Fairly sharp lens, bright
light really enhances clearly more than other lenses I have used.Fairly light and has a versitlible range so if you want to travel light you can take this one lense and take really good photos without being
a pack mule.

As you go past 150 mm it
loses alittle clarity. No lense can be perfect at all focal lengths and reasonable in price,

This lense is a very good value. It combines good
performance with excellent flexiblity. There is no
manufactures lenses that are 28-200. The lense is a
perfect core lense

Customer Service

When you call and have a
question on this or any product the techs on the other end of the line are very helpful and informative.They will even answer questions on used equipment one is trying to purchase on e-bay.

Similar Products Used:

35-70 minolta, 135-400 sigma

Lightweight, great quality, IF, very close miminum focus.

None to be noted yet....

Okay, first I have to say that I am leaving this same review under the title "Sigma 28-200mm F3.5-5.6 DL Aspherical HSM". The reason for this is there seems to be some confusion on these lenses and I want anyone else to have a proper perspective.

Sigma's "old" 28-200 lens, as far as I am aware (could be wrong) was a 3.8-5.6. This lens did not have a very close miminum focus and was a good lens for it's intended purpose. Again, I say intended purpose because I find too many individuals commenting on a lens of this nature and comparing it's quality to either a prime lens or a 2.8 zoom costing well over 3x the price. So first we need to keep perspective when commenting on a lens. Understand its price and intended use, and then comment accordingly.

Now, I do not know anything about Sigma's "old" 28-200mm lens, however if you are looking at Sigma's newer 28-200mm IF Asp. DL Hyperzoom lens, this is what I can say. This lens is superb in quality and function. First, you have the ability to travel light and cover a range of 28mm(wide) to 200mm(tele) all without changing lenses. Second, in regards to quality, the lens is built well, AF is quick and accurate (most of which has to do with your camera, not the lens), and picture quality is fantastic. Now will you get more sharp pictures in a 2.8 200mm prime lens? Of course, but you will also pay a lot more and be limited in your range. However, this Sigma lens will give you outstanding pictures up to at least 8x10 or possibly 11x14. For most of us who are even looking at this lens, that is large enough. If you expect to make giant enlargements, then you're probably not looking at a lens in this price range anyway.

Also, this lens will focus as close as 19.7" throughout the ENTIRE ZOOM range! That is amazing. Many lenses will quote a 23"-27" minimum focus, but what they don't tell you is that is at 28mm. When you zoom their lenses to 200mm, you "close focus" goes out to a minimum of 72" (6 feet!). Not to mention the Sigma lens also incorporates an Internal Focus (IF) mechanism so the lens "length" does not change and the front barrel does not rotate. Most zooms telescope when zooming, whereas the Sigma does everything internally.

Lets also not forget this lens uses Aspherical glass for improved quality. All around this is a fantastic lens for the money. Anyone who is an intermediate on down will love this lens. It is unmatched in min. focus, quality, build, IF, etc, etc. Compare it to the Tamron 28-200 spec for spec and you will see what I mean.

Customer Service

Not needed yet....

Similar Products Used:

Tamron 28-200, Nikon lenses, Vivitar lenses, Canon lenses

moderately-to-very sharp and low distortion. Good travel range. Small, compact zoom. IF.

Dark Glass, makes for hard MF in dark conditions & slow shutter speeds. Plastic shell. Lens creep problems (but not as bad as other similar lenses.

Good compact zoom, I think i'll be carrying this on my next vacation instead of a gadget bag full of lenses.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 28-135 IS
Canon 28-80 V
Quantaray 28-90 3.5-5.6

1) Wide Range (28-200mm)
2) Small
3) Price

1) AF Slow
2) Very dark
3) Vignetting at 200mm
when used with
polariser filter

A 1 for all lens. I used it in my first SLR camera, a Minolta 3xi. Pictures take out sharp and clear when new, but gradually reduce in quality over times.

Similar Products Used:

None

28-200mm
hood will not rotate when focusing / zooming
better AF than Pentax 35-80mm and 80-320mm
! PRICE !
sharp (again, price!)

will not AF when at 200mm / low light
the built-in flash of my MZ-7 got crazy at 28mm: needed to zoom at least @ 35mm to work

As someone stated already (Mr. Donald, as I remember correctly), this is a new version (3.5-5.6) lens. Do not take this one as the old 3.8-5.6. IF, Aspherical, Hyperzoom, SLD glass.

This lens is wonderful. For the money it costs, it is surely the best lens you can buy.
Remember it is a 28-200mm, so you probably won't need any other lenses.
Sharp, found this one sharper than the default MZ-7 lens (35-80mm) and even sharper than pentax 80-320mm. If you don't have the money to buy a similar pentax lens, this is the one; but MAKE SURE you are buying the 3.5-5.6. Here in Brazil, I found other stores that were selling the 3.8-5.6 at the same price.

The only problem I found is the fact that with a Pentax MZ-7 body, it will not autofocus at 200mm; also, when using the built-in flash unit, it will not set exposure correctly when at 28mm. Solved when zoomed to at least 35mm. If someone have any idea why this is happening, please email me.

Customer Service

not yet

Similar Products Used:

pentax 80-320mm

Versatile, great for travel photography when carrying more than one lenses is a hassle.

Beyond 175mm there is a sharp drop in clarity. Minimum focus of 6ft can be limiting.

Great lens for the travel photographer and good value for money.

Similar Products Used:

None

Small size. Light weight.

At the long end [200]mm the photos are rather fuzzy.Not a sharp lens.

Possibly a beginner that wanted a general overall lightweight lens would be satisfied. I have one in mint+ condition for sale if anyone would like to buy it. It has a Minolta Maxxum mount..

Similar Products Used:

New Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX series.

Great range from 28-200mm!

Rather would start out at 2.8/28mm instead of 3.5/28mm.

Great value for the price.
Good lense to start out with.

Similar Products Used:

none so far