Sigma 18-200 C, anyone?

[Englischdude]

I am always torn with the walk around general purpose lens,, convenience to quality tradeoff. I use an 18x200 Nikkor on my D7000 walk about,,

and yes,, it is definitely softer than any prime or higher end Nikkor zooms or even some of my older Nikkor zooms,, but,, darn convenient, and
has produced plenty of keepers,,

I think we do get over concerned,, with lens focus, when the composition, light, and subject matter tends to win the photo front, where
the lens is just an incremental gain.

glad you seem to be liking your new lens. now time to get up at sunrise,, and capture some wonderful light.

all good and well, however when I spend nearly 400 euro on a lens I have a minimum price/performance ratio in mind. If I can get the same zoom focus performance from a lens which is much cheaper, why spend the extra cash. will mull this over for a few days.

 

[stmv]

I will add, I am a lens addict,, and over the 40 years, have collected a wide range of Nikkor lens and a few after market lens. I have scoured almost every review,, and article,, gleaming what I could,, carried heavy tripods, remote releases, mirror up,, chasing that last ounce of sharpness magic,, etc.

and what have I learned on lens,,, that there are some great bargains and lens out there,, and some very very good pro consumer lens.

I have compared the 24-120 to the 28-105,, which one,, the 28-105,

which zoom is my sharpest,,

the ancient 35-70 2.8 ,, ,wow,, really split hairs between this lens and any of my primes..

which lens has mmm almost the best glow/look to the picture,,

14-24 ,, almost magical,, this lens is quickly adding many of my favorite pictures.. Maybe its the lens coating, but the
pictures have a life to them,, love it love it, totally worth the money!

while I have the long zoom 2.8,,, I carry my 80-400 way more,, just a bit less sharp,, but so so flexible,,

primes I have from 8 mm to 500 (but the prime is a mirror) so I guess really from 8 to 300,

favorites? mmmm

love love the old nikkor 50 mm 2.0,, not the fastest,, but so so sharp.. course,, my 50 mm 1.2,, so cool,, kinda like the 85 1.4,, wow,,

but for the dollar 85 1.8 D,, best value for the money,, but then again,, 85 is not a used lens for me as much,, rather carry the
60mm macro 2.8,, for the extra flexiblity of the macro,,

then for pure quality,, the 105 DC,, what magic,, and sharp, and the build quality,, sad to see those days gone,, with the metal chrinkle fiinsh,,,

now adays, ones has to be gentle with lens,, or sure to break.


lens,,, lenss,,, one has to love lenss,, and I say used used used, and only new when it makes total sense..

like I bought the 14-24 new,, not enough out there,, and so the price difference is not worth the risk,,

or when sales happen,, I got my 18-200 for 40% off!

or sometimes with bundled deals when getting a new camera.. I recently saw the D7000 with a great zoom package brand new
on Amazon for like 800 dollars, and that was with a 450 dollar lens! I mean how sweet is that! wow,,

but,,, in the end,, the lens you use is the lens that matters.. if they collect dust,, then only paper weights!

 

[Englischdude]

so after extensive testing today it seems that the lens is indeed ok, the problem lies with my d7k...... again! I have already had it back to nikon due to AF issues. today I spoke with the well known online retailer where I purchased the camera, they agreed to give me a 100% refund!

Next step, send back the D7K, after which get the D7100 on order! Its upgrade time!

 

[Englischdude]

so, the "SIGMASAGA" draws to a close. I have sent the second lens back now due to a number of issues which presented themselves after extensive testing, issues which were confirmed by Sigma in Germany. Here their response:

Sehr geehrter Herr Jones,

vielen Dank für Ihr Interesse an SIGMA Objektiven. Es gibt an der D7100 allerdings ein paar wenige Funktionen, die sich in Verbindung mit SIGMA DC OS Objektiven anders gestalten, als in Kombination mit einem Nikon-Objektiv.

· Der OS (optische Stabilisator) des Objektivs schaltet erst eine Minute nach Beendigung der AF-/Belichtungs-Messung ab (Dementsprechend bleibt auch die Spannungsversorgung durch die Kamera solange aufrecht erhalten und die Bildvorschau bleibt in der Zeit an, sofern man sie nicht beispielsweise durch Antippen des Auslösers vorab abschaltet).

· Die Vergrößerung/Verkleinerung während der Bildbetrachtung mithilfe der +/- Taste verläuft nicht kontinuierlich solange man die Taste gedrückt hält, sondern die Vergrößerungs-/Verkleinerungsstufen müssen durch einzelnes Drücken der +/- Taste aktiviert werden

· Ebenso verläuft das Navigieren durch das vergrößerte Bild mithilfe der Pfeiltasten nicht kontinuierlich, sondern die Pfeiltasten müssen schrittweise gedrückt werden.

Diese veränderte Form der Bedienung mittels einem Update anzupassen, ist uns derzeit seitens Japan nicht angekündigt.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen

i.A. _________________

Customer Support

Tel: 06074 – 865 16 88
Fax: 06074 – 865 16 33
SIGMA (Deutschland) GmbH


For the non german speakers it basically translates, that there are issues on the D7100 with the OS remaining active for one minute, during this time zooming and scrolling through the picture preview can only be done by repeated pressing of the arrow/zoom buttons, you cant just hold and scroll. The OS also did not seem to be as effective as I would have liked.

In addition, after extensive testing and shooting charts I could determine varying focus issues (both front and back focus) depending on the focal length setting.

This level of performace is for me completely unacceptable. Sigma also states that a firmware update to resolve the issues is not has not been announced from Japan.

Sigma returned, Nikkor 18-200 has arrived, top focusing, top OS, cost a few euros more but you get what you pay for!

Hope this ongoing experience review has helped.

Regards
Martin