Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Evaluate

Introduction

Ease of Use

Weighing in at simply 450g / 15.9oz. and measuring 77.2mm x 102.6mm / 3.0in. x 4.0in., the Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Modern is a really gentle and compact lens given its versatile focal vary.

It is considerably lighter and way more compact than its massive brother, the excellent 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Artwork, which weighs in at 795g and measures 13.1cm in size.

In comparison with its primary rival, the favored Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM, the brand new Sigma 16-28mm additionally has the sting when it comes to dimension and weight, with the Sony measuring nearly 16cms in size while you set the focal size to 16mm and weighing in at 680g.

This lens additionally has the benefit of not extending in any respect when zoomed out from 16mm because of its inner zoom mechanism.

Word that the course of the zoom ring is the alternative to Sony lenses, which could be a little disconcerting when switching between them.

As seen within the product images, it enhances a 35mm full-frame digital camera like the brand new Sony Alpha A7 IV that we examined it with, and it additionally feels very a lot at dwelling on a smaller APS-C physique, the place the efficient focal vary modifications to 24-47mm.

Construct high quality is superb given the comparatively inexpensive price ticket. The lens has a plastic shell with a mix of metallic components and a compound materials, TSC (Thermally Steady Composite), used inside.

It additionally incorporates a brass bayonet mount that is speculated to be extra sturdy. The optical components are manufactured from high-grade glass.

By way of options, the Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Modern is a little bit sparsely attired, particularly when in comparison with the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN Artwork.

Neither of those lenses contains built-in Vibration Discount, as an alternative counting on the digital camera physique to provide this characteristic. Arguably optical picture stabilisation is not actually wanted for super-wide-angle lenses anyway, particularly in the event that they spend most of their lives mounted on a tripod.

The brand new Sigma 16-28mm additionally loses Auto Focus Lock (AFL) button which can be discovered on the larger, dearer Sigma 14-24mm lens, with a view to assist obtain its small dimension and low weight, though it nonetheless does supply a Focus perform change.

Focusing is usefully inner and handbook focusing is feasible when set by way of the Focus change on the lens barrel. Full-time handbook focus override can also be accessible at any time just by rotating the main focus ring.

Importantly, the lens can also be absolutely suitable with the “Direct Guide Focus (DMF)” system characteristic of Sony cameras that permits the consumer to immediately change between autofocus and handbook focus.

The Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Modern lens has a reasonably generously sized focus ring, which is ridged for simpler grip. There are not any arduous stops on the ends of the vary, making it tougher to set focus at infinity. There’s additionally no distance scale or depth of subject scale on this lens.

Filter customers ought to be more than happy that this lens has a cheap 72mm filter thread which does not rotate on focus, whereas the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 would not settle for customary screw-on round filters resulting from its massive, bulbous entrance ingredient. As an alternative there is a built-in rear filter holder geared up with a fall prevention lock for attaching sheet sort rear filters.

With regards to auto-focusing, the Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Modern is a fast performer, taking about 0.15 seconds to lock onto the topic when mounted on the Sony Alpha A7 IV that we examined it with.

We did not expertise very a lot “looking” in any respect, both in good or dangerous gentle, with the lens precisely focusing nearly the entire time. It is also a really quiet performer, which makes this lens equally well-suited to each video recording and extra candid stills capturing.

The Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Modern ships with a plastic petal-shaped lens hood (LH756-01) that twists into place, however there is no smooth case included as with the dearer Artwork model.

Focal Vary

The 16mm focal size offers an angle of view of 107 levels on a full-frame digital camera.

16mm

The 28mm focal size offers an angle of view of 75.4 levels on a full-frame digital camera.

28mm

Chromatic Aberrations

Chromatic aberrations, usually seen as blue or purple fringes alongside contrasty edges, weren’t too obvious in our check photographs, solely showing in very excessive distinction areas. The examples under present the worst-case situations.

16mm

28mm

Mild Fall-off

With the lens set to its most aperture of f/2.8, there’s apparent gentle fall-off within the corners, particularly on the wider focal lengths, requiring you to cease down by at the very least 3 f-stops to fully stop it.

16mm

28mm

Distortion

There’s lots of distortion evident at each ends of the zoom vary which you will must right in post-processing. Alternatively, most Sony Alpha cameras can mechanically and efficiently apply Lens Distortion corrections to the JPEG information, however to not the RAWs.

16mm

28mm

Sunstars

The Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN is able to producing fairly good sunstars when stopped-down to f/16 and f/22, as proven under.

The lens is sort of prone to flare when capturing immediately into the solar, although, even with the provided lens hood fitted.

16mm

28mm

Macro

The Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN is not actually a macro lens, providing a minimal focusing distance of 25cm / 9.9in. and a most magnification ratio of 1:5.6. The next examples exhibit how shut you will get to your topic.

Bokeh

Bokeh is a phrase used for the out-of-focus areas of {a photograph}, and is often described in qualitative phrases, similar to easy / creamy / harsh and so forth.

Within the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN lens, Sigma have employed an iris diaphragm with 9 round blades, which has resulted in interesting bokeh for what’s in spite of everything an ultra-wide-angle lens.

We do realise, nevertheless, that bokeh analysis is subjective, so we have included a number of examples under in your perusal, all shot wide-open at f/2.

Sharpness

As a way to present you ways sharp this lens is, we’re offering 100% crops on the next pages.