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Sigma 35mm f2 DG DM vs Samsang AF 35mm FE

cosign
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Sigma 35mm f2 DG DM vs Samsang AF 35mm FE

Quick question for those of you who have owned both: for hobbyist non pro use and printing typically 16 x 24 and rarely 24 x 36, will I ever notice the difference between these two? Is the Sigma worth twice the price of the Samyang?

Kinda driving myself nuts over this....

Nov 20, 2023 at 01:24 PM

QuietOC
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Sigma 35mm f2 DG DM vs Samsang AF 35mm FE

Samyang has 3 or 4 AF 35mm FE lenses. I've used three of them. Do you mean the F1.8?

If you like the Sigma's metal body and controls, those might be worth something. The Sigma is not sealed while 2 of the Samyangs are sealed (F1.8 and F1.4 II).

Even pixel peeping it is hard to see much between the images produced by the Sigma F2 and the Samyang F1.8.
I would give a slight nod to the Sigma.

Nov 20, 2023 at 01:27 PM

cosign
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Sigma 35mm f2 DG DM vs Samsang AF 35mm FE

QuietOC wrote:
Samyang has 3 or 4 AF 35mm FE lenses. I've used three of them. Do you mean the F1.8?

If you like the Sigma's metal body and controls, those might be worth something. The Sigma is not sealed while 2 of the Samyangs are sealed.

Oops, yes, I did mean the 1.8, sorry.

Nov 20, 2023 at 01:37 PM

foto16
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Sigma 35mm f2 DG DM vs Samsang AF 35mm FE

Do you plan to buy both lenses and use them side by side to shoot the same scene every time and then hang the two 16 x 24 prints side by side to show to people? If not, why do you care "will I ever notice the difference"? Most likely your viewer will only see one copy of the photo from whichever lens you choose to own. They have nothing to compare to. If it's a good picture, it's a good picture. Nobody (unless he is from a gear forum) will ponder "I wonder how the photo will look like if it were shot with the Sigma/Samyang..."

But you can try to download full size samples by both lenses from the web and print cheap 4x6 segments and compare with your own eyes. It beats the opinions from the forums.

Nov 20, 2023 at 01:39 PM

Surfnsun
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Sigma 35mm f2 DG DM vs Samsang AF 35mm FE

I have not owned the Samsang. I have used the Sigma. Definitely prefer to handle the Sigma each day with its metal build and aperture ring. Everything is subjective. I doubt I could tell you the differencein a double blind test. I would spend the money and go with the Sigma.

Nov 20, 2023 at 01:54 PM

SpecFoto
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Sigma 35mm f2 DG DM vs Samsang AF 35mm FE

The Sigma is a MUCH better built lens and it works well. Not all Samyangs do as copy variance is way beyond what I want to deal with. And there are other issues, see this warning posted last month on Samyangs web page:

"Samyang Support

Samyang Autofocus Lenses and the Sony α7CII, α7CR, α6700, and FX6 Compatibility Issue and Beta Version Firmware Update Notice 2023-10-25

We have been aware that there is a compatibility issue with some recently released Sony cameras and Samyang AF lenses. We are currently evaluating official firmware to resolve this issue, and releasing the Beta Version firmware files as follows, to minimize any inconvenience for customers may experience."

So they are releasing a beta FW for 14 lenses, including 3 different 35mm ones, and my understanding is you need a lens station, which is not included with most lenses, to do this and it may not work on Macs. And then you will have to go through the process again when the "official" fix is released? WAY too much trouble just to save a few $$ on a lens, buy a Sony, Sigma or Tamron instead!

Nov 20, 2023 at 01:58 PM

Ron Outdoors
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Sigma 35mm f2 DG DM vs Samsang AF 35mm FE

I have a few of the Sigma little lenses, 17, 24, 90, but not the 35. I bought the Samyang 35mm f/1.8 a while back when it went on sale. IQ wise, I think it's right up there with the Sigma lenses. Sony Alpha Blog actually rates the IQ a bit better then the Sigma 35. The Samyangs frequently go on sale. Not so much with Sigma.

Nov 20, 2023 at 04:16 PM

Ayoul
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Sigma 35mm f2 DG DM vs Samsang AF 35mm FE

I bought the Samyang 35 1.8 before I gave up then bought the Sigma.

The samyang was lighter, less expensive, optically pretty similar (slightly more Loca maybe ? I don't remember well). The autofocus didn't seem worse either. But I couldn't find a proper, centered copy. I gave up after 2 attempts and bought the sigma instead. I like it but its flattering, metal construction makes it unnecessary heavy for its size. I personnaly don't care about the look of a lens. A lens is a lens, it helps me take pictures in association with a camera, that's all for me. So I would have loved to have a good copy of the Samyang.

If you're lucky with the Samyang, it's a very good choice. Otherwise, the sigma is a pretty nice lens as well.

Nov 20, 2023 at 06:13 PM

aCuria
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Sigma 35mm f2 DG DM vs Samsang AF 35mm FE

Nov 20, 2023 at 07:39 PM

MikeEvangelist
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Sigma 35mm f2 DG DM vs Samsang AF 35mm FE

SpecFoto wrote:
The Sigma is a MUCH better built lens and it works well. Not all Samyangs do as copy variance is way beyond what I want to deal with...

Exactly!

I recently added the Sigma 35mm and am very happy with it. Very well built, very sharp, beautiful color and bokeh. It transforms my a7CR into what I always wished the RX1R could have been.

ILCE-7CR 35mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary 020 lens 35mm f/2.0 1/50s 100 ISO -0.7 EV

Dec 01, 2023 at 10:20 AM

chiron
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Sigma 35mm f2 DG DM vs Samsang AF 35mm FE

cosign wrote:
Quick question for those of you who have owned both: for hobbyist non pro use and printing typically 16 x 24 and rarely 24 x 36, will I ever notice the difference between these two? Is the Sigma worth twice the price of the Samyang?

Kinda driving myself nuts over this....

I have used both. I care a lot about rendering. They both can be excellent lenses. The Sigma has excellent rendering and sharpness. In a shoot-out with 4 or 5 other good 35mm lenses, the Sigma 35/2.0 images were blind-picked the most by experienced photographers. Many people like the build of the Sigma. Personally, I think it is too heavy for its size because Sigma made it out of metal, but most people don't feel that way and prefer the metal build.

The Samyang 35/1.8 is a very good lens with excellent rendering. Perhaps not quite as good as the Sigma, but still quite good. See Dustin Abbott's review of this Samyang lens for more details about it. It is quite light and feels lightly built, but I have never heard of a fail with these lenses. Its lightness is a major virtue for me. It does not have an aperture ring, which the Sigma does have, but that may be a minor difference for you. The main problem with Samyang is copy variation. If you buy this lens, you should learn how to do Fred's centering test and only buy it from a place you can return it to.

I think you would be happy with either lens, provided you get a good copy of the Samyang.

Dec 01, 2023 at 12:32 PM

cosign
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Sigma 35mm f2 DG DM vs Samsang AF 35mm FE

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I did end up purchasing the Sigma from a private party on FM. It is a bit heavier than the Samyang, but still feels nice and balanced. Looking forward to using it. : )

Dec 01, 2023 at 03:10 PM

QuietOC
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Sigma 35mm f2 DG DM vs Samsang AF 35mm FE

aCuria wrote:
Add the Sony 35/1.8 to the list, because the price point is similar to the sigma

I personally wont consider the sigma 35i because i think it’s unacceptable for a prime lens costing this much to have such poor close focus performance. Poor magnification compared to the Sony 35/1.8 and image is so soft at MFD I would be better off using my iPhone.

If you don’t shoot anything close up I suppose the Sigma 35/2 is fine. I don’t know enough about the samyang

I sold the Sony 1.8/35 party because it's images looked worse than the Samyang's. That may be a consequence of the Sony's sharpness at close focus, and its excellent AF performance. It seems like all the recent lower cost Sony primes are a similar compromise. I am sure I would have been fine with the Sony if I hadn't compared it to other lenses.

Dec 01, 2023 at 03:18 PM

aCuria
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Sigma 35mm f2 DG DM vs Samsang AF 35mm FE

QuietOC wrote:
I sold the Sony 1.8/35 party because it's images looked worse than the Samyang's. That may be a consequence of the Sony's sharpness at close focus, and its excellent AF performance. It seems like all the recent lower cost Sony primes are a similar compromise. I am sure I would have been fine with the Sony if I hadn't compared it to other lenses.

Every lens involves a certain degree of compromise, and the acceptability of these compromises can vary based on the subject, focal length, budget, and individual preferences.

I decided to sell the 55ZA due to magnification/MFD (0.14x, 50cm). Compared to potraits of adults, achieving the same framing with young kids requires a closer subject distance... and good autofocus because they are constantly moving.

It is easier to use the 35GM (0.23x, 25cm) which can focus much closer, and this lens actually has similar center peformance to the 55za at the same subject distance!

I am not sure what you mean by "looked worse", I think either lens would be able to produce good images.

_NEI8763 by Neil Chen, on Flickr

DSC02063 by ilham takigawa, on Flickr

Dec 01, 2023 at 08:55 PM

Peire
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Sigma 35mm f2 DG DM vs Samsang AF 35mm FE

Another vote for Sigma C 35/2 DG DN - for it's excellent overall IQ,built quality,manual aperture ring and AF/MF control.

ILCE-7RM4A Sigma 35mm F2 DG DN | C (Sony E) lens 35mm f/8.0 1/250s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

ILCE-7RM4A Sigma 35mm F2 DG DN | C (Sony E) lens 35mm f/8.0 1/100s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

ILCE-7RM4A Sigma 35mm F2 DG DN | C (Sony E) lens 35mm f/8.0 1/640s 100 ISO 0.0 EV

Dec 02, 2023 at 05:25 AM


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