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Love for the Sigma 45/2.8 DG DN

dirk

dirk

LMF-Founder
Administrator
I had the Sigma 45/2.8 DG DN from the very beginning of its introduction, because I love that focal range of 40-45mm. This is why I have the Pentax 43 limited, Ricoh GR3x and the Leica Q3 43, too.

But I was not that happy with its image quality. I sold the Sigma a couple of months ago as a consequence. Nevertheless many of you are absolutely happy with their Sigma 45/2.8. So, maybe I had a bad copy?

Today I came across a new lens review of Gordon Laing. He shares the same love for this 40mm-45mm focal range like me.

And he shows a better image quality performance in his Sigma 45/2.8 review than I had with my item. I thought it would be a good idea to share that video review with you and others can chime in with their experiences and photo examples.

 
I had it too, didn’t like the spherical aberrations which cause the softness wide open at closer ranges, making the focus fall off diffuse. It was really sharp closed down, but for me it became soulless. Or even a bit flat,or face. No depth. For me personally I like the 35 and 50 better. But I don’t use the 50 for general photography, mostly on walks in the forest, or taking portraits wide open. So don’t care too much about the corner sharpness.

Totally understandable that if you like the rendering wide open, particularly up to portrait distances, that one chooses it over the 50/1.8. But I also think that the 50 he is comparing it with is not the best sample. Let’s not forget I only have 24mp, and he was using the S1Rii which can make a difference in perceived corner sharpness. I.e. The corners of the 50 are good enough for 24mp, but not higher res sensors.
 
If I had the S9, or BF the 45 certainly would be a no-brainer for me, together with the 24/3.5 and 18-40, and maybe the 90/2.8
 
I'm sure the 45/2.8 is not as bad in real use as online reviewers would have us believe but I'm holding out for something a bit different for a compact option. As I have the Sigma 50/2 I have a different I-series lens at a very similar focal length but faster and probably better, albeit larger and heavier, otherwise I wouldn't mind giving it a try as they're not too expensive on the used market.
 
First pictures with the Sigma 45mm F2.8.

P1470844.jpg
  • Panasonic - DC-S5
  • 45mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary 019
  • 45.0 mm
  • ƒ/8
  • 1/100 sec
  • Pattern
  • Auto exposure
  • ISO 100


P1470852 (1).jpg
  • Panasonic - DC-S5
  • 45mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary 019
  • 45.0 mm
  • ƒ/8
  • 1/60 sec
  • Pattern
  • Auto exposure
  • ISO 400


P1470861.jpg
  • Panasonic - DC-S5
  • 45mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary 019
  • 45.0 mm
  • ƒ/5.6
  • 1/60 sec
  • Pattern
  • Auto exposure
  • -1
  • ISO 125


I find the performance very similar to the performance of the Sigma 24mm f3.5, that is, very good. I have to try it with the 47mpx sensor of the S1R.
 
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