking pretty dumb from a marketing standpoint. Oh well...

Meanwhile, I'll just enjoy shooting with what I have...because for the money, my rig is damn good...

[nqjudo]

We have the same Buddha statuette. I picked mine up in Hong Kong. There must be a millions of them floating around. I've seen them everywhere in South Asia.

Nice shots and thanks for the review. I may look into this lens myself.

[JTL]

Nice shots and thanks for the review. I may look into this lens myself.Thank you!

The nice thing about it is you can leave the lens on for so many shooting situations. Hopfully, I'll get to do some low-light shooting this Wednesday and see if the OS really makes a difference...if I do, I'll post the results. But, my gut tells me, as with the Sigma 80-400 OS, the stabilization will be nowhere near the quality of Canon's technology...but we'll see...:)

[michaelb]

Thank you!

The nice thing about it is you can leave the lens on for so many shooting situations. Hopfully, I'll get to do some low-light shooting this Wednesday and see if the OS really makes a difference...if I do, I'll post the results. But, my gut tells me, as with the Sigma 80-400 OS, the stabilization will be nowhere near the quality of Canon's technology...but we'll see...:)

Thanks for posting your impressions....awaiting your OS testing.

[JTL]

It's so damn frustrating...having a new toy and having no time to use it. I still have not done any controlled OS testing, although I did a few "off the cuff" tests. The OS works, but not dramatically so. I don't really care, because the lens focuses so much better than the old one, that alone is enough to make me happy. Also, I have yet to shoot it at every aperture...that's how busy I've been. BTW, I'm using a Singh-Ray Color Intensifier filter that I leave on the lens permanently...it compensates perfectly for the lack of "omph" in the color as compared to the old lens...

Well, anyways, another random shot...this one out the window...I like it...don't know why, though...

Like the original Sigma 18-200, this lens is a champ at F8...and the distortion situation (shot at 18mm) is better then you thought, right? It's a hell of a lot better than I thought it would be! :D

http://JTL.smugmug.com/photos/171071460-L.jpg

Exposure Time = 1/60"
F Number = F8
Exposure Program = Aperture priority
ISO Speed Ratings = 100
Exif Version = Version 2.21
Date Time Original = 2007-07-08 12:21:22
Date Time Digitized = 2007-07-08 12:21:22
Components Configuration = YCbcr
Shutter Speed Value = 5.91 TV
Aperture Value = 6 AV
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Metering Mode = Pattern
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 18mm
User Comment =
Flashpix Version = Version 1.0
Color Space = sRGB
Exif Image Width = 2719
Exif Image Height = 1924
Interoperability IFD Pointer = Offset: 850
Focal Plane X Resolution = 3954.233
Focal Plane Y Resolution = 3958.763
Focal Plane Resolution Unit = inch
Custom Rendered = Normal process
Exposure Mode = Auto exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance
Scene Capture Type = Normal


Here's one with a Tiffen 3x MC close-up lens (BTW, crap compared to the Hoya Pro1) attached . The results are soft and less than optimal, but still appealing (at least to me)...

http://JTL.smugmug.com/photos/171079433-L.jpg

Exposure Time = 1/80"
F Number = F5.6
Exposure Program = Normal program
ISO Speed Ratings = 100
Exif Version = Version 2.21
Date Time Original = 2007-07-08 16:58:57
Date Time Digitized = 2007-07-08 16:58:57
Components Configuration = YCbcr
Shutter Speed Value = 6.32 TV
Aperture Value = 4.97 AV
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Metering Mode = Pattern
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 96mm
User Comment =
Flashpix Version = Version 1.0
Color Space = sRGB
Exif Image Width = 3456
Exif Image Height = 2296
Interoperability IFD Pointer = Offset: 986
Focal Plane X Resolution = 3954.233
Focal Plane Y Resolution = 3958.763
Focal Plane Resolution Unit = inch
Custom Rendered = Normal process
Exposure Mode = Auto exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance
Scene Capture Type = Normal


Random fireworks shot...the lens handled nicely in the dark...

http://JTL.smugmug.com/photos/171085701-L.jpg

Exposure Time = 2"
F Number = F16
Exposure Program = Manual
ISO Speed Ratings = 100
Exif Version = Version 2.21
Date Time Original = 2007-07-07 21:32:32
Date Time Digitized = 2007-07-07 21:32:32
Components Configuration = YCbcr
Shutter Speed Value = -1 TV
Aperture Value = 8 AV
Exposure Bias Value = ±0EV
Metering Mode = Pattern
Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
Focal Length = 35mm
User Comment =
Flashpix Version = Version 1.0
Color Space = sRGB
Exif Image Width = 2564
Exif Image Height = 1816
Interoperability IFD Pointer = Offset: 986
Focal Plane X Resolution = 3954.233
Focal Plane Y Resolution = 3958.763
Focal Plane Resolution Unit = inch
Custom Rendered = Normal process
Exposure Mode = Manual exposure
White Balance = Auto white balance
Scene Capture Type = Normal


One of these days I will get around to a proper test...sorry to those who were waiting...but earning the green comes first...:D

But, for what it's worth, I'm still diggin' the lens...

[michaelb]

Thanks for posting some more images from this lens.

The flower shot seems a bit blurry/out of focus, but the city-scape and fireworks shots look both look good.

Keep 'em coming!

[JTL]

Thanks for posting some more images from this lens.

The flower shot seems a bit blurry/out of focus, but the city-scape and fireworks shots look both look good.

Keep 'em coming!Yeah...like I said...the flower shot was with a (crappy) close-up lens/filter attached...the Sigma doesn't seem to like it...and I happen to agree...:D

[24Peter]

Hmmm - I've been thinking about an all around lens for a trip to China I may be taking in the fall. (One of my sister's is adopting a baby and I was going to tag along.) The idea is pack for carry on only. So I wanted to take my camera and one lens. Can you post or email me some links to full size images or 100% crops?

Also: anyone out there try out the new Tamron 18-250mm? It's numbers are pretty good on PhotoZone.

[coldrain]

Peter24, Don Schap tried it out :D
But... I am not sure you will get a useful assessment from him about it.

ColorFoto, a German magazine I sort of trust in lens tests, found the Tamron 18-250mm to perform quite well, surprisingly well actually, for the big zoom range. A big step up from the CA monster that the Tamron 18-200mm is.

I do like the OS in this Sigma 18-200.
And JTL, it does look like the barrel distortion, which is apparent, is not of the bad variety from the likes of the Canon EF-S 17-85 IS, Nikon 18-70 DX, 18-135 Dx and 18-200 DX.
Something I could live with for sure, for a long range zoom.

About that Tiffen macro thing... to wards the bottom of the main flower thing you do see something odd going on... CA like. Not all too pretty indeed :eek:

[JTL]

Hmmm - I've been thinking about an all around lens for a trip to China I may be taking in the fall...the idea is pack for carry on only.

Hey Peter:

I'm going to China over August and September! It's one of the main reasons that I wanted a decent all-around lens...although there's also a Canon 10-22mm on its way to me for those wide opportunities...which China seems to have in abundance. My whole kit, except for the tripod, is carry-on.

BTW, I've changed the gallery settings to allow viewing of the full size (original) images so you can get a better idea...although, the pictures I've uploaded so far are pretty lame...

http://JTL.smugmug.com/gallery/3045430/1/165838367


About that Tiffen macro thing... to wards the bottom of the main flower thing you do see something odd going on... CA like. Not all too pretty indeed :eek:
Coldy...

Yeah, in a lot of the flower close-ups I took with the Tiffen close-up lens, there was weird color fringing in most of them. I don't like the thing at all. From today forward, I'm only going to use it as a paper weight or a coaster...:D

So I decided to do it right and bite the bullet and ordered a Canon 100mm 2.8 marco.

And a side note, someone on pbase stated Sigma was claiming the OS is good for 3 to 4 stops (no specific source for the claim was given...and it should be stated that this claim is not made on the page for the lens on the Sigma web site). Uhhhh...3 to 4 stops? That's a stretch...a really big stretch. While I haven't done any controlled testing, two stops seems to be more realistic from my anecdotal experience. But hey, I'll take an extra two stops any day! Just beware of over-exaggerations...both positive and negative...regarding this lens.

[24Peter]

Hey Peter:

I'm going to China over August and September! It's one of the main reasons that I wanted a decent all-around lens...although there's also a Canon 10-22mm on its way to me for those wide opportunities...which China seems to have in abundance. My whole kit, except for the tripod, is carry-on.

BTW, I've changed the gallery settings to allow viewing of the full size (original) images so you can get a better idea...although, the pictures I've uploaded so far are pretty lame...

http://JTL.smugmug.com/gallery/3045430/1/165838367


OK - thanks for that. Seems like a bit of a toss up. On the one hand, the full rez samples from the Tamron on PhotoZone appear a little better. On the other hand, you've got a shot of your phone taken at 200mm @ 1/25th shutter that no non-IS/OS lens could ever do. I may head over to Canoga Camera with my XT and test out both lenses...

[JTL]

I guess if it were easy, we'd all have the same lens(es) on our cameras! :D

Why don't they let people who actual use this stuff make the product decisions? I bet any three of us here could spec a better all-pupose lens than the current choices...for example, I would have paid between $100 and $200 more if they used better optics that produced a sharper image...and I think so would most people who are at least semi-serious about photography. But that's the difference between letting photographers decide vs. letting marketers decide...