As to November 25th 2023, the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 DG DN is compatible with Linear focus mode, with angle from 360 to 720 degrees (confirmed on the Sigma's website).
This lens was the first I bought together with the S1R last year. Except for 2 manual lenses I only bought Sigma Art lenses, no expensive Panys. Also in the 2 biggest german photo magazines the test result (optics) of the Sigma was much better then with the Pana 2.8/24-70 (especially wide open). I‘m very satisfied with the results.
It would be very interesting if you would do a comparison of having the 28-70 L Mount f/2.8 lens versus the Lumix kit 20-60 lens for travel and portraiture. Honestly, the 28-70 seems an interesting alternative due to its lighter weight. But how bad is losing 8 mm at the wide end? And how good (esp for portraiture etc) is gaining those 10 mm (and faster aperture) at the long end?
@@vaidehiarts I think that depends mostly on your style an preferred scenarios of photography. For portraits only the 2.8 will be the better choice, also for the wider aperture at the long end. For travel it could be totally different. The difference between 20 and 28 is huge, especially for city and landscape. With the 28-70 I would always take an extra uww lens with me, with the 20-60 the 20mm will do for 70% or more of typical objects…
Thanks for review, i own this lens on E-mount (Sony A7RIV) and I agree with basically everything you said. It's a little heavy but tbh my old set was 700 gram heavier (nikon d810+24-70mm vr). And i think for how small it is, you get epic performance, any smaller would for sure kill image quality. And when travelling it reliable gets you close to prime image quality at any focal length, so it's worth to carry this lens imo :) In thailand i shot 14000 image (if speak in only frames, it's about 1200, but multiple shot for ensurance of 100% sharp image), 97% where on 24-70mm. Can't miss a zoom like this period.
Enjoying this lens on my A7ii. One thing I'd say is beyond the obvious observation that it's not a small lens (people often notice it and comment on it). The lens absolutely needs raw lens correction profile use in lightroom. It's easy to do but if you don't it's quite badly distorted on the wide end with barrel distortion.
Yes it's NOT a small lens, but compare to most other latest 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, it is still a bit smaller don't you think? and agree with your comment about distortion. When i tested it on the Sony A7III, i see some very noticeable distortion. btw, the new Sigma 28-70 2.8 is TINY!!!
@@TheRealRichardWong I generally use a Fuji X-T3 with the 16-55 F2.8 lens so it just seems very large. Not impossible to handle but people do comment and assume it's a very long reach lens. I know that I'm comparing apsc to FF so of course physics means bigger glass. Superb lens though. Well worth the extra for the Art lens. The 28 to 70 didn't interest me. Not weather sealed or as wide.
@@TheRealRichardWong Yes, Fuji X for me as my primary shooting system. My Sony A7ii with the Sigma lens is my one lens covers most back up system to my Fuji cameras.
I Agree @Richard Wong that it's smaller. I have 24-70mm GM from Sony and that one is quite a bit more front heavy, even though weight is only 56 gram heavier. I also used on Nikon D810, the 24-70mm VR F2.8 G Af-s, and man that lens was a beast (1170 gram), luckely, the balans of camera + lens, even at 2.2kg was epic, so that i could lift it in one hand while doing hikes (and switching when one is tired). Imo Sony a7rIV + Sigma 24-70mm at 1.5kg are a wonderful combination. I shoot landscapes, even sharpness is most important to me (at infinity), and here the Sigma is surpsingly the best lens by far that i've used. Its better then my gmaster at 24mm (i think have have a bad copy, cause that's not generally so), but at 70mm, it's well known the gmaster is not good, and the Sigma stays on almost same sharpness there as wide angle. This sharpness advantage actually grows compared to Gmaster at infinity. The Sigma (DG DN lenses) also have improved coatings, and you see a subtle, but very likable vibrant colours on the lens, making JPG's very nice straight out of camera. I also agree on build quality, nothing beets the feel of Sigma. I think it's thanks to 'TSC' termal stable composite they use as material. I payed 1090€ for the Sigma and man that's an absolute steal, if you realize that it's best performing (at infinity) standard zoom i've owned yet.
I'll definitely want to review that lens. Just had a quick play on friday, very amazed by how small it is. But not sure if i will review the E mount or L mount version this time.
Richard, do you think the focus of this lens has improved a lot with the s5ii? Or in the same way you would go to a lumix lens for the s5ii in terms of AF
I really like your reviews. Thanks to you, I bought the Panasonic S5. Thank you. A good choice. Your review ruined my dreams about this lens. I knew that the autofocus in video was virtually unused, but I thought the focus ring motion could be linear, or at least nearly linear. The question is, are the focus ring settings repeatable so that you can use follow focus and set focus points? How nonlinear is the focus ring? Does changing the Panasonic S5 settings to linear improve anything?
Hello there.. oh sorry I ruined your dream. But better to tell you the truth now then wasting your hard earned money isn't it? Because it's non linear and speed dependent it's not really that repeatable.. from what I have found changing settings on s5 make no difference. At least with the camera and lens firmware I tried.
Hi Richard , I just got my hands on this lens for my LUMIX s1. I shoot portraits and have used only primes my whole life. I am torn between keeping this lens or giving it back and picking up a 24/35/50 mm primes. I think you have reviewed those LUMIX lenses, what would be better for a portrait shooter? The sigma or those smaller/faster LUMIX primes?
I think both option are valid. I usually shoot portrait and weddings with prime lenses so for me it's prime lenses and I do have the Lumix primes myself as well. But as I said it's really just a personal preference.
Hey Richard great review! Went ahead and purchased this lens and was just wondering when focus changes automatically I feel some movement in my lens/body its almost like I can feel autofocus motors moving but it is still very subtle. (when compared to the 20-60mm kit lens I don't really feel anything when focus is changing automatically) Is this normal or does my lens need some fixing?
Hi richard I have this lens with an S5, do you think its worth upgrading to the S Pro 24-70 f2.8? i noticed in your S Pro 24-70 review the corners looked a little soft?
How is the sigma 24-70 for photography? And to be specific, continuous auto focus? I can’t seem to find any videos of people showing the continuous auto focus for photography. I get that in video it’s not reliable, but how about photography? I Would appreciate it if you can answer this question for me. Thanks.
@@TheRealRichardWong I would like to use this lens with S5II and zoom in sometimes, but this flicker effect can spoil every shot. Is this lens is good for smooth, non-flickering zooming?
oh i see what you mean. I have to say i'm not really aware of this issue when shooting with Lumix cameras, not with Lumix lenses at least. But i don't have this sigma lens with me anymore to verify it for you sorry
While this is an older review, any tests of this lens in combination with the Viltrox Macro extension tubes you'd recently reviewed? How does it perform with the Viltrox DG-L tubes?
I recently got an S5 and am using a Canon EF mount Sigma 24-70 F2.8 Art lens with adapter. Excluding the autofocus, do you know if there many differences?
Hi Izzie, the DSLR version (like your EF one) and this DG DN (for mirrorless) has a completely different optics design so the optical performance would be quite different. However, I haven't did any side by side comparison so can't really say which one is better or worse and in what way
@@TheRealRichardWong Thanks for the reply. I was thinking of selling my EF version and switching to the L mount version. At least then I suppose I'd get AF-C compatibility. Alternatively I was thinking of getting the Panasonic 24-105.
haha true. most lenses are either good, or very good or excellent! I don't have a 24-70 equivalent lens too. Last time I own one was probably 12 years ago! I love prime lens :)
Nice review, and I'm glad to here about the focus problems, as this kills the lens for me. One question: are you using the latest lens firmware? I noticed Sigma's latest update said it activated "Focus ring adjustment functionality", and I wonder if this might fix the linear focus? Thanks for your review, and thanks if you can answer this. question!
Hi there, oh i didn't check the FW. It's the latest batch arrived so I assumed it is already running the latest fw but now think again, i probably was wrong! Unfortunately I've just returned the lens so couldn't check that now
@@TheRealRichardWong Thanks for the reply! I know the new Leica 24-70 2.8 based off the Sigma has the linear focus. I'm not so sure that the Sigma does. Other Sigma lenses I have do linear focus (45mm 2.8), so it seems there is no reason the Sigma 24-70 shouldn't be able to do it if they work it out with Panasonic.
@@TheRealRichardWong Last update. I double checked linear focus with Sigma 45mm, and realize I was wrong. No linear manual focus in any Sigma lens. Panasonic shares this tech with Leica, and only their cameras and bodies share it. It is my belief that neither will share with Sigma, as both sell this feature to distinguish their lenses from Sigma. Leica's 24-70 otherwise is just a better housed Sigma. And Pansonic sells this feature over Sigma to compete as well.
Hey mate, I see you're Auckland based, would you be keen to do a class for me if possible? I got s5 with same lens but struggling with few things and would love if someone can show it to me. Cheers :)
As to November 25th 2023, the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 DG DN is compatible with Linear focus mode, with angle from 360 to 720 degrees (confirmed on the Sigma's website).
Oh yeah! Using this one with the S5, its epic!
Oh yes I forgot you have one!! Awesome 😎
what about AF and lack of DFD? Expecially for video. Price/Perf. ratio is great.
What do you think about this Sigma 24-70 DG DN? And do you want me to do a review of the new Sigma 28-70 f/2.8 lens as well? and which mount?
L mount
This lens was the first I bought together with the S1R last year. Except for 2 manual lenses I only bought Sigma Art lenses, no expensive Panys. Also in the 2 biggest german photo magazines the test result (optics) of the Sigma was much better then with the Pana 2.8/24-70 (especially wide open). I‘m very satisfied with the results.
It would be very interesting if you would do a comparison of having the 28-70 L Mount f/2.8 lens versus the Lumix kit 20-60 lens for travel and portraiture. Honestly, the 28-70 seems an interesting alternative due to its lighter weight. But how bad is losing 8 mm at the wide end? And how good (esp for portraiture etc) is gaining those 10 mm (and faster aperture) at the long end?
@@vaidehiarts I think that depends mostly on your style an preferred scenarios of photography. For portraits only the 2.8 will be the better choice, also for the wider aperture at the long end. For travel it could be totally different. The difference between 20 and 28 is huge, especially for city and landscape. With the 28-70 I would always take an extra uww lens with me, with the 20-60 the 20mm will do for 70% or more of typical objects…
Thanks for review, i own this lens on E-mount (Sony A7RIV) and I agree with basically everything you said. It's a little heavy but tbh my old set was 700 gram heavier (nikon d810+24-70mm vr). And i think for how small it is, you get epic performance, any smaller would for sure kill image quality. And when travelling it reliable gets you close to prime image quality at any focal length, so it's worth to carry this lens imo :) In thailand i shot 14000 image (if speak in only frames, it's about 1200, but multiple shot for ensurance of 100% sharp image), 97% where on 24-70mm. Can't miss a zoom like this period.
Glad to hear you enjoying that lens and agree with my comments :)
Just bought one for my Sigma fp.
Enjoy Michael!
Enjoying this lens on my A7ii.
One thing I'd say is beyond the obvious observation that it's not a small lens (people often notice it and comment on it). The lens absolutely needs raw lens correction profile use in lightroom. It's easy to do but if you don't it's quite badly distorted on the wide end with barrel distortion.
Yes it's NOT a small lens, but compare to most other latest 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, it is still a bit smaller don't you think? and agree with your comment about distortion. When i tested it on the Sony A7III, i see some very noticeable distortion. btw, the new Sigma 28-70 2.8 is TINY!!!
@@TheRealRichardWong I generally use a Fuji X-T3 with the 16-55 F2.8 lens so it just seems very large. Not impossible to handle but people do comment and assume it's a very long reach lens. I know that I'm comparing apsc to FF so of course physics means bigger glass.
Superb lens though. Well worth the extra for the Art lens.
The 28 to 70 didn't interest me. Not weather sealed or as wide.
the Fuji lenses are definitely a lot smaller in comparison!
@@TheRealRichardWong Yes, Fuji X for me as my primary shooting system. My Sony A7ii with the Sigma lens is my one lens covers most back up system to my Fuji cameras.
I Agree @Richard Wong that it's smaller. I have 24-70mm GM from Sony and that one is quite a bit more front heavy, even though weight is only 56 gram heavier. I also used on Nikon D810, the 24-70mm VR F2.8 G Af-s, and man that lens was a beast (1170 gram), luckely, the balans of camera + lens, even at 2.2kg was epic, so that i could lift it in one hand while doing hikes (and switching when one is tired). Imo Sony a7rIV + Sigma 24-70mm at 1.5kg are a wonderful combination.
I shoot landscapes, even sharpness is most important to me (at infinity), and here the Sigma is surpsingly the best lens by far that i've used. Its better then my gmaster at 24mm (i think have have a bad copy, cause that's not generally so), but at 70mm, it's well known the gmaster is not good, and the Sigma stays on almost same sharpness there as wide angle. This sharpness advantage actually grows compared to Gmaster at infinity. The Sigma (DG DN lenses) also have improved coatings, and you see a subtle, but very likable vibrant colours on the lens, making JPG's very nice straight out of camera.
I also agree on build quality, nothing beets the feel of Sigma. I think it's thanks to 'TSC' termal stable composite they use as material. I payed 1090€ for the Sigma and man that's an absolute steal, if you realize that it's best performing (at infinity) standard zoom i've owned yet.
Great video, I would rather the smaller Sigma 28-70 F2.8 L mount instead. Hopefully you get to do a review.
I'll definitely want to review that lens. Just had a quick play on friday, very amazed by how small it is. But not sure if i will review the E mount or L mount version this time.
thanks for the excellent review!
Well... you answered one question for me: "Would I be willing to be late to work in order to finish watching a Richard Wong video???"
haha thank you so much. hope i didn't get you into too much trouble
@@TheRealRichardWong Nope. Client showed up later than I did. Maybe he was watching your video too???
Richard, do you think the focus of this lens has improved a lot with the s5ii? Or in the same way you would go to a lumix lens for the s5ii in terms of AF
I would think it should be better now especially with Continuous Autofocus as it mainly uses PDAF for that, so DFD is a lot less important now
thanks!
Hi there, I just recently came across your videos and find them very helpfull! also surprised to see that you are in Auck same as me
Kia Ora YJ! If you see me on the street, come say Hi!! :)
Awesome video brother! Loving your channel, new subscriber here
Hi Ben, Thanks for subbing!!! :)
I really like your reviews. Thanks to you, I bought the Panasonic S5. Thank you. A good choice. Your review ruined my dreams about this lens. I knew that the autofocus in video was virtually unused, but I thought the focus ring motion could be linear, or at least nearly linear. The question is, are the focus ring settings repeatable so that you can use follow focus and set focus points? How nonlinear is the focus ring? Does changing the Panasonic S5 settings to linear improve anything?
Hello there.. oh sorry I ruined your dream. But better to tell you the truth now then wasting your hard earned money isn't it? Because it's non linear and speed dependent it's not really that repeatable.. from what I have found changing settings on s5 make no difference. At least with the camera and lens firmware I tried.
Update the Firmware you can set it to linear now with about 120 degrees of focus throw 👍🏻
Hi Richard , I just got my hands on this lens for my LUMIX s1. I shoot portraits and have used only primes my whole life. I am torn between keeping this lens or giving it back and picking up a 24/35/50 mm primes. I think you have reviewed those LUMIX lenses, what would be better for a portrait shooter? The sigma or those smaller/faster LUMIX primes?
I think both option are valid. I usually shoot portrait and weddings with prime lenses so for me it's prime lenses and I do have the Lumix primes myself as well. But as I said it's really just a personal preference.
Hey Richard great review! Went ahead and purchased this lens and was just wondering when focus changes automatically I feel some movement in my lens/body its almost like I can feel autofocus motors moving but it is still very subtle. (when compared to the 20-60mm kit lens I don't really feel anything when focus is changing automatically) Is this normal or does my lens need some fixing?
Hi richard I have this lens with an S5, do you think its worth upgrading to the S Pro 24-70 f2.8? i noticed in your S Pro 24-70 review the corners looked a little soft?
if you already have the sigma, i probably wouldn't change unless you are shooting on a Panasonic body and want best AF tracking performance
How is the sigma 24-70 for photography? And to be specific, continuous auto focus? I can’t seem to find any videos of people showing the continuous auto focus for photography. I get that in video it’s not reliable, but how about photography? I Would appreciate it if you can answer this question for me. Thanks.
i found it works OK. but i haven't done any side by side comparison to really answer that.
@@TheRealRichardWong thanks for the reply. 👍👍👍
Hi Richard! Is this lens with Lumix s5 have an aperture/vignette flickering effect while zooming? It's common problem with zoom lenses.
I can't say I have noticed that. Got an example of what it looks like?
@@TheRealRichardWong It's kind of exposure shift like in Fuji zoom lens. Here is an explanation: ruclips.net/video/upstrVQ838k/видео.html
@@TheRealRichardWong I would like to use this lens with S5II and zoom in sometimes, but this flicker effect can spoil every shot. Is this lens is good for smooth, non-flickering zooming?
oh i see what you mean. I have to say i'm not really aware of this issue when shooting with Lumix cameras, not with Lumix lenses at least. But i don't have this sigma lens with me anymore to verify it for you sorry
While this is an older review, any tests of this lens in combination with the Viltrox Macro extension tubes you'd recently reviewed? How does it perform with the Viltrox DG-L tubes?
Sorry I have returned the Sigma lens so can't really try it.
I recently got an S5 and am using a Canon EF mount Sigma 24-70 F2.8 Art lens with adapter. Excluding the autofocus, do you know if there many differences?
Hi Izzie, the DSLR version (like your EF one) and this DG DN (for mirrorless) has a completely different optics design so the optical performance would be quite different.
However, I haven't did any side by side comparison so can't really say which one is better or worse and in what way
@@TheRealRichardWong Thanks for the reply. I was thinking of selling my EF version and switching to the L mount version. At least then I suppose I'd get AF-C compatibility. Alternatively I was thinking of getting the Panasonic 24-105.
Great video!! Does lens firmware update by sigma help the autofocus?
Thank you. Re firmware, sorry I didn't check if the firmware was latest when review it.
But it was a latest batch just received locally
Man it seems that all lenses are so good now days. I still do not have a 24-70 equivalent lol
haha true. most lenses are either good, or very good or excellent! I don't have a 24-70 equivalent lens too. Last time I own one was probably 12 years ago! I love prime lens :)
@@TheRealRichardWong lol wow. Ya same here man. But I think soon I will need one. Not sure whether to go native or adapt
Leica 10-25 is the beast!!! Price is beast too unfortunately 😂
@@TheRealRichardWong lol yaaaaa. I think id go with the sigma 18-35
Nice review, and I'm glad to here about the focus problems, as this kills the lens for me. One question: are you using the latest lens firmware? I noticed Sigma's latest update said it activated "Focus ring adjustment functionality", and I wonder if this might fix the linear focus? Thanks for your review, and thanks if you can answer this. question!
Hi there, oh i didn't check the FW. It's the latest batch arrived so I assumed it is already running the latest fw but now think again, i probably was wrong! Unfortunately I've just returned the lens so couldn't check that now
@@TheRealRichardWong Thanks for the reply! I know the new Leica 24-70 2.8 based off the Sigma has the linear focus. I'm not so sure that the Sigma does. Other Sigma lenses I have do linear focus (45mm 2.8), so it seems there is no reason the Sigma 24-70 shouldn't be able to do it if they work it out with Panasonic.
@@TheRealRichardWong Last update. I double checked linear focus with Sigma 45mm, and realize I was wrong. No linear manual focus in any Sigma lens. Panasonic shares this tech with Leica, and only their cameras and bodies share it. It is my belief that neither will share with Sigma, as both sell this feature to distinguish their lenses from Sigma. Leica's 24-70 otherwise is just a better housed Sigma. And Pansonic sells this feature over Sigma to compete as well.
@@nycavguy Better think twice to invest in the L-mount i think...
I am very disappointed that no sigma lmount lense works well in continous af with pana cams
Hey mate,
I see you're Auckland based, would you be keen to do a class for me if possible? I got s5 with same lens but struggling with few things and would love if someone can show it to me. Cheers :)
Hey there, I don't usually do private class. Is there something in particular you are struggling with? Maybe I can give you some tips here?
I have the Canon 24-70 and use it on my Gh5 with the metabones ultra.
How do you like your combo Stewart?
Ya is like to know too thats the .64 right?