Sigma 24mm f/2 vs Sigma 24mm f/3.5 (Photo & Video Review)

[@TomCalton]

Out of interest, does anyone already own the 24mm f/3.5? And if so, are you going to switch to the new f/2 or keep what you've got? 🤔

[@memzTV]

I have the 24mm F3.5 on my Panasonic S5. Don't know if I should sell to buy the F2 version. I love the small size of the F3.5 version. Undecided. ://

[@jklphoto]

I do. And frankly I'm a wee bit pissed. For $90 more I could have had f/2? Makes me VERY reluctant to purchase the 90mm f2.8 DG DN.

[@TomCalton]

I would be too! I'm not sure why they didn't just release the f/2 version in the first place?!

[@TomCalton]

If you want better bokeh then get the f/2 for sure. It's really not that much bigger

[@memzTV]

@@TomCalton I ended up returning the F2 version and want the F3.5.

[@superelectic45]

It was all going so well for the f2 until the distortion test. I think the f3.5 is the better lens, it's smaller and that close focusing is a great bonus.

[@Cthames123]

I agree with you 100%. I think the f3.5 is better as well, and I just bought one myself, (it's coming tomorrow).

[@aop2182]

@@Cthames123How do you like it? I have a Sony 40 mm f2.5 and I really wanna a wider angle lens.

[@Cthames123]

@@aop2182 I knew I liked the lens, which is why I bought it, but I did not know it was going be as good as it actually was! I have been shooting with it for about 6 weeks. This is my 2nd 24mm lens as I also own a 24mm, Sony, f1.4, GM. I got it for my newly purchased Sony, A7C take every where camera. Going in I was fine with the f3.5 aperture not being the fastest out there as I knew it would work for how I shoot, (day time landscape and city streets were I’m stopping down to f5.6 -8 to get max sharpness, and also indoor group shots where I'm stopping down to get all faces in focus any way). I am really happy with this lens. The tiny size and weight, clicky aperture ring, and manual focus ring make the shooting experience so enjoyable. Better than I anticipated. I am using the very good close focusing distance and it shows brilliant details of flowers. I wasn’t expecting much from the close focus but this has been a real gift. It is wonderfully sharp and renders colors beautifully! The distortion profile (pin cushioning) is minimal to begin with and very manageable with in camera lens compensation. The minimal distortion was the main motivator in me getting this lens. The pin cushioning goes away completely with in-camera corrections turned on without stretching the images, returning true results. I also love the idea of the magnetic lens cap option, (cool) but honestly I’ve never used it, (just stuck the thing on my refrigerator). Maybe someday. My only gripe is the very heavy vignetting, which makes the corners pretty dark. This does not go away with the in-camera lens corrections. I was one who previously didn't care about this but it is especially pronounced with this lens, but at the great price I got for this thing,~$300 gently used I'll put up with it. This is a great lens. My 24mm, f1.4, G master still has its place, but this lens is a great 2nd 24mm for my portable everyday carry camera.

[@Cthames123]

@@aop2182 I have a 50mm, f2.5, G and thought long and hard about adding the 40mm before settling in on actually adding the 24mm for my everyday carry camera. The primary reason being I knew I could punch in on a 24mm using the APSC super 35 crop mode and get to 35mm(36mm), (which many find 40mm to be a proxy for), and still enjoy the wide vista that the 24mm takes in. I punch into 35mm all the time to get the shot when 24mm is a little too wide. Further, it is really hard taking a selfie of only yourself, let alone fitting in another person, with a 40mm. No problem doing this with a 24mm. Yesterday, I got a selfie of me and 2 other ladies I found wearing the same color coat as me. I still make plenty of use out of my 50mm, (love it), and my other tiny Sigma, 90mm, dg dn that is in my everday carry rotation but I really enjoy what the Sigma 24mm, f3.5 has brought me and I don’t regret one moment picking it up.

[@chesslover8829]

You need to award a point to the f/3.5 version for being perhaps the better choice for street and travel, where size and weight really do matter a lot.

[@m-stat9]

f2 is still super light, getting the f3.5 for just a few grams saving is just supid.

[@chesslover8829]

@@m-stat9 Do you always call people stupid who don't happen to agree with your uninformed opinion? I'm asking for a friend.

[@cuorebiancorossoo]

​@@m-stat924 3.5 is also a macro lens

[@Cthames123]

​@@m-stat9 There are a few more reasons to pick the f3.5 over the f2 version other than size, (though this is a perfectly fine reason...after all it is noticeably smaller). Better distortion control uncorrected, macro like minimum focus distance, cost( $100-$200) less expensive in 2024, minimal focus breathing in video, lighter on a gimbal, and in real world shooting no glaringly obvious sharpness deficiencies. f3.5 is not f2 but at this focal length many, (like me) are looking to use a 24mm for landscape photography (where most stop down to get everything in sharp focus across the frame), and for group photos where people are also looking to stop down to get all subjects in sharp focus. So this works for the way many use a 24mm and for some, (like me who just ordered one) is a better choice if considering it vs the f2 version.😊

[@Cthames123]

​@@m-stat9P.S. ..."supid". You got to get a "t" in there if you are looking to say "stupid"😂.

[@musar03580]

(0:33) These 24mm lenses are enough different from each other to warrant their continued coexistence. I hope SIGMA does not decide to discontinue the f/3.5. As demonstrated in this video, it is more compact, less expensive, produces a less distorted image, and can focus more closely.

[@innstikk]

Nice comparison! I have the 3.5, but as I also have the 24mm 1.4 ART I think I'll see if they come with an updated 45mm or 50mm lens in the future. The 90mm is pre-ordered. Just one point, the distortion you showed is if you turn off lens corrections.

[@Cthames123]

Distortion is a common malady afflicting a lot of 24mms, but what I see on the f2, and what you don’t on the f3.5 is hard to ignore. It doesn’t seem as though the distortion correction was on, but Even with distortion correction turned on, (which would flatten out the mound in the middle), things outside of center frame would still be stretched. With the f2 in group photos this would translate into faces appearing wider and bodies fatter. In Portrait vertical shooting, you’d get that fisheye look and in landscapes its really hard getting straight lines. The f3.5 would return a truer image and is leagues better in terms of distortion.

[@Cthames123]

At 5:22 he’s covering corner sharpness but I’m surprised he didn’t say anything about how dark those corners are, (vignetting), on the f3.5. Stuff like vignette and barrel distortion will affect every image taken. Its important for someone like me who doesn’t like spending a lot of time adjusting and correcting on the computer after shooting.

[@keola36]

I have no desire to pick up either of these lenses but I still watched the video because I like how you do these comparisons. Do you have any experience with the Sigma 100-400 dg dn contemporary? It’s the lense I have my eye on next to pick up for my Sony kit.

[@Cthames123]

I like how he does the comparison myself as well, but I have to say Alison helps as well! (Reminds me of a childhood friend- no possible way that could be my buddy though unless she found the fountain of youth!)

[@andy.photoandfilm]

allready preordered it - will be in the mail today and can't wait to try it on a wedding party tomorrow as i dont't have proper wide lens right now :D Just sold an 20mm 2.8 USM from canons film days which was slow and anything but sharp (used with MC11) - 16mm apsc used to be one of my favorite landscape focal ranges before i switched to FF and went full on people photography - Thanks for comparing these two - i was a bit underwhelmed by the F3.5 version and i guess thats why sigma had to release a faster one (though iam sure the 3.5 would be enough for 90% of any used cases, even for vlogging...but nowadays all prosumers want the bokehh) I'm looking forward to your comparions to the Zeiss 25F2 !

[@eucsvoboda]

I prefer 20mm 1.8 g or 24 1.4 gm

[@armada1e]

I think it’s really about do you want 1.5 stops or macro capabilities in a smaller package

[@Cthames123]

How about the barrel distortion? The f2 lens has noticeable distortion, where as the 3.5 none at all? The I guess this isn't as bothersome to some as it is to others?

[@kingweddingmedia]

Nicely done Tom!

[@TomCalton]

Thanks Simon, glad you enjoyed it 🤜💥🤛

[@line3122]

good verdict ) please can you make a review between the Sony 24-70 F4 and Sony 24-70 F2.8 or something as tamron , sigma , that would be amazing video thx a lot and keep it up

[@pianoman1973]

Thanks for the great review ! on a personal note - I wish they made a 24mm 1.4 to compete with the very expensive GM version .. :(

[@TomCalton]

Thanks for watching! I'm sure there's an updated Sigma 24mm f/1.4 in the pipeline. Not sure when it'll come, but it's almost certainly going to happen

[@pianoman1973]

@@TomCalton I'll keep on waiting ... :)

[@GuiorPhotography]

I’m genuinely torn between the f2 and f3.5 haha

[@oscarshen6855]

I always find 24mm to be hard to compose because it's too close to a smart phone and let in too much distraction, but your photos are amazing!

[@TomCalton]

Funny you say that because that was my exact thought after shooting with these lenses! It's a really tricky focal length for portraits. Shoot too close to your model and everything is distorted. Shoot too far away and you need to make sure the background is also interesting enough otherwise it's just a distraction. It's a challenge for sure!

[@jklphoto]

Very true Oscar. Anything wider than 28 is more challenging. Maybe Leica knew something when they made their 28-90mm frame lines ;-)

[@Cthames123]

I agree how 24mm can make composition a challenge, but I find it to be quite versatile. With care you can use it to take portraits, capture wide vistas, vlogg and get your head and chest in frame, shoot indoor rooms and get everyone in frame, and the added bonus it can turn into a 35mm. Sony cameras have the super 35 APSC crop feature which turns your 24mm into a 35mm (36mm) albeit at the expense of MP and aperture. Still a versatile focal length

[@Cthames123]

​@@TomCaltonAgree I also am learning of perspective distortion and how important to level all plans horizontal and vertical when shooting with it so that vertical structures don't look like they are converging in toward the center. For portraits the subject should be greater than arms length away and in center frame, (ditch the rule of 1/3rds), and don't get too close to stuff you don't want to look stretched.

[@Cthames123]

@@TomCalton Cool pictures at 6:20 (thumbnails) and 6:36 where you leverage perspective distortion with Alice’s hands.❤

[@networm64]

Very good job and can't wait to see the coming comparison which I think it might makes Kasey from camera conspiracy to scratch his head! And I think this new model just made the old 3.5 looking too overpriced and I think it is indeed. Having a 3.5 lens really doesn't make much sense specially considering it's price!

[@innstikk]

On a full frame it does.

[@Cthames123]

@networm64 f3.5 makes sense for how many make use of a 24mm lens on a modern full frame camera. For landscape/street photography many are stopping down to f4-f8 to optimize sharpness across the frame. 24mm is a handy focal length for group photos. In this application many stop down to get sharp focus on all faces. The argument for a faster aperture may be compelling for low light shooting but with the ISO to noise performance of most full frame cameras these days, it's not as big of an issue.

[@DustyCR]

In the video at the beginning you are using neither of these lenses but the Zeiss Batis 25mm with just a few product shots of the sigma lens thrown in!

[@TomCalton]

That's because (as you'll see in the next video I release) I tested both of these Sigma lenses and the Zeiss on the same day. Are you honestly suggesting that rather than testing these lenses I simply shot with the Zeiss and somehow faked all the test results or something? 😂

[@DustyCR]

@@TomCalton only you suggested that.

[@TomCalton]

Damn, I've been rumbled! (JOKING! That would actually be waaaaaay more effort than just doing the test 😂)