Sigma 18-250mm F35-63 Dc Macro Hsm for Sony Review

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens Review

Like all super zoom lenses, the Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.iii DC Os HSM Lens features a to-die-for focal length range. Sigma packages this 13.9x (250mm divided by 18mm) focal length range in a very well congenital, modestly-sized, reasonably-priced APS-C-just lens with tranquillity, fast AF and optical stabilization. Image quality is, as usual for a super zoom lens, sacrificed. How much is the pertinent question.

She was pleased with her first fishbone braids - and I thought she looked peculiarly beautiful (of form). So I rapidly moved her to i of my become-to locations in the firm (all adept photographers should have one or many of these) for a quick indoor ambient daylight portrait.

The Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-half dozen.3 DC OS HSM Lens was already mounted on my Canon EOS Rebel T2i/550D DSLR. The 95mm telephoto focal length, short focus distance and long groundwork distance permit the background (rug) to be nicely blurred beyond distraction even at the moderately narrow f/5.half dozen aperture. Another moment in life preserved.

While extremely convenient, putting the equivalent FLR (focal length range) of 2 normal zoom lenses into a single, small lens usually involves an image quality cede. "Complicated" is the all-time word I can think of to describe the Sigma 18-250 OS' overall paradigm quality.

At 18mm with a wide open aperture, expect the center portion of the frame to be reasonably sharp. The correct side is a scrap soft while the left side is decent. Stopping down the aperture to f/5.6 brings a nice improvement in sharpness in the center and left side, while f/8 continues to help the correct side - which never becomes existent sharp at 18mm.

At 24mm through 35mm, broad open, the centre and right side are reasonably sharp while the left corners are soft. Stopping downward to f/5.6 produces a very abrupt image with the exception of the left side - which becomes reasonably abrupt at f/eight.

I take been using this lens off and on for almost a year and accept been generally satisfied with the image sharpness from near of my shots taken between 18mm and 50mm - especially those shot at f/5.6 through f/eight. This is the typical FLR for a kit lens or full general purpose lens, so the rest of the focal length range could exist considered pure advantage over i of these kit-grade lenses.absolute; left: 240;" However, at 50mm and across, image quality begins to interruption down.

At 50mm, the eye is reasonably sharp wide open (which is now f/v.0) and quite sharp at f/viii. All corners are somewhat soft wide open. The left side becomes very sharp at f/8 while the right side remains soft.

By 80mm broad open (f/5.6), there is a small surface area of the frame to the left of heart that is abrupt wide open. The balance of the frame, and especially the corners, are soft. With the exception of the right side, the epitome is abrupt at f/8. The right side remains noticeably unsharp even at f/8.

By 150mm wide open up (f/half-dozen.3), the small area of sharpness to the left of center covers about 1/iv of the frame (left to right and peak to bottom) and is centered near 1/3 of the way into the left side of the frame. Stopping down the aperture to f/8 expands this sphere of sharpness, just the corners remain soft. At f/11, the results are decent.

At 250mm wide open up, the entire image is soft and the corners are very soft. At f/8, at that place is a noticeable comeback - the middle-left portion of the image again becomes reasonably sharp. So, if you tin can position your small-to-mid-sized subject area (like a person's head) into this area of the frame and shoot f/8, 250mm can indeed be usable. Here is a 250mm example:

The to a higher place Amish field scene (shot with a Canon EOS 50D at f/8) shows iii pair of corn shocks. The center corn shocks are budgeted the lesser-right of the area of sharpness I am describing. The left-most corn daze is virtually the left-most limit of this area of sharpness. The right-most corn shocks are non equally far out on the image circumvolve radius as the left-most corn shocks, simply they are patently blurry even with moderately strong sharpening applied.

Information technology is not unusual for lens image quality to worsen as the outside of the image circle is approached with the corners of the frame typically having the worst image quality. When in that location are inconsistencies in image quality between the sides of a lens, I am less confident in lens-to-lens variances as a misalignment defect is likely beingness observed.

CA (Chromatic Aberration) is somewhat strong in the corners at 18mm, improves until information technology is more often than not gone at 35mm, begins to show over again effectually 150mm and becomes very strong at 250mm. Equally seen in the in a higher place case, at 250mm, CA is very strong in the mid and corner areas of the frame - making Sigma eighteen-250mm f/3.five-half-dozen.3 DC OS HSM Lens image quality evaluation hard without CA removal being performed (DPP is not able to remove CA from not-Catechism lenses). The CA characteristics of this lens are in-line with the other currently available super zooms.

Distortion begins every bit moderate bulge-in-the-middle barrel distortion (proficient for this class of lens) that becomes mild pincushion distortion by 21mm. Pincushion distortion becomes strong by 35mm through 50mm and lessens to balmy once again by 80mm. Just mild pincushion baloney is present betwixt 150mm and 250mm.

Though some vignetting is apparent, I don't consider it a weakness of the Sigma 18-250 OS. Some vignetting is visible at 18mm f/3.five just is mostly cleared up by 30mm or and so. Vignetting again becomes apparent at 150mm through 250mm.

Bokeh (OOF foreground and background blur quality) appears decent.

The Sigma eighteen-250mm f/3.v-6.3 DC OS HSM Lens is moderately prone to flare - more so than the other brand 18-2XXmm super zoom lenses. It delivers some very interesting flare patterns at f/eleven.

Similar the rest of the super zoom lenses, the Sigma eighteen-250 Os is non a fast (wide aperture) lens. Utilizing a narrow max discontinuity opening keeps the size, weight and toll downwardly. Also similar the balance of the super zoom lenses, the Sigma xviii-250mm f/3.5-vi.3 DC Os HSM Lens is a variable max aperture lens. Hither is a table showing the focal length ranges for the max discontinuity of various 18-something mm zoom lenses.

Model	f/3.five	f/4.0	f/four.five	f/five.0	f/5.6	f/half-dozen.3
Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/iii.5-v.6 IS USM Lens	15-17mm	xviii-26mm	27-37mm	38-60mm	61-85mm
Canon EF-Due south xviii-55mm f/3.five-5.6 IS Lens	eighteen-23mm	24-28mm	29-38mm	39-46mm	47-55mm
Canon EF-Southward 18-135mm f/3.5-five.six IS Lens	18-21mm	22-30mm	31-40mm	41-63mm	64-135mm
Canon EF-Due south eighteen-200mm f/iii.5-five.half dozen IS Lens	xviii-23mm	24-39mm	40-49mm	fifty-89mm	ninety-200mm
Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-v.6 DC Bone HSM Lens		xviii-27mm	28-40mm	41-72mm	73-125mm
Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.three DC Os Lens	18-20mm	21-30mm	31-50mm	51-77mm	78-153mm	154-200mm
Sigma 18-250mm f/three.five-6.three DC OS HSM	18-23mm	24-34mm	35-49mm	l-79mm	80-146mm	147-250mm
Tamron 18-200mm f/iii.5-six.3 XR Di 2 Lens	18-30mm	31-46mm	47-59mm	60-72mm	73-124mm	125-200mm
Tamron xviii-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC Lens	18-29mm	30-45mm	46-58mm	59-90mm	91-237mm	238-270mm

There are a lot of differences between lenses in the in a higher place nautical chart, but I'm not sure any of them are meaning equally in that location is more often than not a 1/3 stop departure at most between lenses.

Property a narrow aperture lens steady enough for sharp pics in depression lite becomes a problem - unless the lens has some form of prototype stabilization built in. Optical Stabilization (OS) is Sigma's answer for this lens. This OS implementation is extremely quiet and very well behaved (viewfinder image does not jump when engaging, disengaging or during employ).

Many hundreds of test shots determined that I need a shutter speed of ane/6 second for a high percentage of abrupt shots at 18mm with a slowly diminishing keeper charge per unit down to .v seconds. That compares to my needed 1/25 - ane/thirty shutter speed without OS.

At 80mm, 1/thirteen to i/xv 2d was my handholding limit with Os help. This speed was a somewhat-hard flooring to what I could handhold at 80mm, though I take desultory sharp images down to 1/8 second. Without OS, I need 1/125 - which was also a solid effigy.

And at 250mm, my Sigma 18-250mm f/3.five-6.3 DC OS HSM Lens handholding limit is 1/20 2nd with a slowly diminishing keeper rate down to 1/15. I have sharp 250mm images taken at i/6 second, just plan on shooting a lot of shots for each precipitous i at this setting. Without Os, I am getting some precipitous results at 1/125, simply 1/3 stop faster setting gives me a meliorate per centum of precipitous shots.

So, as usual, OS is a great help. Though it is rated for four-stops of assist, I personally am seeing well-nigh 3 stops of help from OS on this specific lens. However, I'thousand very happy with 3 stops of assistance.

Focus matters - an OOF (Out of Focus) shot is unremarkably worthless to me. As I have mentioned in other Sigma reviews, I have had a dandy bargain of trouble with Sigma lens autofocus accuracy. I am very pleased to report that the offset copy of the Sigma 18-250 OS I purchased retail focuses accurately - consistently. And with HSM (Hypersonic Motor) AF, it does so quickly, quietly and internally. The eighteen-250 focuses at least as fast as the non-USM Catechism EF-South 18-200 and is slightly quieter. I found AI Servo AF performance to be good.

FTM (Full Time Transmission) focusing is not enabled. Manual focusing requires the AF/MF switch to exist positioned to the MF setting and the focus rings turns when autofocusing. You volition want to keep your fingers clear of the MF band to forestall impairment to the internal gears while autofocusing, simply the layout and size of the zoom ring makes this hands achieved.

Filters attached to the forepart of this lens do not rotate (helpful when using certain types of filters including circular polarizer filters). This is non a parfocal lens - changing the focal length requires refocusing.

All of the uniform APS-C Canon Digital SLR cameras crave a max discontinuity of f/five.6 for autofocus to function. Fortunately, the Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-half dozen.iii DC Bone HSM Lens autofocuses at all focal lengths including those with an f/6.3 max aperture on these cameras.

The manual focus ring is very smooth with no play, but as is common with the eighteen-2XXmm super zoom lenses, the MF ring has a short rotation betwixt MFD (Minimum Focus Altitude) and infinity. This tin can make manual focusing at longer focal lengths touchy.

Hither is a comparison tabular array showing the MFD and MM (Maximum Magnification) of some comparable lenses.

Model	MFD		MM
Canon EF-Southward 15-85mm f/3.5-5.vi IS USM Lens	13.8"	(350mm)	.21x
Canon EF-S eighteen-55mm f/iii.5-five.half dozen IS Lens	9.8"	(250mm)	.34x
Canon EF-S xviii-135mm f/3.v-5.6 IS Lens	19.3"	(490mm)	.21x
Canon EF-S xviii-200mm f/3.5-5.half-dozen IS Lens	17.7"	(450mm)	.24x
Sigma 18-125mm f/3.eight-5.six DC OS HSM Lens	13.viii"	(350mm)	.26x
Sigma 18-200mm f/iii.5-vi.three DC OS Lens	17.7"	(450mm)	.26x
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-vi.3 DC OS HSM Lens	17.7"	(450mm)	.29x
Tamron eighteen-200mm f/3.five-6.3 XR Di Two Lens	17.seven"	(450mm)	.27x
Tamron 18-270mm f/3.v-six.three Di II VC Lens	19.3"	(490mm)	.29x

Another great spec for a lens that attempts to be a one-lens solution - a .29x MM value is 1 of the all-time available from a not-true-macro lens. That is not the stop of the story though every bit the 18-250's MFD value is Sigma's specification - which is manifestly for autofocus (which tests at about sixteen.7" / 424mm). Every bit you will notice in the Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Lens Specifications page, the true MFD range of this lens (using transmission focus) is 11.65" - 12.76" (296mm - 324mm) over the focal length range - significantly increasing the MM to about .40x. Unfortunately, image quality remains weak at 250mm (the focal length the maximum magnification is reached at).

None of these lenses are compatible with extenders/teleconverters.

The Sigma xviii-250 OS is a very nicely built lens. The lens feels solid and there is no play in the extending barrel. Like the focus ring, the zoom band is smooth (particularly for this focal length range) with no play in information technology. As usual with a long-extending lens, gravity has an outcome on the rotational strength required to change focal lengths. Extending the lens when pointed downward is much easier than when pointed upwards - and vice-versa.

The included hood size is small-scale - and as usual with this class of lens, will not offering much protection against flare at longer focal lengths. Protection from impairment is ever a good reason to go on information technology installed. I frequently mention my personal dislike for Sigma's matte lens finish - mostly because I do non like how information technology shows grit and marks then easily (it looks not bad when new). The hood continues to have this belongings, just the rest of the lens is mostly zoom band with the balance being more often than not focus band.

A zoom lock switch is available to hold the retracted lens position (merely), merely the zoom ring is firm - tight enough to forestall gravity-zooming while existence carried effectually. I take heard a couple of reports of loose 18-250mm lenses though - so in that location may be some variances in this regard.

The Sigma eighteen-250mm f/iii.5-6.three DC Os HSM Lens' size and weight are very nice for accept-with-yous-everywhere use, Though it weighs more any other lens in the list beneath, the additional weight is not a differentiating factor between it and the other prototype stabilized 18-2XXmm super zoom lenses in my opinion.

Model	Weight		Dimensions w/o Hood		Filter	Twelvemonth
Canon EF-South 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens	xx.3 oz	(575g)	iii.2 x three.iv"	(81.6 x 87.5mm)	72mm	2009
Catechism EF-Southward 18-55mm f/iii.5-5.6 IS Lens	7.one oz	(200g)	2.seven x 2.8"	(68.five x 70mm)	58mm	2007
Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/iii.5-5.6 IS Lens	16.1 oz	(455g)	three.0 x 4.0"	(75.4 10 101mm)	67mm	2009
Catechism EF-S 18-200mm f/iii.five-five.6 IS Lens	21.0 oz	(595g)	3.one x 4.0"	(78.6 x 102mm)	72mm	2008
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.v-v.6 IS USM Lens	19.ane oz	(540g)	three.1 x three.eight"	(78 ten 97mm)	72mm	1998
Sigma 18-125mm f/iii.8-5.half dozen DC Bone HSM Lens	17.8 oz	(505g)	ii.9 10 3.5"	(74 ten 88.5mm)	67mm	2008
Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.three DC OS Lens	21.5 oz	(610g)	3.1 x 3.nine"	(79 10 100mm)	72mm
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.three DC OS HSM Lens	22.2 oz	(630g)	iii.1 ten 4.0"	(79 ten 101mm)	72mm	2009
Tamron xviii-200mm f/iii.5-vi.3 XR Di II Lens	14.0 oz	(398g)	ii.9 x 3.three"	(73.eight x 83.7mm)	62mm
Tamron 18-270mm f/three.v-6.three Di 2 VC Lens	19.4 oz	(550g)	3.1 x 4.0"	(79.6 x 101mm)	72mm	2008

The Tamron 18-200 is the only notably smaller/lighter 18-2XXmm lens, merely it lacks epitome stabilization. The 18-55mm kit lens weight is hard to beat of course. Pictured beneath from left to right (ordered by extended size with lens hoods) are the:

1. Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.five-5.vi IS Kit Lens
two. Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-half-dozen.3 XR DI II Lens
3. Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS Lens
4. Canon EF-South 18-200mm f/iii.v-five.vi IS Lens
5. Sigma 18-250mm f/iii.5-6.three DC Bone HSM Lens
half-dozen. Tamron eighteen-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC Lens

Click on the image below to take a look at 5 super zoom lenses mounted to a Canon EOS 50D.

Again, I don't feel that size and weight are skillful differentiators between these lenses. The focal length range is of form the well-nigh compelling reason to buy a super zoom lens.

Though it will physically mount on a full frame or APS-H sensor trunk, the Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Bone HSM Lens is a "DC" (Digital Camera) lens. This means the lens image circle will only encompass an APS-C (ane.6x FOVCF) sensor. Thus, the 18-250's 35mm-equivalent AOV (Angle of View) equates to a 28.8-400mm lens. Here are a couple of examples of what this incredible focal length range looks like (use the mouseover links beneath the image).

Pictures shot at 18mm will give the viewer a sense of presence in the scene and information technology but keeps going and going from there. 250mm will bring distant subjects in shut - compressing the details in the epitome - potentially blurring the background. From moderately wide landscapes to portraits to short distance wildlife photography, the correct focal length is available in ane lens.

This focal length range is in-arguably excellent, but as nosotros saw in the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Review, all lens focal lengths at less-than-infinity focus distances are not necessarily equal. Focal lengths are rated at an infinity focus distance, simply here is a tabular array that shows the moderate distance required to frame a 47.25" x 31.five" (1200 10 800mm) exam target at maximum focal length when mounted on an EOS 50D.

Model	Distance
Canon EF 200mm f/two.8 L II USM Lens	424.9"	(10792mm)
Canon EF 200mm f/2.0 L IS USM Lens	425.1"	(10798mm)
Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/three.5-five.6 IS Lens	369.nine"	(9395mm)
Sigma eighteen-200mm f/three.5-6.3 DC Bone Lens	369.6"	(9389mm)
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Bone HSM Lens	476.0"	(12,090mm)
Tamron 18-200mm f/3.v-6.3 XR Di Two Lens	384.7"	(9771mm)
Tamron 18-270mm f/3.v-6.iii Di II VC Lens	500.3"	(12708mm)

Calculations based on the two prime number lens figures indicate that 250mm should have a altitude of about 531.1" (thirteen,490mm) and 270mm should accept a distance of about 573.6" (14,569mm). So, all of the zoom lenses seem to exist similarly brusk of their named max focal length at this examination distance, just the 250mm and 270mm variants practice indeed have longer max focal lengths than the 200mm variants - which are like to each other.

Due to popularity, the super zoom lens market is a somewhat crowded ane. And the extra 50-70mm max focal length is a product differentiator. Here is a visual max focal length comparison betwixt these super zoom lenses.

The above images were shot from a stationary EOS 50D with each lens set to the maximum focal length. They are listed from left to right in the order they were taken. Interesting is that the Sigma 18-250 presents a lower view of the scene.

The difference between 200mm and 250/270mm is noticeable, only not dramatic when looking at the overall range covered by these lenses. And regardless of their true maximum focal lengths at any altitude, all of these super zooms have an awesome focal length range (FLR).

If you decide the irresistible focal length range is what you want, your adjacent conclusion is - which is the best super zoom lens, overall? I spent far more than days than I want to retrieve near trying to create a set of outdoor image quality comparisons to show yous in improver to the ISO 12233 Nautical chart Tool results. Merely thus far, I am not satisfied with how my test shots compare the complex image quality from these lenses. I may nevertheless add an outdoor comparison to this review, but in the meantime, I'll leave y'all with my personal preferences.

Cost aside, I would give up the Sigma 18-250 OS' additional 50mm of focal length on the long terminate every bit well as some of the build quality, and select the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens over the residual of the 18-2XXmm super zoom lenses. The master reason for my choice is ameliorate image quality. This pick, at review time, will set you back $100 more than the Sigma eighteen-250 and will have more butt baloney at 18mm.

The Sigma xviii-250mm f/three.v-6.3 DC Bone HSM Lens would be my second pick. The Tamron 18-270mm f/three.5-half-dozen.3 Di II VC Lens is the third on my listing, but I similar the Sigma 18-250'due south build quality, AF and Os ameliorate. The Tamron has slow AF and a less-well-behaved epitome stabilization organization. Epitome quality ranking between these 2 lenses is not easy - the Tamron has an advantage in my testing, but the departure is non dramatic.

The Sigma eighteen-200 Bone and the Tamron 18-200 would bring upwardly the bottom of the group I take in front of me right now. The newer lenses are definitely showing improved optical characteristics. The Tamron is a really small, light and inexpensive lens - and has a really low price. This is one advantage it holds.

I could easily see others deciding that the Sigma eighteen-250 OS is the best super zoom lens for them. Information technology is a very overnice lens with bang-up build quality and AF, a nice OS implementation and a reasonable price.

With a huge 13.9x focal length range and Os, the Sigma eighteen-250mm f/3.5-6.iii DC OS HSM Lens is like 2 lenses and a tripod in the package of a medium-small lens (bully for travel). While the Sigma 18-250 OS' epitome quality in the 50-250mm focal length range is not ideal, it can deliver a lot more than an 18-55mm lens can in that range. And if you are willing to give up the ultimate image quality a multi-lens solution volition provide - for the convenience of a super zoom lens, the Sigma xviii-250 Bone should be almost the top of your consideration list.

The Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.three DC Bone HSM Lens is available in Canon (tested), Nikon, Sigma, Pentax and Sony mounts and comes with a 1 Year International Warranty plus 2 Twelvemonth Sigma U.S.A. Extended Warranty.

Bringing you this site is my full-time chore (typically 60-80 hours per week). Thus, I depend solely on the commissions received from you using the links on this site to make whatsoever purchase. I am grateful for your support! - Bryan

My Recommended Sigma 18-250mm f/iii.v-6.3 DC OS HSM Lens Retailers

Cheque used inventory at MPB
(Using the links on this site to make whatsoever purchase provides back up for this site)

The Tip Jar

More Sigma 18-250mm f/3.five-6.iii DC OS HSM Lens Related Information

Bryan Recommends Buying It Hither

nanneyanctinget.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-18-250mm-f-3.5-6.3-DC-OS-HSM-Lens-Review.aspx

Share this post