18-300 Sigma - Vignette King, or a Superb Lens, and, at a bargain price!!!! Another one that's a mixed bag. Only competition is from Nikon - two versions, and even the cheapest

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Another one that's a mixed bag. Only competition is from Nikon - two versions, and even the cheapest - is twice the price. Read somewhere that it vignettes, terribly, at ALL lengths, with the worst at the short end. Some folks, reporting on it, earlier, in the Tamron 16-300 post - indicate that's NOT the case. So, let's get to the bottom of this, shall we? - If you own THIS lens (and THIS lens, only) please comment on it. Thanks!

You know - afterthought - if you'd like to comment on EITHER of the TWO Nikon versions, I suppose, that would be appropriate - on THIS post. But, other things - like all the Tamron superzooms, and the BIGMA 50-500 - have already been commented on, in other posts I've done, so, I don't want to be redundant …. ta!!!

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

I have no experience with that lens, but superzooms canhavd problem when used with anything but a thin filter.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

LWW wrote:

I have no experience with that lens, but superzooms canhavd problem when used with anything but a thin filter.

Really, LWW? … "a thin filter" - being - what, mostly?

What I mean is - do you define "thin filters" as being UV, Skylight, Haze - type things, or thinner than that?

I think what you're saying is - DON'T use a polarizing filter on Super-Zooms - no matter what … right?

Or - is this a reference to particular filter-manufacturer's actual product? ... Whose should we avoid???

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Why not look at the flickr group for this lens?
~3100 photographs, but no discussion on it.

https://www.flickr.com/groups/2871392@N25/pool/

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Chris T wrote:

Really, LWW? … "a thin filter" - being - what, mostly?

Mostly the mounting ring. Some are thin rings, some are standard size.
Maybe they use thinner glass too.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

RichardTaylor wrote:

Why not look at the flickr group for this lens?
~3100 photographs, but no discussion on it.

https://www.flickr.com/groups/2871392@N25/pool/

Thanks, Richard - but, I guess I prefer a discussion … text, I can deal with … opinions, too …

Don't really know what I'm looking for when looking at pictures …

Besides - I've been to that site, before …. took me TWO WEEKS - to unload all the viruses ….

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Longshadow wrote:

Mostly the mounting ring. Some are thin rings, some are standard size.
Maybe they use thinner glass too.

Thanks, Bill … you know, I've looked closely at most of mine. The only real difference I can see is the Tiffens are charcoal and the Pro-Optics - are - more or less - jet black!!! Can't really see a difference in thickness!!!

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Longshadow wrote:

Mostly the mounting ring. Some are thin rings, some are standard size.
Maybe they use thinner glass too.

I don’t know about the glass, but they usually don’t have front threads.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Chris T wrote:

Really, LWW? … "a thin filter" - being - what, mostly?

What I mean is - do you define "thin filters" as being UV, Skylight, Haze - type things, or thinner than that?

I think what you're saying is - DON'T use a polarizing filter on Super-Zooms - no matter what … right?

Or - is this a reference to particular filter-manufacturer's actual product? ... Whose should we avoid???

Try here:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/search?N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search&Ntt=Slim%20filter

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

LWW wrote:

Try here:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/search?N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search&Ntt=Slim%20filter

Ok, LWW … got the page up. Now, then - what am I actually looking for? … Thin filters which won't make a Super-Zoom vignette - right? … How do I go about looking for such a beast? … Or, is it a toss-up, in fact?

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Chris T wrote:

Thanks, Bill … you know, I've looked closely at most of mine. The only real difference I can see is the Tiffens are charcoal and the Pro-Optics - are - more or less - jet black!!! Can't really see a difference in thickness!!!

I've never had a thin filter. But I know they are made.

LWW wrote:

I don’t know about the glass, but they usually don’t have front threads.

I wondered how they made them, regular filters seem thin, except for polarizers.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

This is my wife's walk around lens on her DX Nikon. She loves it for the versatility and weight. I've shot with it as well.

My thoughts are...

Great at the longer end.

Not perfect wide open - one stop down it's excellent, two stops more than excellent.

Diffraction visible from about f8.

Haven't had a vignetting problem at the short end, even with a CPL, but don't often shoot with this combination.

I favor shorter range zooms, buy my wife really likes to have a versatile long zoom on her camera and this is her favorite lens.

Andy

Haydon

Chris T wrote:

Thanks, Richard - but, I guess I prefer a discussion … text, I can deal with … opinions, too …

Don't really know what I'm looking for when looking at pictures …

Besides - I've been to that site, before …. took me TWO WEEKS - to unload all the viruses ….

There are caveats to that methodology. If you only communicate or acknowledge those who own the lens, then you will have a plethora of "confirmation bias" rationalizing their purchases mostly for than against. Another resounding issue is the subjective nature to a persons determination of acceptable image quality.

Viewing images on Flickr have limited value as well. Compression and downsizing can either enhance or diminish image quality.

A balance of valued reviews, owners of the lens and an evaluation of one needs and expectations would be a much more grounded approach Chris.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Chris T wrote:

Ok, LWW … got the page up. Now, then - what am I actually looking for? … Thin filters which won't make a Super-Zoom vignette - right? … How do I go about looking for such a beast? … Or, is it a toss-up, in fact?

Those are all the filters they list as “SLIM” filters.

I have a mosh mash of filter brands, but have a few slim/thin ICE filters that work well on an 18-200.

I hope this helps.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Longshadow wrote:

I wondered how they made them, regular filters seem thin, except for polarizers.

It’s brilliant marketing ... sell something that’s a little less and charge a little more.