Looking to find more information regarding the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM A Nikon? Read our latest review to learn more about the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM A Nikon, its specifications, and if it’s a good camera lens for you.
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM A Nikon Overview
The Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM A Nikon is one of Sigma’s newest additions to the Sigma Global Vision line of lenses. This lens is designed for APS-C sensor cameras, and will provide a 35mm equivalent focal length range of 27-52.5 mm when attached to an APS-C sensor camera body. The Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM A Nikon features a fast maximum aperture of 1:1 8 which allows for some excellent low light shooting capabilities as well as the ability to shoot images with shallow depth of field effects.
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM A Nikon Specifications
The Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM A Nikon was first announced on 04/18/2013 with a Nikon F DX mount type. Below is a summary of this len’s specifications:
Indicative Price: $799
Focal Range: 18-35mm
Aperture: F/ 1.8
Filter Diameter (millimeters): 72
Maximum Diameter (millimeters): 78
Number Of Lenses: 17
Length (millimeters): 121
AF Motor: HSM
Stabilization: None
Zoom Type: Ring
Tripod Mount: None
Colors Available: Black
Full-Time Manual Focus: Yes
Weight (grams): 810
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM A Nikon Performance
The Sigma 18-35mm Nikon lens is Sigma’s first F-mount lens with Sigma Global Vision. Sigma has really outdone itself in delivering an excellent performing lens with this one! The Sigma 18-35mm F/18 DC HSM A Nikon is sharp at all focal lengths, especially when shooting wide open at f/18. This Sigma 18-35mm is able to produce extremely accurate and high quality images as well as videos with minimal distortion. Sigma doesn’t provide a focal length equivalence for the Sigma 18-35mm F/18 DC HSM A Nikon lens, however it feels like this is more of an all purpose lens than just a typical zoom lens.
Build and Handling Quality
The build quality is very good on the Sigma 18-35mm F/18 DC HSM A Nikon lens. Sigma includes a nice, smooth zoom ring with an equally smooth focus ring that makes it easy to quickly get into and hold your desired focal length. Sigma also did a great job at designing this lens so it’s comfortable in many different shooting conditions–you can shoot with one hand if you wanted to! Sigma also did an excellent job at including a hood that comes in the box. Sigma’s outer lens barrel is made of metal, while Sigma uses plastic for its inner barrel–typical of most lenses out there on the market today.
Autofocus Performance
In terms of autofocus performance, Sigma included its Sigma HSM (Hypersonic Motor) in the Sigma 18-35mm F/18 DC HSM A Nikon lens. The Sigma 18-35mm has a great autofocus that’s fast, quiet, and accurate–no surprise there! This Sigma 18-35mm is also quick to focus even when shooting through glass or low light conditions. Sigma’s autofocus is also very accurate and fast–it nailed the focus on shots we took while testing this Sigma 18-35mm lens, which can be a challenge with such a wide range of focal lengths available in one lens!
Sharpness
Sharpness is one area where Sigma’s Sigma 18-35mm F/18 DC HSM A Nikon really delivers! Sigma has done an excellent job at making this lens extremely sharp, even when shooting in low light conditions.
Vignetting
In terms of vignetting, Sigma has included a lens profile in the Sigma 18-35mm F/18 DC HSM A Nikon that corrects for this issue. However, there is still some slight visible corner shading when shooting wide open at f/18–but it’s nothing you can’t easily remove during post processing with an application like Adobe Photoshop.
Lateral Chromatic Aberration (LCA) and Fringing
Sigma has also included Sigma’s Super Multi-Layer Coating in the Sigma 18-35mm F/18 DC HSM A Nikon lens, which helps reduce any chromatic aberrations or fringing that you may experience with this Sigma lens.
Distortion
The Sigma 18-35mm F/18 DC HSM A Nikon lens does a great job at minimizing any distortion that you may experience with this Sigma. Sigma has included its DxO OpticsPro software in the Sigma 18-35mm, which easily corrects for distortion when needed.
Image Quality
The image quality is crisp, offering very good contrast and color rendering. Sigma has included Sigma’s Super Multi-Layer Coating in the Sigma 18-35mm F/18 DC HSM A Nikon lens, which delivers excellent color reproduction. Sigma also did an excellent job at minimizing any chromatic aberrations or fringing that you may experience with this Sigma 18-35mm lens.
Bokeh
The bokeh is smooth and creamy. In some instances it can deliver a more harsh effect, but this may be what you want depending on your photography preferences.
How Does The Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM A Nikon Score?
Below are the lens metric scores we’ve measured for this specific lens:
- Performance and Image Quality: 7.5/10
- Features: 8/10
- Bokeh: 7/10
- Build Quality: 8/10
- AutoFocus Quality: 7/10
- Handling: 8/10
- Value: 7/10
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM A Nikon Pros and Cons
Below are some of the pros and cons regarding this lens.
Pros:
- Sigma 18-35mm F/18 DC HSM A Nikon is a great, lightweight lens that’s easy to use and has a nice zoom range.
- Includes the Sigma HSM (Hypersonic Motor), which makes it extremely fast when focusing
- Solid bokeh effect
- Strong color contrast
Cons:
- Some vignetting and chromatic aberration present when shooting at higher F-stops
Our Verdict
The Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM A Nikon is a great Sigma lens. Sigma has been known to deliver some of the best lenses on the market, and this Sigma 18-35mm is no exception, especially at this price point.
This Sigma 18-35mm F/18 DC HSM A Nikon comes with a solid set of features that make it easy to use and shoot with. It’s light weight at only 13.52 oz, which makes it easy to take this Sigma 18-35mm lens with you on all of your photography adventures.
