Sigma 23mm f1.4 DC DN lens

[Devaprem]

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Hello. I'm considering buying this lens but would be interested in others' experience with using it before finally deciding. I've read one review at https://www.thephoblographer.com/2023/06/02/sigma-23mm-f14-contemporary-dc-dn-review/#google_vignette that mentions auto focus problems ("...With stationary subjects, there were few misses. But, when working with action, often a third or even half of the shots would be soft. When the lens loses focus, it usually takes a few shots before it catches back up again...") and colour rendition ("...In sunlight, the lens has plenty of color with a bit of pop. In the shade, colors are more muted..."). Has anyone else had these experiences (or any others)?

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[Gregm61]

It's an interesting lens; I’ve considered it at times and may yet grab one while they’re still available in L mount. The focal length and speed combination in this mount is pretty unique, like the 16mm f1.4 I already have.

Action AF isn’t going to sway me one way or the other since I’ll never need or use it that way with my CL; these days I’m virtually 100% manually focusing with it using Voigtlander adapted VM lenses, and colors are so customizable those type review comments don’t tip the scales one way or the other, for me at least.

Edited November 20, 2024 by Gregm61

[Devaprem]

Thanks for your thoughts and interesting points. I agree about the colour but am a little concerned about the auto focus comments in the review, which I usually use. Admittedly it was on an SL2 so the CL may be different.  I'm not far from the Sigma UK and they did agree to me trying the lens out in their reception area, so it may be possible to test this and speak to them before committing to buying it.

[Le Chef]

I have both the 30mm and 56mm lenses and neither have been soft. 

[Devaprem]

Thanks, Le Chef. How have you found the autofocus on these lenses with your CL? I am particularly concerned about the problems that the reviewer mentions 

On 11/19/2024 at 1:42 PM, Devaprem said:

With stationary subjects, there were few misses. But, when working with action, often a third or even half of the shots would be soft. When the lens loses focus, it usually takes a few shots before it catches back up again

 

[Devaprem]

PS - the quote I put in my last post is the reviewer's comments, not mine.

[Gregm61]

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His comments are full Of speculation, including blaming the focus motor of the lens just after the comment quoted above, not to mention this was all with the lens mounted on an SL2, not a CL.

I believe we all have heard by now the AF system utilized by Leica in any autofocus system up to and through at least the SL2 generation isn’t exactly cutting edge and there’s going to be a sacrifice of efficiency with tracking/continuous AF ability.

90% or more of what I do, autofocus of any kind isn’t even necessary.

[Devaprem]

I understand your point, Gregm61. I like to do street photography and find myself relying on the CL's autofocus with my TL lenses. I agree it isn't cutting edge but on most occasions, I am able to make it work and it is very responsive. He seemed to experience problems as he described which may be attributable to using a different camera or some other factor. I'm just curious what others' experience is of this lens and all comments are helpful

[late9sound]

Not sure why people buy a Leica camera and use third party lens.  Leica is famous with the lens - not camera...

Edited December 2, 2024 by late9sound

[Le Chef]

14 hours ago, late9sound said:

Not sure why people buy a Leica camera and use third party lens.  Leica is famous with the lens - not camera...

Because the quality of third party lenses can be of an equal quality to the ones made by Leica. You only have to look at certain 3rd party M lenses or L mount lenses for SL to see that.

Edited December 2, 2024 by Le Chef

[Devaprem]

8 minutes ago, Le Chef said:

Because the quality of third party lenses can be of an equal quality to the ones made by Leica. You only have to look at certain 3rd party M lenses or L mount lenses for SL to see that.

Thanks, LeChef.

 

14 hours ago, late9sound said:

Not sure why people buy a Leica camera and use third party lens.  Leica is famous with the lens - not camera...

late9sound. I can only say for my own experience that I chose Leica for both the lenses and the camera. Both I love using. However, the Sigma lens I've mentioned gets some good reviews (as well as the one I linked to) and is a faster lens than the Summicron 23mm alternative (f1.4 vs f2)

Edited December 2, 2024 by Devaprem

[late9sound]

That's interesting to know.  Thank you for your insight.  I have lot to learn!

[Devaprem]

15 hours ago, late9sound said:

That's interesting to know.  Thank you for your insight.  I have lot to learn!

I'm still learning too 🙂

[Gregm61]

Just pulled the trigger this morning on the Sigma 23mm f1.4 from B&H to use with the CL. Should have it by Friday and plan to test over the next 7-10 days afterwards before using at a wedding of a family member.

Will likely, eventually, get the 50mm f2 Contemporary to give me a Sigma prime range equivalent to the 35-75-135 FOV I like with the M system, along with the 16mm f1.4, getting me down to a 24mm wide view.

Edited December 11, 2024 by Gregm61

[BradS]

Having read quite a few reviews on that blog, I would take what they say with a pinch of salt. Much of what is written there is just plain bullshit.

[Devaprem]

On 12/11/2024 at 2:15 PM, Gregm61 said:

Just pulled the trigger this morning on the Sigma 23mm f1.4 from B&H to use with the CL. Should have it by Friday and plan to test over the next 7-10 days afterwards before using at a wedding of a family member.

Will likely, eventually, get the 50mm f2 Contemporary to give me a Sigma prime range equivalent to the 35-75-135 FOV I like with the M system, along with the 16mm f1.4, getting me down to a 24mm wide view.

Congratulations on your purchase, Gregm61. Of course, I'll be very interested to know your experience when you've had time to evaluate it

[Devaprem]

On 12/11/2024 at 2:25 PM, BradS said:

Having read quite a few reviews on that blog, I would take what they say with a pinch of salt. Much of what is written there is just plain bullshit.

I've not read many reviews on the blog, so it is  interesting what you say. Thank you.

[Gregm61]

On 12/16/2024 at 9:21 AM, Devaprem said:

Congratulations on your purchase, Gregm61. Of course, I'll be very interested to know your experience when you've had time to evaluate it

These Sigma Contemporary lenses for aps-c can definitely resolve as much detail as anyone could possibly want. I've done nothing a few days in to confirm or dismiss a reviewers comment about AF speed/accuracy with subjects in motion, but for single AF and sheer resolving power the 23mm f1.4 leaves nothing out, and the raw files can be manipulated in any way one could want to present.

I'll be using it in an event with flash and in multi-AF point/face detection tomorrow night, but having processed some raw files from this past weekend, I'm not complaining yet.

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[Devaprem]

Hi Gregm61. Thanks for posting your comments on the lens so far - very interested to hear and glad your experience of your new lens has been good so far. Also, good to see pictures showing the detail possible. You had good weather for them - perhaps a hidden feature of the lens to bring out the sun :-)? If so, it'll come in handy for UK weather! I hope it performs just as well at the event.