You probably may not have seen a Sigma camera in use but if you are fan of DSLRs, you may have seen a Sigma lens mounted on various high end cameras. Sigma has been in the optical manufacturing industry for over fifty years now and started making super zooms in the early 1990s. Over the years, Sigma has churned many lenses, many of which have been top of the pick for professional shutter men.

One of their newest glasses announced in 2011 was the Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM but this lens is not yet readily available in India and it has a price tag that may not impress amateur photographers at this time. However, even as the new Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM quickly becomes a coveted glass for both professionals and amateurs, its predecessor, Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM, is still a hit and with a much reduced price, amateurs can go for it and experience photography in a new light. This lens is meant for use with smaller Advanced Photo System type-C (APS-c) chip cameras only.

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM is competing with the likes of  Nikon DX 18-200mm F3.5-5.6G AF-S VR II, the Canon EF-S 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 IS, the Tamron 18-270mm F3.5-6.3 Di-II VC and the Sony DT 18-250mm F3.5-6.3. However, in terms of performance, it’s hard to tear the lot apart but price wise, Sigma stands impressive. Here are a few more details why you would like to go hunting for this super zoom.

Construction

As you may expect with such a big size lens, there are many glass elements that make up this glass. Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM has maintained 18 elements as it was the case with the earlier version which are now arranged in 14 groups. However, instead of one Super-Low Dispersion (SLD) glass element as arranged earlier, there are now four of them. These four glass elements are meant to provide optimum colour correction and sharpness. The lens has also three aspherical elements which greatly minimize distortion.

Even though Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM has an added zoom range which means increase in size and weight, surprisingly not much seems to be added and it’s still considered light enough to be handled by moderately smaller DSLRs without causing much shake while taking photos. However, with the Optical Stabilization (OS) technology, users won’t have to worry of blurriness caused due to shaking of lens elements. What more, the HSM in the lens stands for HyperSonic Motor which means focusing is right on point and you won’t miss moments as motor takes time to wide.

Performance

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM is a multipurpose high performance lens that lets you take photos without worrying about rushing to the shop to buy another lens for a different task. The lens has been described as a combination of two focal length range into one. The aperture is impressive and after working with the lens for some time, you will come to know what combinations work for you. However, workable apertures appear to be f/3.5 until just under 24mm, f/4 from 24 to 35mm, f/4.5 to around 48mm, f/5 from 50mm to 75mm, f/5.6 from 80 to 135mm and from then on f/6.3.

Final zoom

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM finds itself in a crowded fielded field full of competitors. However, one reason why you should consider owning one of these is the price factor. It may be a little cheaper that other glasses in its league but that does not mean it has a cheap performance. In India, this lens is available in all leading camera shops and dealers. You can find a great deal from online stores where you can get a bargain of around Rs. 21,000 though the prize may hit around Rs. 40,000 depending on where you get it from.