Sigma 24mm f/1.8 EX DG Makro - Reviews

(3.5)

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15.3.2011

------------Bottom-line:------------IfYes: ifIf you get a good copy of this lens, you will be very happy. But that is a very unlikely "if"------------Details------------I got this lens to complement my 35 f/1.8 and my 50 f/1.8 on (I use a DX body). I did so knowing the risks: Sigma's quality control is really appalling and buying one of their lenses is a gamble. And this time I was on the losing side.Focusing issues are quite common in Sigma lenses, and my copy front-focuses severely. That is a big, big issue in a lens that you buy to shoot wide open and very close to your subject (the way I see it, if you buy an f/1.8 lens is to shoot it wide open; if you buy a macro lens,is to get close to your subject).But let's leave the focusing issues aside for a moment. After a few years using SLR cameras I have learned how to get things in focus without relying on the camera to do all the work. It takes some effort, but can be done. So, leaving the focusing issues aside, I would say this is a great lens.Resolution----------It has good resoltion, even wide open.You will read in some fora that "...is soft at f/1.8 but it gets better at f/2.2". Well, this may sound arrogant, but my guess is that all those folks (or most of them) know very little about lenses and how to use them (to be clear, I do not claim to be an expert). Most likely they are using a copy that front/back focuses to a varying degree and haven't realised that yet.The lens is, indeed, very sharp. Or to be more precise, the lens has a very good resolution. Where it lacks a little bit (particularly compared to some Nikkor lenses) is in contrast. Contrast is just fair.Distortion and chromatic aberrations------------------------------------You can get out of your way and make the distortion noticeable, but I would say that is not a problem. Chromatic aberrations are obviously present at wide apertures but certainly no more than in my other lenses.Ghosting and flaring--------------------To my surprise, this lens performs quite well in this area. You can get some ghosting and flaring, but I would say is well-controlled overall.Build quality, ergonomics and macro-----------------------------------This lens is solid. Very good build quality. It's also quite heavy and big. I like the fact that is solid and I couldn't care less about its size and weight. Not much to say about handling, except that the focusing ring (which I use a lot given the focusing problems) is not as precise and smooth as I would like. As for the macro, yes, you can get very close to your subject but you won't get 1:1.Why 4 stars?------------I paid £365 for this lens. For that money I got a fast prime with very good resolution wide open and "macro" capabilities. In other words, I can make some cool pictures with it. That pushes the rating to 5 stars. But contrast is not strong enough for me and distortion is higher than I would like for a prime. In those areas I would like to put 3 to 4 stars. The focusing ring could be better (3 to 4 stars there again). Build quality is very close to 5. Thus, overall, I think it deserves 4 stars.---------------------IMPORTANT (READ THIS)---------------------Note that in the above I have not considered the focusing problems. I left those aside and proceeded as if they were not there. However, they are there. I have sent my lens back for repair and it came back equally bad. I send it back again and I'm still waiting. I sent my camera to Nikon just to be sure it wasn't the problem and it isn't. Even more important, I went to the store where I bought my lens and tried another copy (brand new) just to find the exact same problem. We (at the store) then tried with some Nikkor lenses and focus was ok (then again, it's not the camera).I really want this lens. £1,600 for Nikon's 24mm f/1.4G is just a joke for me. But a lens that front-focuses so much is next to useless and definitely a pain. In effect, a sharp lens that front focuses as much as this is soft and all its resolving power goes to the drain. I paid for AF as well, and I want to use AF.Should you consider this lens in spite of this ubiquitous problem? If you have a camera that can do micro AF adjustment then I think you can go with this one. If not, you are accepting quite a risk.*********************UPDATE*********************After several weeks waiting for the lens to comeback I got tired and asked for a refund.I still think that a copy **without focusing issues** is an excellent option.

25.12.2012

(I'm re-writing my review as I've now had this lens long enough to write a well rounded review 04/09/15)I bought this lens almost 3 years ago. I chose this over the Canon 24mm prime (non-L) due to the 1.8 aperture and the close focusing distance. I had to get it calibrated to my 600D and it worked perfectly after that, although the 38.4mm equivalent focal length on crop sensor was never quite to my liking. After purchasing my 6D, I was fortunate to find the Sigma needed no autofocus adjustment. The focal length at it's true 24mm on full frame suits this lens better than the crop focal length. The lens isn't weather sealed which is understandable for its price.It is well documented about the 2 step manual focus in which you have to pull the focus ring back as well as use the AF/M switch. I don't find this too much of a problem. It has a 77mm filter diameter and is a fair bit bigger than the newer Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM lens. The advantage means I can share 77mm filters between this lens and a Canon 24-105mm L zoom I have.The Sigma has a 9 blade aperture and although the bokeh (out of focus areas) isn't as nice as the Canon 24mm L, it looks pleasing enough for my non-professional needs. The sharpness, compared to my Canon 24-105mm L is softer up to f4 where it matches it for sharpness (the Canon's only an f4 lens though). Although it's softer wide open, the Sigma is very useable at this aperture unlike the Canon 50mm 1.8 II which I find too soft wide open. One downside with image quality is that this lens isn't sharp in the corners at narrower apertures which some might find an issue. I think it's forgivable for the price I paid plus if shooting at an angle with a narrower depth of field, the corners wont be in focus anyway. The colours from this lens are also quite pleasing, giving a slightly warmer tone that Sigma's are known for. The Sigma produces less barrel distortion than my 24-105 lens at 24mm and less vignetting. These two points are somewhat irrelevant when using software like Adobe Lightroom to correct these issues.One downside which might put people off is that the focus motor is fairly slow and noisy. It does hunt a bit in low light. Fortunately focus accuracy with my copy of this lens is pretty spot on most of the time. This lens paired with the 6D gets some decent images but due to the consumer grade autofocus on the 6D, don't expect great (or quiet) autofocus performance.The Sigma 24mm f1.8 Macro has always got mixed reviews and isn't generally considered one of Sigma's best pre-ART lenses, like the Sigma 85mm for example but I think the overall sharpness is pretty decent and the close focusing make this lens quite unique - a feature Sigma removed from the newer 24mm ART lens. Overall a unique lens and one I'm happy to own.