Anti-crisis review #4. Sigma Zoom 18-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 DC D

Sigma Zoom 18-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 DC D. increase.

In short

Sigma Zoom 18-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 DC D is a budget universal zoom lens for cropped SLR cameras of various systems. This review shows the version for Nikon F DX cameras; there is a 'D' designation on the lens body, which indicates that this is an analogue of Nikon Nikkor 'D' class lenses (with focusing distance transferred to the camera). Nowadays, such lenses are usually called “kit” lenses; they usually come with the camera.

Sigma Zoom 18-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 DC D was presented in November 2003 of the year, 3 years before the first non-motorized camera appeared Nikon D40. For 2003, the appearance of the Sigma Zoom 18-50mm 1: 3.5-5.6 DC D was a completely justified decision. At that time, Nikon did not have such a lens in its arsenal. Only in April 2005 did the first such “whale” lens appear Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G ED SWM Aspherical (was announced along with Nikon D50).

At the same time, the Sigma Zoom 18-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 DC was ahead of the release of the Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 and the Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 USM, which were introduced in September 2004. The Sigma Zoom 18-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 DC version for the Canon EF/EF-S mount had a built-in focusing motor.

The Sigma Zoom 18-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 DC lens is ahead of SMC Pentax-DA 1: 3.5-5.6 18-55mm AL and Konica Minolta AF Zoom DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 (D).

The Sigma Zoom 18-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 DC cannot be completely considered a lens from a third-party manufacturer, since it was released to work with “native” Sigma SD9, SD10 cameras, which had crop factor Kf=1.74X. Thus, the Sigma SA cropped system became the first to receive “kit” lenses of the 18-50 class, which later became the norm for all cropped systems with an APS-C sensor and became widespread across all cropped APS-C systems.

The only significant difference from the “classic” kit lenses is 50 mm at the far end. Typically a lens like this has a 55mm focal length at its far end, e.g. Nikon DX VR AF-P Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G. But this is not a mandatory rule, counterexamples: Sony E 4-5.6 / 18-50 (E-mount, SEL1850) и SMC Pentax-DA L 1: 4-5.6 18-50mm DC WR RE.

Sigma Zoom 18-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 DC D is generally a mediocre solution, both optically and mechanically. And for Nikon cameras it also requires its use only with certain models that have a built-in focusing motor (see the list here). Only in July 2007 an updated model was released - Sigma DC 18-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 HSM with a built-in focusing motor, however, the same old 8/8 optical design (with 1 aspherical element) was used.

Sigma Zoom 18-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 DC D

Appearance

The review shows the Sigma Zoom 18-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 DC D lens with Nikon F mount.

Sample Photos

This lens was purchased specifically for this review for only $40. At the time of publication of this review, the lens was exactly 20 years old (the model was announced at the end of October 2003). Camera used Nikon D40 (legendary sensor Sony ICX-453-AQ 6 MP APS-C CCD). Some photos were taken using a polarizing filter PL-CIR HOYA 58mm. Some photos were taken using the cheapest macro rings for Nikon F. Work with Sigma Zoom 18-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 DC D and polarizer on a non-motorized camera Nikon D40 with a pentamirror - real pain and suffering. But I satisfied my interest in sports and even got some decent pictures (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 etc.).

Full-size photographs are available download / watch this link (Google Drive gallery/catalog). More photos in collections on Facebook: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Pictures in the gallery above with macro rings do not have imprinted focal length and aperture values. Cheap macro rings do not have CPU contacts, do not support autofocus and do not provide the ability to control aperture with D/G/E-type lenses.

Sigma Zoom 18-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 DC D

Results

Sigma Zoom 18-50mm 1:3.5-5.6 DC D is a simple/primitive universal zoom lens for cropped SLR cameras of popular systems. Video review here.

main advantages:

1. The lens is available for Sigma SA, Canon EF/EF-S, Nikon F, Minolta A (hereinafter Sony A), Pentax K mounts and even for 4/3 system SLR cameras
2. compact sizes
3. light weight
4. metal mount (which many modern similar solutions do not have)
5. low price
6. focusing distance scale
7. fast focusing (depends a little on the camera used)
8. bayonet type hood
9. The hood does not move forward when focusing or changing focal length
10. wide focusing ring (more comfortable than Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6G ED SWM Aspherical)
11. the ability to shoot with a maximum magnification of 1:3.5 (for example, a modern Nikon Nikkor Z DX 16-50 1: 3.5-6.3 VR only 1:5)
12. aspherical elements in the optical scheme
13. the lens is an analogue of the original Nikon G-type lenses (with focusing distance transfer and the absence of an aperture control ring)
14. Lens Made in Japan (lens made in Japan)
15. seven aperture blades (the same number has, for example, LEICA VARIO-ELMAR-TL 1:3.5-5.6/18-56 ASPH. for 2000 dollars)
16. fairly sharp image in the center of the frame in the range of 18-35 mm at closed apertures
17. bokeh in the form of bubbles (Example 1, Example 2practically super-budget Trioplan 100/2.8)

main disadvantages:

1. a very outdated model, this is the first lens in its class (18-50/18-55 mm for APS-C)
2. no built-in focusing motor (appeared only in the updated version of Sigma DC 18-50mm 1: 3.5-5.6 HSM 2007)
3. there is no M/A focus mode switch (there is SIGMA ZOOM 18-50mm 1: 2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Optical Stabilizer)
4. there is no image stabilizer (there is SIGMA ZOOM 18-50mm 1: 2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Optical Stabilizer)
5. no internal zoom (available on SIGMA ZOOM 18-50mm 1: 2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM Optical Stabilizer)
6. no internal focusing, front lens and filter thread rotate while focusing
7. it is difficult to obtain a pronounced effect of a 14-rayed star
8. at small aperture values ​​the relative aperture is poorly rounded and is an irregular 7-gon
9. only 50 mm focal length (many analogues have 55 mm)
10. for Sigma SD9, SD10, SD14, SD15 cameras and for 4/3 system SLR cameras does not provide a wide enough viewing angle (minimum EGF 31 and 36 mm respectively)
11. small step at the focus ring
12. the body is covered with “Sigma velvet”, which peels off very quickly
13. The focus ring moves jerkily (there is no smooth oily movement)
14. The focal length ring moves jerkily, very tight at 18 mm focal length
15. small lateral play at the focus rings and zoom/zoom
16. poor resolution at 50 mm focal length
17. very weak edges and corners of the frame at 18 mm and F/3.5
18. significant chromatic aberrations
19. backlit artifacts

Other similar reviews:

• Anti-crisis review # 1.SIGMA DL ZOOM 35-80mm 1: 4-5.6 MULTI-COATED
• Anti-crisis review # 2. SIGMA ZOOM-E AF-E 1: 3.5-4.5 f = 28-70mm MULTI-COATED AUTO FOCUS MACRO
• Anti-crisis review # 3. KIRON 80-200mm f / 4.5 MACRO 1: 4 MC KINO PRECISION

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram