Product Description

The Sigma 18-200 F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Lens incorporates an Optical Stabilizer function and is exclusively designed for digital SLR cameras. It is perfectly suitable for low-light conditions; whether indoors, at dusk, or in the telephoto range. This system uses two sensors inside the lens to detect vertical and horizontal movement of the camera, and effectively compensates for camera shake by moving an optical image-stabilizing lens group. It also automatically detects panning movement of the camera and compensates for camera shake when shooting moving subjects such as motor sports. SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass and aspherical glass provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations. This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 45cm (17.7") throughout the entire zoom range and has a maximum magnification of 1:3.9. Since the inner focusing system means the front of the lens does not rotate, optional circular polarizing filters and the supplied petal-type hood can easily be used. A magnification scale is displayed on the lens barrel, ensuring ease of use. A zoom-lock switch mechanism is provided to prevent the lens from creeping due to its own weight. 69.3 - 7.1 degrees (Sigma SD format) angle of view 7 Diaphragm Blades F22 Minimum Aperture 45cm / 17.7 Minimum Focusing Distance 1 - 3.9 Maximum Magnification Petal Lens Hood Fully compatible with All Nikon Digital SLR cameras including the D40 and D40x Dimensions - Diameter 79mm x Length 100mm Weight - 21.5 ounces (610 grams)

Product Details

• Brand: Sigma
• Model: B000NOSCGW
• Released on: 2007-08-10
• Dimensions: 3.10" h x 3.10" w x 3.90" l, 1.34 pounds

Features

• 18mm to 200mm high-zoom-ratio lens designed exclusively for Nikon digital SLR cameras
• 2 SLD glass elements and 2 hybrid aspherical lenses correct for all types of aberrations
• Minimum focusing distance of 45cm at all focal lengths; maximum magnification of 1:4.4
• Lens coating reduces and flare and ghost; zoom lock switch eliminates "zoom creep"
• Measures 70mm in diameter and 78.1mm long; weighs 14.3 ounces; 1-year warranty

Amazon.com Product Description
The Sigma 18-200mm high-zoom-ratio lens is designed exclusively for Nikon digital SLR cameras and is capable of covering a wide range of focal lengths, from wide-angle to telephoto. Two Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements and two hybrid aspherical lenses correct for all types of aberrations, letting Sigma house the extended-range super-zoom lens in a compact and lightweight body that measures 70mm in diameter and 78.1mm long and weighs a mere 14.3 ounces. The new lens coating, meanwhile, reduces flare and ghost--a common problem shared by many digital cameras--while also creating an optimum color balance. Other details include a minimum focusing distance of 45cm (17.7) at all focal lengths, a high zoom ratio of 11:1, and a maximum magnification of 1:4.4.

The lens design incorporates an inner focusing system that prevents the front of the lens from rotating, making it particularly suitable for using circular polarizing filters and petal-shaped lens hoods. In addition, the overall length of the lens never changes during focusing, making the lens convenient to handle and easy to use. Finally, the lens's zoom lock switch eliminates "zoom creep" during transport--a convenient addition when traveling. The lens, which includes a metal mount, is backed by a one-year warranty.

Customer Reviews

excellent quality lens
this lens is great. i have trusted sigma lenses for years because you know you are getting a great quality lens for a great price. the optical stabilization works great and the automatic focus is nice and sharp. this is a great lens to add to your collection. it sure beats having to switch from an 18-55 to a 55-200!

Sigma for Sigma digital
The sigma lens for Sigma digitals is light weight and very easy to use. It doesn't seem to focus quite as fast as Nikon lenses but it still does a nice job.

Sigma made a fine lens- New HSM motor is wonderful!
I just purchased this lens and received it yesterday, AUG 21. What I can say from my initial impression is that I am very glad that I purchased it! the writing is on the wall with the reviews, just go look them up, but here are the key points I notice:

-NEW HSM MOTOR- VERY QUIET! I have read reviews about the "old" micro-motor that was in the earlier copies of this lens being a distraction, the new HSM one is silky smooth and AUTO FOCUS IS QUICK. I would not hesitate to take this to a wedding, ceremony, library, whatever

-Autofocus is quick! Had to repeat that one, no hunting here, from wide to tele, I have not had any problems, even in low light, low contrast it does very well. I have been very happily surprised

-It is pretty heavy! Be prepared to have a work out with this one, although compact it is DENSE, hopefully a sign of quality (which seems good to me). As a wonderful walk around lens, this one will get your arm in shape- mine hurt after about 1 hour of shooting handheld.

-The zoom ring is a bit tough to turn (very very well dampened)- The NIKKOR is much easier and smooth . . . and tends to creep a bit from what I have read (although I didn't notice it). I feel confident that this lens will not creep- you are going through a huge zoom quickly, so I cannot say this is a detriment to the lens user, just takes some getting used to. This is not an issue that I would pay $200 to correct.

- As others have noted, the VR is a bit loud, but not really LOUD, just louder than any other VR type mechanism I have heard, which is to say that you cannot hear it from more than a foot or two away

-Color, contrast are great, I couldn't ask or more in these categories

-Bokeh, this is subjective, but I find the bokeh to be neither great nor poor. It isn't beautiful or distracting. Nobody I know would buy a zoom for this anyways.

Read the reviews for all the technical stuff, to me this thing is very capable of making great photos. If I were a new DSLR user, this would be my first lens. There are very few gaps that this lens leaves behind. It replaces nearly every lens I own, or want to own.

Overall, I find the barrel distortion to be the biggest drawback, and really only at 18mm- I use Photoshop to correct this when needed, to great effect.

I would highly recommend this lens.

WARNING: THIS LENS WILL MAKE YOUR CAMERA HARD TO PUT DOWN!!

:)