I struggled with the decision to purchase the Sigma AF 18-200 DC OS. Online sites (like dp) showed softness around the edges, especially when wide open. There has been criticism that the focus ring is easily confused with the zoom ring. There were complaints that the optical stabilization did not meet modern requirements. I bought it anyway because I was looking for a superzoom that can shoot wide and also has a decent telephoto in one lens and offers optical stabilization so those telephotos can be used handheld and I couldn't afford a Nikon. Offers in this focal length range. I was very impressed with the Sigma AF 18-200 DC operating system. The optical stabilization is quite noticeable and of great importance. Low-light shots in the 18-55mm range, which I would never have been able to get away with with my kit lens, are quite possible with the Sigma, despite its additional mass. Telephoto shots in indoor lighting conditions are also good. When it comes to subjective sharpness, everything is fine. The softness noted by reviewers in the corners is subjectively imperceptible in the images my Nikon D50 captures - at the screen resolutions I view (and post). Color saturation and contrast appear to be better than the standard Nikon 18-55 lens I'm replacing, and subjective sharpness is at least as good. I was concerned that a large sigma would mean a large adjustment. It's definitely more than the 18-55 kit lens, but it's not a huge adjustment. I had to get a bigger bag and add a wrist strap: (cheap and very comfortable Opteka Professional Wrist Grip Strap for digital and film SLRs). I'm very happy with how this setup works. So why only 4 stars? I gave it a star due to an issue with the focus ring (the focus ring sticks out a bit and has a very similar look and feel to the zoom ring). I wish the focus ring had a clearer tactile demarcation (perhaps a diamond pattern instead of the same protrusions as on the zoom ring - for instant tactile recognition). I usually put the lens hood back in for storage and this covers most of the focus ring forcing me to grab the zoom ring. I'm also attaching some of these because they have some trouble focusing at longer focal lengths in low light. That's a bit of a nitpick because the kit lens also has trouble focusing in low light, but it gets a little worse when the Sigma is zoomed down. Overall I would give around 4.5 stars based on my general satisfaction. The Sigma AF 18-200 DC OS ended up doing everything I wanted it to. It offers a single lens solution for the vast majority of shooting situations. It offers a very acceptable picture quality. It offers useful image stabilization and decent ergonomics, making it usable in a variety of situations. As a result, this lens makes my camera a much more powerful tool. I wonder why I've waited so long?
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