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Archive 2020 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses

  
 
tsdevine
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p.36 #1 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses



I think the closest match to that desire, at least right now, is the Tamron 35 f/2.8. It's the closest lens performance wise to my CV 50/2 APO.

I'm interested in a 28mm or 35mm APO from CV, but until then.....

-Tim

Frederik0711 wrote:
Sadly, not even the Sigma 35mm f/2 DN can resolve the whole sensor of the Sony a7R IV when stopped down. Still waiting patiently for a compact 35mm to be able to resolve the whole sensor at "landscape" apertures. I'm sure Voigtländer got this with a future 35mm f/2 APO-Lanthar. Might even prefer a 28mm APO if they make one. The 65mm DN seems to be outstanding all around, though.





Dec 14, 2020 at 09:46 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.36 #2 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses


tsdevine wrote:
I think the closest match to that desire, at least right now, is the Tamron 35 f/2.8. It's the closest lens performance wise to my CV 50/2 APO.

I'm interested in a 28mm or 35mm APO from CV, but until then.....

-Tim



The Tamron 35/2.8 is indeed incredible at infinity. Great landscape lens. I wonder how the new Sigma 35/2 will compare at f/4 and smaller apertures.



Dec 14, 2020 at 09:50 PM
tsdevine
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p.36 #3 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses


I haven't ruled out picking up the 35/2 as it would be a little bit better all arounder. I find some magenta shading in the corners on my Tamron, a little bit more than I do on my CV, which I also find a little. I run both through Cornerfix with profiles I created. It's worth it though for my more serious landscape shooting, but is a little bit of a pain for just more casual shooting. So I could see the Tamron being my landscape only lens. I'd have to see if the Sigma is good enough stopped down to supplant the Tamron. I'm only shooting the a7R III, so it's possible I wouldn't be able to see a difference.

I have the Sigma 14-24, 105 macro, and now the 45 as well. So I have been drifting in the Sigma direction.

Wish you had been able to get a good copy Fred, I know it's not really up your alley for rendering/bokeh. But I would have enjoyed seeing it on your sharpness tests.

-Tim

Fred Miranda wrote:
The Tamron 35/2.8 is indeed incredible at infinity. Great landscape lens. I wonder how the new Sigma 35/2 will compare at f/4 and smaller apertures.




Edited on Dec 14, 2020 at 10:10 PM · View previous versions



Dec 14, 2020 at 10:06 PM
Frederik0711
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p.36 #4 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses


Fred Miranda wrote:
I'm not sure I agree here. It does not look like the Voigtlander 50/2 APO is the sharpest 50mm at center. (The CV 50/1.2 and 50/1.4 ZA are sharper at f/2 and still a little better stopped down):
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1625777/0?keyword=fm,review#chapter2
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1561782/32#15314691

Only at center, we can see the A7R IV's advantage in resolution when using our best lenses (135/1.8 GM, CV 65/2 APO, Batis 135)...However, off-axis, there is not much difference in resolution between 42 and 61MP:
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1613747/0?keyword=a7r,IV#14982782

The new Sigma 35/2 seems to capture fine detail wide open at mid and long distance, especially at f/4. Although not quite as good, it performed neck
...Show more

I'm not sure if you misread my comment, but I never stated that the Voigtländer is the sharpest 50mm in center at f/2 compared to other 50mm lenses in this aperture range. I'm sure we would even need sensors of higher resolution to determine the actual divergent between these lenses, as they are very close to, if not reaching the barrier of the Sony a7R IV's sensor. At least that would be necessary if one would want to inspect the absolute difference in potential, as we aren't sure if this is the actual limit of the potential of the given lenses. A lot of upcoming options seem to be able to be very close to if not outresolve the a7R IV already, at least to some degree as in either all over the frame, or just the center, so expectations do increase, and higher resolution is needed to differentiate potential. Although I haven't tested all of those lenses, I do agree with you that both the 50mm f/1.4 ZA and CV 50mm f/1.2 are sharper in the center at f/2, and the 50mm f/1.4 ZA still being slightly better on the a7R IV when stopped down. That's also the conclusion I came to by reading other reviews, and I find your reviews very consistent. I do however happen to own the CV 50mm APO myself, and love it. But what I mentioned in the previous comment was that a (hopefully) future CV 35mm APO can resolve as much as the CV 50mm APO, which is more than any current compact 35mm lens. My point was, that I don't find any current compact 35mm lens to be excellent in the corners but a bit soft, so I was hoping that this Sigma would do it, but I'm not so sure. After all, I can't conclude that, as I haven't tested it myself in a controlled environment and compared it to other lenses and multiple copies. I can only compare the results that I see online. The Sony 35mm f/1.8 and the Samyang 35mm f/1.8 are said to resolve about the same as this Sigma at f/4, and I didn't find the Sony that sharp in the corners. The Samyang is also greater optically at f/2.8. The test that Cameralabs did was not tested on a Sony a7R IV, but the tests that Sony Alpha Blog did are:
https://sonyalpha.blog/2020/12/15/sigma-35mm-f2-dg-dn-contemporary/

Perhaps sample variation is a bigger factor than I thought. For example, Marc's Sony 20mm f/1.8 on Sony Alpha Blog is outstanding from corner to corner at f/5.6, but the Sigma 14-24mm DN he tested is only very good, and you happened to test one that was sharper than the Sony at 20mm f/5.6 in the corners. For any other review of yours and Marc's, or even Dustin Abbott, of the lenses, that I happen to have tested as well, as the 50mm APO, 65mm APO, 110mm APO, 21mm f/1.4, and a couple of others, I achieved the same results. But I have had about some copy variation when it comes to the Sigma 14-24mm DN. Mine is however never soft anyway, but nor is it ever outstanding anywhere in the frame, so I'm not sure if your Sigma 14-24mm copy was superior or your Sony 20mm was of a lesser grade. From your other review, where you tested the Sigma 14-24mm against the 12-24mm GM, you also stated that none of them ever get optimal in the corners, and as the Sigma was slightly better than the Sony, I'm guessing none of them are optimal at 20mm. I'm not sure how big the factor of Marc's testings are, but what differentiates the results can only be caused by a difference in optical performance of the copies or the tests themselves. Anyway, this is off-topic, and I never really get to a proper conclusion. After all, I'm just hoping for a proper 35mm for landscapes to pair with my a7R IV.

Edited on Dec 14, 2020 at 10:30 PM · View previous versions



Dec 14, 2020 at 10:09 PM
tsdevine
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p.36 #5 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses


Wish I had the a7R IV.... Here a 2 DNG RAWs from the Tamron (f/4 & f/8) on the a7R III, ran through Cornerfix which is my standard workflow. Also put two processed versions there as well. Note the shots are a little underexposed, so bear in mind if you see some noise in the corners of the f/4 shot.

I'd be curious your thoughts, as I have not shot the new Sony 35/1.8. I have the 35/2.8 ZA and various other 35's, but the Tamron gets me in the CV 50/2 ballpark. Granted, it's a little of an Oscar and Felix experience, but I can't argue with the results.

It's the only lens other than the Sigma 35/1.2 that gets 5 stars on based Marc's tests, since you mention Sony Alpha Blog. Now I don't take everything there as gospel, but it is a data point.

Tamron 35 f/2.8 Di III OSD 1:2

Anyway, back to the Sigma's, which I am interested in. At least the 35 and 65.

-Tim


Frederik0711 wrote:
I'm not sure if you misread my comment, but I never stated that the Voigtländer is the sharpest 50mm in center at f/2 compared to other 50mm lenses in this aperture range. I'm sure we would even need sensors of higher resolution to determine the actual divergent between these lenses, as they are very close to, if not reaching the barrier of the Sony a7R IV's sensor. At least that would be necessary if one would want to inspect the absolute difference in potential, as we aren't sure if this is the actual limit of the potential of the given
...Show more



Edited on Dec 14, 2020 at 10:41 PM · View previous versions



Dec 14, 2020 at 10:27 PM
Frederik0711
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p.36 #6 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses


tsdevine wrote:
Wish I had the a7R IV.... Here a 2 DNG RAWs from the Tamron (f/4 & f/8) on the a7R III, ran through Cornerfix which is my standard workflow. Also put two processed versions there as well.

I'd be curious your thoughts, as I have not shot the new Sony 35/1.8. I have the 35/2.8 ZA and various other 35's, but the Tamron gets me in the CV 50/2 ballpark. It's the only lens other than the Sigma 35/1.2 that gets 5 stars on based Marc's tests, since you mention Sony Alpha Blog. Now I don't take everything there as gospel,
...Show more

It's hard to compare at such. I wouldn't really opt for the Sony at this point. Both the Samyang and Sigma options seem to be slightly better optically (maybe not at minimum focus distance) and cheaper. The quality of build of the Sigma is levels above both. As an optical perfectionist, the Sony 35mm f/1.8 didn't satisfy me when combining it with my a7R IV. It was never quite excellent in the corners, and it had a lot of chromatic aberrations.

The a7R IV is a phenomenal camere body. I did have to break my piggy bank to afford some of my gear, though, as I'm just a young student, enjoying this fascination. Photography is not even what I study, but who knows.

From what I have understood from several reviews, the Tamron 35mm f/2.8 outresolves the sensor of the a7R II & a7R III in the center and nearly all if not all in the corners, and gets to the level of the a7R IV in the center. The same is however not true in the corners on the a7R IV, where it's "just" very good to excellent, just like the Sony 35mm f/1.8 FE, Samyang 35mm f/1.8, and Sigma 35mm f/2 DN. But it's also depending on one's copy.

I was really hoping for the new Sigma to be able to be as consistent over the frame, but maybe different tests will show. At least Marc's test from Sony Alpha Blog stated that the corners at excellent at f/4 and f/5.6, but that's the same result as what he got with the Tamron, Samyang and Sony, all being excellent. Excellent is fine for most, but I just didn't find my copy of the Sony, at least, to be great outside of the center. But as I mentioned in my response to Fred, I can't really come up with too many conclusions, as I haven't tested all side by side in a controlled environment. Multiple copies should also be tested and resolution should somewhat be calculated to be measured exactly. If then lenses outresolve a given Sony, a sensor of higher resolution is needed. You see, perfection is never achieved. Maybe on a given combination, but not with increasing optimisations and expectations.

Still, even though none of them might outresolve the corners of the a7R IV, there can still be divergents to inspect. But that's a lot to expect from such lenses, but moderns designs lead to more expectations. The Tamron is whatsoever a bargain for how much it can resolve. So is the Samyang. But there's much more to a lens than resolving power, of course. This new set of Sigma lenses surely seem to have more going for it in terms of design and build. Especially the 65mm is outstanding optically, and some of these lenses are bargains when compared to the cost of other lenses that can resolve mosy of the sensor of the a7R IV.

Edited on Dec 14, 2020 at 10:52 PM · View previous versions



Dec 14, 2020 at 10:41 PM
tsdevine
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p.36 #7 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses


Yeah, the Tamron is no CV or Sigma I Series in terms of build. But it is very light, and not as large as some people seem to think it is. And I wouldn't sell the Tamron short being slightly better than the others in the corners. Maybe not outstanding, but pretty darn close.

You can even see a difference between the Sony 35/1.8 and Tamron on the a7R III (assuming the Sony was a good copy.)

The Digital Picture Comparison

You wouldn't think the gap would be too huge, granted the IV has more resolution, but the Tamron is pretty close center to corner on the III.

Ephotozine

Anyway, not trying to be a shill. I'm curious to see how the Sigma 35 is at landscape apertures as well. I wouldn't get rid of the Tamron if it wasn't as good in that regard. I can stay pat until CV comes out with a 28 or 35 APO. I'd sort of like it to be the 28, but I'd take a 35.

-Tim

Frederik0711 wrote:
The a7R IV is a phenomenal camere body. I did have to break my piggy bank to afford some of my gear, though, as I'm just a young student, enjoying this fascination. Photography is not even what I study, but who knows. From what I have understood from several reviews, the Tamron 35mm f/2.8 outresolves the sensor of the a7R II & a7R III all over the frame, and gets to the level of the a7R IV in the center. The same is however not true in the corners, where it's "just" excellent, just like the Sony 35mm f/1.8 FE,
...Show more


Edited on Dec 14, 2020 at 11:04 PM · View previous versions



Dec 14, 2020 at 10:50 PM
Frederik0711
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p.36 #8 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses


tsdevine wrote:
Yeah, the Tamron is no CV or Sigma I Series in terms of build. But it is very light, and not as large as some people seem to think it is. And I wouldn't sell the Tamron short being slightly better than the others in the corners. Maybe not outstanding, but pretty darn close.

The Digital Picture Comparison

You wouldn't think the gap would be too huge, granted the IV has more resolution, but the Tamron is pretty close center to corner on the III.

Ephotozine

Anyway, not trying to be a shill. I'm curious to see how the Sigma 35 is at landscape
...Show more

The Tamron is indeed a great little lens at a bargain price. Yeah, I also came to the conclusion that it's about as consistent as it can get ± on the a7R III. There are many great options now a days as many have mentioned. Many CV fans are probably patiently waiting for a 35mm or 28mm APO. The combination of rendering, image quality, weight, compactness and price seemed to be about perfect with the 50mm APO, so I'm hoping for that in a 35mm or 28mm as well. Some of these fans might even find the 35mm DN interesting as it seems to have a similiar thought behind the build. No, it's not necessary at all to get rid of the Tamron. I'm sure the difference isn't all that much, but again, I'm just a bit of a perfectionist and I also suffer from the very frequent-seen syndrome on here: G.A.S (Gear Acquisition Syndrome).



Dec 14, 2020 at 10:59 PM
rico
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p.36 #9 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses


Fred Miranda wrote:
The Tamron 35/2.8 is indeed incredible at infinity. Great landscape lens.

But at closer range the b/g bokeh is frankly horrendous, which is unfortunate because it was otherwise top on my list. Then the 45C arrived. The winning Tamron looks to be the 35/1.4 if its massive SLR design can work for you—on sale, too.



Dec 14, 2020 at 11:11 PM
tsdevine
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p.36 #10 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses



You gotta pick your poison.

rico wrote:
But at closer range the b/g bokeh is frankly horrendous, which is unfortunate because it was otherwise top on my list. Then the 45C arrived. The winning Tamron looks to be the 35/1.4 if its massive SLR design can work for you—on sale, too.





Dec 14, 2020 at 11:27 PM
rico
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p.36 #11 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses


tsdevine wrote:
You gotta pick your poison.

Yep: broken AF-C, slow aperture, excessive glow at MFD wide open, too retro for mixed company.



Dec 14, 2020 at 11:36 PM
Fred Miranda
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p.36 #12 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses


tsdevine wrote:
Anyway, back to the Sigma's, which I am interested in. At least the 35 and 65.


The 24/3.5 should be a great performer as well. It's not wise to compare MTF data from different sources but I could not help myself and saw that the Sigma 24's MTF is similar in performance to the Loxia 21. I will probably test them side by side to find out if this holds but I would not discount the 24/3.5 for landscapes/waterfall work.



Dec 15, 2020 at 12:08 AM
genji
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p.36 #13 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses


rico wrote:
Yep: broken AF-C, slow aperture, excessive glow at MFD wide open, too retro for mixed company.


And therefore no good for photographing toddlers. Must be rubbish.



Dec 15, 2020 at 05:07 AM
ramesesthe2nd
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p.36 #14 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses


genji wrote:
And therefore no good for photographing toddlers. Must be rubbish.


Precisely the reason I didn't sell my Sony 55/1.8 after acquiring 45/2.8. Sony is reliable and fast. Sigma is unpredictable and slow.



Dec 15, 2020 at 06:07 AM
tsdevine
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p.36 #15 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses


I guess Fred, but I’m pretty happy with the 14-24. Granted the prime is small, but it would have to be markedly be better at landscape apertures to carry both.

I had been carrying the Laowa 15, Loxia 21, Pentax 28. I still have all those lenses, so never say never, but it isn't a huge priority for me.

Now had it been a 28....that might have been another story....

Fred Miranda wrote:
The 24/3.5 should be a great performer as well. It's not wise to compare MTF data from different sources but I could not help myself and saw that the Sigma 24's MTF is similar in performance to the Loxia 21. I will probably test them side by side to find out if this holds but I would not discount the 24/3.5 for landscapes/waterfall work.




Dec 15, 2020 at 06:22 AM
Alan Parker
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p.36 #16 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses


Marc Alhadeff published both his reviews for the 35 and 65 now; he curiously puts the 35/2 behind the Samyang 35/1.8 in terms of overall performance, whilst putting the 65/2 at the same level as the CV65.

https://sonyalpha.blog/2020/12/15/sigma-35mm-f2-dg-dn-contemporary/
https://sonyalpha.blog/2020/12/12/sigma-65mm-f2-dg-dn-contemporary/



Dec 15, 2020 at 08:45 AM
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p.36 #17 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses


zz wrote:
Marc Alhadeff published both his reviews for the 35 and 65 now; he curiously puts the 35/2 behind the Samyang 35/1.8 in terms of overall performance, whilst putting the 65/2 at the same level as the CV65.

https://sonyalpha.blog/2020/12/15/sigma-35mm-f2-dg-dn-contemporary/
https://sonyalpha.blog/2020/12/12/sigma-65mm-f2-dg-dn-contemporary/


Hmm, I read that as putting Sigma first:

The Samyang 35mm F1.8 (400 euros): rendering for portrait will be also very good but the color rendering will be superior on the Sigma


and


Both Sigma 35mm F2 DG DN and the Samyang 35mm F1.8 are better option than the Sony FE 35mm F1.8 as they provide a better rendering of skin tones and much softer background blur.

Between the Samyang and the Sigma , even if the Samyang is a little bit sharper , the Sigma has a little bit better background blur and more natural color rendition which make it more balanced to me. The Sigma is however 50% more expensive than the Samyang but provides a much better build quality.


but the differences are smaller than I expected.



Dec 15, 2020 at 09:37 AM
tsdevine
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p.36 #18 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses



Somebody asked on a Facebook post, and here is Marc’s reply.

“Samyang is tiny bit sharper only so globally sigma wins.”

-Tim

j4nu wrote:
Hmm, I read that as putting Sigma first:

and

but the differences are smaller than I expected.




Dec 15, 2020 at 09:49 AM
JVan_02
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p.36 #19 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses


Well, you also have to take into account sample variation. Not just Samyang's QC—but there are some very good copies of lenses floating around out there like lenstip's 40 CF that beats their copy of the Sigma 35 1.2 in the center. It's why I think looking at multiple reviews—especially Lensrentals testing—has value.

More sources have shown this Sigma beating out the Samyang than not.



Dec 15, 2020 at 10:09 AM
j4nu
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p.36 #20 · Pre-order: Sigma 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2 and 65mm f/2 DG DN lenses


I always wonder how these differences in charts translate to actual usage . I think the best example I've seen was Fred's test of CV 50 APO vs ZA 50, where the midfield dip was pretty dramatic.
On the other hand, I find it hard to believe that at f2, Sigma is sharper in the extreme edge than the Batis in the center, which can be read from the linked charts. Maybe I need to move to 61 mpix to see those charts in real life ...



Dec 15, 2020 at 10:18 AM
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