mogodore's reviews

  • Sigma 18-125mm f/3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM

    8 out of 10 points and recommended
    Compact and solid construction.Very flexible zoom range. Stablization included and works well
    May be a bit heavy for some people

    Just got a Rebel XSi a couple of weeks ago after using a Minolta A2 for many years as my intro to digital. I have som older EF Canon and Tamron glass that I used on the Rebel for a couple of weeks to familiarize myself with the camera but never intended to stay with them. The debate was the Canon 17-85 IS or ?. I happened across this lens in the list on this site but there were no reviews around till Pop-Photography ran one on their site and rated this lens above the 17-85. I was a little hesitant because Sigma still has a reputation for spotty quality control but I went fot it anyway.

    What a surprise. With the grip on the Reble and this lens the package feels solid and perfectly matched. The 18-125 range translates to 29-200 with the APS-C sensor which is almost identical to the 28-200 on the Minolta A2 I was so used to and covers 90% of what the average photographer normally shoots. Focusing is not as fast a a Canon ring USM but fsat enough and smooth with very little noise.

    The big question was always image quality. Pop-Photog said it was Very Good-Excellent, and it is when you stop down to F8-F16. I shot the first pictures with it yeaterday at a club shoot and to say I am pleased would be an understatement. Just for a lark I pasted a newspaper to my wall and shot some comparisons with my old Canon 20-35mm L series lens. At f8 the Sigma gives up a bit in the corners but is just as sharp in the center. Not bad when you consider the Canon cost $2400 17 years ago.

    Bottom line - at $399 this lens is a flat out steal.

    reviewed September 28th, 2008 (purchased for $399)