Sigma 50-200mm f/4.0-5.6 DC IF SLD OS HSM Lens

Sigma 50-200mm F4-5.6 DC OS HSM compact, high performance telephoto zoom Lens. The lens incorporates SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass in the front lens groups and is equipped with an inner focusing system to provide high image quality throughout the entire zoom range.

This is a DC lens designed so that the image circle matches the smaller size of the image sensor of most digital SLR cameras. This specialized design gives this lens the ideal properties for digital cameras, the compact and lightweight construction is an added bonus! This lens will not give a full image on 'full frame' cameras.

The incorporation of HSM (Hyper-Sonic Motor) ensures quiet and high-speed auto focus. The lens uses a motor driven by ultrasonic waves to provide a quiet, high speed AF. With conventional auto-focusing, auto-focus is driven by electromagnetic force of a DC-motor, gear and shaft mechanism. However, Ultrasonic Oscillation Energy operates the HSM lens and creates high-torque drive. Since this motor has no reduction gears, it has much quicker response to start and stop compared to DC- motor lenses. HSM system has virtually silent auto focus function, very quick responsive auto focus function and "full-time" manual focus, wherein AF can be overridden without disengaging the AF mode altogether. The OS (Optical Stabilizer) function effectively eliminates the effects of camera shake so subjects can be easily and clearly seen in the viewfinder as well as in the image. It allows the use of shutter speeds up to 4 stops slower than normal for steady, handheld photography.

HSM means this lens will autofocus on Nikon D40/D40x, Nikon D60, Nikon D3000, Nikon D3100 and the Nikon D5000 DX Cameras

The OS function utilizes a built-in mechanism that compensates for camera shake. It dramatically expands photographic possibilities by alleviating camera movement when shooting by hand held camera.

Developed with Sigma's own technology, the OS (Optical Stabilizer) function uses two sensors inside the lens to detect both vertical and horizontal movement of the camera. This function, which works by moving an optical image stabilizing lens group, to effectively compensate for camera shake, helps to set our lenses apart from the rest. To handle all types of shooting conditions, the system has two optical stabilizer modes. Mode 1 determines camera shake in vertical and horizontal panning and compensates for image blurring. It is therefore effective for taking general photography or for shooting landscapes and other static subjects. Mode 2 detects vertical camera shake and compensates for blurring. It is effective for panning the camera to photograph moving subjects such as motor sports.

For Sony and Pentax mounts the built-in OS System allows the photographer to see the stabilized image in the viewfinder and can be used as an alternative with cameras having built-in image stabilization. The Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting and provides high contrast images throughout the entire zoom range. This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 43.3inches (110cm) throughout the entire zoom range and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4.5. An inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation, making it suitable for use with circular polarizing filters.

Shop for the Sigma 50-200mm f/4-5.6 DC OS HSM Lens here from these stores

• Optical Stabilization: Sigma's own OS System.

• Sony & Pentax: Original Anti-Shake function for camera body and viewfinder

• Inner Focusing System: Eliminates front lens rotation; suitable for use w/circular polarizing filters

• Compact, Telephoto Zoom Lens

• High Image Quality: SLD glass elements with inner focusing

• High Magnification: 1:4.5 magnification, exclusively designed for digital SLRs

• Includes: Bayonet Type Hood

• Mounts: for Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony and Pentax

• Bayonet-Type Hood

• Front & Rear Lens Caps

• 1 Year International Warranty plus 2 Year Sigma U.S.A. Extended Warranty (Total Warranty is 3 Years from Date of Purchase)

photogai, July 6, 2010

By irJIM (northern, CA USA)

This review is from: Sigma 50-200mm f/4.0-5.6 DC IF SLD Optical Stabilized (OS) Lens with Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) for Sigma Digital SLR Cameras (Electronics)

Sigma 50-200 OS is a good budget lens yet I'm still trying to push it to it's optimum capabilities. I own three Sigma lenses, two are DC lenses while the EX out preforms my others in detail clarity only when enlarged. Focus is quick, focus and zoom rings are smooth but I wish the sharpness was better during an enlargement compared to my Sigma EX lens. Nikon 55-200VR seems to be a tad sharper gaining more details of the image when enlarged yet they are about the same size, Sigma better built. I wish both zooms had a closer minimum focus range. The OS (optical Stabilizer) is iffy, sometimes it works fine while other times there is very slight double imaging blur even when the shutter speed seems adequate @ 1/250-1/320th @200mm with OS on while sometimes I get great images at crazy slow shutter speeds down to 1/10th of a second hand held with OS. I found F-16 @ 200mm and F-11 @ 50mm is it's sweet spot otherwise for standard images it doesn't matter. I love my Sigma's yet I will stick with the EX grades from now on.

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