Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8 DG DN Art: One HECKUVA Lens - IF It's What You Need

[@3BMEP]

CORRECTION: THIS is what happens (inside MY brain, anyway, when I conflate manufacturers’ nomenclature (VR for vibration reduction and VXD for voice coil AF). Sigh. The Tamron and Samyang are NOT image-stabilized. Thanks to a sharp-eyed viewer for catching my mistake!

[@Skipsul]

While I don't have a specific need for this lens per se, at least for what I shoot, this is still the sort of engineering marvel that, were I to have the spare cash, I'd happy get anyway just to encourage Sigma's engineers to keep tinkering away at projects like this. They must have some talented and creative engineers on staff.

[@3BMEP]

I like the way you think!

[@peterfritzphoto]

So many gobsmacking images, Hugh! Just stunning.

[@3BMEP]

Thanks so much, Peter. I was inspired! 😊🙏🏻🖖🏻

[@brianmckeever5280]

That image @ 2:26 is terrific! You even photobombed your own awesome image! Love it.

[@3BMEP]

😉🙏🏻🖖🏻 which makes the title more understandable, right?

[@Wildridefilms]

The Tamron 35-150 and the Samyang 35-150 both lack image stabilization. The Samyang is also available on L mount.

[@3BMEP]

Thanks for catching that!😊🙏🏻

[@CalMukumoto]

I love the photography in this video.

[@3BMEP]

😊🙏🏻🖖🏻

[@munckmb]

Stunning images!

[@3BMEP]

Thank you! 😊🖖🏻

[@andersistbesser]

If i had a full frame camera this would be the only lense i would buy. For a mft 14-140mm user (28-280 equivalent) 28-105 still is a very short reach lense tough. Nothing beats my 14-140 for run and gun filming and street photography. And yes its so small it fits between two fingers..

[@fredericbeudot822]

I expected you’d conclude it wasn’t the lens for you but I have to say, that opening gallery has some of the best images I’ve seen from you in a long time. It seems that lens and the SL3 hit just the right creative spot so maybe the brain is saying No and the heart is screaming yeahhh! 😊

[@3BMEP]

Mebbe…

[@CuongNguyen-pv9nv]

I was sad when I didn't see your review for this lens yesterday. You're my favorite lens reviewer!

[@3BMEP]

Sorry for the delay! It is a result of two wasted days in transit!

[@rubelukeable]

Should the Leica 24-70 2.8 be a consideration or would you still pick the Sigma 24-70 F2.8 MK2?

[@mikelyon5595]

Sigma is working hard to make their lenses desirable!

[@jarmokarkkainen7621]

Tamron's 28-75 2.8 G2 is also a good option for traveling light(er). Although this Sigma is by no means a that big lens I think it would start to weigh after a few hours...Great though that they are creating lenses like these and I've always liked the build quality in just about any Sigma lens that I have owned or own at the moment.

[@dfj555]

If you get a chance, test the new Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN 'Art' lens. It outperforms the equivalent focal lengths in the Leica SL APO series of lenses.

[@warpspeed9877]

Α standard zoom means for me having equal extension for wide and tele. For EVERY firm out there when making primes, the lens that comes first after a 50mm is the 85mm. And the second is a 100 or 105mm. And the first wideangle before 50mm is the 35mm. And before that there is ALWAYS a 28mm. My point: this is true standard zoom as it gives you +/- 2 primes around the 50mm. An equal example would be a 35-85/2.0 or a 24-135/4.0. The in-lens OS is a DEAD WEIGHT a BATTERY DRAIN and a MALFUNCTION magnet coming from the days of SLRs that we don't need to carry around since today all modern mirrorless cameras have at least 5 stops of stabilization. If you need something better than 5 stops OS, stop drinking coffee or carry a tripod. I am getting this lens as my holy Trinity includes a DG DN 14-24/2.8 and the next 120-300/2.8. Sigma will sell a bucketload of these...

[@3BMEP]

Please keep me posted.

[@thewiseoldbird]

Bravo Hugh 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 I agree with every word. If i bought a 24-105mm it would be to put on my A7CR, but this is a brick. Given they have also released the 24-45mm f1.8 someone at Sigma is heavily into brick production, even if the IQ is impressive. So I will pass on this and wait for a MarkII Sony 24-105mm. I'm surprised they havent released one goven their excellent G lens versions of 70-200, and 20-70mm. I totally agree about the 24-70mm GMII being superb. The 16-35mm GMII is also superb and has a flat front element, so there are no complications using filters. Thanks for a great video. The first sequence of images was beautiful shot and curated. Lovely diversity 😍💪🏿

[@3BMEP]

😊🙏🏻🖖🏻

[@shyamalganguly3598]

Bricks are opaque but I assume you meant weight but you know it'd naturally weigh more as lenses get faster and it's true for prime lenses too and for zooms even slower zooms weigh much heavier than part of the prime lenses considered in a zoom range of a zoom lens, for example, if you consider three prime lenses in the zoom range 28-70mm they'd give you less bulk of weight (even when they're together in a bag giving you a fine feeling when you shoot with one of them and other two inside your bag), yes I'm talking about about fast lenses which are in general bulky for their construction! It's really fun to shoot with no weight on your shoulder in a long days shoot but with a fast long range zoom with a bulkier full frame camera body is hard work when you have less chances to use your tripod (another brick in your terms) to make your shots! Actually the need of a lens on your camera determines where you are as a photographer and what you want to do with your finished products! If you really love photography you must know what makes your work fulfill and the same applies to camera bodies!

[@tamilhoward9708]

So your thoughts on this versus the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 in L mount? Sounds like if you could only have 1 would you keep the Sigma 24-70mm DG DN mark ii ?

[@3BMEP]

Yep.

[@PeterWolfe2012]

Am I wrong in thinking of this as a 24-70mm with a longer reach? A perfect compliment to a 70-?mm? How does this lens compare to the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN II Art?

[@3BMEP]

It’s a great lens, but I prefer Sigma’s smaller and lighter 24-70/2.8 Art II; I don’t see it as a complement to their 70-200/2.8 Art. I think it stand as an alternative to one or both, and that is a function of use case, budget and priorities. 😊🖖🏻

[@PeterWolfe2012]

@@3BMEP Good morning. Thanks for the reply. That's my quandary. I'm trying to fit a lens between the Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary and the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 Sport for a couple of APSC bodies. I AM attracted to the extra 35mm reach just to have it if I need it. And I've seen it reported that Sigma's own testing showed the 28-105mm to best their own 24-70mm. But you prefer the smaller 24-70mm based upon actual use. I'm sorely tempted to fill the gap with a Tamron 17-70mm, call it a day and try to forget that I ever heard of the budget-busting duo of $1200-$1500 lenses.

[@3BMEP]

@@PeterWolfe2012that could work for you, too. Sigh; “spoilt for choice.” 😉

[@PeterWolfe2012]

@@3BMEP "Sigh; “spoilt for choice.” 😉" Ain't it the truth, best problem to have, but still kind of a problem. Hold my beer, I'll go complain to people with actual problems - they'll sympathisize wirth me. 😇

[@MattButler-h3r]

Back when I was shooting Nikon 2008’s preparing for a month+ in Kenya in tents, I foolishly bought a Tamron similar. FOOLISHLY. Got out of that and went right to a Nikon 300 f2.8 and shot 50 rolls of Fuji Velvia in a month and half living in tents. Cannot imagine going back to Sigma or Tamron. Granted, that was in 1995. Looking forward to the HE grip for my Q3. Hoping it will solve for my ergonomic issues (which are significant) on the Q3. Q3 solves for my hangups on IP ratings vs Fuji (which does not come close to my iPhone 15 pro max). Q3 is my first major camera purchase in over 20 years. The HE Q3 grip is my great hope. If it doesn’t pan out for me, I’m back to square one.

[@warpspeed9877]

Try to live in today. I have many film era zooms from the "reputable" manufacturers that were horrible. Sigma today is kicking the big companies butt not only in the optical dept, but also in the make quality, still making everything in Japan, even owning it's own magnesium foundry / CNC facility to ensure the alloys consistency. Hey... don't believe anybody: rent one for a week and see for yourself!

[@3BMEP]

Not that Ed or I are biased or anything - but truly: now that each of us is using the production version (first two off the line to confirm the full run) neither of us can imagine not having it on our Q3s full time. Let us know what you think when you get your soon!😎🖖🏻

[@nelsonclub7722]

Hugh. Good stuff. Have you heard, seen, tickled or played with the new Leica SL 70-200 yet? Embargo? Hush hush? Under the radar? Whats the news? PS your images are fire - some of the best I have sen on your channel - and there are some corkers in the running

[@3BMEP]

My lips are sealed. 🤫

[@nelsonclub7722]

@@3BMEP ...for now.... Have a good one Sigma looks the bomb - but I am a Leica guy - cant help it

[@xiaoabrose]

A lens we would want, but not want to carry. I can't believe I am saying it, but these days even carrying a heavy prime is annoying after not-a-long-time. The 70-200mm f2.8 doesn't get much love from me. So, without almost-prime-level sharpness some zooms achieve these days, and with the weight, and size.... I would pass. A nice mid range zoom and primes remains the most capable, flexible and interesting to photograph option.

[@3BMEP]

I hear you!

[@Tech_Stuff_and_Other_Stuff]

Name of the tracks in the video pls

[@3BMEP]

All from epidemicsound.com (discount code in show notes). For specific track identification, please use Shazam. 😊🖖🏻

[@johnyoung1606]

24-120mm f4 n Z8 : STUDIO 24-200MM f4.5-6.3 Z7 : STREET n VACA. 16-50MM f3.5-6.3 Z50 AND,, on a 2nd 50-250 Z50 : SKETCHY SITUATIONS Luv what I Get !!!!!!!! Long Live NIKON !!!!!!!!!! Thanks Hugh always enjoy Your Vids :) :) :)

[@3BMEP]

Thanks for the reminder of what other system can do! That 24-120 is especially worthy. 😊🖖🏻🙏🏻

[@johnyoung1606]

@@3BMEP Best of All to You n Claudia !! :) :) :)

[@3BMEP]

@@johnyoung1606😊👍🏻

[@HowardKastner-mq3qb]

@@3BMEP I was thinking the same thing watching your video, Hugh. My Nikon 24-120 f4 is a wonderful lens and weights only 630 grams vs. 995 for the Sigma, a difference of 37%. So, compared to the Sigma, it's wider and longer and gives up only one stop. Bravo Nikon. But, the Sigma is interesting.

[@snarkyguy]

If they had this in Fuji X-Mount, I would be all over it.

[@Princeton_James]

Curious if this is really better than the Panasonic 24-105? Every Sigma lens that ive tested against the Panasonic/S Pro is noticably inferior. Sigmas 24-70ii and 70-200 arent as good as Panasonics version.

[@3BMEP]

In my experience, yes, it is better than the Panny - but then again, so are the 24-70 DG DN Art II and 70-200/2.8 DG DN Sport.

[@ThiagoGuedesC]

At the end of the day, it's almost all about the compromises one is willing to make. 24-70 2.8, you sacrifice range. 24-105 f/4, light. Anything else, size and weight. Primes, you may need to change lenses. When I was in my 20s, I could care less about size and weight as long as IQ was there. I could accept fussing with lenses too. In my 40s? I'm perfectly happy with a 24-70 2.8 permanently attached to the body and case closed haha.

[@3BMEP]

I carried all 3 Canon EF holy trinity zooms in a Billingham 225 into my mid-40s, but now I prefer primes on my SL3 and X2D; sometimes my Q3 alone or with an M11 and a pair of much smaller and lighter primes to bracket the Q3; a great 24-70 on my SL3 when I don’t want to change lenses. For my a7RV? Have and love the 35 and 50/1.4 GMs, but when I want maximum flexibility for travel at minimum size, weight and futzing, it’s the a7R V with their 24-70 and 70-200 GM II’s. 👍🏼

[@btecww]

There is the Canon boat anchor RF 24-105mm @ $3000 …. I’m holding that thought 🤔

[@tamilhoward9708]

😆

[@GamachePhoto]

Great review as always, and your images are on point. During a recent trip to Portugal, I was happy to have the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN on my SL2, for 90% of my photos during all-day outings, the rest were M10-R and VM 35mm f2 Ultron II.

[@3BMEP]

Nice!

[@paullutvak5422]

Mystery solved!

[@3BMEP]

Yep! 😉💯

[@A1000Truths]

Id take the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 for size and usability. Definitely a lens that cover its all the new 28-105mm Your black & white photos are beautiful.

[@3BMEP]

Good counterpoint for an inexpensive yet still performant alternative! And: thank you. 😊🖖🏻

[@Tharrel]

I think lenses with such range have mostly been used for travel, not to have to carry multiple lenses. But a lens this big is not a good travel lens. I don’t know who this is for.

[@usuallyroamingrob7731]

I might need to jump ship from Canon.

[@3BMEP]

I did in 2014 after almost half a century with the brand.

[@usuallyroamingrob7731]

@@3BMEP I just don't understand why they're keeping the RF mount locked down.

[@JohnCampbell-t9j]

Why don’t you give this lens to the elephant, and let it review it?