p.62 #1 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
That is exactly where I am mentally. I generally don't need extreme corner detail at wide aperture, but it does bother more than just a little. And while I could do better....I could do worse. It's frustratingly teetering on that pinhead.
Jman13 wrote:
It's not perfect, but I'd probably view that as on the edge of acceptable. The question really becomes how often you need extreme corner detail at wide apertures. For me that answer is rarely. If you think it will bother you, then I'd exchange. A good copy of this lens should be quite sharp in all the corners from wide open. Getting one absolutely perfect is rare in any lens, but you could likely get one better than this.
p.62 #2 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
Well if it was in the upper corners I could forgive it somewhat . Mostly because sky would mostly would be there with most shots especially very wide. But bottom right or left I would return it . That’s me though. My 12-24 took two times but I got lucky on my 14-24. Why it’s going nowhere anytime soon.
Here is the other big issue. This lens is so good at all focal lengths I really can’t get any better with primes in those focal lengths. Very rare to even give any credit to a zoom from me. So trust me this is a killer lens. Tim I can’t see you really accepting it knowing you can get better
p.62 #5 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
Bobu wrote:
I would exchange it. I think sample variation with this lens isn't too bad. The chance that the next sample is better than this one is really high.
I would take a shot of replacing it. If it was like the Sony 35 1.4 which I went through 5 of them and well known for copy variance than I would rent it test it than buy the rental if good. This lens we have seen some but just does not seem to be a really big issue. Buy new from a dealer that will take returns. This lens is worth going the distance to get a good copy
p.62 #6 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
A good copy of this lens should be excellent across the whole zoom range by F5.6, even at 100% on an A7r IV, so I too agree that you can probably do a bit better. Especially if your problem corner doesn't sharpen up no matter where you focus.
For me it it was a bit of a pita to get one I was satisfied with and it took 4 tries. But once I had one, I didn't think twice about selling pretty much every prime in its range (except a Loxia for sun stars), whereas prior to that I thought I would need to keep alternatives at the long end of the range.
p.62 #7 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
Thanks guys....I was leaning on the send it back for another approach. But with Covid, I need to figure out exactly how that would work. I bought from B&H, and oddly enough I've had more issues with B&H and bad copies than I care to admit. This is not intended to be an indictment of B&H....just the role of the dice. I'm hoping they don't flag me. I think I have enough ammunition to show there is an issue. I was just hoping my luck would continue. I think I got 3 good copies of lenses in a row. Before that I think I got more lenses with issues than those without.
p.62 #8 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
tsdevine wrote:
Thanks guys....I was leaning on the send it back for another approach. But with Covid, I need to figure out exactly how that would work. I bought from B&H, and oddly enough I've had more issues with B&H and bad copies than I care to admit. This is not intended to be an indictment of B&H....just the role of the dice. I'm hoping they don't flag me. I think I have enough ammunition to show there is an issue. I was just hoping my luck would continue. I think I got 3 good copies of lenses in a row. Before that I think I got more lenses with issues than those without.
I usually don't get lucky with zoom lenses from any brand and the longer FLs are usually the most asymmetric.
However, with the Sigma 14-24/2.8, I did get lucky. Centered at all focal lengths.
Tim, if you intend to keep this lens, it's worth trying again. I'm not a big fan of zoom lenses but this one is very special. Sharper than my primes with great color rendering and very low color aberration!
p.62 #9 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
I can see that it is a great lens, that one corner notwithstanding. I bought the Nisi system while it was on sale, so I'm pretty committed to this lens. I'm just worried about the having to deal with returns and reshipments, and hope that the replacement is better centered.
-Tim
Fred Miranda wrote:
I usually don't get lucky with zoom lenses from any brand and the longer FLs are usually the most asymmetric.
However, with the Sigma 14-24/2.8, I did get lucky. Centered at all focal lengths.
Tim, if you intend to keep this lens, it's worth trying again. I'm not a big fan of zoom lenses but this one is very special. Sharper than my primes with great color rendering and very low color aberration!
p.62 #10 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
I think it really depends if u shoot anything that require edge to edge sharpness at f2.8.
My copy is decentered at 20mm and higher at f2.8. Sharp edge to edge at f5.6. But the worst corner f2.8 is sharper than my Sony 12-24mm at f4
That was what prompted me to keep it. I don’t need all corners equally sharp.
After the initial urge to try another copy, I used it for a while and I never found it lacking in sharpness in all my shots, f2.8 or otherwise.
Point is, use it and see if it affects any of your shots.
p.62 #11 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
I wonder how many people, like me, are waiting to see whether or not the Aurora or Kase filters work well before buying this lens. Sigma should help Aurora push out their magnetic rear filter system. They'll sell a lot more lenses if the promise of a capable and convenient rear filter system is delivered.
p.62 #12 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
I value cross frame consistency over absolute sharpness. I have well centered copies of the Batis 18, Loxia 21, and GM 24/Batis 25....which is where I notice the weak corner on the Sigma. My concern, which is based on my own past behavior, is that I will fall back on using my primes in more situations because I know they are solid.
Not saying I SHOULD feel or act that way. But I've always been more of a prime person.....and I'm not sure I can accept a lens that has a noticeably weaker corner at f/8. Plus I'm shooting the a7R III, and I can't imagine that things will improve when I upgrade down the road.
Not saying that what you're saying isn't good advice, it's just that each person (good or bad) is different. And I've sort of accepted the fact that this is a showstopper for me. I will try to get another copy and hope for the best.
-Tim
wind30 wrote:
I think it really depends if u shoot anything that require edge to edge sharpness at f2.8.
My copy is decentered at 20mm and higher at f2.8. Sharp edge to edge at f5.6. But the worst corner f2.8 is sharper than my Sony 12-24mm at f4
That was what prompted me to keep it. I don’t need all corners equally sharp.
After the initial urge to try another copy, I used it for a while and I never found it lacking in sharpness in all my shots, f2.8 or otherwise.
Point is, use it and see if it affects any of your shots....Show more →
p.62 #13 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
tsdevine wrote:
I value cross frame consistency over absolute sharpness. I have well centered copies of the Batis 18, Loxia 21, and GM 24/Batis 25....which is where I notice the weak corner on the Sigma. My concern, which is based on my own past behavior, is that I will fall back on using my primes in more situations because I know they are solid.
Not saying I SHOULD feel or act that way. But I've always been more of a prime person.....and I'm not sure I can accept a lens that has a noticeably weaker corner at f/8. Plus I'm shooting the a7R III, and I can't imagine that things will improve when I upgrade down the road.
Not saying that what you're saying isn't good advice, it's just that each person (good or bad) is different. And I've sort of accepted the fact that this is a showstopper for me. I will try to get another copy and hope for the best.
p.62 #14 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
I purchased one from B&H during the recent sale, too. Just a random data point but I got a total lemon. The corners at 24mm are better than the corners at 14mm (red flag), 14mm has only one sharp corner wide open (big red flag), and there's one corner at 14mm then never sharpens up at all (another big red flag). Apart from vintage lenses purchased for a song from Ebay, I've never seen a lens this bad in my whole life. (It's going back for an exchange, of course.)
p.62 #15 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
tsdevine wrote:
I can see that it is a great lens, that one corner notwithstanding. I bought the Nisi system while it was on sale, so I'm pretty committed to this lens. I'm just worried about the having to deal with returns and reshipments, and hope that the replacement is better centered.
-Tim
I hope you do too! Unfortunately with zoom lenses, the odds are against us. Having said that, from my experience, Sigma provides higher QC compared to Sony.
p.62 #16 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
Well, that doesn't give me warm and fuzzies. I still worry that a replacement will be worse than what I have.
-Tim
Sarpedon wrote:
I purchased one from B&H during the recent sale, too. Just a random data point but I got a total lemon. The corners at 24mm are better than the corners at 14mm (red flag), 14mm has only one sharp corner wide open (big red flag), and there's one corner at 14mm then never sharpens up at all (another big red flag). Apart from vintage lenses purchased for a song from Ebay, I've never seen a lens this bad in my whole life. (It's going back for an exchange, of course.)
p.62 #17 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
Well...worse case I bail if I can't get a better copy with reasonable effort. I'm not opening the Nisi box until I get a lens I'm happy with.
-Tim
Fred Miranda wrote:
I hope you do too! Unfortunately with zoom lenses, the odds are against us. Having said that, from my experience, Sigma provides higher QC compared to Sony.
p.62 #18 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
Hopefully Sigma keeps it up with the DG DN line, although I'd like to see some more super fast primes like the 35 f1.2 with the click-less aperture ring for video work......I'd ask for actual manual focus instead of focus by wire but then I'm basically asking for Sigma to just give me their cinema lenses at regular lens prices lol.
The color matching between the 14-24 and my 35 (3rd Pic) is really close. They could make a decent alternative to the loxias as a multi-purpose / videography lenses if they stuck with a consistent 1.2-1.4 aperture across the primes, offering a bigger but faster alternative to the loxias.
p.62 #19 · Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN first impressions
tsdevine wrote:
I value cross frame consistency over absolute sharpness. I have well centered copies of the Batis 18, Loxia 21, and GM 24/Batis 25....which is where I notice the weak corner on the Sigma. My concern, which is based on my own past behavior, is that I will fall back on using my primes in more situations because I know they are solid.
Not saying I SHOULD feel or act that way. But I've always been more of a prime person.....and I'm not sure I can accept a lens that has a noticeably weaker corner at f/8. Plus I'm shooting the a7R III, and I can't imagine that things will improve when I upgrade down the road.
Not saying that what you're saying isn't good advice, it's just that each person (good or bad) is different. And I've sort of accepted the fact that this is a showstopper for me. I will try to get another copy and hope for the best.
Ya agreed and each copy is different too. If u can see the difference, sure go ahead and try for a better one.
I am Glad I kept it because after using it, I could not really see any difference in my usage pattern and my copy at the wide end is sharp edge to edge at f2.8 which is where I need the edge performance.
If u read the comments, I could do a lot worse like get a copy with crappy 14mm performance.
