SIGMA 24-60mm f2.8 EX DG

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Focal Length: 24-60mm
- Minimum Aperture: F22
- Lens Construction: 16 Elements in 15 Groups
- Focusing System: Inner Focus
- Angle of View: 84.1 °- 39.6 °
- Number Diaphragm Blades: 9pcs
- Minimum Focusing Distance: 38cm (14.9")
- Maximum Magnification: 1:5.8
- Diameter 83.6mm X Length 87.2mm 3.3 in. X 3.4 in.
- Weight 550g/19.5 oz.
- Filter Size (diameter): 77mm

 

 

 

 

Acquired this lens as a convenient walkabout lens - mainly intended for landscapes.
Usual exposure setting f8 or f11.

Examples at F8 on a Canon 5D compared to the Zeiss Distagon T* 28mm f2.8
(Capture sharpen 200-0.3-0)

 

 

 

zeiss
Zeiss 28/2.8 @ F8
sigma
Sigma 24-60/2.8 28mm @ F8

 
zcentre
Zeiss 28/2.8 100% centre crop

scentre
Sigma 24-60 100% centre crop

zll
Zeiss 28/2.8 100% lower left corner crop

sll
Sigma 24-60 100% lower left corner crop

zlr
Zeiss 28/2.8 100% lower right corner crop

slr
Sigma 24-60 100% lower right corner crop


Regarding other apertures, the 24-60 is slightly soft at f2.8 which improves steeply at f4 and onwards.
The Zeiss is predictably much better at the larger apertures - but from f5.6 onwards - this copy of the 24-60 performs extremely well - considering that the Zeiss 28mm is one of the best 28s available.
The Zeiss is slightly snappier in contrast and has the typical Zeiss cool, but natural colour rendition. However, both these qualities can be emulated in the Sigma to a large extent when processing RAW files.


Build quality of the 24-60 seems more than adequate and overall size and weight fits it's role as a walkaround (unextended, very slightly smaller and lighter than the Sigma 20/1.8 ).

Resolution of very fine detail is excellent in the range of F5.6 to F10 and corner performance FF is good and maintained through the FL range. There are also no particularly noticeable distortions.

Colour is warm to neutral but without the slight yellow to tobacco effect common to some Sigma lenses

Autofocus -though not as lightning fast or quiet as USM - seems to be plenty fast enough and accurate.

Zoom can be locked at 24 mm only, which is a pity since it has an annoying tendency to creep with even the slightest tilt.

All in all, for general walkaround and landscape work, I consider this lens a bargain, given its very reasonable price tag.

 

 



 

 

PHOTOGRAPHY

 

 

Copyright  2008  Kevin McLoughlin.  All Rights Reserved.