A Viewfinder Darkly
Phil Northeast is Feature Writer for Photography at 
Stock photography by Phil Northeast is available from Ozimages International
Sigma Introduces the 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM
An extended range Zoom Lens with Hybrid Optical Stabilization and Hyper-Sonic Motor
Sigma’s newest innovation is in the 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM 13.8:1 extended range zoom lens.
The Hybrid Optical Stabilizer, an anti-shake system providing image stabilization in both the camera body and viewfinder for Pentax, and Sony is offered only by Sigma. This feature is significant as this system now allows the Sony and Pentax photographer to see the stabilized image in the viewfinder where in the past this was not possible.
Sigma’s Marketing Manager, Tom Sobey, emphasizes, “This is the world’s first optically stabilized lens available for Sony and Pentax digital cameras. It will allow them to do what they have never been able to do before. It’s truly innovative.”
The DC lens is a dedicated digital SLR camera lens suited for APS-C format, and HSM (Hypersonic Motor) ensures quiet and high speed AF as well as full time manual focusing capability. Four Special Low Dispersion glass elements and three Aspherical lens elements provide excellent image quality throughout the entire zoom range.
18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM
Features and Benefits
- Unique to Sigma: Widest range (13.8:1) with Optical stabilization and HSM
- Optical Stabilizer: Original anti-shake function for camera body and view finder
- High Image Quality: Four SLD elements and three Aspherical lenses
- High Magnification: 13.8x magnification, exclusively designed for digital SLRs
- Ideal Close-ups – Minimum focusing distance of 17.7inches
- Includes: Petal-type Hood (LH780-04) supplied
- Mounts: for Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Sony and Pentax
| Specification(for Sigma mount) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lens Construction | 18 Elements 14 Groups | Maximum Magnification | 1:3.4 |
| Angle of View SD Format | 69.3°-5.7° | Filter Size | F72mm |
| Number of blades | 7pcs | Lens Hood | Petal-type hood |
| Minimum Aperture | F22 | Dimensions | F79mm×101mm/3.1” ×4” |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 45cm/17.7” | Weight | 630g/22.2oz. |
| Includes Petal-type Hood | (LH780-04) | ||
| [Accessories] | [UPC Codes] | ||
| DG UV 72mm (Optional) | 0085126 923747 | SIGMA | 0085126 880569 |
| NIKON | 0085126 880552 | ||
| DG WIDE CIRCULAR PL 72mm (Optional) | 0085126 923853 | CANON | 0085126 880545 |
| LENS CASE LS-542 (Optional) | 0085126 923273 | SONY | 0085126 880620 |
| LENS HOOD 780-04(Supplied) | 0085126 923624 | PENTAX | 0085126 880613 |
| *Vignetting will occur if the lens is used with 35mm SLR cameras or digital cameras with image sensors larger than APS-C size | |||
my blog about it here