Sigma 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens Review

Sigma 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens Review:

If you were one of the early adopters of L mount like I was, it just wasn’t easy finding lenses that were compact and light.  A lot of manufacturers were busy releasing reference level glass with large maximum apertures that were excellent but also big and heavy.  If you wanted something more compact, often times, you had to sacrifice autofocus and use an adapter for M mount lenses, for instance.  Well, things have definitely changed quite a bit.  Take, for instance, Sigma’s I Series lenses.  Their maximum apertures are a little smaller but they are also much more compact and light.  Furthermore, I’ve tested every one so far, and I can tell you that from my experience, these lenses offer excellent performance as well.  Now, they’ve added another one that I think is MUCH needed in the L Mount Alliance, the 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens, and it (along with the new 24mm f2 DG DN: review here) has been released today.  Thanks to Sigma, I was able to test this lens beforehand, and here’s my full review.

Sigma 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens Build Quality:

Let me start off by saying that this isn’t just one of my favorite I Series lenses, it is one of my favorites regardless of system or manufacturer, and one reason is because of the ergonomics.  This is a 90mm lens with a relatively fast maximum aperture and autofocus yet it measurements just 2.5 x 2.35 in. (64 x 59.7mm).  It’s not only compact by L mount standards, it’s compact even by APS-C standards.  Take a look at one of the photos below, and you can see that it’s about the size of my Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH Black Chrome, which is a very compact lens with manual focus I might add.  If you need to be discreet for street shooting or you just want something small, so you don’t have to carry a larger bag, this is the 90mm for you.

↑ Here’s the Leica SL2 with the 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens attached.

In addition to being small, the 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens is also lightweight as well.  It’s just 10.4 oz (295g), so this isn’t something that will be a burden to carry around all day long.  I was testing this lens last month (August), and it was extremely hot here in New York City.  I remember walking around for just 30 minutes, and already just sweating quite a bit.  I was in no mood to be lugging around a ton of gear, and let’s just say that this lens made my life a lot easier.  It’s not something that will make your camera front heavy.  It’s so light that it’s something I didn’t even really notice in my bag.

↑ Here’s a top view of the camera and lens.  As you can see, the 90mm f2.8 DG DN is very compact.

When I’m using the 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens, I can’t help but think of one of my all time favorite lenses, the Leica 90mm f2.8 Tele-Elmarit-M.  For those who have not heard of 90mm Tele-Elmarit-M before, it’s an older lens that has been discontinued a long time ago.  It was what they called a “pocket 90” because it technically could fit in a pocket.  It only had a 39mm filter thread.  I always wanted one but at the time I was still in high school (my family are Leica users, so they started me young), and there was no way that I could afford it.  Anyway, the 90mm is like the reincarnation of the 90mm Tele-Elmarit to me but in L mount form with autofocus, and of course, the latest in optical design.

↑ Here’s how the 90mm f2.8 compares to some other lenses in terms of size from left to right: 24mm f2 DG DN Contemporary lens, Summicron-SL 90mm f2 ASPH, 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens, and Summilux-M 50mm f1.4 ASPH Black Chrome.

Also, it’s worth noting that say you want a complete system that consists of a wide angle, standard, and mid-tele.  Depending on the lenses, that can be a system that just isn’t great to carry around.  Some lenses are big and heavy these days.  Well, if you dig around the Sigma I Series collection, you can get the 24mm F3.5 DG DN, 45mm F2.8 DG DN, and this new 90mm (all my reviews of these lenses here) to form a kit that will cover quite a bit; together, they have a combined weight of just 735grams / 25.9oz.  It’s also worth noting that they all use the same filter size, which is 55mm, so they can share filters.  I imagine this is especially important for filmmakers.

In addition to having some of the best ergonomics for a current 90mm, I’m happy to report that the overall build is excellent as well.  Like the other I Series lenses, the 90mm f2.8 DG DN is a rock solid optic, thanks in part to its metal body, and high precision internal parts, which are also made of metal.  The 90mm f2.8 DG DN does have an aperture ring, which is one feature I do miss from my Leica M days.  I love my SL native lenses but I wish Leica had put aperture rings on them.  The 90mm’s clicks solidly in third stops as you rotate it.  There is, of course, a focus ring as well for the days you want to focus manually.  It is very smooth in operation.  Both rings also have knurled surfaces to give you a better tactile feel.  Lastly, the mount on the lens is dust and splash resistant.

I’m also happy to report that the 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens comes with several accessories like a metal lens hood.  It matches the 90mm quite well because it is also compact and a high quality item.  There are also two lens caps included with the 90mm f2.8.  One is a plastic cap, and the other is a magnetic lens cap made of solid metal.  It’s really cool; the part that touches the lens is felt lined, so you won’t mark up the front of the 90mm f2.8 too.  For those interested, you can also purchase the Sigma CH-11 Magnetic Cap Holder.  It has a mini-carabiner that’s designed to clip onto a camera bag, jacket or belt loop.

↑ The 90mm f2.8 does come with a knurled metal lens hood.

↑ Here’s the back of the magnetic metal lens cap

↑ As you can see, the magnetic metal lens cap attaches perfectly to the 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens.

Sigma 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens Autofocus:

As for focusing, the 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens uses an STM motor to deliver smooth, fast, and essentially silent autofocus.  Overall, I did not have any issues with the autofocus whatsoever.  I was using the 90mm with my Leica SL2 for the entire time that I was testing this lens, and they worked brilliantly together.  Not only was the autofocus fast and efficient, it’s worth noting that it was very accurate as well even when I was shooting candids or photographs of people at f2.8.

Speaking of people, I did manage to schedule a shoot while I had this lens, so I was able to test it with face detection turn on in my SL2.  I’m happy to say that this lens and face detection worked great together.  Unfortunately, the day that my model was coming over was one of the hottest days in August.  We decided to meet as early as possible but even then, we were maybe outside for 30-40 minutes at most before we had to go back to my studio to cool off.  The good news is I did try the autofocus out in bright sunlight (outside) but also in areas inside where I purposely have rooms that are very dark, and moody for my boudoir work.  The 90mm really kept up and didn’t present any issues to me.  My SL2 was busy tracking the person’s face as she changed poses, and this lens was locking on at f2.8 resulting in pictures where the eyes were tack sharp.  

Lastly, it’s worth noting that you could use the 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens for macro style photography as well.  It has a minimum focusing distance of just 50cm, and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:5.  So this, along with its size, weight, and autofocus capabilities, make the 90mm extremely versatile.

Sigma 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens Image Quality:

As for image quality, I just love what comes out of the 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens.  I’ve reviewed a lot of Sigma lenses for L mount already (you can find the reviews here), and in my opinion, this has to be one of the best, in terms of image quality, currently available.  Some might think that there were some compromises taken for the sake of portability but I can’t see any taken in terms of IQ.  The images are just stellar to me.

↑ This photo was taken in Chinatown using f2.8 and 400 ISO.

↑ Here’s a photo I took in the early morning as the sun was rising.  The settings were f8 and 100 ISO.

↑ This is Maggie (Instagram).  We attempted to go out and get some photos but it was extremely hot.  We managed to stay out there in maybe 30 minute intervals, and then went back to my studio place to cool off.  So, we didn’t get as many photos as we would’ve liked.  The settings here were f2.8 and 200 ISO.

It starts off with sharpness, which is downright excellent.  At wide open aperture, this lens is tack sharp in the center with even the corners holding up quite well.  As you stop down by just one stop, the entire frame sharpens up a bit more.  Overall, this is a lens that you will be able to use throughout its aperture range and get superb results.  I honestly don’t think one would even really see much of a difference in sharpness between the apertures, if any, in real world shooting.  In fact, just from what I’ve shot, I feel like this is one of the sharpest lenses currently available from Sigma.  I tested this lens with my SL2, which has 47 megapixels and no anti-alias filter.  When I zoom into some of my portraits, and I could see even the most minute detail in the eyelashes.   I can even see all the tiny textures in street signs as well.

↑ Here’s a photo taken at f2.8 using 100 ISO.

↑ Here’s a 100% crop of the photo above.

↑ This photo was taken using f4 and 100 ISO.

↑ Here’s a 100% crop of the photo above.  Look at the Canal st. sign.  If you click on the image, you can see the mini reflectors in it.  The detail is just incredible.

↑ Here’s a photo taken in the early morning.  The settings were f8 and 100 ISO.

↑ Here’s a 100% crop of the photo above.

Of course, sharpness isn’t the only trait that makes a lens great.  There are plenty of other features, and the 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens definitely has them all.  Color and contrast rendering are excellent.  There’s also that three dimensional pop we all love from great lenses.  In other words, the photos really have a nice depth and bite to them.  There is some vignetting at f2.8, which is perfectly normal.  Stopping down by just one stop eliminates most of it.  I also did not have any issues with flare under normal shooting conditions meaning not purposely trying to make the lens flare just for the sake of it.

↑ This photo was taken around the Lower East Side of Manhattan.  The settings were 160 ISO and f8.

↑ Heres a photo taken in Chinatown using f11 and 250 ISO.

↑ Here’s another photo of Maggie.  As you can see, the light was just so harsh, and it was pretty early too.  The settings were f2.8 and 100 ISO.

Sigma 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens Bokeh:

As for shallow depth of field and bokeh, the 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens has a 9-blade rounded diaphragm to help produce a beautifully smooth and inviting background.  I didn’t find anything harsh or distracting in my images.  Nothing looks overdone either; instead, you’re just getting a nice balance of subject sharpness, and blurring of the background when shooting at f2.8.  Speaking of f2.8, for those thinking it may not be quite enough for those blurred out, dreamy backgrounds, don’t worry.  With its maximum aperture and a focal length of 90mm, you can definitely blur the background out quite a bit even if you’re doing full length portraits, which I find to be really nice.

↑ This was taken wide open with 100 ISO.

↑ Here’s another photo taken with the same settings as above.

↑ This was taken with f2.8 and 160 ISO.

Pros And Cons:

Pros:

• Ergonomics are just about perfect.
• Well-built lens.
• Weather and dust resistant.
• Metal lens hood.
• Cool magnetic lens cap.
• Excellent autofocus.
• Superb image quality.
• Great price for this lens.
• My current favorite compact 90mm.

Cons:

• Some may want image stabilization but in my opinion, it’s not needed here.

Sigma 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens Verdict:

Making a lens that strikes a good balance between performance, and size is not an easy task, especially these days, with cameras that demand so much out of lenses.  With that said, Sigma hit the bullseye here.  To me, this is pretty much the perfect compact 90mm lens because it really has everything going for it. 

↑ This photo was taken with 100 ISO and f5.6.  As you can see, this lens is quite sharp.

For one, the 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens is really just the perfect size and weight.  This is the type of lens that you’re going to take everywhere with you because there isn’t much of a reason to leave it at home.  It doesn’t take up much room in your bag, and it’s not going to add much more weight either.  You can be discreet for when you’re doing more sensitive work like street photography or photographing candids.  It’s even small enough where you can just leave it in your bag or those “just in case” moments.

↑ Here’s one more of Maggie taken on my roof.  The settings were f2.8 and 100 ISO.

Of course, if this is a lens that one is suppose to take everywhere, it better be well-built, and this 90mm definitely is in every way.  Features like the focus and aperture ring feel like quality parts.  The lens feels very solid, which further inspires my confidence in it while I’m shooting.

↑ Here’s one last photo of the Leica SL2 with the 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens attached.

What really completes the package though is while the 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens might be small in size, it really hasn’t sacrificed much in terms of performance.  It has excellent autofocus, so you’re not going to have much of an issue getting the shot you want.  Image quality is also just phenomenal.  You’re really going to get some amazing shots with this lens.  Lastly, it may be an f2.8 instead of say an f2 lens but you’re still getting fantastic bokeh, and the max aperture is still fast enough for low light work.

Best of all, everything here comes in at a price of just $639, which isn’t just reasonable, it’s a steal in my opinion.  Think about it: for less than $650, you have a take anywhere 90mm that you’ll probably use quite a bit because of its size, and weight that will also produce consistently professional results.  

If it’s not clear after my review, let me state out right now that I love this lens.  I think Sigma did a fantastic job here.  We need more lenses like this, and I think it’s great that Sigma is filling this void in the L Mount Alliance.  Anyway, if you’re in the market for a 90mm lens, you should definitely consider this one.  This is one of my favorites.

Thanks for taking the time to read my review!  If you’re considering purchasing the Sigma 90mm f2.8, and my review helped you decide, please help support this site by purchasing from the links below or any mentioned in this review.  It will not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your support!

Sigma 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens at B&H Photo

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