Introduction
The Sigma 24-35mm f/2 has a lot of photographers contemplating whether or not they need a wide zoom lens that opens to f/2. In the video and article below, I’m going to share with you the lens’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as how I use it, and if this might be a good lens for you.
Quick and Simple Review of The Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art Lens
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Advantages of the Sigma 24-35mm f/2
The reason this lens intrigues so many photographers is that it’s a combination of desirable features that one would want in a wide-angle zoom lens. It has exceptional optical quality, variable focal length, and a fast f/2 aperture. I found that it was great for capturing environmental couples portraits, automotive photography, and candid dancing shots.
I’m not going to dive into performance, image quality, value, features, and everything else because this is going to sound like an advertisement if I do. This is because the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 Art is every bit as good as the other Sigma Art lenses which we have raved about. So in terms of color, contrast, sharpness, features, quality, etc this lens gets 5 out of 5 stars across the board!
The real question for this lens is not if it’s a “good lens”, because it’s fantastic. But the question you should be asking yourself is “Where does this focal length fit in the work that I’m doing?” What’s going to make this lens work for some, and not others is the limited wide to semi-wide focal length of 24-35mm.
Sigma 24-35mm Compromises
I said before that this lens is a combination of desirable features, along with some undesirable compromises. But, to be honest that’s really true of any lens. For instance, having a variable focal length is good, but only being able to go from 24-35mm is not great. The maximum aperture of f/2 is good, but not as good as f/1.4 on the Sigma Art Primes. And while those are literally my only complaints, they are still worth noting, especially if you need faster lenses or more focal lengths.
Who Should Get This Lens?
The question is, who is this lens designed for? Off the top of my head, I would say that this lens is optimal for landscape, street, and astro-photographers. This lens is also great for the photojournalist that travels around, needs one lens that’s fast, and goes from wide to standard zoom so they can capture an entire scene. This lens is for landscape and astro photographers who need a low light, wide angle lens. This lens is for the street photographer or event photographer that loves to get candid action shots up close.
If the focal length fits your shooting style, then I can easily say that this lens is a 5-star Must Have lens! With this lens you have an f/2 equivalent to the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 Art ($849.00) and the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art ($899.00) in your bag for only $999.00, and that makes it a tremendous value.
But, speaking honestly I couldn’t personally find a permanent place in my gear bag for the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 Art. I already have the Sigma 24 and 35mm Art lenses. Based on my look, style and low light requirements, I found that I preferred having two lenses with the option to shoot at f/1.4 versus one lens at f/2. I also found that the limited zoom of the 24-35 wasn’t enough to replace my need for the 24-70mm. When I need flexibility, my Canon 24-70 f/2.8 Mark II still is king. When I need image quality or that ultra prime wide-open aperture look, my Sigma 24mm and 35mm Art lenses were still my first choice.
That being said, I have to admit that the Sigma 24-35mm Art is still an incredible lens at an incredible value. The question of purchase is simply going to come down to your shooting style.
Sigma 24-35mm f/2 Gallery
Got a GASSY Question?
G.A.S. stands for Gear Acquisition Syndrome. Got a burning question about gear? Let us know in the comments!
Advantages of the Sigma 24-35mm f/2
The reason this lens intrigues so many photographers is that it’s a combination of desirable features that one would want in a wide-angle zoom lens. It has exceptional optical quality, variable focal length, and a fast f/2 aperture. I found that it was great for capturing environmental couples portraits, automotive photography, and candid dancing shots.
I’m not going to dive into performance, image quality, value, features, and everything else because this is going to sound like an advertisement if I do. This is because the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 Art is every bit as good as the other Sigma Art lenses which we have raved about. So in terms of color, contrast, sharpness, features, quality, etc this lens gets 5 out of 5 stars across the board!
The real question for this lens is not if it’s a “good lens”, because it’s fantastic. But the question you should be asking yourself is “Where does this focal length fit in the work that I’m doing?” What’s going to make this lens work for some, and not others is the limited wide to semi-wide focal length of 24-35mm.
Sigma 24-35mm Compromises
I said before that this lens is a combination of desirable features, along with some undesirable compromises. But, to be honest that’s really true of any lens. For instance, having a variable focal length is good, but only being able to go from 24-35mm is not great. The maximum aperture of f/2 is good, but not as good as f/1.4 on the Sigma Art Primes. And while those are literally my only complaints, they are still worth noting, especially if you need faster lenses or more focal lengths.
Who Should Get This Lens?
The question is, who is this lens designed for? Off the top of my head, I would say that this lens is optimal for landscape, street, and astro-photographers. This lens is also great for the photojournalist that travels around, needs one lens that’s fast, and goes from wide to standard zoom so they can capture an entire scene. This lens is for landscape and astro photographers who need a low light, wide angle lens. This lens is for the street photographer or event photographer that loves to get candid action shots up close.
If the focal length fits your shooting style, then I can easily say that this lens is a 5-star Must Have lens! With this lens you have an f/2 equivalent to the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 Art ($849.00) and the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art ($899.00) in your bag for only $999.00, and that makes it a tremendous value.
But, speaking honestly I couldn’t personally find a permanent place in my gear bag for the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 Art. I already have the Sigma 24 and 35mm Art lenses. Based on my look, style and low light requirements, I found that I preferred having two lenses with the option to shoot at f/1.4 versus one lens at f/2. I also found that the limited zoom of the 24-35 wasn’t enough to replace my need for the 24-70mm. When I need flexibility, my Canon 24-70 f/2.8 Mark II still is king. When I need image quality or that ultra prime wide-open aperture look, my Sigma 24mm and 35mm Art lenses were still my first choice.
That being said, I have to admit that the Sigma 24-35mm Art is still an incredible lens at an incredible value. The question of purchase is simply going to come down to your shooting style.
Sigma 24-35mm f/2 Gallery
Got a GASSY Question?
G.A.S. stands for Gear Acquisition Syndrome. Got a burning question about gear? Let us know in the comments!
