Sigma 18 35mm f1 8 review – Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 Review: This wide-angle zoom lens is a force to be reckoned with, offering professional-grade image quality and versatility in a compact package. It’s a favorite among photographers seeking a lens that can handle a wide range of subjects, from expansive landscapes to intimate portraits, all while delivering stunning sharpness and beautiful bokeh.
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens is a versatile tool that caters to a wide audience. From professional photographers seeking a reliable workhorse to enthusiasts wanting to push their creative boundaries, this lens delivers exceptional image quality and performance.
It’s a testament to Sigma’s commitment to crafting high-quality optics, offering photographers a compelling alternative to native lenses.
Overview of the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens is a versatile and high-performance wide-angle zoom lens designed for APS-C DSLR cameras. It offers a constant maximum aperture of f/1.8 throughout its zoom range, making it an excellent choice for low-light photography, shallow depth of field effects, and video recording.
This lens is a popular choice for a wide range of photographers, from enthusiasts to professionals.
Target Audience
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens caters to a diverse audience, including:
- Professional photographers:The lens’s high image quality, fast aperture, and robust build make it suitable for various professional applications, such as wedding, portrait, and landscape photography.
- Enthusiast photographers:This lens offers a compelling blend of performance and affordability, making it an attractive option for photographers who want to improve their image quality and explore creative possibilities.
- Videographers:The lens’s constant aperture and smooth focus ring make it a good choice for video recording, enabling consistent exposure and smooth focus transitions.
Strengths
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens boasts several strengths:
- Excellent Image Quality:The lens produces sharp and detailed images with minimal distortion and chromatic aberration, thanks to its high-quality optical design and materials.
- Fast Aperture:The constant f/1.8 aperture allows for shallow depth of field effects, isolating subjects from the background, and capturing images in low-light conditions with minimal noise.
- Versatile Focal Length:The 18-35mm zoom range covers a wide range of shooting scenarios, from wide-angle landscapes to portraits and street photography.
- Smooth Focus Ring:The lens’s smooth and precise focus ring allows for accurate manual focusing, making it suitable for both still photography and video recording.
- Robust Build Quality:The lens features a durable construction with a metal barrel and a weather-sealed design, ensuring long-lasting performance in various environments.
Weaknesses
While the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens is a highly capable lens, it does have some drawbacks:
- Size and Weight:The lens is relatively large and heavy, especially compared to other APS-C zoom lenses, which might be a concern for photographers who prioritize portability.
- Price:The lens is priced higher than many other APS-C zoom lenses, which might be a barrier for budget-conscious photographers.
- Autofocus Performance:While the lens’s autofocus is generally reliable, it can sometimes struggle in low-light conditions or when focusing on subjects with low contrast.
Build Quality and Design
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens is designed to deliver high-quality images and a robust performance, and its build quality reflects this commitment. The lens is crafted with premium materials and features a construction that prioritizes durability and stability.The lens’s exterior is primarily composed of metal, contributing to its solid feel and weight.
This choice of material enhances its resilience against impacts and wear and tear, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of professional use. The lens’s construction incorporates a combination of materials, including brass and aluminum, further enhancing its strength and stability.
Weather Sealing and Dust Resistance
The lens incorporates weather sealing, providing protection against moisture and dust. This feature is essential for photographers who work in challenging environments, such as rainy conditions or dusty locations. The weather sealing is achieved through the use of rubber gaskets and seals strategically placed around the lens mount, ensuring that critical areas are protected from the elements.The lens’s weather sealing is designed to withstand light rain and splashes, offering a degree of protection against the elements.
However, it’s important to note that this is not a full-fledged weatherproof design, and prolonged exposure to heavy rain or submersion in water could damage the lens.
Overall Build Quality and Durability
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens exhibits a high level of build quality, reflecting its intended use as a professional-grade lens. The lens’s solid construction, combined with its weather sealing, makes it a reliable and durable option for photographers seeking a lens that can withstand the demands of frequent use.
The lens’s overall build quality is a testament to Sigma’s commitment to producing high-performance lenses that can withstand the rigors of professional use.
Usage and Applications
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens is a versatile tool that excels in various photographic scenarios. Its wide aperture, constant f/1.8 maximum aperture, and excellent image quality make it a popular choice for photographers seeking to capture stunning images in various lighting conditions.
This lens is particularly well-suited for situations where low-light performance, shallow depth of field, and fast autofocus are essential.
Landscape Photography
The wide focal range of the lens, from 18mm to 35mm, provides flexibility for capturing expansive landscapes. The wide-angle perspective at 18mm allows photographers to capture a broader scene, emphasizing the vastness of the landscape, while the 35mm focal length provides a more balanced perspective, suitable for capturing landscapes with a more intimate feel.
The wide aperture allows photographers to control depth of field, blurring the foreground or background to create a sense of depth and draw attention to the subject. The lens’s sharpness and high resolution ensure that every detail of the landscape is captured with exceptional clarity.
Portrait Photography, Sigma 18 35mm f1 8 review
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens is an excellent choice for portrait photography. Its wide aperture allows photographers to create a shallow depth of field, isolating the subject from the background and creating a pleasing bokeh effect. The lens’s fast autofocus ensures that photographers can capture sharp images even when shooting moving subjects.
The 35mm focal length is a popular choice for portrait photography, as it provides a natural perspective that complements the human face. The lens’s ability to render skin tones accurately and its excellent sharpness contribute to stunning portrait images.
Street Photography
The compact size and lightweight design of the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens make it ideal for street photography. Its wide aperture allows photographers to capture images in low-light conditions, such as dimly lit streets or alleyways. The fast autofocus ensures that photographers can capture fleeting moments as they happen.
The wide focal range provides flexibility for capturing different perspectives, from wide-angle shots that capture the overall scene to tighter shots that focus on specific details. The lens’s excellent sharpness and high resolution ensure that images are sharp and detailed, even when printed at large sizes.
Event Photography
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens is a versatile tool for event photography, from weddings and corporate events to concerts and sporting events. Its wide aperture allows photographers to capture images in low-light conditions, such as dimly lit reception halls or concert venues.
The fast autofocus ensures that photographers can capture fast-moving subjects, such as dancers or athletes. The wide focal range provides flexibility for capturing different perspectives, from wide-angle shots that capture the overall scene to tighter shots that focus on specific details.
The lens’s excellent sharpness and high resolution ensure that images are sharp and detailed, even when printed at large sizes.
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 lens is known for its impressive sharpness and low-light performance, making it a popular choice for photographers looking to capture dynamic images. However, the creative process can sometimes be fraught with tension, as illustrated by a recent incident where a Turkish photographer, frustrated by a client’s demands, allegedly resorted to physical violence.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of clear communication and professional boundaries in any artistic collaboration, regardless of the lens being used.
Video Recording
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens is also suitable for video recording. Its smooth and silent autofocus makes it ideal for shooting videos where focus changes are needed. The lens’s wide aperture allows photographers to control depth of field, creating a shallow depth of field effect that can be used to draw attention to the subject and create a cinematic look.
However, it’s important to note that the lens does not have image stabilization, which can be a limitation when shooting handheld video.
Comparisons and Alternatives
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens stands out as a compelling option in the world of wide-angle zoom lenses. Its unique combination of wide aperture, constant maximum aperture, and excellent image quality makes it a popular choice for photographers seeking versatility and creative control.
However, it’s essential to consider its strengths and weaknesses in comparison to other lenses available in the market. This section delves into a comparative analysis, exploring the pros and cons of choosing the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens over its competitors.
Comparison with Canon, Nikon, and Tamron Lenses
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens faces competition from similar lenses offered by other manufacturers, such as Canon, Nikon, and Tamron. These lenses share a common goal: to provide photographers with a wide-angle zoom lens capable of delivering high-quality images.
However, they differ in their optical performance, build quality, and price.
- Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM:Canon’s EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM lens is a popular choice among photographers seeking a wide-angle zoom lens with excellent image quality and image stabilization. While it offers a wider focal length range, it sacrifices the fast f/1.8 aperture found in the Sigma lens.
The Canon lens is known for its sharpness, contrast, and color rendition. However, its f/4 maximum aperture limits its ability to achieve shallow depth of field effects. The Canon lens also boasts a robust build and weather sealing, making it a reliable choice for professional photographers.
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR:Nikon’s AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR lens mirrors the Canon lens in terms of focal length range and maximum aperture. Like the Canon lens, it offers excellent image quality and image stabilization. The Nikon lens is known for its sharpness, contrast, and color accuracy.
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 is a versatile lens that excels in low-light conditions, capturing details with its wide aperture. Its autofocus is swift and precise, making it ideal for capturing fleeting moments. For those seeking a wider perspective, the Minolta MD II 20mm is a compelling option, with its legacy design offering a unique aesthetic.
A comparison of the Minolta MD II 20mm vs. the original version reveals key differences in optical performance and construction, offering insights into the evolution of this classic lens. While the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 is a modern workhorse, the Minolta MD II 20mm stands as a testament to the craftsmanship of a bygone era, offering a distinct character for photographers seeking a vintage touch.
However, its f/4 maximum aperture limits its ability to achieve shallow depth of field effects. The Nikon lens also features a robust build and weather sealing, making it a reliable choice for professional photographers.
- Tamron SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2:Tamron’s SP 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens offers a wider focal length range and a faster maximum aperture than the Sigma lens. It is known for its sharpness, contrast, and color rendition. The Tamron lens also boasts image stabilization and a robust build.
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 lens is a versatile tool for photographers, offering a wide range of focal lengths and a fast aperture. To ensure accurate exposures, it’s crucial to have a properly calibrated light meter. If you’re using a Canon A1 light meter, you can find a detailed guide on how to calibrate cnaon a1 light meter.
Once calibrated, you can confidently use your light meter to determine the correct exposure settings for your Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 lens, capturing stunning images with precise light and shadow details.
However, it is significantly larger and heavier than the Sigma lens, which can be a concern for photographers who prioritize portability.
Advantages of Choosing the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens offers several advantages over its competitors, making it a compelling choice for photographers seeking a versatile and high-performance wide-angle zoom lens.
- Fast Maximum Aperture:The f/1.8 maximum aperture of the Sigma lens provides significant advantages in low-light situations, allowing photographers to capture images with faster shutter speeds and shallower depth of field. This is particularly beneficial for capturing fast-moving subjects or creating dramatic portraits with blurred backgrounds.
- Excellent Image Quality:The Sigma lens is known for its exceptional image quality, characterized by high sharpness, excellent contrast, and accurate color rendition. It delivers stunning results across the entire focal length range, making it suitable for a wide range of photographic applications.
- Compact and Lightweight:Compared to its competitors, the Sigma lens is relatively compact and lightweight, making it more portable and convenient to carry around. This is an advantage for photographers who prioritize mobility and want a lens that doesn’t add too much weight to their camera bag.
- Affordable Price:The Sigma lens is generally more affordable than its competitors from Canon, Nikon, and Tamron, offering excellent value for money. This makes it an attractive option for photographers on a budget who want a high-quality wide-angle zoom lens.
Disadvantages of Choosing the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens
While the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens offers many advantages, it also has some drawbacks that photographers should consider.
- No Image Stabilization:Unlike some of its competitors, the Sigma lens does not offer image stabilization. This can be a disadvantage in low-light situations or when shooting handheld, as it can lead to blurry images. However, the fast f/1.8 aperture can compensate for the lack of image stabilization to a certain extent.
- Limited Focal Length Range:The Sigma lens’s focal length range of 18-35mm is narrower than that of some of its competitors, such as the Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM and Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR lenses. This can be a limitation for photographers who need a wider focal length range for specific applications.
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 lens is a popular choice for photographers who want a versatile and fast lens. Its wide aperture allows for shallow depth of field, which is ideal for portraits and low-light photography. While it is compatible with a variety of cameras, it is often paired with Canon EOS cameras, including the iconic EOS-1D Mark I.
If you’re considering purchasing a used EOS-1D Mark I, it’s essential to check the canon eos 1d mark i shutter count to ensure its longevity. This will help you determine if the camera is in good condition and will be able to handle the demands of shooting with a lens like the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8.
- No Weather Sealing:The Sigma lens does not feature weather sealing, making it vulnerable to dust, moisture, and other environmental elements. This can be a concern for photographers who frequently shoot in challenging conditions.
Choosing the Right Lens for Your Needs
Ultimately, the choice of lens depends on the individual photographer’s needs and priorities. If a fast aperture, excellent image quality, and a compact design are paramount, the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens is an excellent choice. However, if image stabilization, a wider focal length range, or weather sealing are essential, other lenses may be better suited.
It’s important to carefully consider the pros and cons of each lens before making a decision.
Conclusion
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens is a remarkable achievement in lens design, offering exceptional image quality, fast aperture, and versatility in a compact package. Its strengths lie in its ability to deliver sharp, detailed images with minimal distortion, particularly at wider apertures.
The lens excels in low-light conditions, capturing stunning images with beautiful bokeh.
Performance and Value
The lens’s performance is consistently impressive across its entire focal range, with excellent sharpness and contrast even at the widest aperture. This makes it a valuable tool for various photographic genres, including landscape, portrait, street, and event photography. The fast f/1.8 aperture allows for shallow depth of field, creating pleasing background blur and emphasizing the subject.
The lens’s compact size and lightweight design make it highly portable and convenient for travel and everyday use.
Recommendations
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens is a strong recommendation for photographers seeking a high-quality, versatile, and fast-aperture zoom lens. Its excellent image quality, portability, and performance make it a valuable investment for both professionals and enthusiasts.
Overall Value Proposition
While the lens’s price point might seem high, its exceptional performance and versatility make it a compelling value proposition. The lens offers a level of image quality and functionality often found in much more expensive lenses, making it a wise investment for photographers who prioritize image quality and creative control.
Ending Remarks: Sigma 18 35mm F1 8 Review
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens is a powerhouse in the world of wide-angle zooms. Its exceptional image quality, fast aperture, and reliable autofocus make it a top contender for photographers seeking a versatile and high-performing lens.
Whether you’re capturing breathtaking landscapes, evocative portraits, or dynamic street scenes, this lens will consistently deliver stunning results. It’s a testament to Sigma’s commitment to crafting lenses that meet the demands of discerning photographers.