Dave Sanders wrote:
Had a moment where I thought I was crazy then checked OpticalLimits. Their findings similar to my subjective impressions.
I find the Sigma 45 gets knocked for its sharpness because lots of folk shoot something up close in their house as soon as they get it out of the box; the 55 gets knocked for its bokeh because lots of people shoot busy backgrounds to see if it has messy bokeh with busy backgrounds.
When shot to their strengths, both lenses are excellent.
I don't have the Zony 55, so I cannot comment. I have shot it and my impression is that it is sharp.
My impression of the Sigma 45, which I own, is that it is very sharp when shot at what I would consider "normal" distances from my subjects. I can invoke noticeable spherical aberration, but I have to be within 4-6 inches of the subject. If it's a human or a pet, forget it -- you are too close. If you shoot 1-2 meters away, the sharpness is there on the focus plane and the spherical aberration works wonders in the background.
Wide open, two vertical frames, the first 5-7 meters did not get into the sharpness zone. This is normal and overall excellent sharpness and color on the open. Mamaev Kurgan (May 9, 2022) by Сергей Пашнин, on Flickr
Dave Sanders wrote:
Are you sure you have an in spec copy of the Sigma 45? Could be focus error as well. My 45 is as sharp or sharper than the Zony 55 when both wide open and in the 1.5m+ subject distance range.
It gets softer getting closer, for sure, but at normal subject distances, it's as sharp wide open and likely sharper stopped down, especially at infinity.
I'll share below my own test which is totally unscientific but is why I characterized the 55 as sharper. They're both sharp enough for me honestly. This was to evaluate bokeh, which is more of what I was interested in when comparing these lenses. Focus is on the "little tikes" lettering, view the full sizes to see detail. I moved back with the 55 to try to keep the same relative subject size, but it ended up a little larger on the Sigma's image (a small advantage). I'll throw the CV40 in as well, which was shot from the same spot as the Sigma. These were taken on an A7rII.
I still have all of these lenses btw, I can't seem to bring myself to sell any of them.
I’m in serious debate between my ears . Sigma 45 or Sony 50 2.5 G
My A7c and PZ 16-35 are ready for pickup today. Been leaning on the Sony
The Sigma 45/2.8C captures a pleasant look to my eyes but the Sony likely has faster and more accurate AF.
I love the Sigma when shooting outdoors and not feeling like carrying the 50/1.2 around. It works great for group shows where I would have to stop the 50/1.2 anyways.
I’m in serious debate between my ears . Sigma 45 or Sony 50 2.5 G
My A7c and PZ 16-35 are ready for pickup today. Been leaning on the Sony
Wait for Adorama to put the Sigma on sale for $249, it is a screaming deal. They seem to do it every few months. I bought mine last Christmas season but I have seen it for that price several times since.
BruceRH wrote:
Wait for Adorama to put the Sigma on sale for $249, it is a screaming deal. They seem to do it every few months. I bought mine last Christmas season but I have seen it for that price several times since.
On sale at $249 all over right now. Just bought one, well, just because of all the kudos here. First day impression, mostly testing, ok sharpness, auto focus ok but not fast, rendering opinion will wait until I've will used it a while. Not going to displace the 40G as a small carry lens on the A7C.
Can the Sigma 45mm f/2.8 shoot the Milky Way... why yes, yes it can .
For the details. Shot with the Panasonic S1 and Sigma 45mm f/2.8, ISO 10000, 6 sec exposure, single exposure. Light editing in LR to bring up the shadows, add some pop to the MW, and noise reduction.
Montmc86 wrote:
Can the Sigma 45mm f/2.8 shoot the Milky Way... why yes, yes it can .
For the details. Shot with the Panasonic S1 and Sigma 45mm f/2.8, ISO 10000, 6 sec exposure, single exposure. Light editing in LR to bring up the shadows, add some pop to the MW, and noise reduction.
Wow, that's pretty impressive. What's the bortle in that location?
