Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review
p.11 #1Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review
jmmaher wrote:
Currently considering purchasing a Sigma 65 2.0. All the comments here are very favorable but a little dated. Any changes in opinion or still a great choice? Thinking of pairing with my GM 35 1.4. -Jim
I use the 65mm with my 35mm GM. Depending on what you shoot it's a good pair. I used to be a 24mm 50mm guy. I tried out a 35mm 85mm for 6 months and liked the 35mm lack of stretch. While I liked the 85mm for some situations I found it a bit restrictive for overall wedding shooting. Meaning a bit too tele for small hotel room shooting and the close focus for detail shots was not there at almost 3ft. The 65 gives me a better reach vs a 50mm and the close focus is much better than an 85mm...
The build quality is so good on these Sigma mid level lenses and the focusing speed is good enough for what they are. I know I'm in the minority here but I wish I could get a plastic lens hood. The metal is super nice but it will scratch the heck out of whatever it rubs on in your bag and plastic is more shock absorbent if you drop your camera lens down.
Currently considering purchasing a Sigma 65 2.0. All the comments here are very favorable but a little dated. Any changes in opinion or still a great choice? Thinking of pairing with my GM 35 1.4. -Jim
I use the 65mm with my 35mm GM. Depending on what you shoot it's a good pair. I used to be a 24mm 50mm guy. I tried out a 35mm 85mm for 6 months and liked the 35mm lack of stretch. While I liked the 85mm for some situations I found it a bit restrictive for overall wedding shooting. Meaning a bit too tele for small hotel room shooting and the close focus for detail shots was not there at almost 3ft. The 65 gives me a better reach vs a 50mm and the close focus is much better than an 85mm...
The build quality is so good on these Sigma mid level lenses and the focusing speed is good enough for what they are. I know I'm in the minority here but I wish I could get a plastic lens hood. The metal is super nice but it will scratch the heck out of whatever it rubs on in your bag and plastic is more shock absorbent if you drop your camera lens down.
Oct 29, 2023 at 04:00 PM
p.11 #2Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review
John Straus wrote:
I use the 65mm with my 35mm GM. Depending on what you shoot it's a good pair. I used to be a 24mm 50mm guy. I tried out a 35mm 85mm for 6 months and liked the 35mm lack of stretch. While I liked the 85mm for some situations I found it a bit restrictive for overall wedding shooting. Meaning a bit too tele for small hotel room shooting and the close focus for detail shots was not there at almost 3ft. The 65 gives me a better reach vs a 50mm and the close focus is much better...Show more →
It’s still. Metal but lighter is the Hoage hoods you can get to fit these Sigma lenses. The have a protective cap Le’s cap.
https://www.amazon.com/Haoge-Square-Bayonet-Contemporary-Mirrorless/dp/B096XF352L/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KKMAVHV0STR0&keywords=Sigma+65mm+hood+Hoage&qid=1698620666&sprefix=sigma+65mm+hood+hoage%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1
I’ve used these on the Sigmas, Fuji, and Sony lenses. Not the cheapest but a nice product I think.
jmmaher wrote
Currently considering purchasing a Sigma 65 2.0. All the comments here are very favorable but a little dated. Any changes in opinion or still a great choice? Thinking of pairing with my GM 35 1.4. -JimIt’s still. Metal but lighter is the Hoage hoods you can get to fit these Sigma lenses. The have a protective cap Le’s cap.
https://www.amazon.com/Haoge-Square-Bayonet-Contemporary-Mirrorless/dp/B096XF352L/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KKMAVHV0STR0&keywords=Sigma+65mm+hood+Hoage&qid=1698620666&sprefix=sigma+65mm+hood+hoage%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1
I’ve used these on the Sigmas, Fuji, and Sony lenses. Not the cheapest but a nice product I think.
Oct 29, 2023 at 05:07 PM
p.11 #3Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review
swldstn wrote:
It’s still. Metal but lighter is the Hoage hoods you can get to fit these Sigma lenses. The have a protective cap Le’s cap.
https://www.amazon.com/Haoge-Square-Bayonet-Contemporary-Mirrorless/dp/B096XF352L/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KKMAVHV0STR0&keywords=Sigma+65mm+hood+Hoage&qid=1698620666&sprefix=sigma+65mm+hood+hoage%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1
I’ve used these on the Sigmas, Fuji, and Sony lenses. Not the cheapest but a nice product I think.
I am buying one for sure. At least it doesn't have that sawtooth edge that does the scratching!! I've put large black ranger bands on the end of the Sigma hood but you have to make sure they stay overlaping the front edge...
It’s still. Metal but lighter is the Hoage hoods you can get to fit these Sigma lenses. The have a protective cap Le’s cap.
https://www.amazon.com/Haoge-Square-Bayonet-Contemporary-Mirrorless/dp/B096XF352L/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KKMAVHV0STR0&keywords=Sigma+65mm+hood+Hoage&qid=1698620666&sprefix=sigma+65mm+hood+hoage%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1
I’ve used these on the Sigmas, Fuji, and Sony lenses. Not the cheapest but a nice product I think.
I am buying one for sure. At least it doesn't have that sawtooth edge that does the scratching!! I've put large black ranger bands on the end of the Sigma hood but you have to make sure they stay overlaping the front edge...
Oct 30, 2023 at 03:18 PM
p.11 #4Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review
Fun little lens! Happy Halloween, everybody.
Oct 31, 2023 at 07:02 PM
p.11 #5Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review
What a huge and heavy lens 
500g with caps, hood and a 62mm Hoya filter. The giant heavy hood makes it nearly as large as a 85/1.4!
My 85/1.4 with hood, caps & filter is 700g. So only a 200g difference, while size is roughly equal.
How is the Haoge hood for the 65/2? https://www.amazon.com/Haoge-Square-Bayonet-Contemporary-Mirrorless/dp/B096XF352L/
Does that work with a filter too? Or perhaps I should get a regular screw-in hood so it works better with polarizers.
E: Perhaps I should just order a "standard" vented hood for a 35/2 and then a standard tubular hood for the 65/2. A few bucks and they just work. I have them in all my other lenses too, I don't use any of the huge stock hoods with my other mirrorless lenses.
500g with caps, hood and a 62mm Hoya filter. The giant heavy hood makes it nearly as large as a 85/1.4! My 85/1.4 with hood, caps & filter is 700g. So only a 200g difference, while size is roughly equal.
How is the Haoge hood for the 65/2? https://www.amazon.com/Haoge-Square-Bayonet-Contemporary-Mirrorless/dp/B096XF352L/
Does that work with a filter too? Or perhaps I should get a regular screw-in hood so it works better with polarizers.
E: Perhaps I should just order a "standard" vented hood for a 35/2 and then a standard tubular hood for the 65/2. A few bucks and they just work. I have them in all my other lenses too, I don't use any of the huge stock hoods with my other mirrorless lenses.
Apr 12, 2024 at 08:27 AM
p.11 #6Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review
Haha…I don’t understand the issue with the metal Sigma hoods. People complain about them being heavy all the time. Just weighed mine for the 65mm and it’s 55g. My plastic hood from a Sony 20-70 is 23g. Obviously, the metal hood is heavier but in my hand or in my bag I can’t detect a 30g difference. I guess if you’re carrying a lot of these hoods and you swap them all out for lighter versions it could be detectable, but this is approaching the logic of those backpackers that cut their toothbrush handles short. 🤣
Apr 12, 2024 at 11:42 AM
p.11 #7Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review
Not to mention these metal hoods have plastic fittings inside. I dropped mine and the plastic inside broke and the hood was worthless. If it was all plastic and not as heavy maybe it would not have.
Apr 12, 2024 at 12:55 PM
p.11 #8Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review
Ihmemies2 wrote:
What a huge and heavy lens 500g with caps, hood and a 62mm Hoya filter. The giant heavy hood makes it nearly as large as a 85/1.4!
My 85/1.4 with hood, caps & filter is 700g. So only a 200g difference, while size is roughly equal.
How is the Haoge hood for the 65/2? https://www.amazon.com/Haoge-Square-Bayonet-Contemporary-Mirrorless/dp/B096XF352L/
Does that work with a filter too? Or perhaps I should get a regular screw-in hood so it works better with polarizers.
https://hakkarainen.kuvat.fi/kuvat/2024/temp/IMG_5103.jpg/_medium.jpg
E: Perhaps I should just order a "standard" vented hood for a 35/2 and then a standard tubular hood for the 65/2. A few bucks...Show more →
I have the Hoage on a lot of lenses and for a lot of the Sigma I-Series lenses. I like them but do wish they were a little cheaper.
What a huge and heavy lens
500g with caps, hood and a 62mm Hoya filter. The giant heavy hood makes it nearly as large as a 85/1.4! My 85/1.4 with hood, caps & filter is 700g. So only a 200g difference, while size is roughly equal.
How is the Haoge hood for the 65/2? https://www.amazon.com/Haoge-Square-Bayonet-Contemporary-Mirrorless/dp/B096XF352L/
Does that work with a filter too? Or perhaps I should get a regular screw-in hood so it works better with polarizers.
https://hakkarainen.kuvat.fi/kuvat/2024/temp/IMG_5103.jpg/_medium.jpg
E: Perhaps I should just order a "standard" vented hood for a 35/2 and then a standard tubular hood for the 65/2. A few bucks...Show more →
I have the Hoage on a lot of lenses and for a lot of the Sigma I-Series lenses. I like them but do wish they were a little cheaper.
Apr 12, 2024 at 05:39 PM
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p.11 #9Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review
I guess the 65mm is quite tight when you are used to 50mm.. but not that long compared to a 85mm
This will probably take some time to get used to. Still, a sharp lens for 350€ and f/2 is fast enough. Dof is about as shallow as with a 50/1.4 lens. If L-mount had a 400g 50/1.4 available I'd most likely switch to that though.
This will probably take some time to get used to. Still, a sharp lens for 350€ and f/2 is fast enough. Dof is about as shallow as with a 50/1.4 lens. If L-mount had a 400g 50/1.4 available I'd most likely switch to that though. |
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Apr 15, 2024 at 09:50 AM
p.11 #10Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review
I recently decided to try some video with this lens in AF-C using my A7R3, and noticed both AF Drive Speed and Track Sens are grayed out. Does that sound right?
Aug 14, 2024 at 10:09 AM
p.11 #11Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review
Picked up a used copy of this too go along with my Q3M for a simple street/travel setup on my A1ii. What a jewel of a lens and shame it appears discontinued
Feb 23, 2026 at 03:06 AM
p.11 #12Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review
It's not really discontinued. Sigma re-released all the I-series lenses with some minor changes (no optical changes, now called DG instead of DG DN) so the old versions may appear as discontinued but renewed versions are in production.
https://www.sigma-global.com/en/news/2025/02/24/010844/
Edited on Feb 23, 2026 at 03:51 AM · View previous versions
https://www.sigma-global.com/en/news/2025/02/24/010844/
Edited on Feb 23, 2026 at 03:51 AM · View previous versions
Feb 23, 2026 at 03:49 AM
p.11 #13Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review
Viramati wrote:
Picked up a used copy of this too go along with my Q3M for a simple street/travel setup on my A1ii. What a jewel of a lens and shame it appears discontinued
No, it is not discontinued, at least not really. Sigma has discontinued the 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary but replaced it with the 65mm f/2 DG Contemporary, which seems to be exactly the same lens except for the name and the way the name is written on the lens: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/news/2025/02/24/010844/
I recently picked up a copy too - Sigma had a good deal on one with the older 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary name. I am liking it a lot, although I haven't had it for long and am still deciding if it offers enough advantages over a 24-70mm f/2.8 (which I already own) to keep it in my kit long term. Initally I thought maybe not, but the 65mm is definitely growing on me more and more as I use it. It's even got me interested in getting a Sigma 35mm f/2 lens, despite the fact I have a 35GM.
Edited on Feb 23, 2026 at 06:51 AM · View previous versions
Picked up a used copy of this too go along with my Q3M for a simple street/travel setup on my A1ii. What a jewel of a lens and shame it appears discontinued
No, it is not discontinued, at least not really. Sigma has discontinued the 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary but replaced it with the 65mm f/2 DG Contemporary, which seems to be exactly the same lens except for the name and the way the name is written on the lens: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/news/2025/02/24/010844/
I recently picked up a copy too - Sigma had a good deal on one with the older 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary name. I am liking it a lot, although I haven't had it for long and am still deciding if it offers enough advantages over a 24-70mm f/2.8 (which I already own) to keep it in my kit long term. Initally I thought maybe not, but the 65mm is definitely growing on me more and more as I use it. It's even got me interested in getting a Sigma 35mm f/2 lens, despite the fact I have a 35GM.
Edited on Feb 23, 2026 at 06:51 AM · View previous versions
Feb 23, 2026 at 03:51 AM
p.11 #14Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review
Thanks for the info. Rare as ducks teeth in the UK so was happy to get an excellent used copy
Feb 23, 2026 at 04:18 AM
p.11 #15Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review
I'm late to the game, but got this lens off FM and trying it out.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc7SUzblNpM/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc7SOe-lCUk/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc7SJ-2lHgE/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc7SUzblNpM/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc7SOe-lCUk/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Dc7SJ-2lHgE/
Sep 05, 2026 at 07:34 PM
p.11 #16Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review
One of the coolest lenses I ever owned was a Leica Hektor 73mm f1.9. Wonderful old school rendering. Slow helicoid allowed for accurate focus, but it was slow to use. I suspect this Sigma may approach a modern version of it though. Hmmmm...
Sep 08, 2026 at 10:10 AM