The Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) is primarily a photography lens, though it will be used for video.
In this article let’s take a comprehensive look at the important features and specifications of the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM and see how good it will perform specifically for video, cinematography and filmmaking.
The aim of this article is to provide you with enough information and perspective so you can decide for yourself whether this lens is right for your film or video.
Important: This article is a comprehensive overview of the lens with available information; and an analysis based on our experience shooting for almost two decades. It is not a hands-on review. If and when we get hold of the lens we’ll be sure to publish a detailed review. If this is not your cup of tea you can stop reading.
Here is a short movie that has been filmed exclusively on the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art:
Click to what you want quickly:
- TLDR;
- What does DG HSM mean?
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art is a great general purpose third party wide to medium telephoto lens.
- The f/2 aperture is great for low light work. It is actually revolutionary for a full-frame zoom lens.
- It’s small and lightweight for its lens class and construction, making it a preferred lens for gimbal or drone work.
- 9 blade aperture for softer, better bokeh.
- The lens does have OS, so you will get some stabilization with the lens itself.
- It exhibits breathing.
Can be great for all types of filmmaking. You would use this lens mostly for:
- Establishing Shot
- Wide Shot
- Long Shot
- Mid Shot
What does DG HSM mean?
According to Sigma, DG refers to the lenses that are designed specifically for full-frame DSLR cameras. Sigma claims that their DG DN lenses are designed specifically and exclusively for full-frame mirrorless cameras.
So while the DG HSM will work with a full-frame mirrorless camera, but, according to Sigma, a DG DN lens will communicate better with the camera than the DG HSM lens.
If you observe the mounts available for the DG HSM zoom lenses, you will realize that Sigma has not made a DG HSM zoom lens for Sony’s E-mount but has made many DG HSM prime lenses for the same mount. This is an odd choice by Sigma.
HSM refers to their ring-type hypersonic autofocus motor in that lens.
Features
Coverage
The Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) is a full-frame lens. It is designed to completely cover a sensor the size of 36mm x 24mm.
If you are considering this lens for an APS-C sensor or another cinema camera, check out this article:
Focal Length
The minimum focal length is 24mm. This is considered wide on a full-frame 35mm sensor.
The maximum focal length is 35mm. This is considered normal wide on a full-frame 35mm sensor.
This focal range covers 24mm, 28mm and 35mm in one zoom lens at f/2. This can save you the hassle of carrying three lenses for three different focal lengths.
This is a very peculiar choice by Sigma to make a lens for such a short focal range. This focal range can prove to be useful for long shots and wide shots.
Aperture
The constant maximum aperture is f/2 and the minimum aperture is f/16.
Having f/2 is fantastic for low light. Most people will use it at f/2.8 for the purpose of getting optimum sharpness, and to get soft, out of focus backgrounds.
This is a first for a full frame zoom lens to possess an aperture wider than f/2.8. But then again, would you want an extra one-third stop of light or a better focal range than 24-35mm?
The Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) has 9 circular diaphragm blades. One expects a smooth bokeh, considering the number of blades, but it’s not always a given. To know more about bokeh:
Resolution
From Sony’s official MTF charts:
The Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) at 24mm is sharp enough in the center and has a steep falloff towards the end.
While at 35mm f/2 we see some improvement in the performance. Matching footage can be a problem, as the footage shot at 35mm f/2 will appear to be much sharper than the footage shot at 24mm f/2.
With the variance in the Sagittal and Tangential lines, you can infer (somewhat) that the bokeh won’t be as smooth as the best prime lenses on the planet.
If you really want this lens at its sharpest you’re better off stopping down to f/2.8 or f/3.5 for best results.
If you are curious and want to read the MTF chart for yourself. Here’s a guide on how to read them easily.
Close Focus
The closest focusing distance is 0.28 meters or 0.91 feet. That’s nice for this focal length because you can use it for close-ups as well as wide shots.
Image Stabilization
The Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) lens does not have OS. Using it with the Canon R5 or Canon R6 can provide it with some image stabilization.
Is it Parfocal?
The Sigma 24- 35mm f/2 DG HSM Art is not a parfocal lens. To know what a parfocal lens is, check this out:
Control
Manual focus system
The Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) has an infinite turn ring for its focus ring and can turn infinitely one way or the other. Unfortunately, the 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art does not have Linear Manual focus or fly by wire focus set by default.
What is the meaning of focus by wire and fly by wire?
Focus by wire: Let’s say you turn the focus ring to change focus from point A to B. You’d expect the focus to shift accordingly. When you stop point B will be in focus. Now bring the focus point back to A and try again, but at a different speed. Slower or faster, doesn’t matter. Now, even if you precisely rotate to the exact same degree, the focus will not be on point B! The speed of rotation determines which point it is focused on. That’s just completely useless for follow focus work. If an actor or person moves at a different speed, evens lightly, you’ll never get the same focus. Avoid focus by wire lenses like the plague (for video work).
Fly by wire: The distance of focus shifted is directly proportional to the speed at which the ring is turned. This is how a manual focus ring is supposed to operate for video and cinematography.
This decision to exclude Linear MF in this lens by Sigma can turn away many professional videographers and cinematographers.
Autofocus system
Sigma’s autofocus is improving day by day, but it is nowhere near the precision and reliability of Canon or Sony’s autofocus system. Keep in mind, that Sigma is a third party lens manufacturer, i.e. they do not make native lenses. Native lenses, such as Sony’s FE series and Canon’s EF and RF series, have always been better than third party lenses at communicating with their respective cameras.
I do not think anyone will purchase a Sigma lens for its autofocus performance.
Zoom Ring
The zoom ring allows you to manually change the focal length from 24mm to 35mm and anywhere in between.
There is no zoom lock, which could have stopped the lens from extending while travelling.
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) has a filter thread of 82mm. This is an uncommonly large filter diameter.
Build Quality
The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lens doesn’t feel cheap.
The optical design consists of 18 elements in 13 groups, includingFLD, SLD and aspherical lenses.
Size and Weight
The Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 87.6mm and a length of 122.7mm. It weighs around 940 grams. It is a bulky lens.
Weather resistance
Sigma claims that all their Art lenses are weather resistant. But again this only holds true if the camera body you will be using is also weather sealed. No camera is truly and officially weather sealed, so the best you can hope for is reliable weather resistance. Sigma claims to coat their lenses with dust and moisture repellent.
This is an Art series lens and we can expect it to perform as such.
What’s in the box
This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):
- Petal Type Lens Hood (LH876-04)
- Case
The hood might be useful for photography, but the shape and design will make it mostly vestigial for video work. Some people like to put it on to protect the front element in case of a fall. The hood takes the impact and shatters, but saves the lens.
Alternatives to the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art Lens
The Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art is a great wide to normal wide-angle lens. Due to its peculiar focal range and wide aperture, there are no alternatives to this lens.
I hope you found this overview of the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
