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…?

in Blue English / en noir en Français This article is split in 7 parts as it cover around 300 full Frame lenses tested on Sony A7RV – Last updated in Octobre 2024 L’article est considér…

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…?

in Blue English / en noir en Français This article is split in 7 parts as it cover around 300 full Frame lenses tested on Sony A7RV – Last updated in Octobre 2024 L’article est considér…

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