Sigma 65mm F2 DN Definitive Review | 4K

[@stefansipl6736]

As always, the best review on KZbin. Honest, sophisticated, plausible :) I just came across this lens more or les by accident. I took notice of it briefly when it was introduced but never really considered buying it. Today it came to me, that the Pentax FA43 1.9 Limited (which was a kind of (very?) special lens in some regards, on APS-C was my favorite portrait lens at that time. Even though I also owned the FA77 1.8 (which turned into my favorite one when shooting FF). So I did the math and 43mm on Pentax APS-C means 64,5mm on full frame. Bingo! I‘m very excited. Having seen your review made me pull the trigger. I think it might serve me (very) well since I used to shoot this focal length (even though it was an APS-C camera) and I really loved it for it‘s versatility. Headshots was my field of application for the FA43mm. So I think, if the bokeh will work out for me, that it has potential. I also have the Samyang 75mm 1.8 which I (unfortunately) haven‘t used a lot (almost not at all). Again, coming from the Pentax FAs (31, 43, 77) I‘m used (and fell in love with) to those refined metal constructions. Also something I‘m excited about now with regard to the Simga. :) So thanks a lot for your work. Keep it up :)

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Sounds like a good choice for you.

[@amrofarid861]

Same goes for me. For a long time, the Pentax FA 43mm F/1.9 Limited was my go to street photography setup on their APS-C bodies. When I switched to Sony Full-Frame, the 43mm no longer had the same appeal. This Sigma 65mm reincarnates that field of view on full-frame sensor, with nearly the same max aperature, and with the same committment to metal lens design as the Pentax limited series. That sais, the FA31 and FA77 are even better on full frame then they are on APS-C. And for that I'm grateful for all of the adapters available for Sony E-Mount.

[@gitithadani]

It's a lens one gifts oneself! I was on the fence wth either the voigtlander or this lens but because of its weight- size -design (less in price too) I am opting for this. During the film era there were 57/58 mm lenses which at nearer distances would be around 62 (some helios 44-2 series can be 62+). There were a lot of 75mmm lenses so 65 is really a unique fl. And this is a lens designed for the mirrorless - also its optical rendering which you have presented beautifully in your footage (without the need for 10bit color gradation). Colors & contrast render beautifully (snow background to jacket color!) . Personally prime lenses (unless macro) below 100mm one should be able to put in ones jacket pockets and now one has a growing choice for the sony system - be it the samyang series - the tamron and even the sony. I use the 24mm tamron & samyang 45 a lot & for the longer lengths use the sony 90 or lightweight manual slr lenses ( a meyeroptik 100mm f2.8 with 15blades (under 300grams). The voigtlander in contrast does not work with the form factor of the mirrorless - it is more in the heavy classical mode aimed at a small niche - ironically many of its slr lenses were small & light - optics was always special but the sigma series actually works with the form factor of the mirrorless & has really integrated the classical with the modern - in many senses of the word! And this also means that it takes lens drawing and design further & evolves it with higher resoultion sensors with AF and other features. On a last note what I really appreciate wth your reviews is the interfacing with aesthetic presentation & objective evaluation.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I suspect you will enjoy this lens. It's a beauty.

[@gitithadani]

@@DustinAbbottTWI I receved the lens a couple of days ago(Sigma sent me a reply as soon as the lens arrived in Dehi and got it the same day.) It is indeed a gem of a lens!

[@cagf2013]

Thanks for this review Dustin and Merry Christmas to you and your family. I really like what Sigma is doing with these lenses!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thanks, Chris. Merry Christmas to you, and agreed on what Sigma is doing with these.

[@Santiago-kg4rd]

Excellent review, Dustin. Just got the lens and couldn’t be more pleased with it. It’s exactly as you describe it. Thanks!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Glad to hear it.

[@mbvglider]

I love my Sony 28mm f/2, despite lukewarm reviews, and I've been shopping for something to complement it. As beautiful as your Samyang 75mm f/1.8 photos are, I find the concept of a 28mm + 65mm f/2 combination really appealing. It feels like a chaotic parody of a 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Fair enough. If you enjoy a lens and its rendering, that’s what matters most

[@lamontgilliland9664]

Dustin, this is the reliable review of this lens I have been waiting for before making the commitment to pre-order it -- so thank you once again for all you do. A very Merry Christmas to the Abbott Family!

[@lamontgilliland9664]

...and thank you for the comparison with the Voigtlander 65 as this was the other lens I was considering while waiting for the Sigma 65.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

You're welcome!!

[@AminTheMystic]

Would've loved to seen more of a comparison with the Voigtlander! But great review of the lens as per usual.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I try to keep reviews like this as pared down as possible as they are already longer than just about any other review of the lens out there.

[@marckydasaint8730]

Not even Interested in that lens, but Brother you get a thumbs up for braving that Canadian Cold 🥶❄️🥶 to bring us another HQ review.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

And it was cold out there!!

[@jeffreyfleming4016]

Wonderful review. Many thanks.😊👍

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

You're welcome.

[@Carbonisation]

Fantastic review, Dustin! It’s a phenomenal option, but I’m probably keeping my Voigtländer 65mm f/2 for just slightly better performance on the a7R IV, I prefer the colour rendition of Voigtländer, and of course the 1:2 reproduction. But what a great lens for walk-around street, landscapes, portraits and so on. I was mostly interested in a compact 35mm, but I wasn’t so impressed with the 35mm f/2 DN. Sadly, I’m not a fan of any current 35mm f/1.8 / f/2 on the a7R IV. Hoping to see a Voigtländer 35mm f/2 APO-Lanthar, similiar to their 50mm APO, sooner or later. Merry Christmas, and the best wishes to you and your family!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hard to argue against the Voigtlander if you don't mind MF. It's a lovely, lovely lens.

[@AR-scorp]

Awesome detailed review. Subbed. Ordered this lens for my z6 with techpro. I am hoping this would be go anywhere lens. I like the 85mm, but becomes a problem for situations other than portraits. 50mm is okay, but the 65mm and the quality of the lens pushed me towards this lens.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I think you'll find this a very nice compromise focal length.

[@isaacj9799]

I have been waiting on this one!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Glad to help out!

[@KetansaCreatesArt]

Ok I just now tried 65mm on my 24-105 to check how it looks 😀 Great review as always

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thank you very much!

[@dalove06]

“A little bit down your alley.” Love it!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

:)

[@2ramona959]

Hi, Dustin. Thanks for all the fabulous reviews. So thorough and trustworthy! You have me really torn b/t the Voigtlander 65mm f2 APO and this Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN. I'm a hobbyist landscape phtgphr, and I always appreciate close focusing for the flexibility it offers more than super fast apertures. I don't mind MF, and I even have a lot of legacy adapted glass like the Tokina 90mm f2.5 1:2 macro. Size and weight are fine either way. The Voigt while 50% heavier seems to have most of it backweighted and is shorter in length (than Sigma + hood) b/c of the recessed element. So I'm kind torn b/t the Sigma with AF vs. the Voigt with 1:2 macro, and according to your review, objectively anyway, the optical performance is also similar (except for the distortion on the Sigma, but no biggie). So here's the tiebreaking question: What about the subjective optical performance? I remember your praising the Voigt for its color rendering and other immeasurable je ne sais quois. Do you still think the Voigt has a perceptible something special over the Sigma in that regard? Thanks so much for your attention.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I still give the edge to the Voigtlander in color rendition and "specialness", with the exception being that bokeh highlights aren't round anymore when you stop it down.

[@2ramona959]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Thank you. I was able to find a used copy of the voigtlander 65mm with a tiny cosmetic ding on the focus ring for US$640 + tax + free shipping. The seller is a pro photographer who bought it for a specific assignment and said it's a good copy. Thanks again for your review and advice. I'm very excited to get to use this lens when it arrives in a couple of days. BTW, have you ever reviewed or heard reports about voigtlander superwide 15mm, ultrawide 12mm and hyperwide 10mm lenses?

[@davidromano2421]

Not sure the lens is for me, but a great review as always. That brown jacket looks sharp on you too. 👍

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thank you very much!

[@cessnaflyer]

Well done!

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thank you!

[@charruaporelmundo]

Sigma must come out asap with the 50 mm f2 serie i lens, if such lens can have same resolution and rendering as this 65 it will be a winner and a must have lens.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

That would be interesting.

[@charruaporelmundo]

@@DustinAbbottTWI And will force voigtlander to do af lenses, because sigma contemporary i serie just show that it is possible to combine “class “with modernity

[@orlwpsfkfrJeieorn]

Great review as always, Dustin! I was wondering if you will update your website with what gear you use over time; what has been dropped and added. Currently, it still shows some of your old equipment that you got rid of and not a lot of the new. It’s just interesting to see how one’s kit changes over time, at least it is to me. I remember you used to upload such videos yearly ‘What I Dropped and What I added’ but not so much anymore. Do you plan on either updating your site when it comes to this, so we can follow up on your current choices, or uploading such videos? I know that it isn’t all that important but just wondering. Also, did you sell your Canon 100-400mm II? I was wondering, as we saw long term reviews of your other lenses but not this one

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hi there - that has become harder to keep up with when I'm reviewing 5+ lenses a month. I keep up a ridiculous schedule, particularly considering that I have another full time job!! I do want to do that update and another "what I added", but I've got to find the time.

[@michellewright4660]

Thank you for this very detailed review. I am undecided on this and Sigma's new 85 mm. I need something that is good in low light and fast. However I really like the 65's field of view and in crop mode on my sony a7r3 it would be nice for portraits. Wish they made it a 1.4. However I would love to see a comparison between the 65 sigma, 85 sigma and the 55 mm Sony. Nobody is doing that side by side. So far I only have the cheapest Sony lens, the 50 mm 1.8. lens.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I like either Sigma option better than the 55mm, which I found competent but not special in any particular way. It's overpriced relative to performance.

[@darrenhaken]

@@DustinAbbottTWI So you'd recommend the Sigma 65mm over the Sony 55mm? I'm thinking of selling my Sony 55mm 1.8 for the Sigma - it's basically a straight trade financially. I suspected it might pair better with my Sony 35mm GM, thoughts? I also own an 85mm 1.8 but I do find this is too tight when indoors.

[@drkujavec]

Thanks for the review. I can't decide which lens to buy, the Sigma 65 or the Voigtlander APO 50/2 for my a7rii

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Both are nice lenses optically. You just have to decide how important autofocus is to you.

[@shy-guy5544]

Very nice review, as usual. It would be nice if Sigma would come out with a version for Fuji.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It's more likely that Sigma brings its APS-C lenses to Fuji. This is a full frame lens, so not really engineered for the smaller Fuji sensor.

[@shy-guy5544]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Thanks for replying.

[@jaegerschtulmann]

Dustin thank you very much for your very thorough reviews, I truly enjoy watching them even if I am not interested in certain lenses! If you have a minute to spare from your schedule I would like to seek for your recommendation for a good mid range prime for street photography and some portraiture. I am considering this 65mm f2.0 and the new Samyang 50mm f1.4 mark II, which one would you personally get (if you didn't have the Voigtlander or your Zeiss planar of course)

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Hmmm, good question. I'd probably go with the Samyang for the practicality, though the Voigtlander is the most special optically. I own both, and I would end up reaching for the Samyang more often in the situations you describe.

[@paavn1957]

Dustin Abbott thank you for your great reviews. I would very much like to have your opinion on this: I have a Nikon Z7 with the 50mm f2 Voigtlander Apo-Lanthar in Z mount and now there is also the 65mm f2 Apo-Lanthar in Z mount. Shall I change the 50 for the 65? I mostly do portraits and like to travel/street photography with only one lens (although I have at home a Milvus 85 and 135mm).

[@ConsumerFanatics]

Thanks for your review, Dustin. I just picked up this lens and am eagerly awaiting that Lr profile. The distortion is noticeable and hard to correct manually. How do you like the rendering of this compared to the Voigtlander 50 APO, putting focal length, MF vs AF, and features aside?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Agreed on your first point. As for the rendering question, that's hard, as I reviewed them at different times of year. The Sigma will give you slightly more blurred backgrounds due to the longer focal length. My experience is that Voigtlander color is hard to beat, though.

[@ConsumerFanatics]

@@DustinAbbottTWI Thanks! I agree on the color. I had the CV 65 but sold it and I really miss the colors. It’s really special.

[@davidgoldberg1869]

Looks very nice. How does the autofocus compare to something like the 55 sony? Fast enough for tracking moving subjects?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Definitely.

[@mistermadsen]

Closing in to 100K subs during Xmas Dustin✌✌

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Thanks! I'm really looking forward to hitting that mark!

[@juanmoreno8217]

Hi Dustin, I have a sony 24mm GM and a sony 135 GM and I feel like I need a lens to cover the space between 24mm and 135mm, which one would you recommend between this sigma 65mm f2 or the sigma 28-70 f2.8, or any more recommendations are welcome! I dedicate 70% to portraiture and 30% is landscape and travel. Thank you. Greetings from Australia.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

If you are already prime oriented, the Sigma 65mm spans the gap nicely

[@rectape]

Hi Dustin, would you pick the Samyang 75 1.8 over this?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Good question. I like both lenses, so I don't think there is a wrong choice there.

[@dalove06]

Hello, would you prefer the Sigma 85mm or 65mm ? Thanks.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

Overall for me, the 85mm, as it creates more separation from 50mm

[@HappyHubris]

Any thoughts on how it compares to the Zony 55mm F1.8?

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I like the rendering better from the Sigma, myself. The Zony is a competent but bland lens.

[@HappyHubris]

@@DustinAbbottTWI thanks for the prompt reply. I picked up a used Sony 55mm right before this Sigma was announced!

[@davidburton2294]

Boy that looks cold stay safe Dustin :)

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

It is cold!

[@declanmurphy1006]

As an owner of the Zeiss 55mm, I shouldn't want this lens as much as I do.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

My take on the Zony 55mm F1.8 was that it was a perfectly competent but somewhat bland lens. I get your desire for this lens, as, frankly, I think the rendering has more character.

[@francescomazzocchetti7441]

Hi Dustin, do you plan to review the Fujinon 100-400 anytime soon? The web needs an accurate review like yours.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

The Fuji reviews I'm working on are the 50mm F1 and F2 lenses along with the X-S10 body. I don't know when I'll get to the 100-400. I have incredibly high demand on my reviews right now.

[@DuskoJovic]

What is purpose of f2 prime lens? Especially now when we have decently small and very light f1.4 primes. 24 1.4 and upcoming 35 f1.4 GM? And of course new and fantastic f1.8 G lens. I shoot only with primes and I will never buy nothing slower than f1.8 for wide angle and f1.4 from 35mm and above.

[@philipau3847]

I don't think there is a 'very light' autofocusing f1.4 prime in the 50-85mm range ie. the 85mm GM is still more than twice the weight of this 65mm Sigma. Not to mention that price is always a consideration.

[@DuskoJovic]

@@philipau3847 Well... this lens is 405gr and 24 f1.4 GM is just 440gr. I consider it "very light". 40grams difference can be important only if you want to carry 10 or 15 lens in your bag. On the other side if f1.8 is enough you can buy FE 50mm f1.8. It's weight is only 186gr. So that's why I don't see any purpose of lens like this. Maybe I have missed something but.... :|

[@philipau3847]

​@@DuskoJovic Wide angle lenses can generally be made smaller and lighter so its not like for like to compare a 65mm to a 24mm. We shouldn't just look at maximum aperture as the sole measure of a lens's quality. I currently have the 50mm f1.8, the reason why its so light is because 1. its made of plastic, and 2. it compromises on image quality (poor CA correction, mediocre sharpness). The sigma easily beats the 50mm f1.8 on both fronts. I would much rather have a smaller maximum aperture in exchange for better aberration correction and sharpness. You won't find anything autofocusing with f1.4 from 35mm and above which is in the ~400g range.

[@DuskoJovic]

@@philipau3847 The new 35mm f1.4 GM is on its way. Lets wait and see. I bet it won’t weigh more than 100 grams compared with 24mm. However I'll always carry 300 or 400 grams more in my bag to have faster and more capable lens. But okay. That's me.

[@DustinAbbottTWI]

I'm not sure all of your arguments follow, @Dusko. The 50mm F1.8 is not even close to being in the same class as this lens - optically, autofocus, or in build. This is a premium lens in a way that no Sony FE F1.8 lens with the possible exception of the 20mm F1.8, though that is in performance, not in build. You cite only one wide angle lens as being a small and light F1.4 lens - the 24mm F1.4, which is in no way a comparable lens. The best counterargument to a small, light F1.4 lens that is somewhat similar is actually the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DN, not the 24 GM.