Sigma 18-125mm f3.5-5.6 Nikon - Description:
The Sigma 18-125mm DC lens from Sigma has been created specifically for cropped sensor digital single lens reflex cameras (dSLR’s) with sensors in the region of APS-C size. 18-125mm DC is given the DC nomenclature for this reason. The 18-125mm DC newly designed by Sigma as a wide angle to short-medium telephoto for use as a general purpose, walk-around lens, we take a look at how the 18-125mm DC performs.

Build and Handling of Sigma 18-125mm DC Zoom Lens:
The18-125mm DC lens is supplied boxed and includes a petal hood and documentation in the carton. From the mount, which is metal, going forward there is a short area in 18-125mm DC lens on which is mounted the Aito Focus/MF switch where required. This is followed by a good size zoom ring marked at 18mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, 100, and 125mm range zoom of 18-125mm DC. Two thirds of the ring is covered with a nice feeling ribbed rubber grip that provided good non-slip. A zoom lock is provided to 18-125mm DC to keep the lens from extending, but we did not find this in 18-125mm DC a problem with the lock disengaged. Forward of this and half the width was the manual focus ring marked with a distance scale in metres and feet and a 10mm band of ribbing. It required less than a quarter turn to operate from one extreme to the other and no sloppiness was detected.

On zooming in the 18-125mm DC, the front element came out of the barrel some 52mm and there is no further extension during focusing. The front element of 18-125mm DC does not rotate during either operation, facilitating the easy use of filters. Focussing of the 18-125mm DC lens is quick enough for most purposes short of extreme action and although not silent was not over noisy and did not sound as though it was grinding into position as some lenses do. The petal hood in 18-125mm DC lens, a bayonet fit, clicked into position positively and gave confidence that it would stay in place. Torque on the zoom ring feels right and it is smooth in operation. The 18-125mm DC lens is also one of the few third party lenses available in 4/3rds fit.

Optical Quality of Sigma 18-125mm DC EX:
With a zoom ratio of just under 7:1 the 18-125mm DC lens covers a good range without going to the extremes of the 10+ times zooms. As with most wide ranging zoom lenses, the performance of 18-125mm DC lens is better at the shorter end with some fall-off in performance as focal length is extended. However, the fall-off in the Sigma 18-125mm DC lens is kept to a minimum with a good starting point at the short end. Distortion is well controlled in 18-125mm DC for the class of lens, with minimum barrel at the short end moving to negligible pincushion at the longer length. Sigma have learnt well how to control chromatic aberrations and none of their new designs have suffered from the anomaly. That includes this design, which showed no significant signs throughout the range.

Compatiblity of Sigma 18-125mm DC Lens:

The 18-125mm DC lens is designed to fit only with Digital SLR cameras with the sensor, You can not use the 18-125mm DC lens with 35mm film camera, it will bring distorsion arount the picture eDCes.

The Sigma 18-125mm DC Lens Specifications:

The 18-125mm DC Lens Fitting : Sigma 18-125mm DC fits all Nikon AF Digital SLRs only.
Construction is 15 Elements in 14 Groups
Angle of view is 69.3°- 11.4°
F stop range is F22
Closest Focusing Distance of is 50cm (19.6")
Maximum Magnification is 1:5.3
Filter Size is 62mm
Dimensions are (Length x Diameter) 77.7mm (3") x 70mm (2.7")
Weight of is 385gr / 13.5oz

The Sigma 18-125mm DC Included Accessories:

The Sigma front & back caps.
Sigma 18-125mm DC Lens instruction manual.
Sigma 18-125mm DC lens hood,
Sigma warranty card,