New Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art Continues to Impress

As I said in my last post, I will posting my impressions of the Sigma 24-35 f/2 DG HSM Art lens as I shoot!

Images featured in this blog can be viewed at high-res in the gallery at the bottom of this post. Click on any picture in the gallery, then hit ‘View full size’ to see high res versions.

The files are huge.

After shooting with the Canon 5d Mark III yesterday, I had the urge to shoot the new Canon 5Ds (with the 50 megapixel sensor) with this lens. I kinda wanted to see if it could handle the resolution. Plus, I kinda/really wanted to shoot the 5Ds.

Like most photographers that want the best from their digital images, I almost always shoot in RAW format. For this test though, I thought that I would record the files as just JPEGS… I know, crazy. I pick up the new 5Ds and I am ungrateful enough to shoot lowly JPEGS?!?

Blame film, I guess. I have been shooting a lot of film lately, and I wanted to see what I would get with very little processing- just minor exposure adjustments, and a little straightening crop here and there. I also did not use any lens filters except for a Promaster HGX UV for protection.

1-400 sec at f - 11, ISO 250, 24 mm. — 1-400 sec at f – 11, ISO 250, 24 mm. The detail is all there at f/11. Polarization would have helped this shot, as the bright sun caused some edge fringing. Still, dang near as good as it gets.

At times, even in the middle of the hazy, humid day, I was able to shoot wide open. It’s a treat to be able to shoot wide open in the day, and still find blue in the sky. I think that if you are buying this lens, you want to shoot it wide open at least some of the time, if not, a lot of the time. That is the real treat with this lens- you can actually shoot it at f/2 and not get bummed out. At all.

1-5000 sec at f - 2.0, ISO 100, 32 mm. — 1-5000 sec at f – 2.0, ISO 100, 32 mm. I was able to coax a little minor fringing on the top of that center building, but… wide open in daylight.

1-8000 sec at f - 2.0, ISO 250, 35 mm. — 1-8000 sec at f – 2.0, ISO 250, 35 mm.

1-8000 sec at f - 2.0, ISO 250, 35 mm. ...Focus far. — 1-8000 sec at f – 2.0, ISO 250, 35 mm.

I must say that the combination of the Canon 5Ds and this lens feels good. Weight-wise, it’s heavy, but balanced. For a walkabout lens it feels like a lot to carry, but there is a lot of lens to back it up. Personally, the size and weight don’t make it or break it for me, since the lens is designed for larger cameras. On the Sony A7II it feels huge. On the Canon 5Ds it feels really good. The lens feels built for this camera .

I will have a bit more of the pros and cons in the next couple of days for a wrap up of my impressions, and more portraiture examples on Monday night. For now, check out the fresh-out-the-camera look.

1-2500 sec at f - 2.0, ISO 100, 35 mm. — 1-2500 sec at f – 2.0, ISO 100, 35 mm. You can see the vignette that you get at f/2, but that will be easily corrected with a little adjustment or a lens profile in Lightroom. I personally don’t mind a little vignette.

1-1600 sec at f – 2.2, ISO 250, 35 mm. Franklinton, Columbus, Ohio.

1-1000 sec at f - 2.0, ISO 100, 35 mm. — 1-1000 sec at f – 2.0, ISO 100, 35 mm.

1-100 sec at f - 16, ISO 250, 24 mm. — 1-100 sec at f – 16, ISO 250, 24 mm.

1-1250 sec at f - 2.0, ISO 100, 35 mm. — 1-1250 sec at f – 2.0, ISO 100, 35 mm. Cropped a teenie bit on this one.

1-5000 sec at f - 2.0, ISO 250, 24 mm. — 1-5000 sec at f – 2.0, ISO 250, 24 mm.

Here is the full size gallery!

1-100 sec at f – 16, ISO 250, 24 mm.

1-5000 sec at f – 2.0, ISO 250, 24 mm.

1-5000 sec at f – 2.0, ISO 100, 35 mm. I got your vignette right here.

1-8000 sec at f – 2.0, ISO 250, 35 mm. Focus near…

1-8000 sec at f – 2.0, ISO 250, 35 mm. …Focus far.

1-5000 sec at f – 2.0, ISO 100, 32 mm.

1-4000 sec at f – 2.0, ISO 100, 24 mm.

1-3200 sec at f – 2.0, ISO 250, 24 mm.

1-2500 sec at f – 2.0, ISO 100, 35 mm.

1-1600 sec at f – 2.2, ISO 250, 35 mm.

1-1250 sec at f – 2.0, ISO 100, 35 mm.

1-1000 sec at f – 2.0, ISO 100, 35 mm.

$1-400 sec at f - 11, ISO 250, 24 mm. The detail is all there at f/11, although f/11 also seems to start a small bit of diffraction. Just enough that NO ONE will care of notice.$

1-400 sec at f – 11, ISO 250, 24 mm. The detail is all there at f/11, although f/11 also seems to start a small bit of diffraction. Just enough that NO ONE will care of notice.

1-320 sec at f – 11, ISO 250, 35 mm.

Let us know what you guys think about the lens! Subscribe to the MPEX Experience blog for updates on new products and keep your eye out for the wrap-up review of this lens on Monday night!!!