Sigma have beaten Leica - DG 35mm F1.4 vs Summicron-R 35mm F2.0

[Andrew Reid]

I had a hands on with the new Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM ART today, and compared it to my Leica Summicron-R 35mm F2.0, a $1200 lens.

[url=http://www.eoshd.com/content/11000/sigma-have-beaten-leica-dg-35mm-f1-4-vs-summicron-r-35mm-f2-0]Read the full article here[/url]

[kodakmoment]

Always nice to see lens comparisons based on actual pictures. However, when comparing a 40 year old lens design with inferior coating to a brand new lens design it is no surprise that the new lens wins. It's like writing "Nissan beats Porsche" after comparing a Nissan 370Z with a Porsche 924 and then touting Nissan has beaten Porsche. That would be a pretty silly headline based on a rather unfair test. How about comparing the new Sigma lens with a contemporary Leica Summilux-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH II? Or how about comparing the Sigma lens with a circa 30 year old Leitz Summilux-R 35 mm f/1.4 which at least has a similar maximum aperture. I would provide my own lens for a shoot out.

[jgharding]

Great news about the quality of this one.

 

How does the manual focus feel? I assume it's fly-by-wire. Is it any good for subtle adjustments in video?

[Andrew Reid]

Not enough time with the focus ring yet but seemed fine. It has no hard stops though.

 

Can't compare the new Leica M glass as they don't go on a Canon mount!

[Bruno]

I'm curious how it compares to the new Sigma 1.8 zoom lens. Reports say it's ultra sharp, but could it replace the 35mm lens at the same price?

[Andrew Reid]

I tried that as well on my 7D, but forgot to try it on the 5D Mark III where some say it covers full frame at 35mm despite being a APS-C lens.

 

It seemed great on 7D, took a few shots with it, will try and get more time with one.

 

I'm in a dilemma over which one to get. If it wasn't for me using full frame so much, 18-35mm on GH3 with Speed Booster would be a no brainer.

[TJB]

And then again, if you're looking for a stabilised lens which would suit video production then the new Canon 35mm f2 IS looks pretty good as well.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=824&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=829&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=2

[peederj]

Then there's always the Samyang 35/1.4, full manual, long throw, hard stops. A bit big but fine enough quality and I enjoy mine... I'm surprised this crowd values sharpness, I would figure vintage blur would be your thing.

 

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=771&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=1&LensComp=829&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=2

[vforvedad]

Show them how it's done! I think this is going to be my first af lens.

[Paul Ning]

Not surprised. Sigma OEM the aspherical lenses for Leica long time ago. Even the APO lenses also made by Sigma. Leica is able to design but not able to produce by herself. That's why Sigma can produce high quality ART series lenses.

[FilmMan]

Link to a review on the Leica 35 F/2 ( I own 2 of these lenses - got one for too good of a price to refuse).  It is a tricky/interesting lens at times.  It can be very cinematic with the images it can produce.  http://slrlensreview.com/web/reviews/leica-lenses/leica-wide-angle/438-leica-summicron-r-35mm-f2-e55-lens-review?showall=&limitstart=

[tomekk]

I can confirm SIGMA 35mm 1.4 is very nice, although I had backfocus problems from the start. Thanks god for micro adjustment on 5dmk3 which solved the problem. I've also bought sigma usb dock mount cause I'm pretty sure I'll be buying more sigmas in the future! ;) http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CBQ5YOS/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Rudolf]

Thank you Andrew - as usually very interesting! 

 

However I think kodakmoment hit the nail.

[tomekk]

Thank you Andrew - as usually very interesting! 

 

However I think kodakmoment hit the nail.

 

He would hit the nail if porsche 924 was in the same price range as nissan 370Z.

[ernstdante]

Heard the 1.8 zoom was even better:

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Publications/DxOMark-Reviews/Sigma-18-35mm-F1.8-DC-HSM-A-Canon-mount-lens-review-fixed-focal-length-quality-in-a-zoom/Sigma-18-35mm-F1.8-DC-HSM-A-Canon-versus-primes

 

[Rudolf]

 

He would hit the nail if porsche 924 was in the same price range as nissan 370Z

 

Yes... good point  :D  But performance wise(!) the Nissan would have also easily beaten a 944 or a 911 from the 70's.

[ToniDove]

The examples of the Leica Summicron looked surprisingly bad to me so I went out and shot some test stills at f2 on the 5diii. I am getting very sharp results and only get fall off at the corners if there is a spatial shift in the frame that means the shallow depth of field goes out of focus at the corners as images are closer. I shot the same images with the leicaR 19mm v2 which is like a razor as a control. They're surprisingly close. My 35 is V2 which could possibly make a difference? I also am looking at web compressed versions from your blog - so factor that in.
I can post some examples if it's useful. I don't have the Sigma to test against.

[Will Turner]

The first crop at f1.4 is just mind blowingly good. I just can't believe how sharp and contrasty that is wide open.