Popular Photography - February 2015 USA

Tamron’s 16–300mm f/3.5–6.3 and
18–270mm f/3.5–6.3, all stabilized,
as well as the non-stabilized Pentax
18–270mm f/3.5–6.3) dropped even
more, into Average SQF territory,
at the farthest reaches of their
telephoto ranges.
In our distortion tests using DxO
Analyzer 5.3, we found Visible
barrel distortion at 18mm (0.50%)
and Visible or Slight pincushion
distortion at 35mm (0.32%), 100mm
(0.24%), and 300mm (0.15%). Even
better was the Imperceptible barrel
distortion within the macro range
(0.06%). These numbers slightly
trumped the competition’s.
Perhaps the Sigma’s most
impressive feat was its ability to
suppress darkness around the image
edges. The 18mm zoom setting
showed edge falloff to f/4, but the
other three tested focal lengths
showed no detectable vignetting,
even at maximum aperture in either
normal or macro focusing ranges.
This matched or surpassed that
of its competitors, particularly the
Pentax, which registered light falloff
at the edges to f/8 or f/9 at three out
of four tested focal lengths.
Our panel of three testers gained
an average of 3.33 stops when
handholding at 300mm with OS
enabled. In Macro mode, the average
improvement was 2.6 stops.
The lens’s subject magnification
in Macro mode tested better than
Sigma’s published specs. It ranged
from 1:10.03 at 18mm to 1:2.45 at
300mm rather than the published
1:3. Not enough magnifying power?
You can get to 1:2 with Sigma’s $55
supplementary close-up lens (model
AML72-01) made for this zoom.
By almost all metrics, this new
Sigma 18–300mm equaled Tamron’s
16–300mm. While the latter offers a
broader zoom range, the Sigma hit
slightly higher SQF scores through
the range and has a slightly better
build. At deadline, the Sigma
streeted for about $50 less. Tough
choice!
—Julia Silber
18
MM
35
MM
100
MM
300
MM
SPECIFICATIONS
18–300MM (18.76–293.05mm tested),
f/3.5–6.3 (f/3.44–n.a. tested*), 17 elements in
13 groups. Focus ring turns 80 degrees. Zoom
ring turns 80 degrees. Focal length marked at
18-, 28-, 35-, 50-, 80-, 135-, 200-, and 300mm.
DIAGONAL VIEW ANGLE:
76.5–5.4 degrees
WEIGHT: 1.3 lbs FILTER SIZE: 72mm
MOUNTS: Canon AF, Nikon AF, Pentax AF,
Sigma AF, Sony AF
INCLUDED: Lenshood
STREET PRICE: $579
WEBSITE: sigmaphoto.com
TEST RESULTS
DISTORTION: At 18mm, 0.50% (Visible)
barrel; at 35mm, 0.32% (Visible) pincushion;
at 100mm, 0.24% (Slight) pincushion;
at 300mm, 0.15% (Slight) pincushion
MACRO DISTORTION: At 300mm, 0.06%
(Imperceptible) barrel
LIGHT FALLOFF: At 18mm, gone by f/4;
at 35mm, none; at 100mm, none;
at 300mm, none
MACRO LIGHT
FALLOFF: At 300mm, none
CLOSE-FOCUSING
DISTANCE: 12.15 inches
MAXIMUM MAGNIFICATION RATIO:
At 18mm, 1:10.03; at 35mm, 1:6.94; at
100mm, 1:2.83; at 300mm, 1:2.45
IMAGE STABILIZATION: 3.33 stops
MACRO STABILIZATION: 2.6 stops
POPPHOTO.COM POPULAR PHOTOGRAPHY 75
*TESTED MEASUREMENT NOT AVAILABLE DUE TO INSTRUMENT LIMITATIONS.
REFLECT.
DIFFUSE.
CREATE.
sunbounce@hasselbladbron.com