wow, not shot for like 2 months.....
Anyone still using this lens? I've just returned from a family roadtrip through France, and just used this one cam/one lens set up. many keepers
A7ii, Siggy 45C. Focus was missed for about 25% of the shots in this series. Not an issue for scenics, and I love the lens otherwise, but event photography needs 100% reliability.
I don't post often but I wanted to thank all the participants and especially Fred.
Your interventions as well as the site lenstip.com helped me to have an informed opinion on the choice of this objective, a year ago.
My feedback is as follows: this small Sigma 45mm offers the most natural rendering of all the optics I have had. The restitution of the subjects in 3D is the most pleasant (to my taste) with a very progressive/natural bokeh. Not fake 2.5D rendering like other modern optics.
Unfortunately, the lack of reliability in AF-C is more penalizing than I thought.
A little with regret, I fell back on the 35GM whose AF-C is super reliable. The bokeh is not as natural than the Sigma 45 but the GM does better than other luminous 35/40mm.
I don't post often but I wanted to thank all the participants and especially Fred.
Your interventions as well as the site lenstip.com helped me to have an informed opinion on the choice of this objective, a year ago.
My feedback is as follows: this small Sigma 45mm offers the most natural rendering of all the optics I have had. The restitution of the subjects in 3D is the most pleasant (to my taste) with a very progressive/natural bokeh. Not fake 2.5D rendering like other modern optics.
Unfortunately, the lack of reliability in AF-C is more penalizing than I thought.
A little with regret, I fell back on the 35GM whose AF-C is super reliable. The bokeh is not as natural than the Sigma 45 but the GM does better than other luminous 35/40mm.
Thank you again for bringing this site to life!...Show more →
I have always been a fan of this lens because of its superb, designed-in rendering and also because of its small size and it lightness. I think it is a unique and special lens.
Originally, years ago, I had some occasional difficulty with AF-C on this lens. But in recent years, I have not noticed any difference between this lens and any other lens that I own.
One possible reason for this may be that I am now using different camera bodies with superior AF-C systems and sensitivity. In recent years, I have usually used this lens on an A1 body with Eye-AF, Fixed Center Tracking. You might consider this as a possible solution to your AF-C dissatisfactions.
Which camera body are you using with the lens? Which AF-C autofocus settings?
chiron wrote:
I have always been a fan of this lens because of its superb, designed-in rendering and also because of its small size and it lightness. I think it is a unique and special lens.
Originally, years ago, I had some occasional difficulty with AF-C on this lens. But in recent years, I have not noticed any difference between this lens and any other lens that I own.
One possible reason for this may be that I am now using different camera bodies with superior AF-C systems and sensitivity. In recent years, I have usually used this lens on an A1 body with Eye-AF, Fixed Center Tracking. You might consider this as a possible solution to your AF-C dissatisfactions.
Which camera body are you using with the lens? Which AF-C autofocus settings?...Show more →
Thank you for your feedback. I’m using Sony A9 Mk1 and A1 Mk1. I tried different AF modes, with/without tracking, medium/large area, etc… In comparison, the 35GM is no brainer and always focusing where it is supposed to.
Aklinger wrote:
Thank you for your feedback. I’m using Sony A9 Mk1 and A1 Mk1. I tried different AF modes, with/without tracking, medium/large area, etc… In comparison, the 35GM is no brainer and always focusing where it is supposed to.
Do you have the camera set for balanced release? I have mine set to prioritize focus before release. Could that be a difference?
Using Center Fixed Tracking with Eye-AF and Focus-Release Prioirty, I seem to get reliable focus with the 45/2.8 on an A1, A9, and A7CR. I probably don't try to shoot until the green box is lit and sticky over the target eye, but getting that doesn't seem to be a problem.
Aklinger wrote:
Unfortunately, no specific setting or combination nor area allows to achieve decent result in AF-C.
At the opposite, whatever the priority/area/tracking then the 35GM is sharp on the eye I selected.
For the moment I have both lenses, but I’m afraid the 45mm will be used only for calm landscape with AF-S. Not sure to keep both forever.
Is firmware up to date on the cameras and lens? Sigma doesn't mention anything specifically related to AF-C in the firmware history on that lens. But sometimes the vague "general stability" firmware improvements can be substantial.
Aklinger wrote:
Unfortunately, no specific setting or combination nor area allows to achieve decent result in AF-C.
At the opposite, whatever the priority/area/tracking then the 35GM is sharp on the eye I selected.
For the moment I have both lenses, but I’m afraid the 45mm will be used only for calm landscape with AF-S. Not sure to keep both forever.
The Sigma 45mm f/2.8 C is unique in that it allows for uncorrected spherical aberration, which is pretty uncommon among autofocus lenses. While this gives the lens a distinct and pleasing look, the SA can interfere with focus accuracy. It was even more noticeable on older Sony bodies, though things have improved with the newer ones. Still, the Sigma 45 will never focus as precisely as a GM lens. If accurate AF is your priority, this probably isn't the best option, especially when using focus tracking. (AF-C)
This is a little confusing. There are now two versions of this lens:
• Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN (which looks like it's been discontinued)
• Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG (a newer release)
They look basically the same, except Sigma dropped the "DN" from the name and changed the font slightly. Also, the magnetic lens cap is now compatible with this version. The optical formula appears unchanged, but I'm still curious...did anything actually improve, like AF speed?
Fred Miranda wrote:
This is a little confusing. There are now two versions of this lens:
• Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN (which looks like it's been discontinued)
• Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG (a newer release)
They look basically the same, except Sigma dropped the "DN" from the name and changed the font slightly. Also, the magnetic lens cap is now compatible with this version. The optical formula appears unchanged, but I'm still curious...did anything actually improve, like AF speed?
FWIW, Sigma says no change to the optics, and does not suggest any change to AF.
Silver is added to color variations for L-Mount lenses
In addition to the existing black models, a brand new silver models are added to the lineup for all nine I series L-Mount lenses. The new lineup enables photographers and filmmakers to enjoy the unique color of the I series, which is made from machined metal.
The silver and black colors of the Sigma BF camera, also announced at this time, have the same finish to match, creating a unified shooting system by combining a lens from the I series with the Sigma BF.
* Sony E-mount compatible models will continue to be available in black only.
Black exterior is updated for both L-Mount and Sony E-mount lenses
The laser engraving on the body and product line badge are newly updated for all nine black models in the Sigma I series for both L-Mount and Sony E-mount lenses.
Product name is changed
The product name, as well as the product code are changed due to the renewal. For details, please refer to the information in the [Lineup] section.
(Then) SIGMA 45mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary
(Now) Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG | Contemporary
Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG | Contemporary now supports the Magnetic Metal Lens Cap
Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG | Contemporary now supports the Magnetic Metal Lens Cap, making all nine I series lenses to become fully compatible with the dedicated lens cap.
* Due to the specification change, the weight of the Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG | Contemporary has increased by 5 g for both the L-Mount and Sony E-mount respectively, compared to their previous models.
Optical performance is maintained to a highest standard
There are no changes to the optical design or product edition number. Photographers and filmmakers can continue to enjoy the same level of high rendering performance as before.
Just some snaps from last year. This lens always delivers.
These images are amazing and half of what got me to pick up the lens on a good deal (probably because the new one is coming out with name change).
The images I take, I would describe as "cartoon-like" with how smooth everything is... almost too much, and I see some of it in your shots (and definitely a lot in others - which can be also pretty cool like at the top of the page), but you sort of balance that out.
I'm not sure if it's the contrast, sharpening or colour adjustment but something works fantastically with this lens with what you've done.
I was hoping to prod you for some post-processing advice, but I know that's asking for a lot.
^ and the other set you posted recently. Summer gatherings do sound like a good fit.
f2.8
Same good boy with the FUJIFILM XF 35mm f1.4 (@ f1.6) with the X-E3:
Doggo was at my knees, so very close distance. Quite a few misses but was shooting almost blind.
Still thinking about the 50mm f2 from Sigma.
Hoping for a similar look but from a little further away and perhaps a little better autofocus? Sony 55mm f1.8 focus falloff happens so quickly. I'm not sure if it's because of the focal length or lens design.
