Dustin Abbott's 90mm review samples looked nice and so far I like what I see. I think my light travel kit might shape up as Sigma 24/3.5, CV40/1.2SE and this new Sigma 90mm f/2.8. But I have to see more samples before buying it.
Edit: Ideally I would want a bit faster glass, but still small, something like the Voigtländer 75mm f/1.5. Too bad it needs to be adapted and according to some sources like Phillip's review, on Sony it loses some of it's performance. And I wouldn't like to play with adapters anymore...
I think I'm starting to succumb to the power of the 24mm f2. Was about to purchase the 3.5 but I think that F2 is calling my name now. It's not super compact, but I don't shoot 24mm that often and it's still smaller than the GM. Without the hood, it looks pretty compact.
'on Sony it loses some of it's performance.' It's not been my experience, and I shoot it alongside such performers as the CV 50/2 APO. It's not intended for closeups like this Sigma 90/2.8 which appears to be all about near MFD work.
'They performed similar at smaller apertures - by f/2.8 it (75/1.5) matches the CV 65/2 APO's center, by f/4 it matches its mid-field and at f/8 it comes close to the CV 65/2's corners.'
'Although there's a slight field curvature...this only becomes an issue when using it for landscapes at wider apertures*. By f/4 or f/5.6, field curvature is masked by depth of field, making the Voigtlander 75/1.5 a compact and competent tele option for landscape photography.
*Update: I've tested this lens on a Leica body and see similar wavy field curvature. It looks like it's a characteristic of this lens and likely what allows to be so compact for a fast telephoto.'
High praise indeed. For the really good ones, it's best to leave the adapter on the lens and forget it's there. My M-E adapter weighs 36g, making the 75/1.5 a 386g Sony option. For what it does, it's close to being nonpareil among modern short tele lenses - weight, haptics, lens speed, size, aesthetics, build, versatility.
I've yet to see disturbed bokeh on the scale of even some pre-release images from the Sigma 90/2.8. All have their design intentions. The modern trend is lashings of ultra bokeh from close focus distances.
philip_pj wrote:
'on Sony it loses some of it's performance.' It's not been my experience, and I shoot it alongside such performers as the CV 50/2 APO. It's not intended for closeups like this Sigma 90/2.8 which appears to be all about near MFD work.
'They performed similar at smaller apertures - by f/2.8 it (75/1.5) matches the CV 65/2 APO's center, by f/4 it matches its mid-field and at f/8 it comes close to the CV 65/2's corners.'
'Although there's a slight field curvature...this only becomes an issue when using it for landscapes at wider apertures*. By f/4 or f/5.6, field curvature is masked by depth of field, making the Voigtlander 75/1.5 a compact and competent tele option for landscape photography.
*Update: I've tested this lens on a Leica body and see similar wavy field curvature. It looks like it's a characteristic of this lens and likely what allows to be so compact for a fast telephoto.'
High praise indeed. For the really good ones, it's best to leave the adapter on the lens and forget it's there. My M-E adapter weighs 36g, making the 75/1.5 a 386g Sony option. For what it does, it's close to being nonpareil among modern short tele lenses - weight, haptics, lens speed, size, aesthetics, build, versatility.
I've yet to see disturbed bokeh on the scale of even some pre-release images from the Sigma 90/2.8. All have their design intentions. The modern trend is lashings of ultra bokeh from close focus distances....Show more →
Yes, that's the thing. With just about ANY lens you can get decent bokeh when shot REALLY close up. To be fair, in these situations this 90mm seems to render really beautiful bokeh. And in dpreview's samples the 90mm looked pretty nice even at longer distances (the girl in the woods) when lighting was less harsh. So it might be viable option for me. I've owned the FE 85mm f/1.8 as well but that one I sold since the harsh rendering when not up close and personal. Yet to be seen if the 90mm is any better. Now I've been pretty happy with the 105mm f/2.8 Art, but I'm selling it as it's such a huge (long) lens and I really don't shoot macro at all. Not a bug or flower person myself. And I also have the Sigma 65mm f/2 which renders similarly, albeit at shorter FL.
PS. I don't mind adapter as physical object - I also keep them pretty much as part of a lens. It's just the hassle with missing EXIF and needing to tag it with Lens Tagger, not knowing the aperture you shot with etc. Just annoyance, nothing major. And I have the Voigtländer's own closeup VM-E adapter which is pretty great. I know the 75mm is pretty much like my 40mm that you need to stop down when shooting near MFD. But from the reviews so far, seems that it's similar with the 90mm. It's not a macro lens either and needs to be stopped down near MFD.
One thing that I still regret is that I sold my Voigtländer 75mm f/2.5 Color-Heliar. I really loved that lens... But now if I go CV route, I would test out the 75mm f/1.5 Nokton. Not much bigger, renders in similar way and almost two stops brighter.
I have both these 75s from CV, they are like chalk and cheese, seriously. The 75/2.5 is a sweet, softer contrast yet high resolution lens at mid apertures with a traditional restrained palette - very much an engaging remake of a sound 80s lens style.
The 75/1.5 is so different in most respects: it's very sharp at most apertures, has a very active colour rendition, high contrast, some of the most settled and beautiful bokeh I've seen. It has super glass like the Loxia 85, so they can get away with just seven elements in each of these.
Agree with your thoughts on the new 90/2.8 - we just have to wait and see, and reviews tend to be either glowing or very anti, not much middle ground in the checklist approach. You may know the work I do. If so, you will know why I need reliability and consistency almost as much as performance.
So I am wary that the Sigma is 'the one' for me near 100mm but an open mind is necessary until Fred gets his hands on one. Really, I'd take a 100/2 copy of the 75/1.5 immediately, if they eschew an APO there. CV also need to up their credentials in the short tele segment.
My Sigma 45mm 2.8 just died on me. Not the end of the world, things happen but perhaps someone can comment on what it might be. I think I read someone on here had a similar problem, but I can't find it when I google.
I was in AF-S (DMF) mode focusing about 3 feet away. Now I was turning the electronic aperture ring at the same time as it was focusing and heard a noise. It wasn't loud but not something I've heard before. Now it won't focus and I brought it home and tried it on another camera just to be sure. The aperture ring works but it won't focus in any mode. The focusing ring doesn't work either (Screen zooms in but no focusing occurs).
Welp, I guess today is shaping up to be a Voigtlander kind-a day. I did manage to get some nice pics before it conked out...so there is that.
Looks like I'll be picking up the 90/2.8 and will compare against my:
85/1.8G
85/4 ZM
90/3.5 CV APO SL-II
and may have a 85/2.4 Lox by that time too.
Why so many ~85-ish lenses you might ask:
85/1.8 for travel: A bit bulky, but light weight and f/1.8 comes in handy in dark places and evenings
90/2.8 or 85/4 ZM for backpacking
90/3.5 APO SL-II . . . . just couldn't bring myself to sell it once I diched Nikon for Sony
85/2.4 Lox is the best 85mm landscape lens that I know of.
If the 90/2.8 can at least match the 85ZM at f/4 then the Sigma will get put into the backpack because of the f/2.8 and lower weight (when the ZM has an adapter put on it).
Nothing will beat that Loxia 85. But that’s purely on a technical level. But if your looking for bokeh and a smooth look it’s not that. Some nice choices in 85
I got away from 85 with a 65 and my 135 . But I’m in limbo on where life takes me next in this career. I mean 46 years is a long time no question
ReleaseDrive wrote:
My Sigma 45mm 2.8 just died on me. Not the end of the world, things happen but perhaps someone can comment on what it might be. I think I read someone on here had a similar problem, but I can't find it when I google.
I was in AF-S (DMF) mode focusing about 3 feet away. Now I was turning the electronic aperture ring at the same time as it was focusing and heard a noise. It wasn't loud but not something I've heard before. Now it won't focus and I brought it home and tried it on another camera just to be sure. The aperture ring works but it won't focus in any mode. The focusing ring doesn't work either (Screen zooms in but no focusing occurs).
Welp, I guess today is shaping up to be a Voigtlander kind-a day. I did manage to get some nice pics before it conked out...so there is that. ...Show more →
Ok, quick update to my post. I downloaded the most recent Sigma 45mm 2.8 firmware update. Fancy that...it stopped working all together. I mean, no F stops and no autofocus. Tried it on two seperate cameras...nada.
Few hours later, turn my camera on and WALLA....working like a charm. No idea and I mean no idea what that was all about. I also found the thread on DPreview where someone had a similar issue. His fix was he mounted it on a Sony A7III and it started working again. Then mounted it on his A7S and no issues.
I have a feeling that the 45mm 2.8 may have a glitch with older cameras. My main body is an A7II. I updated the firmware today to the latest. Didn't work at first but now the 45mm 2.8 is working.
I would be surprised if Sigma didn't pay serious attention to rendering in a lens that fits so well into a set with the 24/3.5 and the 45/2.8. Rendering seems to be the design philosophy for these lenses. The risk might be that in order to keep the size small they limited themselves on focus solutions in a way that will continue the Sigma autofocus PDAF compromises.
But I have one on order and I'm excited about it. I'll look forward to your review.
ReleaseDrive wrote:
My Sigma 45mm 2.8 just died on me. Not the end of the world, things happen but perhaps someone can comment on what it might be. I think I read someone on here had a similar problem, but I can't find it when I google.
I was in AF-S (DMF) mode focusing about 3 feet away. Now I was turning the electronic aperture ring at the same time as it was focusing and heard a noise. It wasn't loud but not something I've heard before. Now it won't focus and I brought it home and tried it on another camera just to be sure. The aperture ring works but it won't focus in any mode. The focusing ring doesn't work either (Screen zooms in but no focusing occurs).
Welp, I guess today is shaping up to be a Voigtlander kind-a day. I did manage to get some nice pics before it conked out...so there is that. ...Show more →
I had this on the Bigma 35 1.2. However I don't remember any specific noise when it happened. It worked then it just stopped working. No AF anymore. I sent it back, got a refund and never bought it again (and now I'm a happy GM 35 1.4 owner since a few months). I have a Sigma 14-24. I try to not think about thie incident when I use it for work, but who knows ^^
And I also have the Sigma 65mm f/2 which renders similarly, albeit at shorter FL.