Sigma 24mm F3.5 DN Definitive Review | 4K

[@superelectic45]

Picked up one of these for £350 boxed as new and love it! This is the sixth 24mm lens I've owned through the years, it's a great focal length. Very sharp wide open over the entire frame and neutral colour rendering on my A7Rii - no CA to speak of. It's small size fits the mirrorless ethos perfectly.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm glad you are enjoying it.

[@Cthames123]

@superelectric45 so this is your 6th 24mm? What were the other 5 and how does this one rank in relation to the others, (color rendering, contrast, sharpness, cool/fun factor)? Did you keep them all? Do you find yourself picking this one over the others? I have a Sony, 24 mm, f1.4 GM and I’m entertaining the thought of this one as a second 24mm for the novelty of its compact size, small pin cushion distortion, min focus distance, no focus breathing, clicky aperture ring, & weather/dust seal at the mount. The f3.5 seems to be the relative weakness everyone picks at along with the price tag. For outdoor street/landscape I’m one who stops down to f5.6-f8.0, so f3.5 is fine for me. I also shoot jpg and turn on distortion correction so I’m hoping that would eliminate the distortion. What say you to this? Is it worth 2024’s gently used price ($350) ? Would you buy it again? Also comparing it to the tiny, 93 gram, Samyang, 24mm, f2.8. Which would you go with?

[@itssoaztek4592]

Thanks for a great review! Got this lens recently and second all the comments you made. A strength of this lens some people do not realize is its versatility. It's small enough to take it always with you, you can do some things with it you'd normally need a macro lens for, it can do landscape as it's sharp across the frame at f8, you can do people shots, quite nice also for street photography, and its even useable to some extent for video.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's sounds like you are just the kind of person Sigma had in mind for this lens.

[@Cthames123]

@itssoaztek4592 These are reasons I’m also consider the 24mm, f3.5, DG DN for my Sony A7C, EDC. I value distortion control at 24mm and I’m considering this one along with the tiny, Samyang, f2.8. I like shooting city streets & buildings, but also want to vlog, (POV video and selfie style), and I want to whip it out to photo large groups. Comparatively on paper, Samyang has it in price (2024 gently used is 1/2 Sigma’s price), aperture, (f2.8 vs f3.5), size and weight(1.5 in barrel length & 94g), and even better distortion control though Sigma’s profile is still good enough to consider. Sigma for weather/dust sealing, clicky aperture ring, min focus distance, and from clinical tests measures sharper across all apertures across the frame. It’s also a handsome design! with better flare control, but from Dustin’s test not good at making sun stars :(. After owning the Sigma for 2 yrs have you ever been disappointed with the f3.5 aperture, namely in indoor low lighting conditions?

[@itssoaztek4592]

@@Cthames123 I was living in a rural village far away from any city when I bought the lens. So I used it almost exclusively for landscape and subjects like flowers where the incredible minimum shooting distance was extremely valuable. However, this lasted only a few months and all over sudden unexpected circumstances made me move to another place in a city. Been very busy since then and no time for photography unfortunately. So, can't offer offer any real experience with indoors or any low light photography with this lens. But I guess how good or bad the lens is in low light is nowadays perhaps more dependent on the ISO range and quality of the camera one is using. I still love this lens and once I get the time will use for city streets similar to what you are planning to do. Actually I would like to concentrate on using only 24mm then. Ideally carrying the Sigma plus the 24mm/1.8 from Samyang to gain more flexibility regarding depth of field. But I am using L-mount cameras, so I'll have to depend on Samyang releasing an L-mount version. Still unclear when Samyang will start making L-mount lenses. They joined the L-mount alliance but don't seem to be in a hurry.

[@Cthames123]

@@itssoaztek4592thanks for replying and the great input. I found a good price on a gently used model, which put me in the $290 price range and in a few days I should be a Sigma, 24mm, f3.5 owner as well. I hope you get the time to shoot more with your lens! I’ll be sure to remember to tryout the close focusing the lens offers and report on my experience with it. Thanks agsin.

[@itssoaztek4592]

@@Cthames123 Congrats, you got a great lens for a great price! Enjoy the new lens & Happy shooting!

[@CarstenSaager]

Very good review - like always. I am set for this lens because it is the modern version of the old Sigma Super-Wide II, which featured a 1:3 macro, a feature I absolutely loved. Problem was the same as with this lens: At MFD, the field curvature was insane, so that it was barely usable, but anything around 1:5 was great in more "creative" compositions. Your samples confirm that, perhaps it can get useful even down the 1:3 range, thus allowing for even more adventurous compositions. Small lenses like this can also be a big plus for landscape. They catch less wind, which becomes an issue if you are on a hike and can't carry a 5kg tripod rig. If stop down to 5.6-8, why bother with larger glass?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

You'll have fun with this one.

[@hedydd2]

I've just bought one of these in Wales, UK. I love the build quality and compact size along with the jpeg corrected image quality. Mated with my A7III it makes a really compact unit hardly bigger than M4/3. The f3.5 aperture is not really a worry, because the A7III is so brilliant at low light, high ISO photography anyway and as for bokeh, since it is a full frame, I think its about equivalent to a M4/3 12mm at f1.8, but correct me if I'm wrong [it doesn't matter to me anyway, but I don't want to mislead anyone]. The price in the UK is now £20 less than at launch, at £460 including 20% VAT. So £384 plus tax. Not cheap but it is not a cheaply made lens. As with most Sigma lenses, it is made in Japan, not China like my Sony 35mm f1.8, which I may use instead in the darkest of situations, if not using flash. Both are nice and compact but I prefer the look and the aperture ring on the Sigma.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Sounds like you are a great candidate for this lens!

[@hedydd2]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Yes, I have 'mug' written across my forehead. Not for this lens but for anything I really like, I buy it. Bought a Billingham Hadley Pro at the same time as the lens. Best I keep away from camera shops. Could have bought the Sony 24mm f2.8, which is a bit cheaper, but I preferred the look, feel and handling of the Sigma this time irrespective of price.

[@Cthames123]

@@hedydd2 After 2years are you still happy with your Sigma, 24mm, f3.5?

[@hedydd2]

@@Cthames123 Yes, it is a high quality lens. It’s not my favourite focal length, but that is irrelevant. What is relevant is that there is a brighter version available, but at this focal length I have not found f3.5 to be an issue. It looks really nice on the camera and is a delight to use, which are important aspects for me.

[@Cthames123]

@@hedydd2i understand completely. I took the plunge and got myself the lens. It is a joy to shoot with, and very cute on my A7C Everyday camera. The images are just plain impressive. Sharp and beautiful color rendering. This was a great decision for me, as it has come with me everyday since I’ve gotten it. No regrets here.

[@hblesi]

It would be interesting to compare rendering of this lens to Voigtlander 21mm f3.5 Color-Skopar

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That would be interesting. The Sigma is much sharper, but Voigtlander color is special.

[@peterhelenius7614]

Very helpful review, thank you.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

My pleasure!

[@harveylouis445]

Excellent review. Did you get a chance to measure how much less the vignetting is on an APS-C camera? Also you mentioned that the AF was quick. How accurate is the AF?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Autofocus is all around excellent. But no, I didn't test on APS-C, though looking at the pattern I would say that a lot of the vignette would be eliminated on APS-C

[@harveylouis445]

@@DustinAbbottTWI That is helpful. Thank you. Personally, I like APS-C as a more affordable option for enthusiasts, partially because the smaller sensor utilizes the sweet spot of the full-frame lenses. I find that vignetting and distortion are less problematic with APS-C.

[@williaminbody205]

Great review as usual.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I appreciate that

[@ryanbeer5262]

Nice to see a small prime, not every photographer needs f1.? lenses. As a backpacker where space & weight are at a premium, I'll take it.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That's true.

[@Cthames123]

I agree there are other things important, like distortion control, portability, sharpness, and price. This Sigma’s 24mm, f3.5 has novel distortion control for a 24mm with shorter barrel length (2in). The minimal AF focus breathing characteristics is also impressive, as well as the min focus distance. Still, separate from the slower f3.5 aperture the knock on it is it doesn’t perform as well in the sharpness department in clinical tests across the sweet spot, (f4-f8) vs. competing Sony 24mm, f2.8 and Tamron 24mm, f2.8; and the price is still not cheap. Not being an owner it seems like a good lens and I like the idea of it, but I also like the cheaper, small, Samyang, f2.8, which also isn’t going to win any sharpness awards but is significantly cheaper.

[@networm64]

Great review! I never thought it could be a fun lens to use untill watching this review by a real photographer! Everything is understandable related to this lens but the price! It's way higher than the enthusiastic photographers budget indeed.... Can be good as a cine lens by its price tag considering it's slow aperture!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I agree that it is overpriced. I think somewhere around $400 would make it much more attractive to the market.

[@Cthames123]

The product isn’t new anymore, which can make “Used-Like New” prices from a reputable resell source a more attractive option over buying new. In 2024 a Used-Like new Sigma, 24mm, f3.5, Dg DN goes for ~$350USD. It is comparatively higher (double) competing Samyang 24, f2.8, (~$160USD), and Tamron 24mm, f2.8 (~$150USD) Used-like new, but still cheaper than Sony’s 24mm, f2.8,G (~$420USD), Used-like new. Lower used prices can help justify a buy but this is still real money. Each has advantages one over the other but for me, the Samyang at the Used-Like new price mentioned with everything it offers (best distortion control, tiny size), seems on paper the most attractive value.

[@networm64]

@@Cthames123 Hey! 2 years passed? Lol almost a year ago I actually bought this lens new for around $400. I am happy with it but not quite satisfied. Best thing about it is it's pincushion distortion which is the only 24mm lens which offers it and makes portraits looking great. And the 1:2 macro is a big plus too. Samyang lens is a crap for video, but the Tamaron is a bargain! I just couldn't like this big size of it. Tampon is too Catholic about that 67mm filter thread! This ruins smaller size lens designs. I still envy Sony 24mm 2.8., f3.5 is really nothing special it's like any kit lens out there!

[@Cthames123]

@@networm64 Thanks for replying! I agree with you on the Tamron. I bought it 6 mo ago but shortly returned it. I was looking at it’s sharpness, small size (on paper), the close focus capabilities, and the attractive price as something too good to pass up. Though it had a short barrel length I agree with the 67mm diameter it was not small. That coupled with the outrageous barrel distortion, and the macro not being anything to write home about clinched it for me! I wanted my $200 back. Thanks for sharing your experience with the Sigma, 24mm, f3.5. I hope to use it for portraits from time to time also just like you and it’s good to hear it doesn’t stretch people. The slight pin cushion sounds like it’s easier to manage and automatically corrected without issue in camera. That’s helpful to hear. I’m sorry f3.5 isn’t doing it for you. f3.5 isn’t remarkable but I stop down for most of my outdoor shooting, so I was hoping this wouldn’t be too much a problem for that. Even for shooting indoor groups of people I still usually stop down to f5.6-f8 to get all faces in sharp focus. Your experience has helped. I think I may give the Sigma 24mm, f 3.5 a try. Every now and again I consider the Sony, 24mm, f2.8, because it tests rather sharp and it is a handsome lens with the clicky aperture ring, AF switch and customizable button, (and it is weather/dust sealed). but the distortion even corrected and the stretching of things not center frame is atrocious. I can’t pay $450 for that and then have to explain to the subjects..”no you really aren’t that fat. It’s just my lens”. (Doesn’t explain well).

[@williaminbody205]

Can wait for the new Voigtländer 35mm f2 Lanthar for Leica VM mount.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

The Voigts tend to be special, for sure.

[@ChaitanyaShukla2503]

You should look up how herpers use and prefer Venus Laowa 15mm Macro for macro so this lens with its high mag ratio will find a way into herpers photography kit.

[@OccultDemonCassette]

herpers?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm a little lost on this reference, too.

[@lsaideOK]

Best reviews on the planet! And what looks like a very useful lens. Better than the Tamron 17-70 in terms of my uses. Good close-up performance with nice bokeh. Easily corrected distortion. Looks like a winner. How well does the vignette clear up stopping down?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hi Larry, the vignette is still fairly strong even at F8 or so. It definitely needs correcting, though that's not a hard task these days.

[@akyerit]

I've used the 45mm 2.8 and I'm sure this is just as premium. But the price is just too damn expensive for a 3.5

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

No argument here.

[@jk-qe3jj]

"Go along and pull it out at night" I fear I might get arrested if I do that.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

LOL. Don't blame that on me ;)

[@Anarki2U]

Thank you very much for the text review :) I do not like that the lens manufactors are getting so lazy that the lenses depend of software to be good, this Sigma 24mm 3.5 could have been much better with some extra care in the lens design, I will be happy to pay dobble or more for a 24mm 3.5 if it performs near to perfect, this one will never see my camera bag ! I have the Sony 24mm 1.4 GM and it is not perfect, but close enough to perfect ;)

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Interesting. Outside of the vignette, I'm not sure I see many optical flaws.

[@marcoripa9152]

great review, can the quality compare to the sony 24 1.4 GM?

[@devorator724]

I doubt it

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

At landscape apertures you would be hard pressed to tell the difference (outside of strong vignette on the Sigma), though the GM lens is nearly 3 stops faster in terms of wide open aperture. That really makes them radically different lenses in terms of who would want to buy them.

[@RickMentore]

Panasonic camera

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That’s a nice application for this lens.

[@HSNG10]

Don't see the point for this prime with Tamron 1728F2.8 at such a cheap price, faster aperture and sharp to boot.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

And that is certainly the argument against it. The Sigma has a size and build advantage, but neither of those things are bad on the Tamron zoom.