Sigma - 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS Macro HSM Standard Zoom Lens for Nikon - Black

Was very excited about this 18-250mm. I was not expecting it to be as sharp as my Nikon 55-200 OR the 18-55mm but did not expect the quality of pictures to be as poor. - If you have a Nikon 55-200m, the 250 mm on this lens is equivalent to just ~180mm on Nikon. So this is not a true 250mm lens, you are buying more like 18-180mm. - The quality at 250mm (Nikon 180mm equivalent) is extremely poor. Took several pics under same ISO and Nikon 55-200mm beats this hands down. Very blurry pics and poor, unnatural colors. - The whole point of getting a 18-250mm is convenience. But this lens is more like 18-180mm where the usable range is no more than 18-130mm Nikon lens equivalent. The images are so poor, I am unable to justify keeping this lens on vs switching between my Nikon kit lenses. - Also experienced overexposed pics under the sun (compared to my Nikon 5 year old 55-200mm / 18-55mm, 35mm). This is a complete waste of money. Going to invest in Nikon 18-140mm.

You'd have probably read a lot of good reviews about this Sigma 18-250ms lens out there. (I did too before purchasing it) 18-250mm is pretty good for my use. Price is wonderful compare to Nikon lens of the equivalent zoom range. At 18mm 3.5, I am able to get more bokeh than at 18mm on the Nikon basic lens kit 18-55mm. The only thing I am not so happy with is the mechanical zoom. When you twist the lens to zoom, it's very sluggish, not as smooth as Nikon lens. And when have the lens all the way out then point the camera upward, the lens will collapse/slide down by itself. Same thing at the vice versa position: when lens all in and point camera down, it will slide right out.

This lens is great if you like taking close up shots and wide shots in the same session. Before, i had to pack two lenses and switch out. i feel that this lens is a bit heavier, but not as heavy as two lenses. I figured out that you can lock the lens in the wide mode for carrying, but i sometimes forget to unlock for taking pictures. It seems to focus as quickly as the factory lens. In the 18mm setting, it catches part of the polarizer, and I didnt notice that until i had already taken several pictures. The manual focus ring is much more accessible than a factory lens also.

Working with the associate I was able to find this lens. It has a stabilizer mode that toggles on with a switch. Allows for detailed macro photography. The one ting I've found is that the manual focus works better then the autofocus when I'm taking pics of my turtles. Photo included is a close up shot I took with the lens.

My wife purchased this lens for me for a Christmas gift. I take pictures at indoor soccer games and auto races. The 55x300 lens I have could not get good close shots and the 18x55 did not take good zoom shots. This 18x250 is the ideal lens for the soccer games. I will probably still use the 55x300 for the races. I have had to order a 62mm filter as Best Buy does not stock them, but that is a minor inconvenience. So far I am very happy with the Sigma 18x250.

This is an excellent lens that is perfect for travel. I went from having to take a large hard sided bag full of multiple lenses to a small shoulder bag with just the camera, this lens, and extra batteries. Picture quality is actually quite good. I have had no problems with lens creep so far. I wish I had purchased this lens and just the camera body instead of the kit lens that came with it.

I am by no means a professional photographer but I do in fact love taking pictures. I was so tired of changing lenses especially on a recent trip to the Smokey mountains. Like others sat it's not as smooth focusing and it does take a little more time to focus but the end result is a fantastic photo!! For the money this a real winner!

it's the best. I don't have to switch lenses. I used it to shoot a wedding. The photos came out clear. I'm quite pleased with this purchase and for the price, definitely worth it. I wish I knew about this lense before i invested on separate nikon lenses that were too cumbersome to keep switching.