Description
18-50mm f2.8 EX DC Macro HSM Large aperture zoom lens designed specially for use with digital SLR cameras with a minimum focusing distance of 20cm (7.9").
This lens is specially designed to suit the characteristics of
digital SLR cameras and provides a high level of optical performance. It has a large aperture of
F2.8 throughout the entire
zoom range, offers superior peripheral brightness as well as a compact and lightweight construction. A maximum magnification of 1:3, making it ideal for close-up photography.
HSM means this lens will autofocus on Nikon D40/D40x,
Nikon D60, Nikon D3000,
Nikon D3100 and the
Nikon D5000 DX Cameras
Features
A minimum focusing distance of 20cm (7.9"), a maximum magnification of 1:3
This large aperture standard zoom lens, with close-up ability, is ideal for portrait and snap shots.
Large aperture of F2.8 throughout the entire zoom range
Large aperture enables easy confirmation of focusing from bright
viewfinder. This lens is perfectly suited for low light conditions indoors or at dusk.
Excellent optical design
Special Low Dispersion (SLD) and Extraordinary Low Dispersion (ELD) glass elements provide excellent correction of color aberrations. This lens produces an exceptional level of optical performance.
Compact and lightweight lens
Its design incorporates both glass-mold and hybrid
aspherical lens technology which offers a compact and lightweight construction.
Reduced Ghosting and Flare
The super multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghost. High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range.
Inner Focus System
An inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation, making the lens particularly suitable for using the petal-type lens hood (supplied) plus circular polarizing filters.
HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) for Nikon Mounts Only
The Incorporation of HSM is capable of auto focusing
with all Nikon DSLR cameras.
Item Includes
Petal-type Lens Hood, Front & Rear Lens Caps, Pouch Case, 4-Year USA Warranty, 1-Year International Warranty
Reviews
Great low light lens for my Pentax K20D, March 23, 2009
By Kent Davis "Devata.org - Khmer Studies" (Anna Maria Island, FL USA)
In 2007 I bought a Pentax K10D with the standard factory 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens. In 2008 I upgraded to the Pentax K20D 14.6MP Digital SLR Camera with Shake Reduction (Body Only) and chose to buy this lens separately. A great decision that gave me much better results.
I was worried about losing the extra 5mm of zoom but the lower light f2.8 capability absolutely made this lens the way to go. I'm a research photographer doing work in Khmer temples in Cambodia. My light conditions constantly range from "too much" to "not enough". This lens performed perfectly in all conditions.
Mechanical motions are smooth and didn't change in a recent 9 day temple shoot of 7,000 photos in 9 days. The lens feels solid and performed reliably.
I drove myself nuts researching dozens of lenses before deciding on this one. It seemed to offer the best ratio between performance and cost. I am delighted with my choice.
Excellent Image Quality, Low Cost, Great Build!, March 11, 2009
By Darrell R. Young "Darrell Young - Author" (Knoxville, TN, USA)
This is evidently Sigma's third release of this lens, and it now includes HSM (HyperSonic Motor) so that it will work on cameras like the Nikon D40 and D60 and others with no built-in body autofocus (AF) motor. The AF motor is built into the lens, instead. It is very fast and quiet during autofocus, and does not hunt. The focus snaps into place quickly.
The easy way to make sure you are getting the HSM version is to check the sales ad for the filter size. The older lenses had a 67mm filter, while the new lens has a 72mm filter and lens cap. Looking at the lens, it seems a little shorter in length, yet slightly bigger around compared to the older lenses, due to the larger glass.
In shooting with this lens, I find the image quality to be simply superb at f/5.6 and f/8. At f/8 it is every bit as good as some of my Nikkor prime lenses. I don't make that statement lightly! I am a strong user of single focal length prime lenses. The reason I bought this lens is because I own the Sigma 10-20mm super-wide, and found its image quality to be excellent at f/8, also. I am a tripod-based landscape shooter, so I am mostly concerned with maximum sharpness, low chromatic aberration, and nice contrast. The newest Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 EX DC HSM lens delivers on all those fronts. It is a lightweight carry lens for everyday "normal" use.
Opening the lens up to f/2.8 lowers sharpness, especially in the extreme corners. The nice thing, though, is that my Sigma is about as sharp wide-open, as my Nikkor 24-120mm VR lens is at f/5.6. It is quite usable and impressive at f/2.8 and even has very low vignetting, which is an unexpected bonus. Stopping down to f/4 brings this lens into a high-sharpness range that gets progressively better to about f/11. After that significant sharpness is lost due to diffraction (light being diverted by the edges of the aperture blades). At F/22, this lens seems less sharp than when wide-open. I consider the maximum-quality usability range of this lens to be between f/4 and f/11. The larger and smaller apertures are there when you need them, but with some loss of sharpness.
The short focal length range (18 to 50mm) is necessary to keep image quality under strict control. Most "professional" lenses will not have a large focal length range, since it is very difficult to correct for lens issues over a broad range of lengths in one lens.
The Macro feature on this lens is quite usable. I was carrying a 60mm Micro Nikkor in my daily carry bag, but no longer do so. While not true macro, it is very close, and allows me to get up to within a couple of inches of my subject at 50mm. Quite impressive!
Pros:
• Light-weight and small size
• Solid EX build
• Very high sharpness between f/4 and f/11
• f/2.8 when you need it!
• High contrast
• Fast and Quiet AF - HSM Style
• Macro that works pretty well
• Low price
Cons:
• Short focal length range
• Loss of sharpness in edges at f/2.8
• Diffraction unsharpness quite noticeable at f/22
• Mild vignetting (light falloff on edges) wide open.
I've been using this lens for several weeks now, and would buy it again! No lens is perfect, and I don't expect this one to be. However, it easily meets my needs for a very sharp lens that will replace my use of several prime lenses. It adds little weight to my digital Nikons, so I can take it with me everywhere. It has become the daily "carry" lens on my Nikon D300. The images I have created with this lens, so far, have made me very happy. I enAs a resultiastically recommend it! Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
