Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM

 
Lens Reviews / Sigma Lenses i Not yet tested
18-250mm $549
average price
image of Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM

(From Sigma lens literature) The addition of the 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM speaks to Sigma’s versatile product lineup with this multipurpose zoom lens that offers Optical Stabilization (OS) and covers wide angle to telephoto to macro photography. It differs from Sigma’s current 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM lens with its even more compact size, its macro capability with a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.9 and the use of Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) material currently used only by Sigma.

TSC, which is incorporated into the lens barrel and is often compared to polycarbonate, has a high degree of elasticity and exhibits little variation in its structure in extreme temperature conditions. This means that internal barrel expansion and contraction due to extreme temperature variations is less prevalent. TSC also contributes to the lens’ size reduction. The non-macro 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 without TSC weighs 22.2 ounces and is 3.1 by 4 inches in diameter, whereas the new macro lens is 16.6 ounces and 2.9 by 3.5 inches in diameter.

Sigma optimized this lens’ power arrangement by incorporating double-sided aspherical lenses and reexamining the design to achieve a more compact filter diameter. The lens has an approximate 13x high zoom ratio with a filter size of 2.8 inches in diameter. Sigma’s unique OS system, as well as one Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass and three aspherical lens glasses, compensate for camera shake and enable correction of color aberration, respectively.

The new 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM lens is also equipped with Super Multi-Layer Coating to reduce flare and ghosting, a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) to ensure fast and quiet auto-focusing, and a rounded, seven-blade diaphragm to create an attractive round blur to the out of focus areas. The lens features a brass-made bayonet mount applied on the surface to reinforce strength for long-term use and enable high accuracy and solidity.

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM User Reviews

9.3/10 average of 3 review(s) Build Quality 8.7/10 Image Quality 9.3/10
  • 10 out of 10 points and recommended by nightbiker (4 reviews)
    Sharp!, Good close up, OS working well, light and small, price!
    Compatibility problems, creep when unlocked.

    Very quality lens, half the price of the similar nikon model. Very good sharpness at F8-F11, at almost all focal lengths. Small and light, OS is working well.

    Compatibility problems with the new nikon bodies. I had to turn the lens in the dealer, in order to update the firmware of the lens, because OS and auto focus were not working, the second on live view only. That, in my opinion is a little inconvenient for the customer, who also as i understood must update all of his sigma lenses in order to work properly with new nikon bodies. How sad is that.

    Go buy it without a second thought, this lens is amazing, the best travel lens out there at this time. Just check if it has the new firmware from box. Sigma announced that new deliveries will have it with a specific sticker on box.

    reviewed May 16th, 2014 (purchased for $480)
  • 9 out of 10 points and recommended by Nikon5 (2 reviews)
    Versatile walkaround lens, Good close up
    Lens creep without the lock.

    Got a lot for what I paid, relatively sharp throughout the range.Excellent walk around lens. Can handhold at around 1/40th to 1/50th at 250mm, in spite of my 70 year old hands.The lock is needed as some lens creep is apparent.
    Nice metal mount, this lens performs better than the early Nikon 18-200mm VR I I used to own.

    reviewed September 16th, 2013 (purchased for $387)
  • 9 out of 10 points and recommended by Milosnap (1 reviews)
    10
    0

    I owned a previous version of this lens for Canon and this is a new edition. I have owned many lenses and a number of cameras and presently this is being used on a Sony A57. The results have been absolutely stellar. For my money this is the best all round lens and I found that the shots were superior in every way to the Tamron 18-275mm which I sold a few months ago.

    reviewed July 1st, 2013 (purchased for $399)