hbx2004's reviews

  • Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC

    5 out of 10 points and not recommended
    optical (image) quality, range
    AF incosistent and loud AF motor

    I've used this lens on Canon 350D.
    Main advantage of this lens is being 18-125mm and it's size which makes it very usable for "walkaround". Using this lens I can confirm that optical (image quality) this lens performs quite good thru whole range. Better than kit lens? Yes, but not much (IMO kit lens is quite good) -but Sigma is better built and "feels" better on camera. Also front barell doesn't rotate, so polar filter can be used.
    Now the worst part: Auto focus is useless most of the time. Even when shooting under normal conditions (daylight, non-moving object, etc.) you can't be sure if AF will hit the target sharp. So learn using manual focusing is needed. That's the reason why I don't recommend this lens (even if it would be cheaper) -IMO if AF doesn't work as it should, it's useless.

    reviewed October 23rd, 2005

  • Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

    5 out of 10 points and recommended
    price, quiet AF motor
    rotating front barell, plastic mount

    As noted on above test, this lens performes better as assumed (considering price & "plastic feeling"). Many new DSLR owners are dissapointed with this lens, so they start searchin' for replacement too fast. But over the time (learning camera & photo technique) this lens get better. So my advice: don't sell it too soon! Especially if you take mostly family shots (and similar) which you'll print on 4x6" (10x15cm) paper, then keep the lens for a while.
    But there's reality: optically and mechanically this lens can't compare with lenses which costs much more.

    reviewed October 23rd, 2005