The Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM Macro | Contemporary is the newest all-in-one camera lens in the Sigma lineup, and offers a high 16.6x zoom ratio, 1:3 macro magnification, Optical Stabilizer, in a lens that covers wide angle to supertelephoto in a single, lightweight lens.
Fall Foliage as from a moving hayride as seen by the Sigma 18-300mm. 1/500 at F3.5 at 18mm ISO 200 on a Rebel T31.
Designed specifically for APS-C cameras, this lens equates to approximately a 27-450mm range, perfect for a one-lens solution for everyday adventures, weekend escapes and beyond. The hypersonic motor is fast, and accurate, Optical Stabilizer keeps the camera steady at slower shutter speeds, and the optional close-up lens increases the maximum magnification to 1:2 at 300mm, for even more detailed close-ups.
I’ve spent a few days with this lens, and it performed perfectly for my family fall outings, including a preschool field trip. Check out this video rundown of key features and performance, and enjoy some of these seasonal sample images.
At 18mm, the field of view is nice and wide for taking in sweeping landscapes. This lens has great versatility.Zoomed all the way to 300mm, the lens has long reach. This shot was made at 1/30, with Optical Stabilizer activated to keep the rocks in the river sharp.Pumpkins and mums, catpured at 18mm. The lens was stopped down to F/1o to keep the whole wagon in sharp focus.Zooming in slightly to about 40mm allowed to to quickly recompose as the wago full of fall decorations was on the move! We’re stopped down here to F/9 for more depth of field.
Lens flare is very well contained, as you can see here, with the sun peeking out from behind a tree during peak foliage season in the NJ Skylands. We’re wide open here at F3.5 at 1/500 at 18mm to keep the shot sharp while on a moving haywagon.
We used the close-up lens to increase macro magnification to 1:2 at 300mm for this detailed close-up of a watercolor brush bristles. 1/40 F6.3 ISO 400.
And if you’ve got any questions about our new all-in-one, feel free to post a comment below!
Jack Howard is a lifelong photographer and author of two editions of the how-to book, Practical HDRI. Based in Central Jersey, Jack's go-to photography spots are backroads and beaches of his home state. He loves to travel far and wide with his wife and daughter, visiting national parks, museums, tropical islands and more along the way.
Wondering about Vignetting below 40mm & softness above 200mm, which are
fairly typical traits of most wide range zooms.
Lens wobble is a real concern
When will grow up Sony mount, in 18-300mm?