Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM
Get notified when it is in stock at B&H

dpreview posted a first impression review of Sigma’s UFO (Unbelievable F-stop Object), the amazing Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC. The lens delivers constant f/1.8 through the zoom range and is the first zoom lens for APS-C DSLRs with this property. As dpreview writes, the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC “offers APS-C DSLR users access to some of the depth-of-field and low light capabilities that full frame shooters get from their F2.8 zooms”.

Overall the Sigma seems extremely promising and I’ve been pretty pleased with the results[…] Its range means it’s unlikely to be the ‘one lens to rule them all’ for many people, but if I were an owner of an APS-C DSLR that I liked, this might help dispel the idea that APS-C is somehow just a stepping-stone to the quasi-mythically ‘optimal’ full-frame format (an idea Nikon and Canon have no incentive to challenge). The fact remains that APS-C is by far the most widely-used format in the DSLR era, and this lens could help strengthen the cost/size/flexibility proposition that it offers.

The updated sample pics gallery is here.

Product description (from B&H’s product page):

Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM
Get notified when it is in stock at B&H

The world fastest zoom lens (for APS-C sensors) with a fixed aperture, the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM got reviewed. The lens, part of Sigma’s “Art” line-up, caused some hype when it was announced. Sigma called it UFO (Unbelievable F-stop Object). Some hands-on here and here.

Focus Numerique (google translated) tested a pre-production model, and writes:

The results of the new Sigma zoom are impressive and worthy of a professional optical 24×36 mm that opens to f / 2.8 constant! Of course, the best results are obtained with medium apertures between f / 5,6 and f / 8, though the sharpness is present in larger openings also. However there was a decrease of sharpness between the center and edges of images with larger apertures and f / 1,8 particularly.

Digifoto (no translation from Flemish) writes:

We were surprised again after seeing the test photos. You expect from a zoom lens at fully open aperture somewhat lesser performance in the corners. The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 however scored exceptionally well, even at the 18mm f/1.8 corner tightened remains very good. The bokeh of the lens looks very stylish, and distortion remains well within bounds.

Image samples of the Sigma 18-35mm can be seen at Dpreview.

[via SAR]

The Phoblographer got their hands on Sigma’s recently announced UFO (Unbelievable F-stop Object), the amazing 18-35mm f1.8 DC HSM lens with a constant f/1.8 aperture over the whole zoom range. Moreover, the lens can be connected to Sigma’s USB dock to update firmware. The main points of The Phoblographer’s impression:

• very good build quality
• ease of use
• speedy and accurate focusing
• about image quality they write:
  • We weren’t allowed to put a card into the camera because this is a prototype lens, but the images that we saw weren’t so contrasty or punchy. It also seemed a bit soft wide open–and for that reason we’re going to blame that on it being a pre-production copy.

[via The Phoblographer]