Sigma 28-45mm f1.8 REVIEW vs prime lenses

[@youuuuuuuuuuutube]

Crazy how optically it's so much better than prime lenses from Panasonic :O I mean when f1.8 is more detailed than f4 on Panasonic, you know it's a huge difference.

[@AfF3lix]

The lumix 10-25 1.7 was also much sharper than lumix 15mm 1.4, sigma 16mm 1.4 sigma 30mm etc

[@daysandwords]

@@AfF3lix Honestly I don't understand that lens. What's the point in shooting m4/3 if you're going to use lenses that are the same size as FF, and actually slightly more expensive. It's an optical marvel, yes... But use an S5 II with a 24-105 f4 and you've got really quite a similar setup, only almost 2x as much zoom.

[@daysandwords]

He pretty just made that bit up though... there isn't nearly enough detail in that shot (especially on KZbin) to see his claim of the Lumix needing to be at f4 before it beats the Sigma at f1.8. I'm calling cap on that.

[@slows728]

@@daysandwords A good copy of the 50mm f1.8 will be almost as sharp than a good copy of the 28-45mm. I have both, and the 50mm f1.8 is certainly not softer at f4 than the 28-45mm at f1.8. I often use more than one sample of the same lens and the difference is sometimes huge.

[@JoaquimGonsalves]

The 18-35 and more so the 50-100 had a lot of focus breathing. It seems they have not only managed to achieve a far better performance on this aspect but by adding their now customary Full Frame Art lens features, they've ticked off those boxes and have even made a huge upgrade. Great job Sigma!

[@Herbridge]

😂 my favorite zooms so far

[@JoaquimGonsalves]

@@Herbridge Mine too during my Canon DSLR days.

[@F8HAUS]

Seems like a very good option for the wedding/event photographer. I'd love to put it on a FULL FRAME FOVEON, SIGMA - PLEASE RELEASE A FULL FRAME FOVEON, SIGMA.

[@sneakergearz]

This is full frame

[@F8HAUS]

@@sneakergearz Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the Foveon sensor.

[@frankfeng2701]

I'm surprised nobody talks about or even mentions Sigma 24-35 f/2, which is actually Full-Frame EF mount internal zoom and can be adapted/speedboosted to different mirrorless mount. It also has much better value than 28-45. I picked one up used for $400 last year.

[@cameralabs]

I've not come across that

[@nrcgraphyofficial8682]

I've been shooting that 24-35 f2 for about a year. Heavy but crazy sharp and awesome as a wedding lens

[@forgottencameras]

Was looking for this comment, this is my main lens for landscape shooting. It is so nice to not carry a bunch of primes, accommodates square filters well, and is really sharp. I typically shoot it at f8 or so, and can't wait to try it out on a beefier sensor (currently with a Sigma fp).

[@frankfeng2701]

@@cameralabs It'd be a big miss for an objective review to not mention a close competitor, albeit aged.

[@kenrodriguez9645]

The 24-35mm zoom range reminds me of that one episode of the office where Michael Scott is showing off his articulating TV mount in his living room and he pulls the 15” TV off the wall and it moves like 2” closer. It was cool and all, but like the difference between 24mm and 35mm in composition is 2 steps forward or back.

[@mahidoes]

Thanks. You are my favourite reviwer. You always on point instead of intruducing unrelavant things like other popular reviewers.

[@cameralabs]

Thanks!

[@benharveyphotography]

Sigma Art lenses are so good…but heavy. When I was using the 16-35f1.8 though the weight was a positive as it made very stable footage. I miss that lens.

[@dunnymonster]

I like this lens, I think it's a great choice for anybody who is using L mount. This lens comes close but I'd love to see either Sigma or Lumix make a FF version of the M43 10 - 25 f1.7 lens. One of my favourite M43 lenses I own just imagine a FF 20 to 50mm f1.7! 😮

[@jan-martinulvag1962]

The section is one of the most important things when you photograph. That's why I like zooms. You crop before you take the shot. This is done emotionally. You don't have to think about the golden ratio cos your body is built according to the golden ratio and when the scene is just right you resonate with what you see and then you take the shot.

[@slimphotog]

Very interesting comment. I've never thought of it that way.

[@FrancisJacquerye]

Thanks for this review, Gordon!

[@cameralabs]

You're welcome!

[@SinaFarhat]

What a cool, bright and useful zoom lens! Thanks for the review!

[@totallynotmyeggalt6216]

I'm hoping lens manufacturers start making new 28mm primes for mirrorless so the Nikkor 28mm f/1.4E drops even further in price!

Thank you. Excelent review.

[@masina9447]

It would be really cool to compare this lens with various crops of Sigma's own 28mm F1.4 Art, because that prime is pretty sharp on both FF and APSC (i.e. 42mm equiv).

[@Wilbafarce]

Sigma always helping us weedy photographers to make some serious gains!

[@minorrhoads5318]

EXCELLENT COMPARISON , CHEERS GORDON .

[@cameralabs]

You're welcome!

[@ScreenFiends]

I'm stuck between this or the Samyang 35-150. Different focal lenght for sure, but both would be used for their versitility

[@obscurelines]

Agreed. I need a second fast lens for up to about 100mm

[@frankfeng2701]

35-150 for most people.

[@obscurelines]

@@frankfeng2701 yes, shame this is 28mm. At 24 or even 20, this would be a killer two camera event combo.

[@xmeda]

I like my 18-35/1.8 on Pentax, it covered all those missing primes in lineup and camera IBIS provided nice lowlight capability.

[@slimphotog]

How is the AF with that lens on the Pentax? And is it as sharp as they say it is?

[@rockutron9000]

I wish Canon had a lens like this in this price range. It would be an instant buy. My walk around/go-to lens is the RF 24-70 f2.8, and you're right in that you lose some range but having the ability to go to f1.8 would be amazing, especially on a crop sensor it would be a no-brainer, if I had a R7.

[@Eikenhorst]

Well Canon has the 28-70 F2. Which is a lot more versatile due to it much longer zoom reach. It is also very expensive and heavy, but I expect Canon shooters to be ok with that as this is the norm for their L lenses.

[@OsmanKavci]

I just ordered this lens and looking forward to shoot weddings with 28 to 45mm 1.8 instead of only 35mm prime 🙌

[@iransirijillo]

I’m looking to trade my 50 1.2 for this lens for the same use, crossing fingers it delivers in handling and AF

[@cameralabs]

Bonus points if you ordered via my links!

[@leledreher]

This lens is a great match for the new dynamic zoom feature in video.

[@Democratiser]

Thanks Gordon! Sigma seems to have done it again with this fast zoom gold standard (not crazy expensive) lens. It would be interesting to compare this on the S5II with the Panasonic Leica 10-25mm, or Sigma 28-35mm on a speed booster, on the GH7! Different DOF but still would be interesting to see the IQ differences?!

[@parmanduke]

Great lens crazy price. 3 primes in one @ f1.8 is pretty amazing. I think the 24 70 F2.8 is more versatile though.

[@itsoverat6000]

Good review

[@ourhouseuk]

Is this the same lens available for full frame? If so it would be great to see a part two image analysis with a sensor using more of the lens.

[@cameralabs]

This is a full frame lens and I tested it with a full frame body!

[@ourhouseuk]

@@cameralabs apologies - I mistook this as a mft test!

[@lucuslopez6866]

I would be shooting at 35mm all the time with this and be wondering why I dont just use a 35 prime. It needed the extra zoom to be worth it.

[@Princeton_James]

Sucks having 2 systems because now I'm getting it for Sony and Panasonic.

[@xmj6830]

I've been in photography for 40 years and if anyone would have told me that a zoom lens would beat some primes, I would have never believed it! Sad it's not available in the EF mount as it's still being used by so many photographers today...

[@frankfeng2701]

Sigma 24-35 f/2 is still highly capable.

[@Princeton_James]

EF is dead

[@xmj6830]

@@Princeton_James What?! Do you realise that more people still use an EF mount than RF mount among the enthusiast community? It would take many more years before most of the people use the new mount. And btw, canon pushed the EF to the exit, not in benefit of users, but purely for greedy reason! Thinking everybody would adopt the RF mount at crazy pricing! Guess what, I took the exit door 2 years ago...to another brand! Thanks canon 😂

[@Cestariarts]

The range is too short to worth this price or even owning the equipment. I rather have a fixed 24mm and a 50mm

[@mbismbismb]

70mm extra on the canon RF gives a better background separation compression... a more professional and cinematic look tbh

[@Akiidan]

Professional to only a handful of photography genres.

[@mbismbismb]

@@Akiidan dont get me wrong with wider lens or short focal length, u can take great photos, but lets be honest here in good lighting condition the iphone pro max raw photos can also take great photos with some edits in LR...

[@evrythingis1]

It realistically replaces two F1.8 prime lenses, but it takes up the same amount of space and weighs the same as having 2 prime lenses. Close call this one, i view it as a 28-54mm f1.8-f2 lens with how much I'm willing to crop on a 24mp sensor.

[@razbiton173]

Gordon, thanks for the consistent bokeh test, its second to none. youre the only one doing it right. always look for your videos and especially for that particular bokeh test test. please never stop!

[@cameralabs]

I'll keep going until they prize those fairy lights out of my cold dead hands!

[@obscurelines]

Feel like sigma should have made a 45-100 equivalent. Excellent then for event photography.

[@Androgenies]

Very informative review. I have been waiting for your take on this lens before I decide on my purchase. Thank you, Sir Gordon Laing.

[@cameralabs]

You're welcome!

[@Wildridefilms]

I'm not so sure that this lens is for video. A 28mm f1.2 should be smaller than this lens while also delivering a 42mm f1.8 look when cropped to APSC. For photos, that would be at the cost of significant resolution loss, so could see this being useful. Unfortunately such a lens doesn't exist (yet).

[@JaySilva88]

Sigma is not the same company it was 15 years ago. They were a cheap alternative with allot of compromises. Today Sigma is a top tier company producing top of the line optics for affordable prices!

[@akkarparkiamopas3401]

If it s up to 20mm That would be very nice for astro photography

[@mikaelnilsson5912]

impressive lens! go Sigma!

[@HamerReviews]

I would love this on a Nikon Z mount…

[@cameralabs]

Hopefully and RF as well

[@QuietOC]

No mention of the old full-frame Sigma 24-35mm F2?

[@cameralabs]

I wasn't aware of it, must check it out

[@ooharloo]

1.6x zoom... I could get a 24mm or 28mm 1.4/1.8 and do a 1.5 crop on my A7rV with a smaller package. I purchased the lens and returned it. The size was not worth the very short zoom.

[@bunnatang]

the price is scary

[@BurnsRubber]

I’m holding out for the 28-35mm f/1.4 ART. 😂 Such a tiny zoom ratio is about as functional as cropping a 35mm f/1.4.

[@michawilke]

Gordon…? Have turned crazy? Talking about replacing a 24 with a 28 mm lens?? That’s nuts.

[@cameralabs]

I know, it's a push!

[@michawilke]

@@cameralabs I'm releaved! ;-)

[@benjamindover4337]

I like the range but I bet it isn't parfocal. More zooms should be to be more broadcast and videography capable. Its quite ridiculous to just make one wedding photographer lens after another and nothing else.

[@frankfeng2701]

You're right. It's not parfocal.

[@i20010]

I find these 1 kg behemouth "walk around" lenses (including my 24-70 2.8 canon) way too heavy.

[@cameralabs]

Yes, I'm not fond of heavy lenses either, but some don't mind

[@Michail95i2]

What city are you filming in?

[@cameralabs]

Brighton uk

[@Michail95i2]

@@cameralabs Cool. I didn't know that palm trees grow in the UK)

[@fthprodphoto-video5357]

À 20-60mm F2 would be way more efficient

[@Mr.Zen_73]

28 isn't wide enough and 45 isn't long enough. Very strange lens.

[@ZOB4]

I can see this as a decent video-centric lens, but most stills photographers would probably be better served by 24-70 2.8.

[@theunsunghero9]

wow... I can´t help to think though, that a 28 1.8 (or 24 1.8) on a 60 MP sensor is a musch much better alternative. You can just shoot in crop mode at 42mm with plenty of mpx left and get a much cheaper and more compact setup.

[@jan-martinulvag1962]

Zooming and cropping are two different animals. Zooming is done emotionally but cropping is a more of a speculation.

[@CallMeRabbitzUSVI]

Yep, 60mp crop in will still give you a lovely image with plenty of detail, (Your wallet and back will thank you)

[@AshBashVids]

Won't be the same in DOF, though. A 28 f1.8 cropped in would be more like a 50mm f2.8/3.5, roughly. Main reason why APS-C lenses often are faster than their FF equivalents - they need to compensate for the crop factor to achieve the same DOF. For example, a 35mm f1.4 on APS-C will have a similar DOF to a 50mm f1.8/f2 on FF.

[@voshadhi]

I wish this was 24-50mm :(

[@cameralabs]

Yes, that would have been perfect spec, but way too big, heavy and expensive for current technology

[@jerrylags]

Come on Canon!

[@futoenjoyer]

damn the lumix 35mm f1.8 is quite shitty I prefer the image rendering of lumix 50mm f1.8 over the sigma for portraiture though, it's soft in a very pleasing way while still retaining tons of details

[@TheForeboding]

Ahhh! Another DN lens that I can't use, Sigma.

[@cameraprepper7938]

I will take 3 primes at any time, never a zoom !

[@cameralabs]

Did you see my results though? This outperformed some 1.8 primes

[@cameraprepper7938]

@@cameralabs I will bet it did, some primes are too bad made, but I will never use zoom Lenses, I do not like to work with those, too, big, too heavy and expensive, a very good 35mm prime Lens is like the 28-45mm zoom, just move your feet. Compare this zoom to the excellent Voigtländer APO-Lanthar 35mm 2.0 Aspherical !

[@nightdonutstudio]

A 1.6x zoom is not very practical giving the huge size and weight.

[@dtibor5903]

Compared to 3x primes it is absolutely practical.

[@frankfeng2701]

​@@dtibor5903 Only 2 primes, if not just 35mm.

[@CallMeRabbitzUSVI]

​@@dtibor5903but compared to lenses like the 24-70 F2 or the 35-150 Tamron F2-2.8 it makes no sense

[@frankfeng2701]

@@dtibor5903 However in practice very few people own all 28mm, 35mm, 45mm primes, let alone carry them all at once. Usually it's 24 paired with 50, or 35 with 85.

[@gebauzchris]

It may be more practical than changing prime lenses in the field.

[@mbr5742]

Given the 18-35/1.8 and it's beeeeeep behaviour on the 80D - I am happy to use Canon where I can get the solid workhorse 28-70/2 instead of the prancing pink Unicorn from Sigma

[@AshBashVids]

Sigma lenses don't really have the same issues on mirrorless cameras compared to DSLRs. Any focusing issues are literally impossible as the AF sensors are directly on the sensor. In fact, adapted DSLR sigma lenses work perfectly on my R6, even if they had issues on my previous DSLRs.

[@CallMeRabbitzUSVI]

Sorry Gordon but most sane people don't have a 28,35, and 50mm on the same system. That focal range gives similar pictures, you will have more money than se se fpr having all three. Just get a 28mm and crop in honestly and save that money ti get a higher res better camera

[@AshBashVids]

28mm lens won't give the same shallow DOF as a 50mm lens of the same aperture.

[@CallMeRabbitzUSVI]

@@AshBashVids True, that's why you buy a faster 28mm like the Laowa 28mm F1.2 or if you want AF then you can get a 28mm F1.4. Now the Sigma won't be able to match the DoF of your system ☺️

[@HISPEKK]

Cant see the point in making this lens, buy a 28mm prime and a gentle crop..

[@joliver4083]

Crop cannot copy the backround compression.

[@justinburley8659]

@@joliver4083 The zoom range is still too short. Zooms are made for their versatility, not necessarily for sharpness or speed. It seems Sigma made this lens to be groundbreaking in name. What Canon made with their f/2 lens is far more useful.

[@mcchicken9342]

@joliver4083 that depends on the use case I guess, for me having such a narrow range wouldn't be worth carrying an extra several hundred grams around. Even a sigma's 24 mm 1.4 brick weighs almost twice as light as this trombone. So, the benefit is quite controversial, especially if you have a 50mp+ sensor on which you can make god crops.

[@joliver4083]

@@mcchicken9342 My point is the backround compression and blur. You cannot have the same backround blur and compression with 28mm even it's cropped to match the frame of 45-50mm.

[@frankfeng2701]

​@@joliver4083 I'd get a Sigma 28 1.4 Art

[@alphatribe01]

In next five years You'd see 18-70 f1.8 80-400 f2.8

[@RobertoVolta]

There’s already a 30-300 t4 for 60k lol