Exclusively designed to suit the characteristics of digital SLR cameras. The image circle was designed to match the size of the image sensors of most digital SLR cameras and this has resulted in a compact lightweight lens. The use of aspherical lenses provides correction for various aberrations and makes high quality images a reality throughout the entire zoom range. The Nikon fit version also includes an HSM auto focus motor. Compact dimensions offers superb handling and mobility. The use of aspherical lenses provides correction for various aberrations throughout the entire zoom range and produce high level of optical performance.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Better alternative
This is a better alternative to the kit lens you get with your Nikon, this lens is better built. This lens is more durable, and it can take photos in lower light which makes it faster.
4 Stars Petite, nicely put together, sharp
I bought this lens mainly to go with my little Nikon D60, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by it. For the roughly $100 I paid for it, it’s turned out to be quite a good lens. I originally bought this lens because of it’s tiny size. I also own the Nikon 18-55 VR which is a nice lens, but it was just large enough to be extremely difficult to wedge into or pry out of the small case area I have for it, so I thought I would try this lens out. It’s enough smaller than the Nikon lens that it fits about perfectly into the case I wanted to carry it in.
Pros:
- the lens feels better constructed than the Nikon 18-55 VR. It’s not so much that the Nikon 18-55 is horrible(at least in comparison to other similar lenses), but this lens does feel a bit more solid and above average. Does it matter? Not much to me, although the metal bayonet mount is really nice to find in this price range.
- I can’t see any difference in sharpness between this lens and the Nikon 18-55 VR. I’m not saying there isn’t any difference, there might be, but I haven’t been able to see it. This a good thing, since the Nikon 18-55 that this lens supplanted has been a sharp lens. That’s not to imply that this lens is as good as a $1200 pro lens, but in comparison to the other similar lenses I’ve tried, this little Sigma isn’t lacking in the sharpness department.
- it’s tiny. It’s barely larger than most prime normal lenses.
- focusing seems really fast and precise, more so than the Nikon 18-55 that I own.
- inexpensive.
Cons:
- like all inexpensive, small sized lenses, it has a fairly small maximum aperture, f3.5 at 18mm to f5.6 at 50mm. Not a problem for me, and not really a con, it’s a trade-off to get the size down and keep the price reasonable.
- Sadly, no OS. Again, I can live with it the way it is, since VR would make the lens larger, and maybe a little more expensive.
The more I use this little semi-precious gem the more I like it, and the more convinced I am of it’s excellent value.
5 Stars Great Lens, awsome price, fast shipping
If you have never owned a sigma they are every bit as good as a Nikon for all but the most demanding professional photographs. I’m sure the expert photographer can tell the difference but my dad (who teaches photography at a local college) swears they are every bit as good for a fraction of the price
4 Stars Affordable good performance
Right out of the box instructions were easy to follow. Lense quality is fairly good. I thought that for the price I would get something “cheap”; wrong. Very sturdy. Take the time to read the setting instructions and you will get very good/excellent results.
5 Stars Food photographer
I like to take close ups of food and from my use of it so far, it is a great macro lens!
