Sigma 24mm F2 DG DN C lens review
Sigma is well known for its Art series lenses, but the maker’s full-frame ‘Contemporary’ or C series lenses deserve equal recognition for offering great image quality in a smaller, lighter package. Take the Sigma 24mm F2 DG DN C lens reviewed here, for example, with a metal outer barrel and milled metal aperture and focus rings, it’s a very nicely made lens indeed.
What’s more, weighing just 365g and measuring 72mm in length, the L-mount version I was sent pairs incredibly well with the tiny Sigma fp sent for testing.
Inside, the lens has 13 elements arranged in 11 groups, with one fancy, fluorite-like FLD element, two SLD (Super-Low Dispersion) elements, and two with aspherical surfaces. A minimum focus distance of just 24.5cm is not the shortest at this focal length, but it’s still useful. The maximum magnification is
This all-metal lens is beautifully made at around £549 / $549. It even comes with a metal hood that’s oddly (yet attractively) ridged on the outside but, more importantly, nicely baffled with fabric rather than matte paint on the inside to reduce flare and ghosting.
The lens has a ridged metal aperture collar with detents at third stops that feels both precise and smooth in operation. The manual focusing ring is a bit wider than that of the 45mm F2.8 and is also nicely milled and smooth in use, and, like that lens, there are no hard stops.
Autofocus is achieved by a tiny AF stepping motor, which is fast, smooth, consistent, and practically silent. Focusing is internal; there’s no extending barrel, which is always a plus. From my perspective, I find that the design provides a bit better protection from the odd, inadvertent knock to the front. While not fully weather-sealed, there is a seal surrounding the bayonet mount.
Performance
For a 24mm with 13 elements, including one with fluorite-like characteristics and 2 ED type (perhaps even super-ED, though the description isn’t clear), you would expect to see great image quality, and this lens doesn’t disappoint. It has excellent image quality across the frame with little to no fringing visible at any aperture.
It’s also sharp, wide open at F2.0, superb at F2.8, and stunning by F4. After that, the sharpness doesn’t increase centrally but improves to the periphery. However, while this lens is great for sharpness and its lack of fringing, it has quite a lot going on with it regarding distortion.
Without the built-in lens profile active, it has quite heavy barrel-type distortion. However, this lens would be a lot larger, heavier and more expensive if Sigma had opted to correct the distortion optically. Still, the lens remains impressive regardless of the few slight concessions made.
With the profile applied, quite a lot of the frame is stretched and then cropped, losing some of that precious angle of view. For the most part, you wouldn’t notice, but when you do, it’s likely best to turn it off if you can. Lightroom doesn’t give you that choice, unfortunately, but it is possible with Capture One. This gives you more freedom to adjust the distortion and apply vertical keystone correction, making the lens much more versatile and a real benefit for travel and architecture photographers.
There’s also quite heavy vignetting wide-open, but again, it’s not so noticeable when the profile is active, mainly from the cropping involved. The lens also is well-corrected for coma and it produces nice sunstars, if that’s important to you.
Verdict
The Sigma 24mm F2 DG DN C lens offers a harmonious blend of superb image quality, robust metal construction, and practical features, all at a competitive price point.
Perhaps more importantly, being modest in size and weight, the lens is a real delight to use, and that, combined with its great image quality, makes it highly addictive and will consistently delight those who encounter it.
This makes it not only a smart investment for emerging photographers but also a valuable addition to any professional’s kit. Whether for landscape, street, or architectural photography, this lens proves to be an excellent choice, making high-quality imaging more accessible than ever.
For
Small size
Metal build
Superb image quality
Negligible fringing
Reasonable price
Against
Noticeable barrel distortion with profile off
Sony E & Pan/Leica L mount only
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Samples
Technical Data
| Manufacturer | Sigma |
| Model | SIGMA 24mm F2 DG DN | C |
| Web | www.sigmauk.com |
| Elements/construction | 13 elements in 11 groups (2x Asph, 1x FLD, 2x SLD) |
| Aperture Blades | 9 – curved/circular opening |
| Angle of view | 94.5° (diagonal) |
| Max aperture | F2 |
| Min aperture | F22 |
| Min focus distance | 0.245 m (9.65 in) 1:6.7x mag |
| Mount | SL & FE mount |
| Filter size | 62 mm |
| Length | 72 mm (2.85 in.) |
| Diameter | 70 mm (2.8 in.) |
| Weight | 360 g (12.9 oz) |
| Price | £549 inc VAT ($639) |
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