Sigma 18-300mm f3.5-6.3 DC OS Macro 'C' lens review, with samples 

periurban It isn't in my opinion, always comprise unless you are prepared to spend big bucks to get a decent f lens. Even then telephoto zooms just are not as sharp as due to the optical comprimise . The f2.8 800mm lenses are huge , heavy and cost up to 10K and only practical for sports events were you sit one place. For the rest of us unless your a professional , 500mm is probably the most we need , even then you pay 1500 dollars (in my AUD) for the Sigma 50-500mm and you can get thus Sigma 18-300 for less than 700 bucks . Im thinking of ditching my Nikon 18-105 and 55-200mm for the this sigma all in one as Im getting sick of swapping lenses at my girlfriends equestrian events.

May I ask where you found it?

Hey us Rebel users need some love too.

FinalLugiaGuardian Of course. I'm being selfish is all.

Smaakj eks K

And here I am, going "YAY! An APS-C Lens!" lol

Which one have you ended up with? Thanks

I think it relies in what you look for in a lens and what kind of photography you enjoy/want to make. Those Canon lenses you have, are ok (the more recent STM lenses are better, since the iq is improved over old lenses and the stm motor is more accurate, and silent), however, if switching lenses is annoying and the iq isn't a problem, you can totally get the sigma instead, just remember you trade some iq for the zoom range.

I am interested in what choices you made 2 years ago, I currently use the 700D with kit lens 3.5-5.6, 55-250 4-5.6 canon stm, 10mm samyang f2.8, 50mm canon f1.8. Looking to upgrade my kit lens, the 18-35 f1.8 art has bad auto focus, sigma 17-50 f2.8 has bad IS, 17-70 f2.8-4 C has bad CA and IQ, and this lens along with the 18-200 has bad IQ, which is to be expected for its lens type. I just don't know where to upgrade right now. ideally a 16-50 f2.8 with great IQ would be ideal, but not the one i mentioned above. I also go on external looks of the lens too. i'm too picky haha.

+Nalaka Geekiyanage If you're after a superzoom lens, then check out my superzoom lens comparison video for other possibilities :-)

It's background music. It's a bit quieter in my newer videos

Arun Louis Depends what you want. I do a little comparison at the end of this video

Sure, but the picture quality is not perfect, as you can see

Recently bought this lens, and i think your review is really comperhensive ! Although the build quality is not that good, the image quality for fast shutter speed is quite exellent, especially the bokeh. Keep up the good review mate, and sorry for my bad english :)))

The 17-70 will give better image quality and a brighter aperture. The 18-300, greater zoom range

+Atakan Alp Take a look at my superzoom comparison video

Christopher Frost Photography

Lens companies are only obliged to put the maximum focal length when focussed to infinity, so at closer focus distances it might have a shorter focal length

Thank you, that clarified my confusion.

Out of the less expensive ones you've mentioned, I'd probably go for the Tamron 18-270 PZD. Haven't tested the Sigma 18-250 though

Do you think I should ditch the superzooms and go for a 18-135 IS STM?

EdenTech Personally I would, it's such a nice lens, and I value image quality over telephoto strength. That's just me, though

Christopher Frost Photography Thanks! I think I'll go with the 18-135 IS STM, I heard a lot of great feedback about it. Keep making those awesome videos!

EdenTech Hi, not sure whether you have got the lens yet. If you haven't, this might help. My answer is different from Christ as I would get the Tamron instead Canon. I own the Tamron 18-270 PZD VC lens and I really liked it. It is NOT the lens to replace my 24-70mm & 70-200mm combo, but it gives me a lot of conveniences and weight saving. If you get the canon, you might need to buy a telephoto lens later to get the reach. For me, image quality doesn't really matter that much for travel zoom, because the main point of it is to get the shot you want in a light weight lens. It is unlikely you will ever zoom in 100% to look at your holiday pictures and even more unlikely to use it for professional works. In addition, things like distortion and colour fringes can be fixed easily in software as well.

Check the internet for prices where you live

Ok

+Julie Hale You can't. You just have to crop it out.

As I mention in this review, it's designed for APS-C cameras, so there will be very heavy vignetting if you use it on full-frame

I don't think so

+Ki Wing They'll both be about as bad as each other really!

OMG!So to find a wide-angle telephoto be so difficult

Take a look at my reviews, and you'll find out all about how the lenses perform

My copy of the lens seemed to be fine, although often lenses get worse zoom creep over time

They're totally different lenses. One is a telephoto zoom lens with great image quality. One is a superzoom 'all in one' lens with average image quality

+Saskiardana Andia Leuviska Yes, if you get the Nikon version

I keep trying to order one but they never seem to make it from China! Hopefully one day.

Tried eBay? They got one on there for like 37 quid

David Tibbetts I know, but like I said, they never seem to make it to me from China

Oh okay :( Thanks for replying

I've seen some test images from it. It is noticeably sharper than the Canon 1.8. But the Canon wins at flaring. petapixel.com/2014/12/27/comparing-optics-40-yongnuo-50mm-f1-8-125-canon-50mm-f1-8-ii/

There are loads. The Canon 11-22 is a nice start, so is the manual focus Samyang 12mm f/2

Look online for camera reviews - dpreview is a good place to start

It's up to you. I haven't really tested those lenses, but the 'ii' version is known to be noticeably sharper

Slacker Depends on if your getting paid for your photos or just for personal use. If you get paid, then yes the Mark II is indeed sharper.

Slacker I would try a used version of the mark 2. In the States B&H and Adorama are great placed to get these items from. I don't know what's available in Europe.

Their patting the ground to make it seem like it's raining. It can bring up worms sometimes

My reviews are standardized. Watch both the videos, and you'll find out

I haven't tested that

+Vuk Saric I haven't tried any Nikon lenses before

Bit late with this reply admittedly! But, for anyone else currently pondering this issue: I've used both and bearing mind sample variation the difference between them is very small indeed. The Nikon may be slightly sharper across the whole frame but in real world photos printed at up to A3+ the difference is unlikely to be visible. The Sigma is an excellent all in one solution if you need up to 300mm reach. I've tended to use 2 cameras/lenses to cover the 18-300mm range and simply got fed up carrying all the kit and having to switch between cameras. The sigma solved the problem satisfactorily for me. Others may think differently of course. Another commenter, from 7 years ago, referred to the sigma 17-50 and 70-300 VC. Both are good lenses; the 17-50mm is esp sharp in the centre but tends to be softer towards the edges of the frame (I've had two of them and both were similarly sharp). It's big advantage is that it needs a lot less light. The 70-300mm VC is probably not quite as sharp as the new AF-P 70-300mm lenses (I've had both the DX and FX versions, with the FX being the sharper and faster focussing), but again, the sigma 18-300mm isn't far behind in the sharpness and focussing stakes. It's competent all round and a cheaper solution than most two lens combinations. It's current price of £370 or thereabout in the UK is very competitive indeed. Registration with Sigma also means you have 3 years' warranty. Another point made by someone else was that the 18-300mm is only a summer lens because it's F6.3 at it's widest at 300mm. With modern Nikon cameras, from the D7200 on, with their high iso capabilities, that extra one third of a stop of light makes very little difference. Certainly it's better to have more rather than less light, but there will be plenty of days in most winters in the UK when the 18-300mm will do a satisfactory job, and, of course, lower light winter photography provides different types of creative opportunities.

+Aravind Narayanan There is no such lens. The closest thing you can get is the Sigma 50-500 OS HSM

+Christopher Frost Photography Thanks for your reply. can you give me a suggestion over canon vs nikon, which brand i should choose based on lenses? which one is better Canon 700d vs nikon D5300?

+Aravind Narayanan I don't really know much about Nikon really. Noth Canon and Nikon are great although I really like Canon lenses. Try a website like dpreview

Thanks for your kind reply Christopher Frost :-)

Sounds like the Tamron 70-300 VC USD might be good for you. Check out my reviews

+Rajib Paul Full frame? There are loads of good macros out there. Tamron 90mm f/2.8 is a good start

Yes

I can't remember exactly but I think it was a Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 at 35mm on a Canon 6D

Yes. All Canon mount lenses made since 1987 will work on your Canon APS-C digital SLR camera, except EF-M lenses

yes with a canon adapter

Glad I could help you make such a certain decision!

Christopher Frost Photography Thanks Chris. Obvious truth is the CA is crazy and it's only decently sharp. Moreover, this is an APS-C lens. Then again in this focal range the performance, or lack there of, is not surprising.

*****​ I meant I use full frame. Nothing wrong with APS-C lenses they just vignette horribly if you attach them to 35mms sensors.

It's not designed for full-frame - you'll get crazy vignetting

thanks for the reply i was just asking because you do get the occasional apsc lens that does reosonably well on full frame too

If you use an adaptor, yes

thank you for the confirmation.

Can you please verify this link and let me know if i can go ahead and purchase this for Sony Alpha A6000 mirrorless camera. www.amazon.com/Sigma-18-300mm-F3-5-6-3-Contemporary-Macro/dp/B00NJ9K9J6/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1521002396&sr=8-10&keywords=Sigma+18-300mm+f3.5-6.3+DC+OS+Macro+%27C%27+lens

That's for Sony SLR mount. You'll still need an adaptor - Sony A mount to Sony E mount. It should work well when you do, though

Nope

Christopher Frost Photography. Oh, would it be possible? I am asking because for the Sigma 150-600mm C. After the update been improvments for AF and stabilization as well as some picture improvements.

I don't have the lens anymore, I'm afraid! Hopefully the improvements are good.

+Atakan Alp Yup

Vincent Lloyd not really

I'm having just the opposite experience. I got it to replace my wife's Sigma 18-250 for her Canon T3i. Image quality on my copy has been very good with little CA. IS is better than the previous model and it pairs perfectly with the T3i. I've also tested it on my 77D and the focus system is excellent. I did have to make some minor adjustments with the USB dock as it was slightly front focusing, but overall I really like this lens.

Yes. All Canon mount lenses made since 1987 will work on your Canon APS-C digital SLR camera, except EF-M lenses