Panasonic vs Sigma zooms for landscapes

[o2mpx]

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Ready to add 2 Panasonic zooms, 20-60 and 24-105 to the SL2 for landscapes. Given the positive reviews on Sigma lenses, understand there isn’t exact final length equivalents, but for similar coverage, are there Sigma zooms that are better options than the Panasonic zooms from an IQ perspective?

Edited July 8, 2024 by o2mpx

[helged]

Two superb Sigma zooms are the 28-45mm and 70-200mm. I have no experience with the first (but see link below and reviews), but I have - and love - the long zoom. 

I know, these are not the focal lengths you asked about, but nevertheless. In addition to optical quality, f-stop, internal zoom, focus breathing, focus motor noise, water protection, size, weight, cost etc are factors in the mix.

 

[Babylonia]

The Panasonic 24-105mm / F4.0 used as for landscape.

1/800 sec  -  F 6.3  -  ISO 160
Focal length used  =  82mm

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[jaapv]

With both Panasonic and Sigma quality is a given. Basically you should choose the lens that fits your use best, without considering the brand. 

[jplomley]

4 hours ago, helged said:

Two superb Sigma zooms are the 28-45mm and 70-200mm. I have no experience with the first (but see link below and reviews), but I have - and love - the long zoom. 

I know, these are not the focal lengths you asked about, but nevertheless. In addition to optical quality, f-stop, internal zoom, focus breathing, focus motor noise, water protection, size, weight, cost etc are factors in the mix.

I'm planning a trip to Iceland in 2025, and the 28-45 and 70-200 DG DN be my lenses on choice, each permanently mounted to an SL2 to avoid lens changes as much as feasible in this environment. I will also take along my 21 APO to round out the kit, but I expect the two Sigma zooms will do the lions share of the image capture. Had the 16-35 SVE, but was not impressed with the IQ of that lens as resolution drops off across the frame and the corners were always disappointing regards of FL. I am expecting the 28-45 to perform much much better in this regard. Looking forward to some reviews for landscape applications

 

 

[jplomley]

7 hours ago, helged said:

Two superb Sigma zooms are the 28-45mm and 70-200mm. I have no experience with the first (but see link below and reviews), but I have - and love - the long zoom. 

I know, these are not the focal lengths you asked about, but nevertheless. In addition to optical quality, f-stop, internal zoom, focus breathing, focus motor noise, water protection, size, weight, cost etc are factors in the mix.

 

I'm planning a trip to Iceland in 2025, and the 28-45 and 70-200 DG DN will be my lenses of choice, each permanently mounted to an SL2 to avoid lens changes as much as feasible in this environment. I will also take along my 21 APO to round out the kit, but I expect the two Sigma zooms will do the lions share of the image capture. Had the 16-35 SVE, but was not impressed with the IQ of that lens as resolution drops off across the frame and the corners were always disappointing regardless of FL. I am expecting the 28-45 to perform much much better in this regard. Looking forward to some reviews for landscape applications

Edited July 8, 2024 by jplomley

[Stuart Richardson]

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I wouldn't worry about changing lenses here. I am going on 20 years here with mostly primes photographing in all seasons and all conditions and it is really not an issue unless you do something clearly inadvisable (try to change in active rain/sea spray or during a dust storm). Just bring a dust blower and a sensor cleaning kit in case, but it is not a problem if you use common sense (for example, turning your back to the wind while you change lenses or doing it while it is still mostly in a shoulder bag).

[jplomley]

2 hours ago, Stuart Richardson said:

I wouldn't worry about changing lenses here. I am going on 20 years here with mostly primes photographing in all seasons and all conditions and it is really not an issue unless you do something clearly inadvisable (try to change in active rain/sea spray or during a dust storm). Just bring a dust blower and a sensor cleaning kit in case, but it is not a problem if you use common sense (for example, turning your back to the wind while you change lenses or doing it while it is still mostly in a shoulder bag).

In that case I was alternatively considering just bringing my 21-35-75 APO combination, with the 35/75 as default mounted.  

Edited July 8, 2024 by jplomley

[o2mpx]

@jplomley very curious if you find the APO 21mm can replace the 16-35 VE on landscapes as presumably if cropping needed to 35mm, the IQ should still be there given the APO lens. 

[jplomley]

16 hours ago, o2mpx said:

@jplomley very curious if you find the APO 21mm can replace the 16-35 VE on landscapes as presumably if cropping needed to 35mm, the IQ should still be there given the APO lens. 

I think cropping 21 to a 28mm angle of view is fine, but cropping to 35 might be a step too far. Hence the reason for the 21-35-75 spread. I can crop the 21 to 28, the 35 to 50, and the 75 to 90. So I actually am nicely covered from 21-90mm, which handles 95% of the landscape scenarios I have encountered and emulates those focal lengths I routinely used on my Arca Swiss F-Field 4x5 camera.