Sigma DG DN 2.8/105mm macro

[Ivar B]

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Sigma has yet again launched an interesting new lens optimized for mirrorless cameras. Here is the presentation by the Sigma CEO:
 

Very interesting presentation. He claims this is the best performing macro lens on the market, and based on the published MTF, this may indeed be credible.

I must say I am deeply impressed by Sigma. They seem to be able to design and produce lenses with optical performance second to none, and at very favourable prices.

I own the Sigma Art 70mm macro which he claims is more or less equal to the new 105mm in performance. The 70mm is one of the sharpest lenses I have ever tried, including the Leica-R macro lenses. 

[Simone_DF]

4 hours ago, Ivar B said:

Very interesting presentation. He claims this is the best performing macro lens on the market, and based on the published MTF, this may indeed be credible.

I must say I am deeply impressed by Sigma. They seem to be able to design and produce lenses with optical performance second to none, and at very favourable prices.

I own the Sigma Art 70mm macro which he claims is more or less equal to the new 105mm in performance. The 70mm is one of the sharpest lenses I have ever tried, including the Leica-R macro lenses. 

Hmmm... it will be hard to beat the Laowa 100 though.

Yeah sure, they can design lenses with excellent optical performance, but the price to pay is in size and weight, while most companies try to have a balance between these elements. Not everyone want to (or can) carry 1.5kg every time.

Anyway, I used to have the older version of this lens for Canon, it was indeed a very good lens!

[Alan Friedman]

Another interesting Sigma lens for L mount. Thanks for sharing the news. I put myself on the notification list at B&H... then remembered that I own the 100 2.8 APO Macro Elmarit-R, which was one of my favorite lenses from the Leica R film days. I think I need to get that on the Sigma fp and SL first. ;^)

 

[Paolou Pigini]

Well, I own the Laowa 100 and I may say I'm pretty happy to replace it with this new Sigma.

Venus got me with the amazing versatility of the infinity to 2x focus range, while I found pretty annoying the focus ring, the lack of autofocus for portraits and the risk of dust entrance.

The Sigma seems to have better IQ, more versatility thanks to the autofocus and also electrical contacts for the auto-zoom and also a much better focus ring and build quality (I find my 14-24
very well built and easy to clean).

For more magnification I will wait for a native 2.5x to 5x lens at the price of a Sigma TC.

 

 

 

[Paolou Pigini]

Did anyone buy the lens already?

Edited October 30, 2020 by PaoloPgC

[Alan Friedman]

9 hours ago, PaoloPgC said:

Did anyone buy the lens already?

There are comments and a few images posted from an owner of this lens on the SL system thread.

 

Edited October 30, 2020 by Alan Friedman

[Stuart Richardson]

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I wish they would say what aperture the MTF was given for, and what the line pairs per millimeter were. It is hard to compare without knowing. I am curious to see how it lines up to the 120mm APO Macro Summarit S, for example. That has MTF that look lower, but they are for 40 line pairs per millimeter, which is higher than some manufacturers use. Sigma's website seems to indicate that it is 10lpp and 30lpp. The Leica data sheet is for 5,10, 20 and 40lpp. Based on that, it looks like the Leica is better at 5.6, but they seem very close. It seems like a great lens.

I also really like that they have their CEO do this kind of presentation. I think it shows a lot of faith and dedication to their product, which is always nice to see.

[MediaFotografie]

Am 31.10.2020 um 00:35 schrieb Stuart Richardson:

I wish they would say what aperture the MTF was given for, and what the line pairs per millimeter were. It is hard to compare without knowing. I am curious to see how it lines up to the 120mm APO Macro Summarit S, for example. That has MTF that look lower, but they are for 40 line pairs per millimeter, which is higher than some manufacturers use. Sigma's website seems to indicate that it is 10lpp and 30lpp. The Leica data sheet is for 5,10, 20 and 40lpp. Based on that, it looks like the Leica is better at 5.6, but they seem very close. It seems like a great lens.

 Hi Stuart,

according to
https://www.sigma-global.com/de/lenses/cas/product/popups/mtf2/
the red lines are 10 lpp and the greens 30 lpp

 

thomas

[sobkrates]

I got one last Friday, here are some of my first pictures. All with the Sigma fp.

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SDIM9734-LR by sobkrates, auf Flickr

SDIM9736-LR by sobkrates, auf Flickr

SDIM9759-LR by sobkrates, auf Flickr

[Capnord]

Can we have your first impressions Christian  (sharpness, speed, AF precision...)

Edited November 3, 2020 by Capnord

[sobkrates]

Sharpness is very good. Speed is much better than the Sigma 70mm Macro lens adapted with the mc-21.

[Ktsa5239]

The detail and sharpness is quite amazing!

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[Ktsa5239]

Not a very good looking bug lol

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[Capnord]

First photos with the lens. Very sharp images, nice colors and AF enough speedy. But very bad manuel focus mode : no stopper on the focusing ring, too long stroke, no distance and magnification scales. Not practical at all, a big fail.

It is best to stay in AF mode and move forward or backward to fine tune the point. But you never know what magnification you are working on.

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Edited November 10, 2020 by Capnord

[Ktsa5239]

Does the AF hunt around for abit even when you have the lens set to the shortest distance?

[Capnord]

No, I do not find. AF is precise and direct. Unless we're too close, of course (and we cannot know it, in the absence of magnification or distance scales).

[Paolou Pigini]

I recently received mine with also the TC 2011. These are my very first impressions, so please take them for what they are.

Build Quality:

Really good, just the buttons feel a bit cheap, but not more than the ones of most of the brands. Caps and the hood (partially rubberized) instead feel almost premium in comparison with others.

Optical Performance:

Not enough time to make proper tests or enough experience, but bokeh surprised me positively and though I bought this lens mostly for macro, I guess it will substitute as well portrait lenses, at least for my needs. I also prefer this focal length than the 85, so probably at this point I won't consider anymore buying nor the Panasonic 85 1.8  nor the Sigma 85 DG DN and I will save some money waiting for a light Sigma 40 1.4. The lens suffers from focus breathing already at relatively limited magnifications; feels more similar to Sony and Canon lenses in these regards. Many people won't mind it but I personally do.

Stabilization:

Also here, take it with a pinch of salt.

There is none, but the S1 IBIS starts working automatically and makes a good job, both in the viewfinder and in the final photograph; with the TC, since the focal length is longer, feels like less efficient but it's just a first impression. Same with close-up/macro subjects. TC gets recognised and the actual aperture is displayed.

AF:

In good light can be pretty good but in lowlight  it can also hunt and be not very reliable; surely it is not as fast as the 24-105 and you can feel it immediately if you have the Eye Sensor AF (autofocus when you move your eye close to the viewfinder sensor) activated in Panasonic cameras.

Subjects recognition relies on the camera, not the lens, and I find it really good, despite what people say about Panasonic cameras. S1 will also receive an AF firmware update on 24th November.

Lens tracking seems acceptable but AF is noisy, more than expected; not crazingly but still too much.

MF:

Considered the lens this is one of the most important points and... It's a bit problematic, I agree with what Capnord said. By default the ring travel is way too long, perfect for precision macro on a tripod, much less for handheld shooting. My old Venus Laowa 100 on the opposite was too, too short, but still more practical than this Sigma. On Panasonic lenses this parameter can be set in the menu. I want to verify it but since Sigma has it's own Dock station, that I don't own, I bet it won't let me do it through the S1's menu. I will try.

The ring is very smooth and precise, better than most of the lenses I have ever tried, and this was as expected since I already know the one of the 14-24 that works really well despite being a non macro lens. The focal distance is present just into the camera (at least on Panasonic cameras), so it won't be a problem to not not have is on the barrel, though there is no magnification ratio indicated and for macro shoots it's pretty annoying; I hope they will add this information through firmware updates in the future. Pure manual lenses are anyway better in this regard, you can set them at the desired magnification ratio directly without turning on the camera.

Pros vs Venus Laowa 100:

-Better build quality

-Optically I must test it more but I bet it is better in almost everything

-Electronical controls, information and optical corrections in camera

-AF and more usability in every kind of photography

-Possibility of focus stacking

-Better focus ring and more precise

-Possibility of declicking the aperture ring

-Compatibility with TC to reach the same magnification and have a longer working distance

-Better price/quality ratio

Cons vs Venus Laowa 100:

-Focus travel may need adjusting depending on your needs

-No information onto the barrel

-Just 1:1 without TC

-A bit more expensive

 

 

Paolo

 

 

 

 

Edited November 12, 2020 by Paolou Pigini

[Capnord]

What did you say ?

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[Paolou Pigini]

Back in lockdown, taking pictures only in the sorroundings.

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Edited November 19, 2020 by Paolou Pigini

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[Paolou Pigini]

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Edited November 19, 2020 by Paolou Pigini