Anyone have or looking at the Sigma 65mm f2?

[SpecFoto]

Anyone try the new Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN, part of Sigmas new I series? All metal construction with an aperture ring, plus somewhat weather sealed for only $700 US, what's not to like?

Since getting into Sony 2-1/2 years ago I have been looking for a lens slightly longer than 50mm that renders beautifully, like my Nikon 58mm f14G lens was designed to do for my previous Nikon setup. Have the FE 55 f1.8ZA and while a very good lens, its rendering is a bit busy for portraits in my opinion plus it does have at times some swirly bokeh. Been looking online at photo samples of this new Sigma lens and its rendering is very good, especially close up. While I have the Batis 85mm, it is a great lens, I find it a bit too long in F/L for closeup portraits or inside use. I used the AOV/FOV Visualizer (vahonen.info) and was surprised at how the 65mm length fit my kit better (mathematically anyway) than my 85mm, which is too similar to the 135 Batis. The 65 seems to split the difference between the 35 and 135 lenses much better, see below.

Anyway got a good deal on GT (15% off inc. tax) and one is on the way. Plan on using it at a big special event in a couple of weeks (1st one since pandemic started in early 2020) at a Thai Buddhist Temple where I will be photographing around 200 guests inside 2 different buildings, plus on the grounds. Plan on bringing my 35mm GM and this new Sigma 65.

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[davect01]

Sigma has some fantastic options for the E-Mount. Many are the equal to or even better than the similar Sony offerings and often quite a bit cheaper.

 

[Ad Dieleman]

But in general autofocus seems to be not as fast and not as reliable as comparable Sony lenses.

 

[SpecFoto]

But in general autofocus seems to be not as fast and not as reliable as comparable Sony lenses.

That seems to be the general consensus on Sigma lenses for Sony. Dustin Abbot in his Sigma 65mm review showed the AF in AF-C working just fine but did mention it hunted briefly in very low light situations. Funny, but both my Batis lenses, the 85 and 135, have superb AF and are just as fast as any of my Sony lenses. Don't know why Sigma can't get it right.

My FE 55 f1.8ZA lens focuses lightening fast, but the swirly bokeh and not great rendering is why I am interested in the Sigma 65. From the online samples I have seen the new 65mm bokeh and rendering is better than the 55, so if the AF is a tiny bit slower, that will be OK. Anyway the lens shipped today so I will know soon enough.

 

[jimmoore]

Anyone try the new Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN, part of Sigmas new I series? All metal construction with an aperture ring, plus somewhat weather sealed for only $700 US, what's not to like?

Since getting into Sony 2-1/2 years ago I have been looking for a lens slightly longer than 50mm that renders beautifully, like my Nikon 58mm f14G lens was designed to do for my previous Nikon setup. Have the FE 55 f1.8ZA and while a very good lens, its rendering is a bit busy for portraits in my opinion plus it does have at times some swirly bokeh. Been looking online at photo samples of this new Sigma lens and its rendering is very good, especially close up. While I have the Batis 85mm, it is a great lens, I find it a bit too long in F/L for closeup portraits or inside use. I used the AOV/FOV Visualizer (vahonen.info) and was surprised at how the 65mm length fit my kit better (mathematically anyway) than my 85mm, which is too similar to the 135 Batis. The 65 seems to split the difference between the 35 and 135 lenses much better, see below.

Anyway got a good deal on GT (15% off inc. tax) and one is on the way. Plan on using it at a big special event in a couple of weeks (1st one since pandemic started in early 2020) at a Thai Buddhist Temple where I will be photographing around 200 guests inside 2 different buildings, plus on the grounds. Plan on bringing my 35mm GM and this new Sigma 65.


View attachment 115369

is this chart drawing avaliable, or did you design it?

 

[bdbits]

He mentions the web site in his post but not as a direct link, which is https://vahonen.info/fov/. Simple but slick tool I often look at when considering changing up my lenses.

 

[jimmoore]

Thinks for that, I didn’t read the full post, must look a bit deeper next time.