Sigma has announced three new compact prime lenses for Sony and L-mount cameras — 24mm f/3.5, 35mm f/2, 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary — ideal for those on tight budgets or who simply prefer to travel light.
The three prime lenses will sit alongside the 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary (currently $449, down from $549) which was announced in July last year. The four lenses have an all-metal construction that offers a balance between performance and size. Sigma notes that the build quality meets the mechanical and operational standards of their Cine lenses. “The well-damped manual focus ring, aperture ring, and autofocus switches embody true functional beauty,” Sigma adds.
Each has a metal lens hood, an STM autofocus stepping motor, and features Super Multi-Layer Coating. All of the lenses include protection at the mount against dust and moisture. All of the lens hoods are metal and the 24mm f/3.5 is petal-type. Each lens ships with both a plastic lens cap and a magnetic metal cap. The three new lenses will be available from mid-January 2021.
Sigma 24mm f/3.5 DG DN Contemporary: $549
"Exceptional compact wide-angle prime, 1:2 close-up magnification, lovely round bokeh."
- Optical design: 10 elements in 8 groups (1 SLD, 3 aspherical)
- Aperture blades: 7 rounded
- Minimum focus distance: 4.3 in (10.8cm)
- Macro reproduction ratio: 1:2 (half macro)
- Filter thread size: 55mm
- L-Mount dimensions: 2.5 x 1.9 in. (64 x 48.8mm)
- E-Mount dimensions: 2.5 x 2.0 in. (64 x 50.8mm)
- Weight: L-Mount 7.9 oz. (225g); E-Mount 8.1 oz (230 g)
Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary: $639
"Outstanding image quality and bokeh, compact size, perfect for everyday use."
- Optical design: 10 elements in 9 groups (1 SLD, 3 aspherical)
- Aperture blades: 9 rounded
- Minimum focus distance: 10.6 in (27cm)
- Macro reproduction ratio: 1:5.7
- Filter thread size: 58mm
- L-Mount dimensions: 2.8 x 2.6 in. (70 x 65.4mm)
- E-Mount dimensions: 2.8 x 2.7 in. (70 x 67.4mm)
- Weight: 11.5 oz (325 g)
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Newly-designed arc-type auto/manual focus mode switch
Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN | Contemporary: $699
"Sharp images with beautiful bokeh, high backlight performance with thorough flare & ghosting control."
- Optical design: 2 elements in 9 groups (1 SLD, 2 aspherical)
- Aperture blades: 9 rounded
- Minimum focus distance: 21.7 in (55cm)
- Macro reproduction ratio: 1:6.8
- Filter thread size: 62mm
- L-Mount dimensions: 2.8 x 2.9 in. (72 x 74.7mm)
- E-Mount dimensions: 2.8 x 3.0 in. (72 x 76.2mm)
- Weight: 14.3 oz (405 g)
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Newly-designed arc-type auto/manual focus mode switch
Thoughts As a Sony Shooter
The 24mm f/3.5 doesn't excite me particularly, though the tiny minimum focusing distance and impressive macro reproduction will certainly draw interest from others. If the STM motor performs better than the relatively sluggish OSD motor found in the razor-sharp Tamron 24mm f/2.8, Sony shooters will have an option to spend a chunk more money for improved autofocus performance, while staying relatively compact.
The 35mm f/2 will sit nicely alongside Sony's 35mm f/1.8 (currently $698 down from $748) and offer an alternative to Samyang/Rokinon's recently released 35mm f/1.8 ($399) for anyone seeking more solid build quality or simply prefer to opt for a more established brand.
Finally, the 65mm f/2 is an odd length, edging into telephoto territory. Sony shooters now have two slightly unusual portrait lenses as the Sigma lens comes in even shorter than the Samyang 75mm f/1.8 (currently $329 down from $399). Again, build quality and sharpness might be the clinching factors.
No doubt reviews will appear very soon so check back for more information and let us know in the comments below if any of these grab your interest.
Sony youtubers are going to have 35mm comparison videos galore now!
Also, I agree with you that the 24mm isn't that exciting with an fstop of 3.5 but Sigma seems to have the minimum focusing game mastered at 24mm. I have their 16mm f.4 for APSC (24mm FF equivalent) and it has such a short minimum focusing distance it surprises me sometimes how close to the subject you can get (I use it for food photography sometimes).
I really like the look of the 24mm, especially that 1:2 reproduction ratio. Might be time to dust off the piggy bank again...
Sigma making lenses that don't weigh a ton. That's encouraging.
Ugh, I'd love to get that 35 f2 for the Z-mount. Much more compact compact than the Nikkor 35mm 1.8 S.
Nikon probably won't share their technology so the lens wouldn't be a chip lens and would have to be manual everything. As a Nikon user, this frustrates me quite a bit. Nikon does have a couple of pancakes on their roadmap that look interesting.