Sigma 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

A terrific Lens bargain for my Pentax K-5 ii. Simply, a travel lens that gets the details, and more just right.A little background 1st. I am by no stretch of the imagination, a pro photographer. Not even close. I am just a hobbyist that loves the fun of taking images to share with others, and to view later myself.The Pentax K-5 ii has soldiered on with a cross country travels, and more, but always needed a great lens that I could leave on the camera. I always envisioned this with my Nikon D90, D200, it just never happened. Now with the Pentax the Sigma 18-250mm DC Macro HSM, and Amazon's Warehouse deal made it a reality.Anticipation.I was eagerly awaiting the lens, wondering what condition it would be in based on the description in the Amazon Warehouse Deal. I needn't have worried. It arrived in perfect condition. Typical packing from Amazon.Installation was a snap, all automation functions are perfect.In use.In use I couldn't be happier, though had to get used to the zoom control, backwards to what Pentax does with their lenses, no big deal. Focus, and Zoom Ring are smooth in operation, and yes NO Zoom creep at all. AF and MF, and Lock switches on lens barrel easy to use, and positive. I have to say as I used this lens, I really am glad I got it. Using a friend's Nikon d50 with her 18-200mm convinced me of the Convenience. It just can't be beat. Yes I get all the caveats of an all in one solution. I am okay with that. I will still buy a 50mm prime etc. some time in the future, but this lens just complements my K-5 ii no end. Getting up close, and personal was never so easy.Enjoying the 21st Commemorative National Corvette Museum celebration of which there were plenty of folks there, I was able to get the shot I wanted without getting in anyone's way. Using the Zoom to get that just right shot. In combination of my Pentax using no flash shots by the way, I was very happy with the output I got with this lens. Far exceeded my expectations. Color, and detail are just fine for me.Seeing it all including the Sink Hole Corvettes in their mangled glory. I was able with this lens to get it all. The Competition engines, have all the detail I could want.My other passion is aircraft, and with a 400mm zoom per the rule of 1.5 crop, I think this lens will be great for my air shows, and airplane watching I do. Auto Racing will a natural for this lens too I think.Carrying around this lens was nice as the composite barrels keep the weight down. I wanted initially to get the Pentax Zoom, I am glad I got this instead, and saved lots of money. Like i said, I am not a pro, but I love capturing the memories of my travels, and this very lens is making that so easy. Easy to see why DPreview.com says this is best the Travel Lens to pick. http://www.dpreview.com/products/sigma/lenses/sigma_18-250_3p5-6p3_os to read all about from them.I would recommend this lens to anyone looking at a bargain one zoom travel lens, but if you are doing critical photography, your primes are the way to go. But as in all in one solution. This Sigma is very good indeed.

I am very very pleased with this newest superzoom from Sigma, paired with my Canon 60D. Build quality is excellent. Image quality is sharp at both ends of the range. Focus is quick and quiet. OS works extremely well. It is light weight and compact compared to others in this category, which adds to its value as a "walkaround" lens. To top it all off, the price is outstanding for a lens with this feature set, build, and image quality. (It's ~$100 cheaper than the "comparable" Tamron, and ~$30 less than the shorter focal length Canon 18-200.)I had used the Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD LD Aspherical IF Macro Zoom Lens for Canon DSLR Cameras for a while last year, when it was the "hot" 3rd party superzoom. But, the images looked a little soft to me, especially at the long end. Plus, I didn't care for the build quality and feel of the zoom/focus rings at all. (The Tamron is made in China, while this Sigma is made in Japan.) And, IIRC, the Tamron zoom ring operated in the opposite direction from Canon and Sigma, which wreaks havoc with one's muscle memory. The Tamron also suffered from lens creep, which the Sigma, so far, has not.I have been using the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Standard Zoom Lens for Canon DSLR Cameras with my 60D until switching to this Sigma, and the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Standard Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras with my T2i before that. This Sigma lens focuses quicker, is much easier to hold and carry, and results in the same quality shots. It is much smaller and lighter than the canon 18-200. Yet, looks and feels as well made or arguably better than the Canon lenses. The AF/MF, OS, and lock buttons are positioned better than the Canon's. The Canon 18-200 also suffers from lens creep, which the Sigma, so far, does not. The image quality is about the same, although the Sigma does show a little less CA, which is a plus.There is an older version of this lens with an almost identical title, just not "Macro" Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Canon AF Digital SLR Cameras. But, it is larger, heavier, and slower to focus. However, if money is an issue, it's ~$120 cheaper than this one. So, it might be a viable option for you. But, not having used it, I cannot speak to its image quality, build, or operation. It does get mostly positive reviews, though.I can, however, highly recommend *this* Sigma for your Canon EOS system body. Of course, it will not result in images as sharp as most prime lenses or almost any L series lens. But, I find it the best of the current crop of "walkaround" lenses available for the Canon APS-C sensor models. (It is not recommended for full-frame models.) I can almost guarantee it will rarely see any time not attached to yours, if you are like me and want a single lens for most of your everyday shots. Sure, there are plenty of situations that require that prime portrait or macro lens, or that long telephoto zoom. But, when you're at the dog park, or the kids' birthday party, or the family reunion, or tourist destination, etc, this is the lens.