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lightrules | profile | all galleries >> Lens Tests by LightRules >> Wide-Standard Zoom Test >> E versus F >> Range tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Range

As shown and mentioned already, F (18200 OS) is optically better than E (1855 IS) across the board [see http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/evfzz ]. But the other major perk of F is its unparalleled focal coverage or range. Here are FOUR focal lengths and their respective field-of-view on a 20D body: 18mm / 55mm / 200mm / 300mm. E will give you the first two (i.e., 18mm and 55mm). But F not only gives you 200mm, but because it is not an EF-S mount, it can take a TC quite nicely (while interestingly enough retaining AF) and with a 1.5x TC, you have a 300mm lens. So adding a 1.5x TC effectively gives you a 17x zoom...all in one package that retains AF and with stabilization.
18mm
18mm		 55mm
55mm		 200mm
200mm		 300mm [480mm FOV]
300mm [480mm FOV]

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lightrules 23-Jul-2008 15:22
Richard, see here http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/1os2is . In short, I think the 18-200 OS remains the best all-in-one for APS-C currently. I've used practically every zoom in the book, and for lightweight travel with utmost convenience, I recommend the Sigma OS lens. Having 18mm through 200mm with 4-5 stops of stabilization available is a huge boon.
mrklaw 23-Jul-2008 12:44
Hi

great reviews, always pop along here to help clear my head when I'm getting conflicing comments from forums etc.

anyway - question for you. I'm looking at this 18-200OS as a nice compact travel lens so I can relax on holiday with the family. But I have a 24-105f4L IS at home (40D body). Would you consider the extra range (wide and long) of the sigma worth the potential compromise in quality over the 24-105?
Christos K. 07-Jul-2008 18:50
Hi LightRules, I just ordered the Sigma 18-200 OS and will have it on Wednesday;) i also want to order a TC but i don't know which to buy either the Kinko 1.5x or the 1.4x which would be better i have the Canon 400D, also on the 1.5x you get 300mm range what would the 1.4x give you, also how much would IQ be taken away adding the TC in the shot with the 1.5x you posted i see very good IQ to my eye's thanks.
lightrules 12-Jun-2008 19:47
Darshan, yes this lens is fully compatible with the 450D and 40D. Take care and enjoy the light.
Darshan Desai, Mumbai, India 12-Jun-2008 18:23
Thanks for your review.

I am planing to buy Canon EOS 450D or EOS 40D with Sigma 18-200 OS. I heard that this lense has some issue with Canon DSLRs, Is this lense fully combitible with Canon 450D and 40D
Guest 23-Dec-2007 04:36
Thank you very much. I just ordered the Kinko 1.5 from B&H. I figure that at the cheap price, what is there to lose? Also, will use it on other lenses as well.
lightrules 23-Dec-2007 04:24
I don't know what's on the manufacturer's statement, but it works fine.
lightrules 23-Dec-2007 02:49
Either will work fine. The 1.5x is less costly and close in IQ. If you want the best IQ, then go with the 1.4x DG.
Guest 23-Dec-2007 02:30
Thank you for continuing to monitor and respond to posts. Would the Kinko 1.4X Pro 300G also work with AF at 300mm? Which TC would you recommend for use with the Sigma 18-200 OS? I very much appreciate your work and am sorry to see you stop this wonderful effort.
lightrules 22-Dec-2007 23:45
The one used here is the Kenko 1.5x TC. I believe B&H sells it for around $86 + S&H.
RicksAstro 12-Dec-2007 21:21
Thanks as always for the great tests!
I've used the 18-200 OS quite a bit and really like it...great IQ for it's versatility! But I had 2 copies' OS go flaky on me (2 different cameras)...the OS would work perfectly about a week, and then start to randomly jerk sometimes. I just bought a 18-55IS. My first copy frontfocused badly at 18mm, but a second copy focuses great and definitely gives the 17-55IS a run for the money, and frankly is much sharper wide open than the 18-200OS at equivalent focal lengths at the corners (the OS has great center sharpness). I'm guessing copy-to-copy variation will be higher on the 18-55IS, so maybe I just lucked out (or you didn't).
lightrules 11-Dec-2007 00:48
Brian, it's a great lens, so long as you know what you are getting and expecting. It's not a constant f2.8, but it's not "f2.8 large" either. It's one of those lenses you just pick up and go out with to enjoy shooting things all over the place without the hassle of changing lenses. It won't freeze action indoors, but it will get you some nice images of static subjects. Outside, it's very versatile. You'll love the range and the stabilization...that's for sure.
Fabrian 11-Dec-2007 00:38
Oh,I will still own an "L" or "EX". At this point in my limited photography experience, I just feel that this lens really should be in the bag ;-) It should be said that I'd have no clue of this lens without your testing and recommendation.
lightrules 11-Dec-2007 00:15
Well, Brian, after all our conversations of this L lens or that L lens or this EX lens, you're going with the non-EX superzoom ;-) Good for you! [Be sure to supplement this all-in-one with something fast too.]
Fabrian 10-Dec-2007 23:53
I think I'm going to stop thinking about what the right lens is and just follow your lead ;-)
It certainly does make sense to own this lens, as you've already demonstrated. Thanks for your testing Jojo -
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