Sigma 28-45mm f1.8 DG DN Art Lens Review
Sigma has been releasing some fantastic options for Leica L mount lately, and it seems they aren’t ready to stop just yet. Now, there’s a new zoom out, which I’m guessing will appeal to many users given the focal length range: the 28-45mm f1.8 DG DN Art. Yes, you read that right; here’s a zoom that many consider a sweet spot in focal range all with a constant maximum aperture of f1.8. Thanks to Sigma, I was able to obtain a pre-launch sample to test.
Thanks for taking the time to read my review! If it helped, please consider purchasing from any of the links mentioned in this review, which in turn, helps support this site. I get a small commission but it will not cost you anything extra. Thank you!
Sigma 28-45mm f1.8 DG DN Art Lens Build Quality:
Let’s start off by taking a look at the overall quality of the lens. Like all Art Series lenses, the 28-45mm f1.8 DG DN Art is a premium build designed for professionals. It’s rigid, and feels very solid in the hands. There’s a high precision brass bayonet mount, and the structure of the lens is protected against the elements. For instance, it is dust and splash resistant. There’s also a water and oil repellent coating on the front element.
↑ Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 with the Sigma 28-45mm f1.8 DG DN Art lens attached.
In terms features, there is a focus ring, and a zoom ring. Both have a rubberized textured grip, and operate very smoothly. The zooming is also internal. There is also an aperture ring on this lens, which I love. It clicks in third stops, and in my opinion, it’s much nicer than having to change aperture settings in camera. There’s also an aperture ring lock switch, a click switch to turn the aperture clicking on and off, and two AFL buttons.
Normally, one can expect a zoom with this particular focal length range, and large constant maximum aperture to be big and heavy. There is some truth to this even with this particular lens because there’s no way around physics. With that said, a lot of attention has been paid to reduce the overall size and weight of the 28-45mm f1.8 DG DN Art. The dimensions are 87.8 x 151.4mm/3.5 x 6.0 in. with the weight being 960g/33.0 oz. The filter size is 82mm.
↑ Here’s a top view of the lens.
In practice, the 28-45mm f1.8 DG DN Art is absolutely great to use in the field. I’m generally a prime user but I have to admit, having the convenience of all the focal lengths I usually use in one zoom, and with a large constant maximum aperture like f1.8 is really nice. In terms of zoom range, this is literally the sweet spot for many photographers including myself. One can still argue that the lens, being under 1 kg, is a bit heavy, and large but think about how many f1.8 primes you would have to carry to make up for this zoom. Also, consider the weight of these lenses combined versus carrying just this one lens.
I primarily tested the 28-45mm ff1.8 DG DN Art by basically walking around New York City, and I found the lens great to use. The weight and size are manageable, and it definitely beats carrying multiple lenses with f1.8 max apertures. The focal length is just about perfect to me for walking around, and travel. The constant aperture means I not only have consistency, which is what I like but also the ability to add isolation by having more control over depth of field, and also better ability to shoot in low light situations.
I will say that this lens is also great for my photo shoots because I use a 50mm prime for most of my shots, and the 45mm focal length is close enough for me that I wouldn’t mind using it for the added convenience of having the wider focal lengths at my disposal. The wider focal lengths are very useful for me in close quarters lifestyle shooting where I want full length portraits (For those who visit my Instagram, my fire escape shots come to mind). For the type of shooting I do, I don’t often need anything wider or longer than what the 28-45mm f1.8 offers, and f1.8 is good enough for me, especially since in this case, it’s constant throughout the range.
Accessories wise, there’s a petal-shaped hood included with the 28-45mm f1.8 that locks in place. Besides helping with flare, it provides some protection against minor impacts. There’s also a zippered case that will fit both the lens and hood.
↑ The 28-45mm f1.8 does come with a petal shaped lens hood.
↑ Here’s everything that is included.
Sigma 28-45mm f1.8 DG DN Art Lens Autofocus:
As for the autofocus, the 28-45mm f1.8 DG DN Art uses an HLA (High-response Linear Actuator), which results in ultra fast responses. The focus, to me, is just about perfect, and keep in mind that I am using a pre-launch sample of the lens, which has beta firmware. There really isn’t any drama here. I found focus to be instantaneous, essentially silent, and accurate. Focus breathing is also kept to a minimum for videographers.
It’s also worth noting that the minimum focusing distance is a constant 30cm, and this is throughout the zoom range, which is really nice. With a maximum magnification ratio of 1:4 at the telephoto end, the close up capabilities are quite good.
Sigma 28-45mm f1.8 DG DN Art Lens Image Quality:
Image quality is just as impressive. The 28-45mm f1.8 DG DN Art may be a zoom but from what I’ve experienced, the image quality here rivals prime lenses I’ve used before.
↑ I used f5.6, 100 ISO and the 28mm focal length here.
↑ This was taken with the 38mm focal length and f7.1. 320 ISO was used.
↑ I took this with the 39mm focal length and f1.8. 100 ISO was used.
↑ This was taken in Bay Ridge using the 45mm focal length and f8. 125 ISO was used.
Everything coming out of this lens is just so crisp and sharp. As some of you know, I do not do any scientific testing here but just from what I see, this has to be one of the sharpest zooms I’ve reviewed so far. Images are tack sharp at f1.8 with even the corners holding up quite well. You really have to zoom in there, and start pixel peeping to see any loss of detail, and even then, it’s so minute. Stopping down improves sharpness a bit, of course but like any other great f1.8 lenses, know that the 28-45mm f1.8 DG DN Art can, and should be used throughout the aperture range to produce superb results.
↑ Here’s a photo taken with f1.8 and the 45mm focal length. 100 ISO was used.
↑ 100% of the photo above.
↑ Here’s one taken with 31mm and f5.6. 160 ISO was used.
↑ 100% crop of the photo above.
↑ The 28mm focal length was used here along with f8 and 125 ISO.
↑ Here’s a 100% crop of the photo above.
↑ This was taken with the 45mm focal length using f8 and 125 ISO.
↑ Here’s a 100% crop of the photo above.
Other features of this lens include great color rendering and contrast. 5 SLD elements and 3 aspherical elements help correct aberrations. From what I’ve experienced, flare also isn’t much of an issue thanks to the Nano Porous Coating, and Super Multi-Layer coating. There is some vignetting at wide open aperture as expected but nothing out of the ordinary. Stopping down from f1.8 to f2 reduces vignetting quite a bit. By f2.8, it’s nearly all gone.
↑ This was taken using the 34mm focal length. I also used f1.8 and 100 ISO.
↑ I took this with the 45mm focal length using 100 ISO and f5.6.
↑ Here’s a shot taken with 28mm. I used f8 and 250 ISO.
↑ This was taken with f11 and the 41mm focal length. I used 500 ISO.
Sigma 28-45mm f1.8 DG DN Art Lens Bokeh:
Bokeh is another outstanding quality that you can expect from the 28-45mm f1.8 DG DN Art. With a constant maximum aperture of f1.8, you can expect great isolation of your subject, and beautifully thin depth of field when you want it. With an 11-blade rounded diaphragm, the bokeh that this lens produces is buttery smooth and inviting. That f1.8 aperture, especially at the 45mm end, really does great work at isolating your subject. In my opinion, this is some of the best bokeh I’ve seen from a zoom lens.
↑ Here’s an image showing you how it looks like when I use the 28mm focal length and shoot at f1.8. 100 ISO was used.
↑ This was taken with the 45mm focal length using f1.8 and 100 ISO.
↑ Same settings as above.
↑ Once again, same settings as above.
Pros And Cons:
Pros:
- Excellent Build quality.
- Dust and weather sealed.
- Truly a sweet spot in terms of zoom range.
- Constant maximum aperture of f1.8.
- Compact and light when you consider its range and constant max aperture; definitely less to carry around than multiple f1.8 lenses.
- Excellent autofocus.
- Great close up capabilities.
- Superb Image quality rivaling prime lenses.
- Bokeh is excellent.
- Priced well.
Cons:
- While great lengths have clearly been made to reduce size and weight, don’t expect ultra compact. It’s still a zoom with this range, and a constant max aperture of f1.8
Sigma 28-45mm f1.8 DG DN Art Lens Verdict:
The Sigma 28-45mm f1.8 DG DN Art has so much going for it. Besides it having a rather unique zoom range that many will find useful, it has a constant maximum aperture of f1.8, which is a first for a zoom lens in the full frame mirrorless world. In addition, the build, and autofocus are excellent. Optics are also superb and rival even prime lenses. The retail is currently $1,349, which I feel is quite reasonable.
↑This was taken with the 28mm. I used f8 and 320 ISO.
↑ I used the same settings as above but in this photo, 2500 ISO was used instead.
↑ This was taken with 32mm and it’s a wide open shot. 100 ISO was used.
↑ Here’s one taken with 45mm. f8 was used along with 100 ISO.
I wasn’t expecting to love this lens as much as I did but it quickly has become one of my favorite zooms currently available from any manufacturer. I find its focal length range to be perfect for my needs, and its large constant maximum aperture of f1.8 only makes it that much sweeter. To top it off, performance like autofocus and image quality are up there with the best. The lens is just super versatile, and if this was in my kit permanently, I wonder if I would even use my primes as much as I do now. I can see people using this for all types of photography from travel to street to lifestyle work…you name it. It is just so handy.
↑ This was taken in the early morning using 45mm and f1.8. 100 ISO was also used.
↑Here’s one last photo of the Sigma 28-45mm f1.8 DG DN Art.
The 28-45mm f1.8 is one loaner lens I am really sorry I have to send back. I think it will be indispensable to many photographers out there. I can’t recommend it enough for those who often use focal lengths in this range.
Thanks for taking the time to read my review! If it helped, please consider purchasing from any of the links mentioned in this review, which in turn, helps support this site. I get a small commission but it will not cost you anything extra. Thank you!
