Reader Question: Sigma 14-24mm F/2.8 DG DN Art for Sony Mirrorless
Terrence M writes:
Any plans on testing the Sigma 14-24mm F/2.8 DG DN Art for Sony mirrorless in the near future?
DIGLLOYD: the Sigma 14-24mm F/2.8 DG DN Art is already on the way to me on a FedEx truck somewhere.
But aside from pre-testing on the Sony A7R III for issues, I will reserve most coverage for the Sony A7R IV, due in my hands Sept 13 or so. That’s because the time frame is so close, and the 60 megapixel sensor of the A7R IV will make testing more clear-cut, as it is much more demanding on a lens than a 42 megapixel sensor.
I have high hopes for the Sigma 14-24mm F/2.8 DG DN Art that I hope are met, namely that it will match or outperform most primes in that range and thus make its size and bulk worth it.
The f/2.8 lens speed is a big plus over the f/4 of lenses like the Zeiss Batis 18mm f/2.8 and the 14-24mm zoom range is extremely useful for my type of field shooting. T
I’ve had mixed results with Sigma zooms (some very good and some very disappointing). But given the outstanding results I saw with the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art on the Nikon D850, I have high hopes for the upgraded and native design of the Sigma 14-24mm F/2.8 DG DN Art.
The about $1399 Sigma 14-24mm F/2.8 DG DN Art should also make a fine lens for the Panasonic S1R and for other L-Mount cameras.
Jason W writes:
Sigma's website has a lot of what appears to be telling info on the 14-24 HSM vs the 14-24 DN.
As I read it: In favor of new 14-24 DN: + More iris blades (11 vs. 9) + 14mm MTF is better across the board. + 24mm is better at the edges + sagittal and Tangential lines suggest superior point spread across the board In favor of 14-24 HSM + 24mm is better in the center
DIGLLOYD: field shots will tell all, but since 60 megapixels has no DSLR platform, it really comes down to how well it does on an absolute basis on the Sony A7R IV. I do not intend to use the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art with a lens adapter for any comparisons—awkward and not something I would want to use or recommend. Minor differences in MTF are fairly bogus, so I’m just going to see what the lens actually does—Sigma’s MTF charts are computed, not measured and given recent experience, I don’t put much credibility in them.
Much more interesting is how the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN compares to primes like the Zeiss Batis 18mm f/2.8, and to zooms like the Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G. The Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM comes to mind also, but it is much less interesting for field work to me. But if the Sigma 14-24 set a new performance standard, I might inject the Sony 16-35/2.8 into the mix later.