Author Topic: Experience with Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC MACRO? (Read 3828 times)

Daneel · « **on:** February 24, 2007, 07:17 »

Hi all!

Many thanks for your help so far. I feel that I'm progressing well towards chosing the best lens for me. As you know, I'm switching to DSLR (XTi) and I'm currently on my quest to find the perfect lens within my budget, which is around 500 Euros / 600 USD.

From my side, there are two main requirements:

1) This lens should be a very good walkaround lens for landscape, nature, people, buildings, ... just anything which I might encounter on my travels (except for wildlife, where I would need a telezoom).

2) I do a lot of product photography (isolations with a light tent). The products consist of all kind of gadgets (mobile phones, mp3 players) but also food and so on. Nothing too small, but still the lens should have a very good minimum focus distance and also a very good magnification factor.

I put considerable research into finding a lens which fullfills both 1) and 2) and finally came up with the "Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC MACRO". This is a revised version of the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC and has the following characteristics which impress me:

a) Minimum focus distance of 0,2m and
b) Magnification factor of 1:3

With the XTi sensor size (22.2 x 14.8 mm) this means that objects as small as 66,6 x 44,4 mm will fill my photo: Well enough for my work.
I've now several questions to you and would be very happy to get any inputs:

1) Does anyone of you have a Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC MACRO and can provide his experiences / opinion about the lense?

2) Are there any reviews available? I only find reviews of the older "Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC"?

3) The Sigma has a good price. I'd happily spend more (within my budget of 500 Euros / 600 USD) for a higher quality lens with compareable zoom and in particular similiar characteristics w.r.t. minimum focus distance and magnification factor. Is there such a beast out there? Maybe from Canon? I couldn't find one :-(

Any other inputs are very welcome as well!

Many thanks,
Michael

GeoPappas · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2007, 08:54 »

One thing to consider:

Using this as a "macro" lens probably means that you will need to use it at its minimum focusing distance of ~ .2m (or 8"). That is pretty close for a macro shot and might lead to some wide-angle distortion.

Daneel · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2007, 09:11 »

Hi GeoPappas,

according to the sigma website, the 1:3 magnification factor is at 50 mm. So it is actually at the tele-end rather than the wide-end, right? The review here http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/lenses/sigma_1850_28m_nikon/index.htm says:

The 18-50mm EX shows the quite typical distortion characteristic for a lens in this class. At 18mm there're very pronounced barrel distortions which ease continuously towards the long end of the zoom range. At 35mm and 50mm the lens is basically free of distortions.

Is it the barrel distortions which you were talking about? Sorry, but as you know I'm still very new do the DSLR business.

Many thanks and all the best,
Michael

leaf · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2007, 09:45 »

there shouldn't be TOO much distorting at 50mm, .. perhaps it would be better with a 100mm macro, but then you don't have the zoom. This seems like a pretty good all-round lens for now.