Sigma 24mm F3.5 DG DN (C)
Reviewed by Editor AL
Image: Editor AL & his Sony a7R & Sigma 24mm F3.5 DG DN (C).
28th September 2021, Singapore – Right, as promised this is like the “Part 4” review for the Sigma iSeries (DG DN) – this round, the Sigma 24mm F3.5 DG DN (C). (Check out the previous reviews for 35mm F2, 45mm F2.8, 65mm F2). While the NEW 24mm F2 DG DN (C) was recently announced and we had yet to get our hands on the 90mm F2.8 DG DN (C), we noted that the iSeries has total of 6 lenses and the 24mm F3.5 DG DN had been one of the best-selling wide angle lens from the iSeries so far.
If you are comparing the 24mm F3.5 with the NEW 24mm F2, I will say apart from the aperture, there are only slight differences on the size, the weight & the lens elements. We shall not comment further on the F2 until we get to review it. Now let’s take a look at why the 24mm F3.5 had been such a best-seller.
As a super compact lens, the nearly-all-metal construction is the same as the rest of the iSeries lenses. Measuring at 64mm×50.8mm (slightly longer than the L-Mount version) and weights only 225gm, this is the smallest lens in the series.
Featuring the same type of metal lens hood that is magnetic and has grip lines, it has the same design cues as the rest of the series lenses. Likewise, the lens feels really solid and it is also made weather-proof in case of the sudden rain.
I did mentioned in my previous reviews that I like the aperture ring a lot. It’s the clicking type that feels very premium. The focusing ring is smooth and the button layout is the same as the rest of iSeries lenses. Very good layout for quick operations.
The front of the lens takes 55mm filters and has a minimum focusing distance of only 10.8 cm. Very versatile in my view.
Inside the lens, the optics are arranged as 10 elements in 8 groups – including 01 x SLD glass and 03 x aspherical elements. The 7 rounded blades aperture focuses from F3.5 to F22 which is pretty standard.
As I had been very sick for a week, and after serving the Stay Home Notice and getting myself “stamped” as Covid-Negative, I finally found some strength to take a walk with this lens to a nearby park near my house. I went to NTU’s heritage garden to try out the 24mm F3.5 let’s check out the images.
The Sigma 24mm F3.5 DG DN (C) being a Wide Angle lens, I reckon it will be nice to test out this lens while strolling at a park, the wider coverage allows me to shoot large structure/ subjects even when I stand closer to shoot.
All images on this review are minimally cropped with no editing except adding of watermarks. You can see the amount of details captured with this lens + camera combo. As the 24mm that was issued to me came in Sony Mount, and with my preference to a7R, this combination is superb for capturing lots of details and the given allowance to crop later if I want during editing.
Like the previous iSeries lenses that I had reviewed, the 24mm is so light that throughout the walk, it was really effortless to handheld it all the way. I like the focusing a lot. It somehow reminded me of the Sigma 35mm F2 DG DN (C) that I had reviewed recently. The focusing was fast and accurate, almost spot on every time. And the park was very quiet, I cannot even hear the lens doing it’s focusing, that is very quiet-focusing by the way.
In Summary, the Sigma 24mm F3.5 DG DN (C) is a very versatile lens. Well worthy to be a landscape lens (or event) given its sharpness and the image quality. Colors are awesome and no ghosting which is a common phenomenon for such focal length lenses. Although Sigma had released a “higher” version of the 24mm in the guise of F2, still the 24mm F3.5 does cater to a larger group of photographers who may not be professionals but needed the wide angle and superior image quality. There is a price difference of about $160 between the F3.5 and the F2 so it really depends what you really need and what you use the lens for. And yes, it does not matters if you are using this lens purely for landscape and shoots outdoor in the day if night shooting in F2 is not exactly your thing,
Buying this Lens
If you need a wide angle lens that does almost everything, the Sigma 24mm F3.5 DG DN (C) is probably your best choice, you should go ahead & buy this lens. Buy from our accredited merchants for a peace of mind!
Renting this Camera/Lens – (Please check for availability first)
For those of you who wish to try out this lens before purchase, we are pleased to share that this camera & lens is probably available for rental at our appointed rental merchant:
Camera Rental Centre is Conveniently Located at:
50 South Bridge Road, CMO Building, (very near to Clarke Quay MRT)
#02-18. Singapore 058682
Website: https://camerarental.biz/
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Reviewer: Chief Editor AL Lee
Chief Editor & Founder of Ourshutterjourney.com Worldwide and Principal Trainer at Ourshutterjourney Photography Academy. AL is a commercial photographer as well as an educator who believes in the art of digital memories. An ambassador of several photography brands, AL is well versed in many camera systems. Someone once told us AL’s man cave looks more like a camera store than a bedroom.
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