Sigma 18-200. opinions?

nedd

I have a Nikon D5100 and I'm looking for a lens with some more reach.
I have seen a Sigma 18-200 that looks good but a guy in Berminghams told me they are a little unreliable. Does anyone have any experience with this lens?

My other option is to go for a 55-300 or 70-300 and use a 2 lens set up. I know this will give me extra reach but i really like the idea of a single lens.
Thanks

Prenderb

Dunno about the lens myself, but you might be looking at one of these lenses reviewed on dpreview.com http://www.dpreview.com/search/?query=sigma%2018-200&terms=sigma%2018-200

Personally I'm a bit suspicious of the quality of these lenses with such large ranges, but then technology has improved so much in the last years. Also, they do offer a fantastic range to have as a single walk-around lens.

If you're using a digital body, the 200mm (35 equivalent!) will give you a pretty good reach so if the reviews about image quality etc. are ok by you, and the price is right, it might be worth it.

nedd

Hi.

I should have been more specific. The lens in question is "Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM"

I have read the reviews and for what I use my camera for, taking shots of family and as a hobbyist photographer I think it should be OK.

My main concern is the build quality. I only have my D5100 for a year and in that time have only been using my Kit 18-55 lens so I have no experience of Sigma lenses and wanted people opinion on Sigma in general and also if anyone has used this lens what they think.

Thanks

dirtyghettokid

i have owned two sigma lenses. i found them grand! the quality on the 10-20mm i owned was especially good. no probs at all with either lenses
just make sure any lens you are buying has an AF switch on it, as your body does not have a built in AF motor

nedd

dirtyghettokid wrote: »

i have owned two sigma lenses. i found them grand! the quality on the 10-20mm i owned was especially good. no probs at all with either lenses
just make sure any lens you are buying has an AF switch on it, as your body does not have a built in AF motor

Thanks. The 18-200 I'm considering has an auto focus motor.

I would much prefer the Nikon 18-200 but the sigma is almost half the price.

Kenny Logins

I have a Sigma 17-70 on my D5100, nice lens, decent build quality, and pretty good image quality.

I have no experience with such a long zoom though, I prefer lenses with a wider max aperture - do you really need that range?

Kenny Logins

Oh, I should add that focusing in low light isn't great on the 17-70, it tends to hunt a bit.

nedd

I do want more range and my options are either this as a replacement for my kit lens or a 55-300 and use a 2 lens setup.

I have a little son now who is starting to get around a bit so it would be nice to do everything with the one lens.

Setanta1974

I have the very same lens on my Canon. Once you are not going to be zooming in and checking for the sharpest picture in the world or printing large prints I am sure you will be happy with it. It has a great zoom range and the photo quality/ sharpness is very good. It makes an excellent walk about lens for amateurs. I am only selling mine because I am getting more serious about my photography and looking for tack sharp photos now.

nedd

Thanks. I just ordered this today. Can't wait to get it.

I'm a hobbyist and most of the photos I take end up on Picasa and looked at once or twice a year. I think I will get plenty of time out of this lens before I need to think of changing it.

I'm planning on getting a nice prime next :-)