Sigma 50mm F2 DG DN Contemporary Lens Review

[SECTION]INTRODUCTION[/SECTION]

Hot on the heels of Sigma’s new 17mm f/4 DG DN Contemporary optic, just reviewed, we have here a second lens sharing much of the same design ethos, the Sigma 50mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary. Compact and light, with aspirations of reaching the highest levels of construction quality and optical performance. The 17mm acquitted itself well, so time now to couple up the new lens with the same full-frame 42MP Sony A7RIII body. Let’s dip our toes in the water and see how we do.

Sigma 50mm F2 DG DN Contemporary Handling and Features

There is a supplied round lens hood that bayonets cleanly into place and securely clicks home without any need for a locking catch. As before, there are two lens caps provided, a conventional clip on plastic cap and a metal magnetic one. The instructions warn of the potential hazard of the magnet damaging the magnetic strips on credit cards, so keep the metal cap well away from them. As before, this reviewer finds no advantage in introducing this hazard and the metal hood stays in the box.

Within the bayonet fit for the hood is a conventional 58mm filter thread. The lens is fairly compact, measuring just 70mm in diameter and 68mm long, and also relatively light at 350g. Construction is all metal and reassuringly solid. Sigma describes the lens as having a dust and splashproof mount but caution that this does not mean it is waterproof. While mentioning the mount, it is a brass bayonet which is a good choice of materials.

The well-ribbed focusing ring affords an excellent grip. The Sony version supports all the usual focusing modes including AF, MF and DMF, plus any AF assist functions. The L mount version is compatible with the Sigma USB Dock UD-11 thus enabling the selection of non-linear or linear focusing.

AF is driven by a fast and virtually silent stepping motor. Focusing is down to 45cm, or 1.48 feet, for a maximum magnification of 1:6.9. This is no closer than any traditional 50mm lens, even going back to the days of film. Back in the day, so to speak, it would have been considered a huge step beyond what the ubiquitous rangefinder cameras could achieve, but now most zoom lenses will focus much closer than this. This lens, however, is driven by a desire for quality, so the expectations may be different.

There is an aperture ring, which operates beautifully, being smooth and almost silent. The click stops are at one-third of a stop intervals, with an additional A setting should we wish to control the aperture setting from the camera. Gorgeous though the engineering is, there is a chance that the ring can be knocked off A and a locking catch would be a good idea. The only other control is an AF/MF selector switch.

Optical construction is 11 elements in 9 groups, including 1 SLD (Super Low Distortion) and 3 Aspherical. The diaphragm comprises 9 blades, designed to produce a rounded aperture. The coating is Sigma’s Super Multi Layer Coating.

The lens is beautiful to use, a real gem in terms of handling. It can also be a revelation for those who maybe only use zoom lenses. it shows just how small and light a 50mm lens can be, how positively the wide aperture makes the subject jump into focus and how quality can be maintained as the light levels fall. 50mm is considered a “standard lens” with good reason, delivering as it does a realistic view of the world that is so very close to that of the human eye.

All subject matter can be at least tackled with a 50mm, but especially street photography, architecture, portraits, close sports, landscapes, flower studies and indeed anything that demands a human eye’s natural perception of the subject.

[SECTION]PERFORMANCE[/SECTION]

Sigma 50mm F2 DG DN Contemporary Performance

Central sharpness is excellent at f/2, outstanding from f/2.8 to f/5.6. excellent at f/8 and f/11, very good at f/16 and good at f/22. The edges are excellent at f/2. outstanding at f/2.8, excellent from f/4 to f/11, very good at f/16 and good at f/22. A fantastic result.

Sigma 50mm F2 DG DN Contemporary MTF Charts

CA (Chromatic Aberration) is very low at the centre of the field, at some apertures measuring virtually zero. The edges are also extremely well under control. CA is not a problem and further correction, although it could be undertaken in software, very unlikely to be needed even in the most extreme imaging circumstances.

Sigma 50mm F2 DG DN Contemporary Chromatic Aberration Charts

Distortion measures -0.05% barrel, which is so close to being rectilinear as makes no difference. Even at the edges, straight lines will remain as straight lines, making it an excellent choice for architectural shots.

Bokeh is relaxed and pleasing to the eye, and 50mm lenses, certainly fast ones, do benefit from the ability to throw backgrounds out of focus. This is especially useful with portraiture.

Flare performance is excellent and contrast is well maintained against the light. Even in the most demanding lighting, it is not easy to produce any artefacts.

Vignetting is also well under control and is relatively modest throughout the aperture range. Any further correction could be sorted in software if necessary, but it is not likely that it would be needed.

.borders { border: 1px solid #ccc !important; border-collapse: collapse; } .borders td,.borders tr { border: 1px solid #ccc !important; }

Sigma 50mm F2 DG DN Contemporary Sample Photos

Sigma 50mm F2 DG DN Contemporary Aperture range

You can view additional images in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.

[SECTION]VERDICT[/SECTION] 

Value For Money

The [AMUK]Sigma 50mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary|Sigma+50mm+lens[/AMUK] lens is priced at £619, and it is just one of a dazzling array of 50mm lenses available for both L mount and Sony FE mount.

The question is of course why this one as opposed to any of the others? In terms of pricing, a selection of options might include:

L Mount Options:

• [AMUK]Panasonic Lumix 50mm f/1.8|Panasonic+lens[/AMUK], £429
• [AMUK]Panasonic Lumic S Pro 50mm f/1.4|Panasonic+lens[/AMUK], £1999
• [AMUK]Leica Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 Asph|Leica Summicron-SL+lens[/AMUK], £1780
• [AMUK]Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art|Sigma+lens[/AMUK], £849

FE Mount Options:

• [AMUK]Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 II|Samyang+lens[/AMUK], £599
• [AMUK]Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art|Sigma+lens[/AMUK], £849
• [AMUK]Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM|Sony+lens[/AMUK], £2099
• [AMUK]Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM|Sony+lens[/AMUK], £1499
• [AMUK]Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G|Sony+lens[/AMUK], £629

Clearly, the price is pitched sensibly, after which it is a matter of the individual features and performance of each lens. In terms of pure VFM the new lens does hold its own.

[HOOK]position_1[/HOOK]

Sigma 50mm F2 DG DN Contemporary Verdict

Own this lens? Let us know what you think of it in the EQDB. 

Spotted a mistake? Let us know in the EQDB.