Sigma Lenses???

[Wbaker95]

Hey guys, I'm just wondering if the Sigma 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM for Canon Digital SLR Cameras is a good lens to replace both the stock lens on my canon t3 and my telephoto?

 

[DiskoJoe]

no

 

[FamilyID]

Which telephoto do you have? And which kit lens do you have? (I'm assuming an 18-55).
The IQ on the Sigma 18-250mm isn't too great, but it's very convenient with the wide focal range. However, with 250mm (400mm since it's APS-C only), you can only get the aperture to 6.3 at it's widest. It boils down to, are you willing to sacrifice light and some optical performance, for convenience.

 

[KmH]

Any 10x+ zoom lens (18-250 mm is 14x) is known as a superzoom lens.

To get that zoom range a umber od image quality compromises have to be made, none of the good compromises.

However, superzoom lenses are fairly popular because people value their convenience over the image quality issues they have.

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/sigma-18-250mm-3p5-6p3-os-hsm-macro/
Conclusion - Cons

• Somewhat soft wide open in the middle of the zoom range
• Very strong pincushion distortion across much of the zoom range

 

[goodguy]

no

Absolutly NO!!!

All these lenses that try to be all in one are soft, you gain a lot of practicality and loose quality.

 

[Wbaker95]

I had the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens, but then it broke because of my flimsy tripod blew over in the wind. But What type of lens should I get? Or should I even bother because I'm hoping to switch to Nikon.

 

[Wbaker95]

And yeah I have the 18-55 kit lens.

 

[Smokeyr67]

Or should I even bother because I'm hoping to switch to Nikon.

If I was going to change brands I'd save the money and just go with what you have until your ready to swap.

 

[raventepes]

Go for either this: Canon U.S.A. : Consumer & Home Office : EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Or this: 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS - Telephoto Zoom Lenses - SigmaPhoto.com

Personally, I'd by the Canon. A friend of mine uses one on her SL1, and it has some fantastic IQ. What about me, you might ask? I shoot Nikon...but I do like playing with her little toy of a camera...it's fun

But what's holding you back on your Canon? Why do you feel compelled to switch to Nikon?

 

[gloriamint]

Not at all! Canon is really a fantastic one. You can see it's effect practically.
I would suggest you must stick to Canon instead of switching to Nikon.

 

[FamilyID]

Well... Since you only have a 18-55mm and a T3, there's really no reason why you shouldn't change. I don't really think you'd stay with the T3 for too long, and you might use it as a second body or w/e later. You're not losing too much jumping to Nikon. However, read up and compare two potential bodies from both Nikon and the Canon counterpart. See what you can get from Nikon for the same price, and what you can get from Canon for that price. If the T3 satisfies your usage, then I'd just stay with Canon. You save some money not buying another body with another wide angle lens.

 

[Wbaker95]

Thanks alot FamiyID! What would be some of the major things too look at when comparing the two? Because I'm in college now and i'm planning on being a photo major and possibly going into photo journalism. With the farfetched dream of being a national geographic photographer.

 

[FamilyID]

I'm not professional, but when I search for a new body, I first have to consider what I need. You would want to look at how the focusing system is, how many AF points there are, and how many are cross-type. Features would be next, just do a specs comparison for that. For example some bodies can achieve a shutter of 1/8000. FPS and burst would be nice. See how many frames you can get before the buffer kicks in. Just see what you want, and which body comes closest to your requirements.

 

[Wbaker95]

Thanks!