Sigma 18-35mm F/18 Dc Hsm Art Lens Review

There's a certain feeling of pride that comes from knowing you lot have made the best prototype you tin possibly make with the tools you have. These tools aren't just the gear you lot happen to be using but also the skills y'all accept acquired along the manner.

That existence said, at that place does come a time when y'all have pushed yourself and your equipment to its maximum. When this happens, the dedicated photographer begins looking for the tools he or she will demand in order to take that "next step" and move forward in their journey. By and large, that next footstep manifests itself in the class of a new lens. Getting new glass (or even new to y'all) is a very exciting time for serious shooters. This excitement is further amplified when y'all know that new lens is considered top of the line.

Enter the 18-35mm f1.8 DC HSM A from Sigma. As part of Sigma'due south highly regarded "Art" line information technology is counted among what is considered to represent the cream of the crop from this manufacturer as far as build and image quality are concerned. And it makes me beyond happy to tell you now… information technology definitely does not disappoint.

The lens is branded by Sigma every bit a premium grade option for landscapists, low low-cal shooting, as well as a general multi-purpose broad angle utility lens with low baloney and aberrations. The constant 1.viii maximum aperture means that the low light capabilities of this lens rivals anything on the marketplace in this focal range.

This makes the lens ideal for an enormously wide range of lighting situations while allowing the lensman take control of focusing depth.

Build and Craftsmanship

A warm and cuddly feeling of love struck me as presently as this lens left the box. The build of the Sigma eighteen-35mm is admittedly superb. The industry of this lens is thoroughly elevation notch and befitting of it's high-end reputation. The focusing ring is silky smooth; not too loose while still beingness easy to manipulate. This lens focuses and zooms internally meaning the lens length doesn't modify while zooming or focusing… which I honey. The autofocus switch is well-baked and is well positioned for quick no-await functioning.

Speaking of autofocus, the lens is equipped with manual override. This like shooting fish in a barrel option to focus manually on the fly while in AF mode is a huge benefit for landscape shooters. As for aesthetics, the wait is very polished and refined. All the indicator points and numbers are pleasingly executed.

The Sigma eighteen-35mm but oozes class even to the point of sporting a semi-retro charm. It comes in at 28.half-dozen ounces making it substantial merely by no ways overly heavy.

This makes information technology almost six ounces heavier than information technology's in-class cousin, the Canon 16-35mm f2.viii L II, but the Sigma is also almost an inch shorter in overall length (and about half the price of the Canon). Here we see a size comparison to one of my favorite lenses of all time, the Canon 50mm F1.iv.

Included in the package is a petal shaped lens hood which fits well and is reversible for carry. Hither's a rundown of the particulars directly from Sigma.

Data	Values
Lens Construction	17 Elements In 12 Groups
Angle Of View	76.5 – 44.two
Diaphragm Blades	ix
Minimum Aperture	f16
Minimum Focussing Altitude	28cm / 11in
Filter Size (mm)	72mm
Dimensions (Diameter ten Length)	78mm x 121mm / 3.1in x 4.8in
Weight	28.6oz
Available Mounts	Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sony

The actual lens material itself is a betoken of interest besides. Sigma has introduced a substance called Thermally Stable Composite or TSC. The lens barrel is constructed using this material rather than opting for a metallic housing such as aluminum. According to Sigma, the benefits of using TSC is it's resistance shrinking and swelling when placed in temperature extremes (much equally aluminum would) while maintaining its relatively depression size to weight ratio. There are quite a few pages of lab test results which seem to support the merits. Think of TSC as a adjacent level polycarbonate. Information technology looks like metallic… and honestly feels a lot like metallic in the mitt. During the grade of this review I have found nix reasons to doubt information technology'south legitimacy as a lens housing cloth.

Image Quality

At long last we've reached the function the review that excites me the most. Now we become to talk about…. pulsate ringlet… prototype quality! It'south this most important of areas where Sigma has really outdone themselves. This lens has a abiding aperture of f1.8 which means that you tin can shoot a wide open f1.8 aperture from 18mm all the mode to 35mm. Given the big aperture capabilities I expected to be able to pull of some really artistic shallow focusing. What I was not expecting was but how beautifully creamy the bokeh would exist. I attribute this exquisite issue to the ix curved blades of the aperture diaphragm.

I prefer to shoot portraits at 50mm or 85mm (or longer) but I was surprised to encounter just how well this lens might perform for shallow focus portrait piece of work. Exist prepare to brand some great background blurs using this lens and while it is by no means intended to be macro glass, it'southward relatively close minimum focusing distance makes for some passable results to say the to the lowest degree. Autofocusing speed was average but accurate in my opinion using my Canon 7d Mk1 with no need for micro focusing adjustments at the time of this review. Distortion was evident yet decidedly acceptable at 18mm merely resolved itself as the focal length approached 35mm.

The sharpness, for lack of a better word, is crawly. Resolution at even f1.8 and f16 was fantastic with the "sweetness spot" falling around the old reliable f8 mark. Sharpness does soften at the corners of the image slightly only information technology is hardly noticeable specially to a higher place f4. Chromatic aberration was also respectably depression at f1.8 and virtually nonexistent when shooting at smaller apertures of f8 and above. Colors look to be impressively reproduced also. Overall, this lens completely shocked me in terms of image sharpness. Very much deserving of its designation as an "Art" lens.

These are some unprocessed sample images to demonstrate the edge sharpness fall-off at f1.eight, f5.half-dozen, f8, and f16 respectively. All shot at 35mm focal length.

Image shot at 35mm @ f1.8
Image shot at 35mm @ f5.half dozen
Prototype shot at 35mm @ f8
Image shot at 35mm @ f16

Conclusion

Exceptionally loftier standard is a phrase that suits the Sigma xviii-35mm f1.8 DC HSM Art exceedingly well. I admittedly love this lens. Information technology is built specifically for APS-C(cropped sensor) digital photographic camera bodies and volition enable the lensman to clasp every some impressive quality into their images. It is fantastic in depression light weather condition with the constant f1.eight aperture and delivers dreamlike blur with its nine curved discontinuity blades.

Landscapers, generalists, and even portrait shooters will find a utilize for this lens. It is congenital robustly enough to handle the everyday twenty-four hours grind and tough enough to follow you to where the photos are. This was one of the most enjoyable pieces of glass I have e'er evaluated. Overall, it is a wonderfully executed offer from Sigma. I beloved this lens.

Equally always, here are a choice of examination images made using the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 DC HSM A fitted to a Canon 7d Mk1. All images made by me. Candy in Lightroom and Photoshop CC 2015.

You tin can purchase the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 DC HSM A on Amazon, and it's available in Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma and Sony mounts.

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Source: https://contrastly.com/in-depth-review-of-the-sigma-18-35mm-f1-8-dc-hsm/

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