Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN for Fujifilm - Long Term Review

[@drchtct]

As someone who got this lens as his first ever setup (so I don't have any muscle memory built with other Fuji zoom lenses), I'd argue the zoom ring being further away from the body is a positive as you can see at 2:39, it's more comfortable to hold and provides more space between your two hands. The zoom operating in the other direction, again, I have no reference of other lenses but it never felt weird, feels normal to me, just a case of getting used to. I'd also argue given Sigma also wins the price/size/performance battle in the wideangle zoom range for hobbyists, many would then have two zooms who operate like this anyway. Regarding an aperture ring, my aperture is on the front dial of the X-S20, so no issues there, might be an issue for vintage-style cameras. I completely understand why you criticize these things, but I thought it might be valuable to note this from my noob perspective for any new buyers coming to this video wondering if these things would affect them and I'd say they don't, it's all just about what you're used to. As for image quality, I did notice a lot of vignette at 18mm but only in the RAW files, the JPGs are well corrected. You can also shoot good portraits with this due to the 2.8 at 50mm, bokeh has a bit of a onion structure and I noticed some minor CA fringing in the bokeh when shooting in the sun, but overall it's pretty decent given it's not the specialty of the lens. You can still blow out the background enough so that non-camera people would think they are from a professional photo shoot. For that reason alone it's a way better option than all 3 Fujis, because one of them is like twice the size and the other two do not give you the telephoto background seperation and low light performance. Didn't have any issues with flares in everyday use for landscape or portrait.

[@PaulCrousePhoto]

Thanks for another excellent review. I like how you know what you're talking about and just say it like it is. You're very helpful. Keep up the good work!

[@인생은한번-e5h]

Fujifilm's best standard zoom lens. It is small, light, and affordable. There is no problem without an aperture ring. You can adjust it with a dial.

[@NJM1948]

Be interesting to see how this lens performs against the newly announced XF16-50. This is the replacement for the excellent 18-55 and will resolve the full 40mp

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

Indeed! Fujifilm has come a LONG way with their modern lens designs and that new lens should be a banger for the money, I'd say.

[@dororo22]

Wont perform at all Sigma is all the way f2.8 and new XF16-50 goes up to 4.8 lol - what to compare here? It's way way worse.

[@randallk204]

Great review Dylan...I had the Sigma when I bought an XT-5. Your test shots of corners are why I THOUGHT maybe I just had a bad copy. Corners were SO so soft esp landscapes. I returned the lens. I do own the huge heavy Fuji 16-55/2.8 but that is the problem. It's heavier and larger than most of my Nikon FF lenses so I never use it. In this way...I was thinking to maybe try the new Fuji 16-50..variable. I will be going to London and Scotland, and I plan on mostly using the wide end of the lens. Soft comers will drive me nuts esp on buildings, and landscapes. Unfortunately I AM a bit of a pixel peeper. I thank you as your tests on CORNERS shows me I did not have a bad copy...it's just not a great lens if you want sharpness middle, AND edges and are one like me, who tends to pixel peep ..Too bad! ...😥

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

Stay tuned... The 16-50 is in my possession for that reason alone... Thanks for watching!

[@randallk204]

Thanks Dylan...would love to hear what you have to say about the 16-50. Subscribed, with notifications ON. :) Thx again.👍

[@pithaupert]

Sigma really pushed the boundaries with this lens! Offering a constant 2.8 zoom at this size and price point is truly unique on the market to date. I'd even say the Sigma ridicules Fuji's Pro 16-55 in terms of price and weight. There are three issues with this lens that I'd love Sigma had fixed, two of which you mentioned: the lack of an aperture ring and the zoom direction that is truly driving me mad based on my experience with other Sigma zooms. The final issue you have not touched upon is the lack of full weather sealing of this lens which makes it hard to recommend it as an everyday lens given "every day" means a lot of rain in my case. You have mentioned that zooms do not reproduce the same look as primes even at a constant 2.8. Paradoxly, that's why I am thinking about picking up Fuji's new kit zoom which solves all the build quality concerns of the Sigma. For commercial work, I use primes anyway so the dark variable aperture is not that big of a concern.

[@thienvo281]

so suprise that because I am a Vietnamese watching your review 👌🏻 thank you so much these stunning photo of my country.

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

Thank you for watching from Vietnam! I absolutely love the time I spend in Vietnam. I even cycled from Ha Noi to Hoi An to experience the countryside. It was filled with beautiful sights and wonderful people. Hope to return soon!

[@alessandrocampisi3766]

The Vildhjarta t shirt tho!! Great content btw

[@Left_Hand_Path]

Didn’t think I would ever see a vildhjarta shirt in a camera gear review haha. Fuji/camera gear reviews and good taste in music. Subbed 🤝🏻

[@gokhan9395]

I am already fan! Nice shirt 🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

Thall! Appreciate you watching!

[@clonkex]

Your accent is curious. It's obviously mostly Aussie but has some American in it. Been living in the US maybe? Ah, but then you mention living in Seoul (which is just so... so cool! My siblings and I will be taking our first overseas trip there in the coming year). I suppose I should also mention this was a very good review, and your example photos are extremely well done and give me a whole lot of confidence that you know what you're talking about. I bought this lens (partly by accident, actually - clicked the button accidentally a little before I was quite ready to commit... sigh) to go on the A6700 I hope to get this weekend to use as a travel camera, and I think it will do fantastically for that.

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

Thanks for watching! It's actually Korea that changed my accent. It's basically a mix of having to speak a version of English that second language speakers can understand and spending a lot of time with the international community here. Over the years, I've naturally absorbed different pronunciations and phrases from the people I've spent time with. I love the concept of "accidentally" buying a lens, though... I'll use that with my wife and see if she lets it slide. Ha! This is a fun lens and no doubt you'll enjoy it.

[@clonkex]

​@@DylanGoldbyPhotographer It arrived the day before going on our pre-Christmas holiday to Sydney (from which we returned yesterday), where I was also able to collect the a6700, so that worked out well. I took _hundreds_ of photos, lol. The shutter on the a6700 is just so satisfying. I am also fully 150% sold on constant-aperture zooms for travel photography. Variable-aperture zooms (especially those 3.5-5.6 zooms) just make me feel like I don't want to actually zoom :( But constant 2.8 is magic, especially considering its size :D

[@sohrubjoshi5189]

I’m thinking of picking this up for wedding work, specifically for reception dance floor - but wondering how it will behave in lower light on XH2

[@doogieham]

Nice overview, Dylan. I’d love to see a follow-up video of your trip to Hoi An using this lens and your Viltrox 27mm.

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

Thanks for watching! That was a while ago now... If I can remember the thoughts I had while walking around, I'll try to put something together. I really enjoyed it, I remember that much!

[@anotherherodied]

Thanks for the review! And kudos for the great shirt! THALL! Seeing Vildhjarta in a small venue is still one of my favourite concert experiences.

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

Thanks again for watching. I'd absolutely love to see those guys live. One thing we miss in this part of the world is live music. :(

[@rayaneredhead3374]

Great review thank you

[@malthus101]

Images look bloody brilliant to me! That bridge shot... man, nice. Very nice. I'm sold on it!

[@cpaint69]

Thanks for making this video and it gave me a better understanding of this Sigma lens. I seems to notice you did not mention much about this lens not being a WR lens. Do you see it a problem using this lens in unpredictable weather (sudden rain or snow)?

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

I wouldn't take it out in those conditions. It's got a rubber gasket at the mount and that's it. I use it as a "fair weather" lens.

[@DRECSANTOS1]

Informative and accurate

[@lensoflifephoto]

Hi Dylan, this is a fantastic review and very helpful as I try to decide on zoom vs fixed for my next lens for the family lifestyle sessions. I recently saw a review comparing Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 and Tamron 17-70mm f2/8 and I was wondering if you had any thoughts on the Tamron lens? It's very bulky, but does its performance make up for it? Thank you for any insights.

[@dirk.4711]

I would be interested in a compariosn review later, between the "old" XF 18-55, the new XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 and this Sigma 18-50 on a 40MP /XT5 sensor.

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

That is going to require Fujifilm to send me their new lens, which is extremely unlikely. I don't have quite enough reach for them, I think. For me, the variable aperture again means that it's a no go. I'm sure it's a great lens, but it would go unused on my end.

[@9Mtikcus]

For photography, the lack of stabilisation for me is really a none issue (for me), on short telephoto lenses, it is not hard to keep your shutter speed up, and when I want a long exposure it is inevitable much longer than any lens based or camera based stabilisation can provide, and I'm using a tripod. For a video shooter though who does not have a gimbal it is more of an issue on none IBIS bodies (however I don't have this lens so I don't know how much the weight shifts as you zoom, or if the zoom is not tight enough and the focal length changes on a gimbal, really want an internal zoom lens) This to me seems like an ideal kit lens for someone that buys an X-T5 or X-T50 body only and wants one lens to learn with before they invest in primes etc. F/2.8 lets you get nice separation for portraiture and at least a stop more light in compared to the Fuji Kit zooms. It took me all of 2 minutes to get passed the lack of aperture ring on the Sigma 56mm F/1.4 DC DN, and I pre-ordered the 23mm F/1.4 DC DN for Fuji as soon as it was announced (which is probably my most used lens this year) .... a few years ago, I'd have thought I'd never use a lens without an aperture ring... now my two most used lenses don't have them, I guess time and the quality Sigma provides at a fraction of the Fuji price helps get passed the no aperture ring

[@deanfaccini]

Intrigued by your comment about quickly adapting to the lack of an aperture ring. I'm seriously considering the Sigma 18-50 but I'm really put off by it not having an aperture ring. What made you get past this so quickly?

[@9Mtikcus]

It was just easy using the front dial, and it is a lot harder to knock the Aperture on the front dial than it was on an aperture ring (especially some of the early Fuji lenses that have a loose aperture ring maybe from being used for 10 years) I'm a prime shooter as I work in the studio, but if I was to buy a zoom lens, this would probably be it, having said this, one of our other photographers loves the Tamron 18-300

[@mattbuilt]

thanks for a great review

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

Thanks for watching!

[@NickErickson]

I had this lens and objectively love it, but ended up selling it to get the Viltrox 27mm f/1.2. My use case is either wider than 18mm, 27mm for that nice 40mm equivalent, or longer than 50mm. This lens is amazing and an engineering marvel given the size and performance. But I am personally using the Sigma 10-18mm, Viltrox 27mm and 75mm, and the Tamron 18-300mm. This lens would be great for my car photography, but that’s really all I’d use it for. Anyone else who uses more than the 27mm focal length should get this.

[@IamShopping]

It'd be really interesting to compare it or just watch a review of Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD for Fuji. Looks like interesting proposition at a really good price.

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

That's, unfortunately, one of those lenses that will never be a part of my bag and, thus, never end up on this channel. Too big for me to even consider.

[@Mirageeeee]

Really appreciate your reviews Dylan! Been looking at moving on my 18-55 Fujinon for something with a constant aperture and been curious about some of these Sigma lenses. Out of curiosity, have you had any experience with the Tamron 17-70 f2.8? I have an X-S20, but the extra VC always sounds like a nice plus when shooting video at a longer focal length.

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

Thanks for watching. Honestly, I picked up that Tamron once and put it straight back down. It's huge and over-balanced on Fujifilm cameras, just like Fujifilm's own 16-55mm. I wasn't willing to even consider the image quality because of that one fact. Your mileage may vary.

[@Mirageeeee]

@@DylanGoldbyPhotographer Appreciate this insight. I'm shooting on an X-S20 which is definitely on the smaller side of the bodies and thought this might be the case. Even feel like the Viltrox 13 is a bit of a monster at times

[@rdtstudios]

Just got the Sigma 10-18mm and does a great job

[@tme500ify]

will you choose viltrox 27mm over this sigma for family holiday ?

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

I would choose whatever lens suits the type of images I plan to make. Only you can make that decision! A prime versus a zoom? That's a question of what you plan to do. Good luck?

[@quinnwhite2415]

This is super helpful! @dylan, you off handedly mentioned that this isn’t really in the same league as the xf 16-55 2.8. Some other popular KZbin reviewers have suggested the sigma is as sharp or sharper on 40 mp sensors. I find that hard to believe and wondered if their lens was bad…. Anyways, I’m thinking of getting a mid range zoom for landscapes and am wondering if you do think the Fujinon is much better optically. Thanks!

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

Thanks for watching. In my experience, the XF 16-55mm is better in a lot of areas. It's important to know that I'm looking at old images I made when I owned the 16-55. I don't have it anymore. At certain focal lengths, the Sigma gets close in terms of sharpness in the centre of the frame. However, the XF lens is better on the wide end and much better in the corners in my experience. On top of that, it's weather sealed all over and has better ghosting performance than the Sigma. But, it weighs a lot more and is huge. Hope this helps!

[@quinnwhite2415]

Helps a ton!! Thanks!!!

[@younesmahrach5143]

Thanks Dylan for this very helpful video, as always. I have the 18-55 kit lens and the image quality is not good with my 40 MP XT5. I want to buy the sigma but I’m not sure about image quality if is it good and enough for the 40MP ? Thanks in advance for you response and advice

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

There are plenty of image samples in this video. All the technical shots were done on the X-T5. If you feel like that's enough for you, then it's good enough!

[@puyaabbassi]

Excellent tips. A lot of these pics have a National Geographic Kodachrome documentary look to them. Do you use a recipe that you can share?

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

Hi! Thanks for watching. A few basic tweaks on Classic Chrome is all I ever do. I don't have a specific recipe to share.

[@simon359]

I waited on the lens because of the new 16 to 50 by Fuji that’s coming out. Although it’s a 2.8 to 4.5, I like the wider and of the zoom.

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

As long as you're fine with that variable aperture, the new Fujifilm does look interesting as well. This video was actually recorded before the official announcement, so I didn't want to comment on it here as we didn't have official specifics.

[@simon359]

@@DylanGoldbyPhotographer Yes I’m concerned with the F stop range, but I’m guessing that for what I’m going to use it for, which is nature photography, it really won’t matter. Most of my nature photography is between F4 and 11, so I don’t see it being an issue there. And I have Ibis. I do some street photography, but will probably continue to use primes. Nothing separates like a prime lens. 🖖

[@NJM1948]

The only thing "way worse" as you put it is the f4.8 at 50mm Results are what counts

[@joshfogel9966]

HI All, how does this compare to the new 16-50mm fuji as far as AF speed and IQ. If the constant aperture was not an issue does the new fuji have an advantage in sharpness etc.

[@stanobert3475]

Would you consider that Fuji's 16-55 2.8 still a good lens for low light photography during an indoor performance with Fuji's 40 megapixel cameras?

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

That is going to completely depend on what you consider low light and how much noise you are willing to tolerate. Check my X-T5 review for how I feel about noise.

[@goeschi83]

Great Video and pictures in between, especially your focus on variety and not only on all the small details of the lens! Also use only primes but was wandering to get a Sigma 18-50 or Tamron 17-70 for occasions when I just want to take one lens, do you have expercience in how the both comapre to each other?

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

Thanks for watching! The only experience I have with the Tamron is picking it up at my local store. It's massive. I put it straight back down again because that's the exact reason I sold my XF 16-55mm. Unfortunately, I can't add much more than that.

[@alihall4208]

What budget APS-C lenses would you consider suitable for professional work (in the ranges from 35mm to 85mm)?

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

It really depends on what work you're doing and for what clients. You also have to meet your own demands as the photographer. Personally, I use the best that Fujifilm has to offer because that's what I demand of my own work. You'll really need to consider what YOU require rather than what's required of "professional" work.

[@Lyclah]

Do you recommend this lens solely for video purposes pairing with XS20?

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

As someone who doesn't shoot video, I'm definitely the wrong person to ask.

[@malthus101]

If only this was from 16mm... the new Fuji 16-50 is smaller, lighter and those 2mm extra that can make a big difference. Problem is the inability to stay at f2.8 throughout. Compromises on both lenses.

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

Indeed. For me, the constant aperture is far more important than the extra width. That's a tradeoff I'm willing to make for this lens.

[@SummersSnaps]

So... I'm a bit of a slow learner but after doing events for 3-4yrs I have come to some conclusions. 18mm or 16mm is just not wide enough for the standard wide to normal zoom lens. As we typically dual wield two cameras at events, its sensible to have one lens on one camera to being normal to tele and the other lens on the other camera wide to normal. Hence the classic 28-75+70-200 combo or 24-70+70-200. But herein lies the problem. Both the 24-70 and 28-70 lenses are just not wide enough, so inevitably you end up needing to carry a bag or pouch for a third wide angle lens. For Fuji, I've been running with the Sigma 18-35(+adapter), and either the 50-100/1.8(+ adapter) or the 50-140/2.8 (depending on the venue and lighting). But I have also been carrying the 16/1.4 for those times I need wider than 18mm, but sometimes I feel that additional 2mm is still not quite enough.. So I recently bought the XF14/2.8, and that is a FANTASTIC little lens, a real sleeper for Fujifilm. Now when I need wider than 18mm I reach for the 14/2.8 and am met with a super low distortion wide angle lens that really captures what I see as needing. 14mm on APS-C is giving a similar view to 21mm on FF, and there is a real shortage of zoom lenses that start this wide and close in to something like 32mm (APS-C) or 50mm (FF). There is the PanaLeica 10-25mm/1.7 that is legendary, for this exact reason. Tamron offer a 20-40/2.8, not bad. There is a Sony 20-70 but it is f4. I'd happily shave off a few mm to having it a 20-50 if it were f2.8-4. Now I know what I need to get the job done, I really hope we see a 14-27-33mmish zoom lens for Fujifilm somewhere down the line (including 3rd party offerings as well). My dream is to dual wield and simply get the job done with two cameras and two lenses. The problem is definitely on the wide end, there is a shortage on all systems for this kind of mentality. For fujifilm it seems the 10-24/4 is the closest lens, but really 10mm is very wide, and 24mm just a tad shy. Make a 14-30/2.8 and I'd be all in!

[@MinimalWave1982]

wait a second every reviewer say the lens is sharp on the wide end? You say its the opposite??

[@DylanGoldbyPhotographer]

Could be sample variation, could be a matter of perspective. It's significantly sharper in the middle and on the long end than it is on the wide end. If you compare it to a truly good performer like the XF 18mm f/1.4, it's not even a competitor. Hopefully that explains where I'm coming from. Take a look at the sharpness samples in there to see what I'm talking about. For an entry level lens, it's okay. But, compared to the best, it's not playing the same game.