Sigma 90mm f2.8 DG DN: IN-DEPTH review

[@cameralabs]

For more info on StoryBlocks, visit: storyblocks.com/CameraLabs I test the Sigma 90mm f2.8 DG DN, a fast wide prime lens for mirrorless cameras! Sigma 90mm f2 DG DN at B&H: bhpho.to/38Vlbx0 // WEX UK: tidd.ly/3l7bYHM Buy Gordon a coffee: www.paypal.me/cameralabs Gordon's In Camera book: amzn.to/2n61PfI / Amazon uk: amzn.to/2mBqRVZ Cameralabs merchandise: redbubble.com/people/cameralabs/shop Gordon’s retro gear channel: kzbin.info Equipment used for producing my videos Sony A6400: amzn.to/3hul53c Sony e 24mm f1.8: amzn.to/2TqWNzk Rode NT USB mic: amzn.to/3AdHcUp Rode Wireless Go II mic: amzn.to/3xkCvGo Rode Lavalier Go mic: amzn.to/3ygzzKY Godox UL150 light: amzn.to/2VpVbXE Godox QR-P70 softbox: amzn.to/3yQfGdF MacBook Pro 13in (16GB / 512GB): amzn.to/3hrwMYD Music: www.davidcuttermusic.com / @dcuttermusic 00:00 - Intro 02:06 - design and controls 04:31 - autofocus performance 05:37 - portrait quality 07:16 - bokeh quality 08:41 - landscape quality 10:33 - focus breathing 11:30 - verdict and sample images As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

[@paololarocca7684]

thanks for the review, stunning lens, I wish Sigma continues the series with something longer (and also wider...), a compact 135mm (or even 200mm?) would have even less competition that this one...

[@cameralabs]

Exactly, they're producing models that don't always have much competition.

[@obscurelines]

Agreed, for travel wedding work I can work in the 90mm range in different ways (including at f4 on a 24-105mm which is only one stop faster). But a small 135mm would be pretty compelling. Even at f4.

[@michaelbell75]

A compact 135 like this would be amazing. Instant buy.

[@cameralabs]

@@michaelbell75 I hope that will be next - well that and a compact ultra wide like a 14, 16 or 20

[@Steveo15]

Fantastic review as always gordon...i watch your reviews since the beginning, and you are even more engaging and more precise now than ever...spot on...a good balance between tecnical blah and practical, personal use. Well done!

[@cameralabs]

Thankyou! I think I've found a reasonable format for lenses where I can get across most of the info and tests I want in 8-14 minutes...

[@SilatShooter]

Thanks for this! Have the 85mm f1.8 and was considering this as a compact travel short tele. This looks like it fits the bill. Wish there one of these companies will add a compact 135mm or 70-150 for travel that is optically excellent and moderately fast. Prefer the smaller, lighter set-up more and more.

[@thebitterfig9903]

Never really thought much about this lens at first, since I'm not in E mount... but recently I've come to really wish Sigma would release this for Fuji X. It'd be a wonderful alternative to great lenses like the Fujinon 90 or Viltrox 75. Small size, great minimum focus distance, and an aperture ring. It'd be perfect for me.

[@cameralabs]

Good idea

[@CianMcsweeney]

100%, it's crazy to me that Fuji has no compact telephoto prime

[@thebitterfig9903]

@@CianMcsweeney The 50/2 kinda can be that, but a good deal less reach... it'd be sweet if there were, say, the equivalent of the Pentax DA 70/2.4 Ltd, which is practically a pancake. Sure, it's a DSLR lens, but only 1" long.

[@CianMcsweeney]

@@thebitterfig9903 well what I want is basically a 70mm version of the 50mm, cause yeah it just doesn't have enough reach

[@CaptainCreosoteRN]

Biggest flaw of this range imo is the differing filter size. Solid review as always Gordon.

[@talhashah]

24mm f/3.5, 45mm f/2.8, and 90mm f/2.8. All have 55mm filter size.

[@michaelbell75]

I'll take the 90 over the Sony 85 f/1.8 Had that lens and sold it. The Sigma has much better build quality and made in Japan, way smaller and lighter, more professional features, faster and more accurate AF, better colors and sharper. The one and only advantage of the 85 is the faster aperture, but who cares? I dont care for blurry and fuzzy backgrounds. I went thru the whole "bokeh" phase. Lugging around big and heavy f/1.4 and 1.8 lenses. Ive bought and then sold a bunch. These Sigma I Series lenses and the new little Sony G lenses are quite superior to the cheap primes from China and Korea (Samyang, Yongnuo etc..) with their plastic builds, poor AF, bad IQ and soft photos. Never again.

[@videosuperhighway7655]

The whole Sigma I series punches way above its weight. I almost have the whole line up for my Panasonic Lumix cameras. Sigma really did good with this series. The entire lineup is consistently good.

[@tom_nuyts]

thx for your review... @distortion: actually we deal with pincushion distortion (according to your pics and other reviews)...

[@Cthames123]

@user-jp9js9th8o I pulled the trigger and bought this lens about a month ago because I loved everything about it……except the pin cushion distortion! But this is turning out not to be the issue I originally made it out to be. I have a Sony, A7 IV, which has the lens compensation->distortion correction feature, which when enabled seems to do away with distortion all together, making it unnoticeable. I stopped short of confidently saying it removes it 100% because I’m not using a microscope in stating my observation. With distortion correction turned off the pin cushioning is definitely noticeable to me in my shooting of streets and landscapes. The upshot of all this is the distortion correction works with no perceivable degradation or stretching of the image, which again was a concern of mine. Now this part I really am pulling out my microscope and zooming in 300% to examine! I am a Jpeg shooter, and haven’t tried much to see how it affects shooting raw, (will be testing it out), but I am happy with how well the distortion correction resolved my only concern. I am really happy with my lens!

[@tom_nuyts]

@@Cthames123 everyone can with that issues on his own... I just wanted to point out the mistake of the word "barrel"... anyhow this tiny lens isn't optic and mechanical gem!

[@Cthames123]

@@tom_nuyts I am now seeing how Gordon refers to the distortion at 9:00 as “barrel distortion”, when in actuality it is “pin cushion” distortion. Thanks for clarifying, as I did not originally appreciate your reference.

[@cecilsharps]

thanks for the vid. I'm a fan of light compact lenses. might have to pick one up in the spring

[@Skipsul]

Excellent review. That does look like a lovely lens, and this was exactly the comparison I was hoping to find.

[@troyphillips1077]

I just ordered this lens for my Sony a7siii . I’ll be shooting interviews a lot with this lens . I shoot live music videos for tv and KZbin. We do interviews and within most of our shows. Also we are starting some live music mini docs . Then just started a full length documentary on a muscian. He’s a storyteller and figured I’d give some storytelling lenses a go . I’m looking at using the Sigma 28mm Art , Sigma 65mm f/2 i series and this Sigma 90mm f/2.8 . I was really hung up on f/1.4 and f/1.2 lenses . As of late I’ve been getting some old Nikkor f/2 to f/2.8 lenses. These lower element count lenses seem to have more microcontrast than their higher element count partners. The Sigma 28mm Art and 40 Art have so many lens elements they can flatten the skin details. Faces can look flat and without details and color . They loose their roundness. That 28 has some other positive aspects to it though.

[@lindakantes873]

I don't usually comment but OMG I used this lens for my first attempt at Portrait -ish photography .. This lens has been on my sony A7c for months ...... Can praise this lens highly enough .... Love your reviews

[@cameralabs]

Thanks!

[@PerWigren]

I had this lens but had to return it because I found that all outdoors winter photos had various degrees of greenish tint that I don't get with any other lens. Compared it to Samyang 35/1.8, Sony 35/2.8 ZA, Tamron 20-40 and Tamron 28-200, and almost all Sigma 90/2.8 photos were much greener, even though the camera settings were identical. I didn't notice it on indoors photos, but out in the snow covered garden at mid-day it was very obvious. It was the same type of tint I get if I take a photo out through the car windshield. I didn't have any filters on while testing.

[@cameralabs]

That's very odd, but obviously not desirable.

[@Sorgesol]

Ok. I will buy this one. I love my Sigma 135 mm but it is truly gigantic and a pain to bring with me... So let's see how this one will do with my a7c.

[@omandaub]

Impressive review Gordon. As always👍

[@j_quads]

Thanks, due to size and bokeh I'd like to see a comparison sigma 90 2.8 vs samyang 75 1.8

[@frankfeng2701]

Despite worse focus breathing and appearance, Samyang wins at half the price.

[@michaelbell75]

@@frankfeng2701 The Samyang is a turd of a lens. Returned mine within a day of owning it. Its a toy. At least step up to the Samyang 85 f/1.4

[@perilthecat]

Gosh darn I just like Gordon’s videos so much.

[@cameralabs]

And I like your comments, thanks!

[@momoz88]

This sigma series of lenses will work very well with the Nikon Zf. We are waiting for a review for the later Gordon :)

[@Smoothblue90]

The autofocus looks excellent. Someone please help me out. I've heard very conflicting things about Sigma lenses. On one hand I have heard that the images taken with the Sigma lenses are sharp and great. On the other hand I have heard that some of the older DSLR design Sigma lenses do not have a consistent autofocus capability. I've read that the inconsistent autofocus cannot be fixed with the lens dock because it's not a calibration problem it's a consistency problem. Even when calibrated one photo will be spot on in focus and another photo will not be. Has Sigma fixed this inconsistency problem with their newer lenses? Is there some period of time after which newer lenses do not have this problem? Is or was this only a DSLR problem that does not affect the mirrorless cameras because of the way their autofocus works off the same sensor that takes the image?

[@CharlieVN]

AF has been slightly below Tamron IME, but definitely good. Nothing like the DSLR days, a much higher level

[@cameralabs]

The most recent Sigma lenses for mirrorless cameras, or any of the ART series, are very good.

[@Smoothblue90]

@@cameralabs Thank you.

[@Princeton_James]

The Sony 90mm macro is supposed to be sharper but is a macro lens and is much more expensive and heavier. Is a macro lens not ideal for portraits?

[@cameralabs]

A macro lens can be great for portraits, although the Sony 90 is getting on a bit now, so I'd be looking for deals. I have more detailed reviews of some lenses including the Sony macro at my website: www.cameralabs.com/sony-lenses/

[@Cthames123]

@Princeton_James I previously owned the Sony, 90mm, f2.8, G, macro which has spectacular sharpness, no distortion, and the macro features were otherworldly. Still, it was much larger than anything I was used to shooting with, and I left it home many times because I didn’t want to lug it around. Also, it was on the expensive side and the autofocus was not the fastest. The Sigma 90 mm, f2.8 has to be the smallest 90mm lens out there and while I knew I’d be giving up the macro feature, and I’d have to live with not having the perfect distortion control that the Sony, 90mm, f2.8, G, macro offers I am happy with the similar sharpness, faster auto focus speed, and how well the distortion compensation feature of my camera works to eliminate the lens distortion. I am ultimately happier and will likely be shooting more with the sigma 90mm, 2.8 vs the Sony 90mm, f2.8, G, macro I returned.

[@musar03580]

I love SIGMA's I series of lenses. Vintage build and modern optics.

[@videosuperhighway7655]

Yeah I pretty much have almost the whole lineup for my L mount cameras.

[@AmadoWildlifeVideos]

Wow, that's some reach to get the old St. Dunstan's building and Rottingdean windmill from here, they seem further away in my memory...prolly cos we had to run there!

[@cameralabs]

Well, you can only see that in the magnified version of the sample image taken from the pier...

[@obscurelines]

At Dunstan's is blind veterans now. Although I think they are planning a sale.

[@hunglemed]

best compact lens

[@samuel_d]

I noticed the Sigma had very blurry edges on the ruler max-magnification test. That’s hardly unusual, but the Sony did a lot better at its (much lower) max magnification. That surprised me a little, since the Sony isn’t very sharp at min focus distance (but it must have decent field curvature and astigmatism correction there). Do the edges of the Sigma images ever get sharp at min focus distance by stopping down? I’m also curious how the performance compares to the Sony at the same magnification as the Sony at its min focus distance … but I doubt you’ve tested exactly that. Your reviews are excellent! Always concisely answering the very questions I was wondering about.

[@mrmonday42]

Christopher Frost tested close focus stopped down. It looks very crisp at minimum foucus distance at f5.6.

[@bijosn]

probably field of curvature related....more noticeable at closer distances

[@gilknutson]

Excellent review! Thanks!!!

[@cameralabs]

Thanks!

[@Smoothblue90]

Awesome video as usual. I agree the Sigma looks a little crisper.

[@rhykko77]

A superb reveiw Gordon, thanks indeed ! I own the Sony 85 1.8 and was looking for exactly this comparison

[@cameralabs]

You're very welcome! So what do you think?

[@67tagada]

Good morning Gordon. And compared to the Sigma 1.4/85mm DGN Art, how is this 90mm in terms of sharpness?. I own the 35mm/2.0/contemporary Sigma, and I'm also very happy with it. I use them on my Leica SL2s...

[@cameralabs]

I've not directly compared them, but you can look at results from both lenses and see how they compare in similar situations. I have additional lens reviews at cameralabs.com

[@zispop]

Nicely done. Thanks

[@eboehmjr]

Excellent! Much appreciated!

[@cameralabs]

You're welcome!

[@CKramburglar]

Interesting that the most compelling use for this seems to be video, which is a bit odd for 90mm, but still looks like a neat little lens overall

[@cameralabs]

Why just for video? It works well for video, but anything between 75 and 150 is primarily a portrait photography lens, and this does a great job at it.

[@CKramburglar]

Certainly didn’t mean that’s it’s only use, just that it’s where it really shines. Haven’t seen many lenses, especially short telephoto, that are breathing corrected, it seems to be the standout feature

[@mrmonday42]

@@CKramburglar The standout feature is the size. This is the smallest telephoto lens for Sony

[@Cthames123]

@@mrmonday42I agree. I own the Sigma, 90mm, 2.8, and it is quite an experience having 90mm, with the degree of sharpness, in such a small and manageable form factor. Because it is such a pleasure to use and the results so sharp I’m more prone to bring it with me and shoot with it. Is it OK to also say I love spinning the clicky aperture ring? I really like my lens!

[@theweekendphoto]

Hi! Can you. please do the same review for tamron 90mm f2.8 G2 vs Tamron 85mm f1.8 g2? thank you very much and I really appreciate your videos!

[@lindakantes873]

Love the video Gordon ---just got the Sigma 90mm ... what should the minimum focal be?? I find the closest I get is about a foot ??

[@cameralabs]

Hope you enjoy the lens! Can't remember the minimum focusing distance offhand, but it'll be on Sigma's webpage for this lens. You may need to manually focus it to get closest of all. Sometimes AF is a little less close.

[@stuartmeador8993]

Good review...Thanks

[@youuuuuuuuuuutube]

6:30 I much prefer the image on the right, from the 85 f1.8.

[@michaelbell75]

Why? Its softer and darker.

[@Cthames123]

You’re always right about how you feel and what you prefer, and though some may value sharpness all may not agree that “sharper” is better all the time. For me, in the shot from 6:30 to 6:59 (which compares sharpness of 2 different apertures f2.8 Sigma vs f1.8 Sony) , the difference in sharpness and clarity seems most apparent when comparing the eyebrow hairs and the vertical and horizontal furls directly left, where the brow meets the nose ridge. Sigma (left) seems slightly better at the sharpness and acuity rendering on this shot but I really have to pick at this image to come to that judgement. BUT NOTE, the difference seems likely due to the narrow focal plane that comes with f1.8 that the Sony lens is shooting at. At 7:00 the comparison is more equal because the aperture values are the same f2.8. Here the brow area is in sharp focus on both and it is a challenge to discern any difference. I will say for this shot I prefer the warmer skin cast of the Sony, but this is only a slight difference.

[@soholingo]

THIS is the lens Sony should have introduced with its cupcake lenses...

[@soholingo]

That's what I am hoping

[@Cthames123]

You don’t see too many lenses with this focal length at this tiny size. I haven’t seen any myself. I’m thinking it is a sizable challenge to do so, which is what makes this lens so impressive. It’s 2 years since your comment and there isn’t a comparable size at the length and diameter for FE mount at this focal length.

[@datalaforge]

Is this a mechanical focus or focus by wire lens? Thanks!

[@cameralabs]

All mirrorless lenses with AF are focus by wire.

[@datalaforge]

@@cameralabs Ah I didn't realize it was a rule. Thank you!

[@oc2phish07]

Another very interesting and informative video. One quick question, do you still work with Doug? I only ask as I used to love his input but have not seen him for a while.

[@cameralabs]

I still speak to Doug, but we haven't made a video for a while. They weren't an efficient way to deliver reviews in the way most of the KZbin audience want them.

[@robertbirnbach2312]

Thanks, Gordon another good video, I don't even own a Sony camera and I watched it! pssst more Dino Bytes :)

[@cameralabs]

Thanks! Hopefully it'll be available in more mounts in the future... As for Dino Bytes, every time I'm about to make another one, a new cameralabs review comes along! BUT I have booked in a few days next week to film two hopefully, starting with the Son y S70, so keep an eye open for it!

[@sansin6250]

Which is sharper at f/2.8, this, or the Lumix 85mm f/1.8 ?

[@cameralabs]

Good question but not sure as I've not tested the Lumix 85.

[@marknathan7744]

This is a lovely lens would be nice to see them do a 135mm f3.5, great video as usual.

[@bullrunbtccmc]

Can I use it for Sony a6300

[@cameralabs]

Yes, on any Sony mirrorless

[@bullrunbtccmc]

@@cameralabs sir can I zoom any objects with that lens

[@cameralabs]

@@bullrunbtccmc on an A6300 it will be like a 135 lens. It will be great for portraits and small objects.

[@bullrunbtccmc]

@@cameralabs thanks

[@marioplus321]

Will it come out for Canon?

[@cameralabs]

Who knows?

[@marioplus321]

@@cameralabs 🤔

[@michaelbell75]

Zero chance. Canon hates 3rd party, they want you to mortgage your home to buy their overpriced RF glass. Switch to Sony, thats what I did.

[@analuciadasilva7078]

Isso é maravilhoso 👏

[@rubenlaurentiu90]

Who is the Sting lookalike?

[@cameralabs]

Twist: it IS Sting.

[@benharveyphotography]

Thanks for this. I actually learnt a lot about my Sony 85mm! I will keep my subjects away from the edges when shooting at 1.8! :-)

[@youuuuuuuuuuutube]

Actually you didn't learn anything useful, because he was focusing in the center of the frame though, too bad he didn't test when focusing on the edges. When you focus in the center, a lot of lenses have field curvature, so only the center is really sharp and the edges are softer, and if you focus on the subject at the edges, they become very sharp.

[@benharveyphotography]

@@youuuuuuuuuuutube if the pier is the same distance from the camera across the whole frame, (the camera being parallel to the subject) then isn’t that the same as focusing on the edge of the frame? The lens was focussed at a distance not a specific area of the image…

[@superelectic45]

@@benharveyphotography You are right it's focused on a set distance, but that distance gets longer as you move right or left if you are parallel to the subject.

[@AjaySingh-228]

Nice Sir

[@mauricerijnders3507]

I returned my Sigma 90mm. It had serious bokeh issues with straight lines leadings up to the focus point... Showed the camera store and they completely agreed and refunded my money. Anybody else seen this?

[@joewellham1]

The slight comer softness of the Sony wide open will not bother any portrait photographers but they certainly will be bothered about a 2.8 max aperture and harsher bokeh from the Sigma.

[@jiarongwu9177]

Do you believe this resolution is enough for A7CR?

[@cameralabs]

yes

[@iancurrie8844]

About to watch the video but before I do I’m left wondering: perfect? Really? More perfect than an 85 or 105 1.4? Perfect is two stops darker than those? I’m sceptical.

[@cameralabs]

Depend how much blurring you want

[@iancurrie8844]

​@@cameralabs I suppose. I guess when I think "perfect" I think of the best tool for the job and this isn't it. I was pretty skeptical going in and watching the video didn't change my mind. It seemed kind of click-bait to be honest.

[@Cthames123]

@@iancurrie8844I’m a fan! The sharpness, the contrast, the clicky aperture, the metal construction, (magnetic lens caps and filters work great for those wearing gloves), all of this in a wonderful small and light form factor….This checks a lot of boxes for me, and I’m really happy with this lens. I will say, I am a sun stars person, and this lens doesn’t do light source bursts well, (doesn’t do it at all), so one could gripe. Also, physics and design doesn’t allow for a sub f2.8 aperture at this size, but in the class it is in it does a lot of things very well. I really like it.

[@cuongdoanvan4104]

Auto focus in video too slow :(

[@cameralabs]

You can make it more responsive in the menus

[@NighthunterNyx]

Disappointing. Samyang 75/1.8 kills it.

[@michaelbell75]

lol

[@michaelajoseph6856]

Thank you for a great review!

[@cameralabs]

You're welcome