The Mark II contains a equally positioned customizable perform button as within the unique, plus a further new one up prime. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork: Specs
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Mount choices
Sony E, L-mount
Lens development
19 components in 15 teams
Angle of view
84.1-34.3 levels
Diaphragm blades
11
Minimal aperture
f/22
Minimal focus distance
0.17m (W) 0.34m (T)
Most magnification
0.37x (W) 0.25x (T)
Filter dimension
82mm
Dimensions
88x122mm
Weight
735g (E) 745g (L)
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork: Worth
At launch in Could 2024, the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork carried a price ticket of $1,199/£1,179. That’s solely about $100/£100 greater than the unique model, though the latter was considerably discounted within the USA on the time of penning this assessment. The Mark II can be solely about the identical value because the older (and somewhat extra fundamental) Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG OS HSM for Canon and Nikon DSLRs. I’d anticipate an ‘unbiased’ lens to be inexpensive than comparative ‘own-brand’ lenses and, certain sufficient, the Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 G Grasp II lists at $2,298/£2,099, the Panasonic LUMIX S PRO 24-70mm F2.8 prices $1,998/£2,249 and it’s no shock that the Leica 24-70mm Vario-Elmarit-SL F2.8 ASPH is rather more costly at $2,895/£2,390. Contemplating how a lot Sigma has packed into the Mark II Artwork lens, it seems to be an actual cut price.
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork: Design & Dealing with
Dealing with and autofocus efficiency apart, I all the time really feel that optical high quality is the primary occasion for any nice lens. The Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork packs 19 optical components, of which 5 are slimline, extremely polarized aspherical components, designed to boost picture high quality whereas lightening the construct. At 735g for the E mount version and 745g for the L mount model, it’s extra light-weight than the 835g unique lens. The older DSLR is considerably heavier, weighting in at 1,020g.
A zoom lock change is featured, to keep away from undesirable extension once you’re carrying the lens round whereas it’s mounted in your digicam. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
In addition to the 5 aspherical components, the optical path additionally options a minimum of six top-grade FLD (‘Fluorite’ Low Dispersion) components and two SLD (Particular Low Dispersion) components, aiming to attenuate chromatic aberrations and improve readability. The lens is designed to enhance edge-to-edge sharpness, in contrast with the unique, in addition to decreasing sagittal coma flare, so pinpricks of sunshine don’t tackle irregular shapes.
The aperture management ring operates in one-third f/cease click on steps and comes full with a click on/de-click change for a stepless possibility. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
The 11-blade aperture diaphragm matches that of the unique lens, sustaining well-rounded bokeh disks when stopping down just a little. To fight ghosting and flare, each Nano Porous Coating and Tremendous Multi-layer Coatings are utilized. There’s additionally a moisture/grease-repellent coating on the entrance component. The lens additionally options intensive weather-seals together with a rubber gasket on the coated brass mounting plate.
There’s a locking change for the aperture ring, to keep away from any unintentional nudging from its Auto place when controlling the aperture from the digicam physique. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
I actually just like the dealing with traits of the Mark II lens. Additions over the unique embody an aperture management ring which comes full with a click on/de-click change and a locking change to keep away from unintentional operation. The de-click possibility is nice for capturing video, and the lens has additionally been designed to attenuate focus respiratory. That’s one other field ticked for capturing video. Whereas the unique lens had an AF-L perform button, the Mark II has two, extra ideally suited for portrait in addition to panorama orientation capturing. Each buttons work independently somewhat than being wired in parallel, and might be assigned to separate various capabilities in digicam menus, the place obtainable.
With the lens set to 70mm, this picture exhibits the utmost extension of the inside barrel. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
As with most traditional zoom lenses, this one has an extending inside barrel, so the general bodily size grows as you zoom from 24mm to 70mm. I didn’t expertise any zoom creep when testing the lens, however it comes with a zoom lock change nonetheless. Typical of up-market Sigma lenses, it’s provided with a high-quality padded gentle case, and the bayonet-fit, petal formed hood contains a locking button.
The lens comes full with a petal formed hood which has a locking launch button, proven right here. (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork: Efficiency
To keep away from lacking any definitive moments and to successfully preserve tempo when monitoring shifting topics, the lens options an HLA (Excessive-response Linear Actuator) autofocus system. It’s claimed to be thrice sooner than within the unique lens and I definitely discovered it to be very snappy for stills, whereas giving easy and nearly silent autofocus transitions when capturing video.
Even on the shortest focal size of 24mm, sharpness holds up rather well, proper out to the sides and corners of the picture body at medium aperture settings.
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 24mm (1/320 sec, f/8, ISO 200) (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
The Mark II has been redesigned to present better sharpness throughout your complete picture body. Our lab exams revealed a noticeable drop-off in sharpness in direction of the intense edges and corners within the unique lens, however I discovered the Mark II carried out extraordinarily nicely on this respect. Naturally, it’s not all about sharpness and the standard of bokeh is beautiful and easy, with a pure roll-off between targeted and defocused areas. As I’d hoped, the 11-blade aperture diaphragm helps to retain the standard of bokeh when stopping down just a little, with properly rounded bokeh disks.
Taking pictures wide-open at f/2.8 delivers a satisfying mix of wonderful sharpness and easy bokeh, with a pure roll-off between targeted and defocused areas and minimal axial chromatic aberration (bokeh fringing).
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 70mm (1/1250 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200) (Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
In contrast to the DSLR model of the 24-70mm lens, neither of the ‘DN’ editions for mirrorless cameras function optical picture stabilization. Nevertheless, that’s typically not an issue, given the prevalence of in-body picture stabilization in most present and up to date mirrorless cameras. I discovered that IBIS in my Sony A7 II digicam was extremely efficient when utilizing this Sigma lens. Even so, I’d miss optical stabilization if I used to be utilizing a first-generation Sony A7 which didn’t function IBIS.
At most mixtures of focal lengths and aperture settings, shade fringing could be very minimal, once more edging forward of the efficiency of the unique lens. There’s the standard swing of short-end barrel to long-end pincushion in relation to distortion however, as with shade fringing, computerized in-camera correction can put this straight, and there’s definitely not the reliance on auto correction that I’ve seen in lots of latest lenses designed for mirrorless cameras. All in all, the Sigma is a superb performer.
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork: Pattern Photographs
The next gallery of instance photographs was largely shot within the Bishop’s Palace & Gardens, located within the Somerset metropolis of Wells within the UK. I used a Sony A7 II digicam physique for real-world testing, whereas we used a Sony A7R III for operating our lab exams.
Picture 1 of 23
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 37mm (1/640 sec, f/8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 35mm (1/640 sec, f/8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 24mm (1/640 sec, f/8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 47mm (1/800 sec, f/8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 70mm (1/2500 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 70mm (1/60 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 24mm (1/320 sec, f/8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 29mm (1/320 sec, f/8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 70mm (1/640 sec, f/8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 30mm (1/500 sec, f/8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 38mm (1/640 sec, f/8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 46mm (1/250 sec, f/8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 45mm (1/640 sec, f/8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 24mm (1/400 sec, f/8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 70mm (1/50 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 70mm (1/50 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 70mm (1/50 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 70mm (1/80 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 24mm (1/1600 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 55mm (1/1250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 58mm (1/2500 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
EXIF: Sony A7 II + Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork at 34mm (1/320 sec, f/8, ISO 200)(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork: Lab Outcomes
We run a variety of lab exams below managed circumstances, utilizing the Imatest Grasp testing suite. Photographs of check charts are taken throughout the vary of apertures and zooms (the place obtainable), then analyzed for sharpness, distortion and chromatic aberrations.
We use Imatest SFR (spatial frequency response) charts and evaluation software program to plot lens decision on the middle of the picture body, corners and mid-point distances, throughout the vary of aperture settings and, with zoom lenses, at 4 completely different focal lengths. The exams additionally measure distortion and shade fringing (chromatic aberration).
Sharpness:
(Picture credit score: Future)
(Picture credit score: Future)
We would be impressed at these middle sharpness scores in the event that they have been from a major lens. So contemplating they’re from a zoom, the Sigma Mark II’s efficiency is solely excellent, even huge open, and in any respect focal lengths.
There’s room for slight enchancment in excessive edge/corner-sharpness when utilizing huge apertures at each ends of the zoom vary, however that is the one weak spot in lens sharpness right here.
Fringing:
(Picture credit score: Future)
Coloration fringing might be marginally noticeable within the quick half of the zoom vary however it’s of a really low order and nicely inside the remit of computerized in-camera correction.
Distortion:
(Picture credit score: Future)
There’s some barrel distortion at 24mm, nearly no distortion across the 35mm mark, and pincushion distortion within the 50-70mm vary. Nevertheless, not like many fashionable lenses for mirrorless cameras, the Sigma is fully usable with out counting on computerized in-camera correction.
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork: Verdict
The Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork is solely an excellent lens. I really like its picture high quality and super-fast and persistently correct autofocus. I’m equally impressed with the neat vary of dealing with extras, with the likes of twin perform buttons and an aperture ring with click on/de-click choices and a locking Auto place. It’s fairly compact and light-weight for a ‘trinity’ f/2.8 customary zoom and nice worth on the value. I simply want it was obtainable in a wider vary of mount choices, however time will inform.
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Options
Superior options embody a click on/de-click aperture ring and two Fn buttons.
★★★★★
Design
The Mark II sheds just a little weight whereas enhancing autofocus velocity and high quality.
★★★★★
Efficiency
Quick and persistently correct autofocus groups up with glorious picture high quality.
★★★★★
Worth
In contrast with own-brand ‘trinity’ customary zooms, the Sigma Mark II is cut price.
★★★★★
(Picture credit score: Matthew Richards)
Do you have to purchase the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Artwork?
✅ Purchase this…
You need a high-performance ‘trinity’ customary zoom with nice picture high quality and unique dealing with traits.
You’d like to economize by shopping for an independently designed and manufactured zoom, somewhat than forking out the additional for an own-brand lens.
🚫 Do not buy this…
You’d desire a smaller, extra light-weight customary zoom, during which case a lens with an f/4 aperture ranking may swimsuit you higher.
You’re an early adopter of mirrorless cameras and you’ve got one which doesn’t function in-body picture stabilization. The lens has no optical picture stabilizer.
