Sigma lenses (Part 1: Center Performance)

21. August 2010 WSpekner Keine Kommentare

Since I got my Kipon Sony E-Mount to Nikon lens adapter I was eager to try out different lenses on the Sony. I did so recently with some Nikon lenses and basically felt pretty much disappointed (see for yourself here).
For a couple of days now Lightroom 3 is supporting the RAW files from the Nex and so I thought I’d give it another try.

This time I wanted to know how these lenses are performing on the Nex – Kipon combination at different aperture settings and how they compare to the Sony kit-lens, the 18-55/3.5-5.6 OSS:

Nikon AF-D 35/2
Zeiss Distagon T* ZF 35/2
Sigma 50/2.8 Macro
Nikon AF 85/1.8

Here are my findings, when it comes to center performance. Click on the images to get to the 100% view and see for yourself!

First up are the Nikon 35/2, which can be had for about 300,– Euros, and the Zeiss 35/2 with Nikon bayonet at a price of 800,– Euros (you can get a used one for 479,– here) . The Nikon is a pretty decent performer on APS-C cameras (see here). The Zeiss is supposed to be even better (see here).
As you can see the Zeiss is pretty large and it’s heavy too, while the Nikon is rather small.

When it comes to focusing the Zeiss is much more comfortable with a smooth focusing ring. Since you have to set the aperture manually, the Zeiss allows you to set it in half steps, while the Nikon offers full steps only.

Image quality on the Nex is quite similar in the center of the frame with the Zeiss having the edge. Though it has a little bit more CA at large aperture settings, it offers distinctively more color brilliance. See for yourself (click on the images to enlarge):

As you can see, forget anything above f11, if it’s about sharpness and detail.

Most interestingly the Sony kit lens compares pretty well with the two primes. Here’s a comparison with the Nikon at f5.6. The Nex image was done a little earlier, when the sun was still around:

Let’s see, how the Sigma Macro lens behaves on the Nex. You can get it for about 300,– Euros or 230,– used.
Focusing is smooth. The aperture can be changed in full steps. And it’s pretty small too – at least smaller than the Zeiss.

The macro goes to 1:1 magnification, but the distance to the object is very small as you can see in the picture above.

Image quality seems pretty good on the Nex, but don’t go beyond f16! Look at the difference between f5.6 and f22 (click on the image to enlarge):

Here are some comparison shots with the Sony kit lens. The Sigma is better here in the center of the frame:

And finally here’s Nikon’s praised AF 85/1.8 (for review see here). As an AF lens focusing is a little sloppy. Again only full aperture steps.

In terms of image quality in the center the lens is ok from 2.8 to 4 and good between f5.6 and f11. Forget f16! See for yourself (click on images to enlarge):