I just got a new superzoom lens, the Sigma 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM, for Canon crop bodies. This is my first Sigma lens, so I promptly tested it to make sure I wanted to keep it. Make no mistake, all superzoom lenses are compromises and can't be expected to give the best image quality. The idea behind them is to provide an all-around lens that can stay on camera and provide a wide range of photographic opportunities. Consistent with that, my main use for this lens is to have a relatively small, lightweight, single-solution-lens for when I want to travel light, like when I'm trail running. I already have Canon's superzoom for crop bodies, the EF-S 18-200 f/3.5-5.6 IS, that has served me well over the past few years. Even though it certainly isn't one of Canon's best lenses, it does what it's supposed to do very well. I've grown very fond of the Canon as my "Mission Peak lens" and some of my favorite photos have been taken with it. But this Sigma has gotten such great reviews that had to give it a try. DP Review describes the Sigma as "one of the best of the current bunch of SLR superzooms, with decent optics, fast autofocus and effective image stabilization".

The following photos were taken around my complex as soon as I got the Sigma in the mail. I bought a cheap step-up ring along with the lens so that I could attach 67mm versions of UV and CPL filters that I already own just in case I didn't want to keep the lens.

So what do I think of it? Well, the lens is generally a good performer and I'll most likely keep it. It's not my intention to publish a review of the lens here, so I'll let the photos speak for themselves. As a side note, I will have to swap out the lens for a different one. The lens may have some de-centering issues going on. When viewing 100% crops, the left side of the frame is noticeably softer than the right. The most obvious example of this is at the bottom of the tree trunk in photo #5.