Sigma I series lenses (on 61mpx camera Sony A7CR)

[xaviergut]

I borrowed the Sony A7CR from my brother and I really like the performance of that sensor. I started looking for information about how well work other lenses that are not the Sony G Master series. And I stumbled upon this Fred Miranda forum about the Sigma I series lenses on that 61mpx sensor.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1825008/0

I think this could be interesting for us, L-mount shooters, as we have the Sigma as "native" lenses and this is the reason why I make this post in this new section of the L-mount forum.

Many of the Sony users are mentioning the very popular article of the Sony Alpha Blog where they classify the lenses in different categories (Although it is from 2019 they are updating it regularly):

Sony Alpha Blog : Which Lenses to maximise the potential of your Sony A7RIV/ A7RV / A1 / A7IV…?

This article assesses approximately 300 full-frame lenses tested on the Sony A7RV, focusing on their sharpness and performance. Divided into seven parts, it discusses lens categories, optimal condi…

sonyalpha.blog

Regarding to the 9 Sigma I series lenses, this are the "results":

Very Good: Sigma 24 f3.5 DG DN, Sigma 45 f2.8 DG DN, Sigma 17 f4 DG DN, Sigma 90 f2.8 DG DN
Excellent: Sigma 20 f2 DG DN, Sigma 24 f2 DG DN, Sigma 35 f2 DG DN, Sigma 50 f2 DG DN
Outstanding: Sigma 65 f2 DG DN

According to this article there is not a single Sigma I series Lens in the categories "Good", "Average" or "Bad", and that says a lot about Sigma.

 

[CharlesH]

I think this could be interesting for us, L-mount shooters, as we have the Sigma as "native" lenses and this is the reason why I make this post in this new section of the L-mount forum.

In one of the S1Rii reviews I think it was mentioned that cropless digital stabilization only works well with Panasonic lenses. I'll check this with Sigma lenses when the S1Rii arrives. If it doesn't work well, maybe eventually it will as the Panasonic engineers get more detailed information about each Sigma lens.

 

[GeorgeHudetz]

Here is a great source for comprehensive, detailed tests of Sigma lenses, mostly on 42 MP Sony bodies, but the older lenses on Canon:

Sigma lenses - LensTip.com

Best digital cameras and lens reviews. If you are looking for the information about digital cameras and lenses you are in a right place. We have many professional tests of digital photography equipment.

www.lenstip.com

I have found that my informal tests mostly align with their test data.

I wish they would test Panasonic L-mount lenses. Maybe now with the S1RII they will.

 

[xaviergut]

Here is a great source for comprehensive, detailed tests of Sigma lenses, mostly on 42 MP Sony bodies, but the older lenses on Canon:

Sigma lenses - LensTip.com

Best digital cameras and lens reviews. If you are looking for the information about digital cameras and lenses you are in a right place. We have many professional tests of digital photography equipment.

www.lenstip.com

I have found that my informal tests mostly align with their test data.

I wish they would test Panasonic L-mount lenses. Maybe now with the S1RII they will.

Thank you, George.

I just can say that performance of the Sigma 65mm f2 with the 47mpx of the S1R is simply outstanding/stellar/unbelievable... I have to get an E-Mount version of the 65mm to try it with the Sony A7CR camera and its 61mpx.

 

[xaviergut]

In one of the S1Rii reviews I think it was mentioned that cropless digital stabilization only works well with Panasonic lenses. I'll check this with Sigma lenses when the S1Rii arrives. If it doesn't work well, maybe eventually it will as the Panasonic engineers get more detailed information about each Sigma lens.

Thank you, Charles, that would be very interesting to see in terms of compatibility between L-mount members.

 

[AlanC]

Fred Miranda has done some comprehensive reviews of some of the i-series lenses:

65/2: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1689786/
35/2: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1686080/
45/2.8: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1608234/
24/3.5 (not complete): https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1687217/

I found them useful because in addition to the usual testing for sharpness, chromatic aberrations, distortion, vignetting, etc, he gives examples of how the lenses render and compares them to some of the best of the competition. There are also a lot of photos from other owners of the lenses in those threads so you can get a pretty good idea of whether you're going to like the lens or not.

I have 5 of them, 17/4, 24/3.5, 35/2, 45/2.8 and 65/2, use them on the fp L (which has the same sensor as the A7CR) and am very pleased with all of them.

 

[dirk]

I borrowed the Sony A7CR from my brother and I really like the performance of that sensor. I started looking for information about how well work other lenses that are not the Sony G Master series. And I stumbled upon this Fred Miranda forum about the Sigma I series lenses on that 61mpx sensor.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1825008/0

I think this could be interesting for us, L-mount shooters, as we have the Sigma as "native" lenses and this is the reason why I make this post in this new section of the L-mount forum.

Many of the Sony users are mentioning the very popular article of the Sony Alpha Blog where they classify the lenses in different categories (Although it is from 2019 they are updating it regularly):

Sony Alpha Blog : Which Lenses to maximise the potential of your Sony A7RIV/ A7RV / A1 / A7IV…?

This article assesses approximately 300 full-frame lenses tested on the Sony A7RV, focusing on their sharpness and performance. Divided into seven parts, it discusses lens categories, optimal condi…

sonyalpha.blog

Regarding to the 9 Sigma I series lenses, this are the "results":

Very Good: Sigma 24 f3.5 DG DN, Sigma 45 f2.8 DG DN, Sigma 17 f4 DG DN, Sigma 90 f2.8 DG DN
Excellent: Sigma 20 f2 DG DN, Sigma 24 f2 DG DN, Sigma 35 f2 DG DN, Sigma 50 f2 DG DN
Outstanding: Sigma 65 f2 DG DN

According to this article there is not a single Sigma I series Lens in the categories "Good", "Average" or "Bad", and that says a lot about Sigma.

If these are all tested on a 60MP sensor, great results for Sigma. With the Signa 90/2.8 I am surprised. Mine is significantly better than my Sigma 45/2.8 on my 24MP sensor.

It is surprising that the Zeiss Batis lenses in the 60MP tests are not as good as the Sigma lenses.

Another observation: The DG DN versions of all Sigma lenses outperform their predecessors.

Why there are 2 excellent etc. categories?






Excellent:





Very good:



I have to bring them later in the right order...

 

[xaviergut]

Why there are 2 excellent etc. categories?

I thought that they are the same, just somehow repeated but in a bigger size... but I am not sure, I could be wrong.

 

[Jayneboo]

Honestly with a Sony body there are just so many choices but one of the first lenses I replaced when I changed from L Mount to Sony was the Sigma 90mm 2.8. Size/weight/performance can't be bettered I don't believe, though many Sony users like the "Tiny" Samyang lenses. I also got a copy of the 105 2.8 Macro, another lens I've always
appreciated. I have struggled to stop myself going further, trying to stay more minimal in lens options with my Sony kit, though somehow my cupboard doesn't reflect that. Not sure how I've managed to stop myself getting the 65 f/2 - always another favourite for me.

I may struggle further with the introduction of the Silver L mount lens versions for a Silver TL2 mostly used with manual lenses just now. This morning I received e-mail from a dealer asking if I wanted to pre-order the Silver version of the 24 3.5, checking their website, they have the range available for pre-order now, but no hint of when they expect them.

 

[xaviergut]

Honestly with a Sony body there are just so many choices but one of the first lenses I replaced when I changed from L Mount to Sony was the Sigma 90mm 2.8. Size/weight/performance can't be bettered I don't believe, though many Sony users like the "Tiny" Samyang lenses. I also got a copy of the 105 2.8 Macro, another lens I've always
appreciated. I have struggled to stop myself going further, trying to stay more minimal in lens options with my Sony kit, though somehow my cupboard doesn't reflect that. Not sure how I've managed to stop myself getting the 65 f/2 - always another favourite for me.

I may struggle further with the introduction of the Silver L mount lens versions for a Silver TL2 mostly used with manual lenses just now. This morning I received e-mail from a dealer asking if I wanted to pre-order the Silver version of the 24 3.5, checking their website, they have the range available for pre-order now, but no hint of when they expect them.

Yes, my brother uses with the A7CR when he wants to go "light weight" the Sony G 40mm f 2.5, which I find really really excellent (we need urgently one like this one for the L-Mount), the Samyang 75mm f1.8, mainly for portraits, and now is considering seriously to add in April the new Sony G 16mm f1.8. In apsc mode 24mm with still a lot of room for cropping.

He uses also the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 DG DN II, that we also have in the L-mount; just another outstanding Lens that I could try with the A7CR.

 

[xaviergut]

Yes, my brother uses with the A7CR when he wants to go "light weight" the Sony G 40mm f 2.5, which I find really really excellent (we need urgently one like this one for the L-Mount), the Samyang 75mm f1.8, mainly for portraits, and now is considering seriously to add in April the new Sony G 16mm f1.8. In apsc mode 24mm with still a lot of room for cropping.

He uses also the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 DG DN II, that we also have in the L-mount; just another outstanding Lens that I could try with the A7CR.

By the way, this SmallRig eyecup helps with the EVF:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1852169-REG/smallrig_4819_viewfinder_eyecup_for_sony.html

 

[dirk]

The new Sigma DG DN lenses, available for Sony E and L-Mount, are heaven-sent. They are better then all Zeiss lenses I used in the past and cost less. Depending on the lens, they are as good as my Leica Q3 43 in image quality, but I have only a 24MP sensor in L-Mount to compare it, so take this with a grain of salt. But I love them.

Most Sigma DG DN FFL (non-Art) cost around 600-700€/USD. For this image quality, small size, leightweight metal construction plus an aperture ring this is a bargain.

If I ever would switch to another system in my life, it would have to offer the Sigma DG DN line up natively. I would never start with a new system without Sigma DG DN lenses.

ATM the only brand is Sony and L-Mount alliance. Which is good for us, because this will attract many new users into L-Mount. Especially if Panasonic would finally come out with a new, smaller body with EVF (ring, ring...).

I am so curious what Sigma will announce for 2025. From the statistics, Sigma announces 6-7 new DG DN lenses per year. This year they announced 2 new lenses already. So around 5 lenses left. One will be the rumored 200mm tele lens, so there are only 3-4 slots free for my hopes for a 28mm, 40mm and small telezoom. But who cares what I wish for.....

 

[RBecker]

.
ATM the only brand is Sony and L-Mount alliance. Which is good for us, because this will attract many new users into L-Mount. Especially if Pnansonic would finally come out with a new, smaller body with EVF (ring, ring...).

I am so curious what Sigma will announce for 2025. From the statistics, Sigma announces 6-7 new DG DN lenses per year. This year they announced 2 new lenses already. So around 5 lenses left. One will be the rumored 200mm tele lens, so there are only 3-4 slots free for my hopes for a 28mm, 40mm and small telezoom. But who cares what I wish for.....

There is the rumoured 200 and the already spoilered 35f1.2. Because the 35mm came from Mr.Yamaki himself, I expect this as the next release.

The big question are the reactions from all manufacturers to the US tariffs. Some companies have factories in China and for the rest we only have 90days of waiting period… There where also some quite expensive other asian countries. This will definitely harm many marketing strategies!

 

[RBecker]

If anybody is interested in some very special tests take a look at these older lens rentals blog entries:

MTF Tests of the Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG Art

We just finished testing a couple of 35mm prime lenses and came away quite impressed. But it took a little longer to finish testing the one everyone had been asking about; the Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG Art lens. I declared the Tamron 35mm f/1.4 SP the sharpest 35mm lens we had tested just a week [...]

www.lensrentals.com

MTF Results for Recent Sigma Art Lenses

And you may find yourself in a shotgun shack. And you may find yourself in another part of the world. And you may find yourself behind the wheel of a large automobile. And you may find yourself in a beautiful house. And you may ask yourself, well, what should I shoot with? A number of people [...]

www.lensrentals.com

Sigma 135mm f/1.8 Art MTF Charts (and a Look Behind the Curtain)

I know there are a lot of people who want to see what the MTF charts on the new Sigma 135mm DG HSM f/1.8 Art lens look like. We just did our initial screening test on ten copies, so I'll show you what we found, and give you some comparisons to some other 135mm lenses. [...]

www.lensrentals.com

Check out for many additional tests on that page.

Unfortunately there are no newer tests since 2019, but these tests where really impressive. They tested normally 10 copies of one lens, not a single copy loaned by the manufacturer!
The test of the 135 is also very informative, there they showed the differences for the 10 copies…

 

[dirk]

All Sigma lenses are produced in Japan and even with tarifs, they would be a bargain compared to Leica lenses, which would get even more expensive too.

 

[dirk]

Yes, I forgot the 35/1.2 Mk2. This will definitely come.

Oh lord, I hope that Sigma nevertheless will bring in 2025 my christman presents...

 

[Pete_W]

The new Sigma DG DN lenses, available for Sony E and L-Mount, are heaven-sent. They are better then all Zeiss lenses I used in the past and cost less. Depending on the lens, they are as good as my Leica

I'm a big fan of the DG DN contemporary lenses.