This is my 5 year long review on using this lens from sigma
AVAILABLE FOR MOUNTS: SIGMA, SONY, NIKON, PENTAX, CANON FOCAL LENGTH: 18-35MM MAXIMUM APERTURE: F/1.8 MINIMUM APERTURE: F/16 LENS CONSTRUCTION: 17 ELEMENTS IN 12 GROUPS
ANGLE OF VIEW: 76.5° – 44.2° CLOSEST FOCUSING DISTANCE: 28CM/11.0IN. MAXIMUM REPRODUCTION RATIO: 1:4.3 NO. OF DIAPHRAGM BLADES: 9 (ROUNDED) FILTER/ATTACHMENT SIZE: 72MM, DIAMETER X LENGTH: 78MM X 121MM / 3.1IN. X 4.8IN. WEIGHT: 810G/28.6 OZ. |
A large-aperture APS-C format standard zoom lens for digital SLR cameras that creates an entirely new standard for zoom lenses Exemplifying Sigma’s design know-how and advanced production technologies, this innovative lens offers the highest level of craftsmanship Covering the angle of view offered by several large-aperture, fixed focal length lenses, this lens combines advanced flexibility with uncompromising performance Superior functionality across the lineup, thanks to Sigma’s proprietary new A1 MTF measuring syste A refined, integrated design made with the photographer in mind Newly developed exclusive software and USB DOCK to make customization simple |
Available for Mounts: Sigma, Sony, Nikon, Pentax, Canon Focal length: 18-35mm
Maximum aperture: f/1.8 Minimum aperture: f/16 Lens construction: 17 elements in 12 groups
Angle of view: 76.5° – 44.2° Closest focusing distance: 28cm/11.0in.
Maximum reproduction ratio: 1:4.3 No. of diaphragm blades: 9 (rounded)Filter/attachment size: 72mm,
Diameter x length: 78mm x 121mm / 3.1in. x 4.8in.
Weight: 810g/28.6 oz.
Maximum aperture: f/1.8 Minimum aperture: f/16 Lens construction: 17 elements in 12 groups
Angle of view: 76.5° – 44.2° Closest focusing distance: 28cm/11.0in.
Maximum reproduction ratio: 1:4.3 No. of diaphragm blades: 9 (rounded)Filter/attachment size: 72mm,
Diameter x length: 78mm x 121mm / 3.1in. x 4.8in.
Weight: 810g/28.6 oz.
Its a sure wonder of miracle don't you think so? For anyone with a APS-C sensor, this will make all your worries and concerns and turn them into the best lens performance you will see in a APS-C Pro lens from Sigma. This is an in-photography review with myself owner and founder of 646Studios and of the Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 DC HSM Art lens, world’s first constant F/1.8 zoom lens for DSLR & Mirrorless cameras that was announced in April of 2013. Despite the recent trend of manufacturers to move their customer base to full-frame format, Sigma took a bold move and announced the professional-grade Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 Art for APS-C format only. With a focal range equivalent to 27mm-52.5mm in 35mm format, the lens provides a good range to work with for a variety of different needs and applications. And with its fast constant aperture of f/1.8, the Sigma 18-35mm opens up opportunities to shoot in low-light situations, something that was previously only possible with fast aperture prime lenses. Lastly, Sigma’s pricing of $799 MSRP for the lens made it the top choice in terms of value when compared to pro-grade lenses such as the Nikon 17-55mm F/2.8G DX, which sells for almost twice as much and does not offer the same low-light advantages. This short review and you can see more on my Youtube channel will be using the Sony A77M2 crop body with it's 79 auto-focus points and fast auto-focus.
This is an image straight from the camera (RAW)
The Sigma ART 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM is a technological marvel, because it is the first zoom lens in history with such a wide / fast aperture. On top of that, Sigma used many high-end features and components that are usually only available on pro-grade full-frame lenses. First, the lens comes with a hypersonic motor (HSM), which provides silent and fast autofocus. Second, the lens has a very complex optical formula that consists of a total of 17 lens elements in 12 groups, with 4 aspherical and 5 low-dispersion elements.
Third, it has a metal mount and a thermally stable composite barrel, which offers greater elasticity than polycarbonate and offers minimal thermal shrinkage with exceptional hardness,
something Sigma has only recently started providing on its new generation lenses.
And lastly, being an “Art” series lens, it is fully compatible
with Sigma’s USB dock that allows micro-adjusting auto-focus parameters.
Third, it has a metal mount and a thermally stable composite barrel, which offers greater elasticity than polycarbonate and offers minimal thermal shrinkage with exceptional hardness,
something Sigma has only recently started providing on its new generation lenses.
And lastly, being an “Art” series lens, it is fully compatible
with Sigma’s USB dock that allows micro-adjusting auto-focus parameters.
ISO 1000 / F/1.8 / 24mm / 1/13sec Handheld
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC has fantastic optics —
but its mechanics and potential camera can be incompatibility with firmware.
They do offer USB Dock as I said in the beginning of this review.
It works but it's super geeky.
It's fast enough and super-accurate so that I can take advantage of this lens' great sharpness at f/1.8. On the current body from the A77ii, the Autofocus was 92% accurate with out USB Dock. After USB Dock, the accurate was only 3% improvement. (Note: sure if I'd understand the software accurate rating can improve.) AF speed is plent fast and AF was dead-on for every frame, especially shot at f/1.8 where this is critical.
Manual focus is swell, just grab the ring at any time when marco or portraits.
Manual focus override hworks great, at least on the Sony Alpha DSLR/ILCA Mount Camera Series.
The bokeh displays a wonderful side art and the image quality is just buttery & smooth,
the character of out of focus backgrounds, is pretty good.
Backgrounds go soft and never distract. The color rendition seems about right and the same.
Coma is a very tiny issue that it's called "Saggital coma flare"
and often causes weird smeared blobs to appear around bright
points of light in the corners of fast or wide lenses at large apertures so,
in this types of lenses alone, coma goes away as stopped down.
With the Sigma lens there was no coma with the Aspherical lens.
That is amazing for a lens with a wide and fast lens like this.
We do realize that coma has always been the weak point of fast wide zoom lenses.
Sigma is the first to make it all go away in my tested. Yes, you can see the photos in this review.
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC has moderately strong barrel distortion at the wider end
and moderately strong pincushion distortion at the longer end.
Ergonomics are obvious. The rudder grip is well design and has a good grip when you are focusing but the time
that I had with the lens has been outstanding image performance and quality of the build.
But as a Macro lens well let's just place that into a vote in the next video about this lens and article.
From my experience with the lens as a Macro lens,
it performance very well indeed and I would also call this a Marco lens.
At F/2.2 /ISO 100/ 28mm/ 1/60sec handheld the image below. Going to agree that it can do Marco-photography.
the character of out of focus backgrounds, is pretty good.
Backgrounds go soft and never distract. The color rendition seems about right and the same.
Coma is a very tiny issue that it's called "Saggital coma flare"
and often causes weird smeared blobs to appear around bright
points of light in the corners of fast or wide lenses at large apertures so,
in this types of lenses alone, coma goes away as stopped down.
With the Sigma lens there was no coma with the Aspherical lens.
That is amazing for a lens with a wide and fast lens like this.
We do realize that coma has always been the weak point of fast wide zoom lenses.
Sigma is the first to make it all go away in my tested. Yes, you can see the photos in this review.
The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC has moderately strong barrel distortion at the wider end
and moderately strong pincushion distortion at the longer end.
Ergonomics are obvious. The rudder grip is well design and has a good grip when you are focusing but the time
that I had with the lens has been outstanding image performance and quality of the build.
But as a Macro lens well let's just place that into a vote in the next video about this lens and article.
From my experience with the lens as a Macro lens,
it performance very well indeed and I would also call this a Marco lens.
At F/2.2 /ISO 100/ 28mm/ 1/60sec handheld the image below. Going to agree that it can do Marco-photography.
|
|
|
|
This Art lens has been nothing more but pure amazing for an APS-C sensor.
The first of it's kind but I am sure that it will not be the last from Sigma.
the New 24-35mm F/2, The 50-100mm F/1.8 and the new 85mm f/1.4 for Full-frame version is now in store.
How well it does performance on the Sony E-Mount?
a smooth and nice design lens for a $799 value is a good choice for videography and photography a like.
Yes, it doesn't have weather sealing or weather gasket
but it still hold up in conditions in the weather.
For it's image quality,
I would have to say that no lens is perfect, but sharpness in images are good
and CLARITY are what I EXPECTED and CONTRAST level were nice
but I'd feel that the aperture F/1.8 was focus but softer than other lenses.
Build quality is getting better with the sigma line and it will continue on with the more lenses to come in the future. Hopefully we will see a second version of this lenses
but this time around we all hope to see some weather sealing and STABILIZATION.
The odd thing about this lenses as to be the Auto-Focus and yes,
I did say before that the auto focus is fast but in low light it will hunt so it's best to manual focus out shots.
The only time the lens will focus, is when you have a good amount of light source transmitting through to the lens.
The lens cap was made somewhat cheap in a way and I lost the lens cap in the matter of days.
Purchase another third party based out of San Francisco called breakthrough.
Bokeh now was lovely and I'd happen to enjoy the creaminess and the nice bokeh balls in the imagery.
There is a smooth SEPARATION between the subject and the background.
Transmission light coming into the lens is very close to what sigma Art claims and I will stick
with sigma on how well transmission light is handle with the at lens. using this lens on the Sony A77MKII was trial and error but once I was able to master the lens and the focus.
Using the focus peaking was easy but the choice of colors between day night is recommended.
Make sure you choose the best focus peaking colors.
I'd personally like yellow for night and Red for the day. For Astro-photography,
I like to use the white to inform me when the stars are in focus.
With the sony colors it was a bit on the cooled side but it can be fix correctly.
This is by far the best lens that i'd owned out of all my lenses.
So, do I recommend this to you? well that is only up to look to decide but for me it will be with me for a long time.
The first of it's kind but I am sure that it will not be the last from Sigma.
the New 24-35mm F/2, The 50-100mm F/1.8 and the new 85mm f/1.4 for Full-frame version is now in store.
How well it does performance on the Sony E-Mount?
a smooth and nice design lens for a $799 value is a good choice for videography and photography a like.
Yes, it doesn't have weather sealing or weather gasket
but it still hold up in conditions in the weather.
For it's image quality,
I would have to say that no lens is perfect, but sharpness in images are good
and CLARITY are what I EXPECTED and CONTRAST level were nice
but I'd feel that the aperture F/1.8 was focus but softer than other lenses.
Build quality is getting better with the sigma line and it will continue on with the more lenses to come in the future. Hopefully we will see a second version of this lenses
but this time around we all hope to see some weather sealing and STABILIZATION.
The odd thing about this lenses as to be the Auto-Focus and yes,
I did say before that the auto focus is fast but in low light it will hunt so it's best to manual focus out shots.
The only time the lens will focus, is when you have a good amount of light source transmitting through to the lens.
The lens cap was made somewhat cheap in a way and I lost the lens cap in the matter of days.
Purchase another third party based out of San Francisco called breakthrough.
Bokeh now was lovely and I'd happen to enjoy the creaminess and the nice bokeh balls in the imagery.
There is a smooth SEPARATION between the subject and the background.
Transmission light coming into the lens is very close to what sigma Art claims and I will stick
with sigma on how well transmission light is handle with the at lens. using this lens on the Sony A77MKII was trial and error but once I was able to master the lens and the focus.
Using the focus peaking was easy but the choice of colors between day night is recommended.
Make sure you choose the best focus peaking colors.
I'd personally like yellow for night and Red for the day. For Astro-photography,
I like to use the white to inform me when the stars are in focus.
With the sony colors it was a bit on the cooled side but it can be fix correctly.
This is by far the best lens that i'd owned out of all my lenses.
So, do I recommend this to you? well that is only up to look to decide but for me it will be with me for a long time.
Ergonomics are obvious a grab and go lens.
The ribbed rubber rings grip well, It's also usually covered by the plastic window, so I hope you prefer the meters scale, which is a little better. In the real world, this lens is too darn heavy for what it is — and it looks long enough to be a telephoto, I'd highly recommend this lens to anyone with APS-C bodies.
The ribbed rubber rings grip well, It's also usually covered by the plastic window, so I hope you prefer the meters scale, which is a little better. In the real world, this lens is too darn heavy for what it is — and it looks long enough to be a telephoto, I'd highly recommend this lens to anyone with APS-C bodies.
