Sigma 18-50mm F/2.8 EX DC Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras
by Sigma Corporation
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: Sigma CorporationRelease Date: 2004-10-21
Model: 580-109
Product features:
- Standard zoom lens designed for Pentax digital SLR cameras
- 18-50mm focal length
- f2.8 maximum aperture
- Covers wide angle to medium telephoto range
- Super Multi Coating reduces flare and ghosting common digital SLR systems
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sigma 18-50mm F/2.8 EX DC Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras
Customer Review: General purpose and low light option
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently made the jump into my first DSLR, a Pentax K100D. However, like most "kit" lenses, the provided 18-55 seemed to be average at best (based on reviews, etc), so I opted to get the body only, then pick and choose some lenses.
I went with a Pentax 10-17mm fisheye-superwide zoom, and a Sigma 70-300 telephoto zoom. I like the extreme perspectives those lenses can provide.
However, for the bread-and-butter mid-range lens, I decided to pay a bit more (OK, three times the price of the kit lens, and more than either other lens) for the extra f-stops and reputed sharpness of this lens.
The lens is a little larger and heavier than similar-range slower lenses due to the extra glass. It has a zoom-lock at 18mm which prevents the zoom from creeping out if you are the type to let your camera hang on the strap - I'm not. I support the camera under the lens in my left hand.
As with my other Sigma lens, they recommend putting it in manual-focus mode when adding or removing the nice included lens hood to prevent damage to the focusing system. Perhaps that's a good habit to get into, though remember to slide it back into AF (if that's your style) or you'll be fumbling to focus your first shot :-)
For some reason, Sigma is not consistent with their zoom rotation direction - it's counterclockwise wide-to-zoom on the 18-50, but clockwise on the 70-300.
I'm happy with the results. Now (a year later), it is discontinued (replaced by a macro version), and sells for $100 less. As they say, a picture is worth a thousands words, so I'm posting some photos in the Amazon collection.
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