The 18–200�mm Sigma lenses follow an old tradition. It all started with a simple 18-200 mm f/3.5-6.3 DC model, without any stabilization or ultrasonic motor. In 2007 the new Sigma 18–200�mm f/3.5–6.3�DC�OS was launched. Compared to its predecessor its weight and physical dimensions increased; it was also equipped with a stabilization system and it featured three additional optical elements. Four years later they showed the Sigma 18–200�mm f/3.5–6.3�II�DC�OS�HSM – a model noticeably slimmer than the previous version even though it had an HSM motor and its element number remained unchanged. Show Sigma continued the miniaturization trend; at the beginning of 2014 they presented another lens of that series, the C�18–200�mm f/3.5–6.3 DC�Macro�OS�HSM. In its case the number of elements decreased from 18 to 16 but the number of low-dispersion and aspherical elements actually increased. What’s more the Macro word appeared in its name as its minimum focusing distance decreased from 0.45 of a meter to 0.39 of a meter so by 200 mm focal length you can enjoy the 1:3 reproduction ratio. The following chart presents a comparison between all 18-200 mm models produced so far by the Sigma company. Please Support UsIf you enjoy our reviews and articles, and you want us to continue our work please, support our website by donating through PayPal. The funds are going to be used for paying our editorial team, renting servers, and equipping our testing studio; only that way we will be able to continue providing you interesting content for free. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - advertisement - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you try to combine streamlining the dimensions of a lens with the improvement of its parameters the results are usually nothing recommendable; that’s why we were curious how such an operation might influence the image quality of the new Sigma. Our conclusions we present in the next chapters – happy reading! We would like to use this opportunity to thank both, the Sigma Corporation headquarters and its Polish section, the Sigma ProCentrum, for sending us the final specimen we were able to use in our lens test. You are also invited to get acquainted with our test procedure, described in the article "How do we test lenses?" If you feel it’s still not enough, please go to our FAQ section where you can find some further explanation. According Sigma Zoom DC 18-200mm 1: 3.5-6.3 II HSM OS (Nikon camera version) lens is huge thanks to the store www.fotika.com.uawhere you can find a huge number of different used photographic equipment, including similar lenses for Nikon cameras.  Sigma Zoom DC 18-200mm 1: 3.5-6.3 II HSM OS Browse Navigation:In this review, the Sigma Zoom DC 18-200mm 1: 3.5-6.3 II HSM OS (Optical Stabilizer) lens I will abbreviate as 'Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 II OS HSM'. Here I am reviewing the version for Nikon DX cameras. Sigma Zoom DC 18-200mm 1: 3.5-6.3 II HSM OS In shortSigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 II OS HSM - universal lens for cropped cameras with APS-C sensor, an updated version of an older model Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 OS HSM. The lens uses a wide range of focal lengths and can shoot both in wide-angle and in the tele-range. It is interesting for image stabilizer, ultrasonic focusing motor, internal focusing and small size (when folded). In general, the Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 II OS HSM acts as an inexpensive and functional solution for cropped cameras, providing a mediocre image quality, but quite suitable for amateur and advanced amateur photography. In general, a little better than the previous model. Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 OS HSM. According to TIPA Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 II OS HSM is the best amateur lens of 2012 for digital SLR cameras. The main differences from the previous model:
I did not find any significant other changes in the new lens. Sigma Zoom DC 18-200mm 1: 3.5-6.3 II HSM OS HistoryThe first Sigma class 18-200 / 3.5-6.3 hyperzoom was introduced in early 2005, six months earlier than the original Nikon 18-200 / 3.5-5.6 VR and 3 years earlier than the original Canon 18-200/3.5-5.6 IS. In the future, the line of lenses was refined and underwent many various changes. And due to the fact that Sigma also produces lenses with different mounts, for Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sigma, Sony / Minolta systems, there can be a huge number of different sub-versions and versions of the same model. I divided the main versions according to optical schemes:
A line of similar lenses supplemented with super-zooms with a slightly higher zoom ratio:
Sigma Zoom DC 18-200mm 1: 3.5-6.3 II HSM OS Main technical characteristics of Sigma Zoom DC 18-200mm 1: 3.5-6.3 II HSM OS (Optical Stabilizer):Review Instance Name The lens barrel has the following inscriptions' Optical Stabilizer SIGMA DC 18-200mm 1: 3.5-6.3 II HSM ', on the trunk' MACRO 0.45m / 1.48ft ', on the border near the front lens it says' Sigma Zoom 18-200mm 1: 3.5- 6.3 II DC OS HSM ø62 LENS MADE IN JAPAN ', the review presents a lens with serial number 12441816 Basic properties
Image of optical circuit clickable Lens hood Bayonet type Manufacturer country LENS MADE IN JAPAN (Lens made in Japan) Production period From October 2011 to January 2014, it was later replaced by a similar version - Sigma DC C 18-200 mm 1: 3.5-6.3 Macro OS HSM (Optical Stabilizer, Contemporary) Price
At the time of the release of the Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 II OS HSM, this was the most optically sophisticated lens of its kind. In its optical design, it has as many as 6 specialized optical elements of four different types. Sigma Zoom DC 18-200mm 1: 3.5-6.3 II HSM OS AssemblySigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 II OS HSM was made in Japan. To the touch the lens is pleasant and weighty. The retractable frame of the body ('trunk') consists of 2 sections, which are quite durable, without any backlash. The lens has metal bayonet. The zoom ring is rubberized, but there is no focusing ring (ordinary corrugated plastic). Changing the focal length is smooth and comfortable. There is a red decorative ring near the front lens, reminiscent of the red rings of Canon L-lenses. There is a bayonet mount mark and a mark on the case for quick installation of the hood. The lens uses a plastic hood, which is fixed in special grooves located near the front lens of the lens. The hood can be installed in the opposite direction for transportation. In this position, access to the focus ring at 18 mm focal length is not lost. When you change the focal length, the lens hood moves with the front of the lens. When changing the focal length, the rear lens moves in the middle of the lens body like a pump - it draws in and pushes out air. This behavior of the rear lens is called 'vacuum cleaner effect', which can increase the amount of dust that accumulates in the camera. For Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 II OS HSM, the direction of rotation of the zoom and focus rings does not match the direction of the original Nikon DX AF-S 18-200mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII VR. Sigma Zoom DC 18-200mm 1: 3.5-6.3 II HSM OS Lock 'LOCK ′Frame (trunk) of the Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 II OS HSM spontaneously changes its size under its own weight (perhaps this begins only with time). For example, when the camera is tilted down, the trunk of the lens spontaneously lengthens (focal length increases). To prevent such an unpleasant incident, there is a focal length switch-lock 'LOCK' (the so-called 'lock') on the lens body, which tightly locks focal length at a value of 18 mm. To fix the trunk of the lens, you must first set the 18 mm focal length. Near the button there is a drawn arrow that indicates in which direction the switch should be moved to lock the lens. The switch is located in a convenient place - under the thumb of the left hand, so the lens can be quickly and comfortably 'removed from the lock' before starting shooting. The effect of a spontaneous change in focal length (trunk creep) in this lens is quite pronounced. Sigma Zoom DC 18-200mm 1: 3.5-6.3 II HSM OS StabilizerSigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 II OS HSM has a built-in image stabilizer. Many sources claim that the stabilizer can compensate for 4 steps in shutter speed. According to my observation, the Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 II OS HSM stabilizer compensates for no more than 3 stops by shutter speed. I was able to take pictures with my hands on shutter speed 1/30 - 1/40 sec. and 200 mm focal length. During real shootings, the stabilizer really helps, and the stabilizer itself works well (if you do not take into account some features). I did not notice any tangible improvement in stabilization quality compared to the previous version. Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 OS HSM. On the case there is a stabilizer operating mode switch 'OS ON / OFF'. Where 'OS' is short for 'Optical Stabilizer'. The built-in Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 stabilizer can track camera movements while creating panoramas. The Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 variants for Sony and Pentax cameras do not have a built-in stabilizer, since the stabilizer is already present in the cameras of these manufacturers themselves. As in the case of Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 OS HSM, the stabilizer of the Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 II OS HSM has its own characteristics. First of all, it seems that the stabilizer is always on, even if the control lever is in the 'OFF' position. Sigma Zoom DC 18-200mm 1: 3.5-6.3 II HSM OS FocusingTo focus, the lens uses a special ultrasonic focusing motor 'HSM' (Hyper Sonic Motor). Although it is written everywhere that this technology uses silent focusing, in fact, the noise from focusing of the Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 II OS HSM is heard. In general, the lens focuses quite quietly, but not silently. When used on a camera Nikon D90 with unpretentious Multi-CAM 1000 focusing system the lens behaves well. With precision and clinging focus, I had no particular problems. On camera Nikon D90 I checked the presence of the back and focus front at different focusing distances (infinity and MDF as well). Pictures taken using the Live View mode (which does not suffer from back / front focus) were used as a measure. Focusing accuracy using phase sensors completely coincided with the Live View mode. Auto focus speed medium (neither high nor low). Repeated refocusing or focusing errors rarely occur, but their number increases with reduced illumination, as well as with the use of the tele-range and side non-cross-shaped focus points. Focusing on the Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 II OS HSM internal - when focusing, neither the front nor the rear lens rotates, and the lens itself does not change its size when focusing. Sorry, but during auto focus focus ring rotates and cannot be touched. In such Nikon lenses, the focus ring remains stationary during auto focus. In manual focus mode, the focus ring rotates 60 degrees. Manual focus is very inconvenient. When extreme positions are reached, the focus ring abuts and cannot be rotated further. The minimum focusing distance is only 45 cm (the distance from the camera’s matrix to the subject). With such an MDF, the maximum magnification ratio is 1: 3.8. Thus, the lens allows you to shoot amateur 'close'. On the retractable frame of the case there are labels indicating the maximum magnification factor for certain focal lengths: 1: 13.1 (28 mm), 1: 10.7 (35 mm), 1: 7.9 (50 mm), 1: 5.6 (80 mm), 1: 4.2 (135 mm), 1: 3.8 (200 mm). The lens has focus mode switch 'AF / M'. For manual focus, the lens must be switched to 'M' mode, otherwise the focus motor may be damaged. Unfortunately, unlike many Nikon lenses of this type, the Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 II OS HSM does not support continuous manual focus mode. Focus Features:
Sigma Zoom DC 18-200mm 1: 3.5-6.3 II HSM OS The effect of F / 6.3 on focusThe instructions for most Nikon cameras indicate the threshold for the maximum relative aperture of the lens with which correct auto focus will be available. Most Nikon cameras are designed for lenses only. no darker than f / 5.6. For example, camera Nikon D90, with the help of which test shots were taken, theoretically should not work correctly with this lens. But still, as my practice has shown, in conditions with good lighting there are no special problems with automatic focusing even on cameras that are not designed to work with lenses with F / 6.3. You can find a list of Nikon cameras whose focus sensors can easily focus with lenses with a maximum aperture of F / 5.6-8.0 here. At the time of writing, there were only three Nikon DX cameras with this feature: D7100, D7200, D500. Most of all, the lateral focus points are sensitive to the lack of aperture. In Live View, the restriction on F / 6.3 may not work. The same remark applies to cameras from other manufacturers. The difference in aperture between F / 5.6 and F / 6.3 is about a third of the stop. Small relative aperture - one of the main reasons for possible focus misses and 'jerking' focusing with this lens. I want to note that focusing with the Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 II OS HSM is more tenacious than, for example, with a similar 'dark' and non-motorized lens ProMaster 18-200 / 3.5-6.3. Third-party manufacturers, so far (at the beginning of 2018), have not made any such super-zoom lens for SLR cameras, which would have at the long end F / 5.6. And here are the original lenses:
use on the long end of f / 5.6. I note that in the range of 18-100 mm, where the relative aperture is greater than F / 5.6, focusing errors are less than in the tele-range, where the relative aperture is from F / 5.6 to F / 6.3. Sigma Zoom DC 18-200mm 1: 3.5-6.3 II HSM OS Image quality and sample photos
Important: with this lens on some Nikon cameras are not available distortion control functions. Camera shots Nikon D90. The photos in the gallery below are shown without processing, conversion of the source RAW files by the original Nikon Capture NX-D utility without any additional adjustments or the source JPEG files. Original '.NEF' (RAW) photos from the camera Nikon D90 can download from this link (441 Mb). All photos were taken using protective filter Quantaray 62mm QMC-UV Japan. Sigma Zoom DC 18-200mm 1: 3.5-6.3 II HSM OS AlternativesBelow is a list of all hyper-zooms for SLR or mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor and a range of focal lengths greater than or equal to the classic 18-200 mm. Tamron (different mounts):
Promaster (various mounts):
Sigma (different mounts):
Quantaray (different mounts):
Nikon (F):
Sony ('A' or 'E'):
Hasselblad (Sony E):
Pentax (K):
Canon (EFS):
Samsung (NX):
Sigma Zoom DC 18-200mm 1: 3.5-6.3 II HSM OS My experienceSigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 II OS HSM is another branch in the development of superzoom from Sigma. In fact, this is the third iteration of such a lens. If about the previous version Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 OS HSM I didn’t respond very flatteringly, I liked the second version of Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 II OS HSM a little more. But still Sigma 18-200mm 1: 3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM MACRO | C (Contemporary, Optical Stabilizer) is a more interesting option and by and large is even preferable over the original similar Nikon Nikkor lenses. Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress. ResultsSigma Zoom DC 18-200mm 1: 3.5-6.3 II HSM OS - classic hyperzoom, modified version of the lens of the previous generation - Sigma 18-200mm f / 3.5-6.3 OS HSM... In general, Sigma Zoom DC 18-200mm 1: 3.5-6.3 II HSM OS is a relatively affordable and functional super-zoom for crop cameras, the lens deserves attention and can be a replacement for the original and older Nikon DX AF-S 18-200mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII VR. Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram |
