LensTip.com

Pros: solid, weather-proof casing, sensational image quality in the frame centre, especially in the 28-36 mm range, very good image quality on the edge of the APS-C/DX sensor, good image quality on the edge of full frame, negligible longitudinal chromatic aberration, very low lateral chromatic aberration in the 36-45 mm focal range, lack of any noticeable problems with spherical aberration, slight distortion on the APS-C sensor, low astigmatism, sensible performance against bright light, silent, fast, and accurate autofocus, moderate focus breathing, unique parameters. Cons: very high vignetting on full frame. It is not a big secret: such tests as this one are my favourite ones. After over 20 years of optics testing it is really difficult to surprise me with anything so I am more than happy to handle an instrument with original parameters. If additionally that instrument fares very well in tests I am overjoyed and everyone else is happy. In case of the new Sigma A 28-45 mm f/1.8 DG DN I can say exactly that – you get a lens with unique parameters, unlikely anything I've ever seen, and it offers you resolution levels close to record-breaking values.

Of course there are no miracles. With such parameters some compromises had to be tolerated as well. Weight and physical dimensions are one of them. Our test also explained why Sigma has decided to limit the focal range to 45 mm instead of setting it at the classic 50 mm. In this case you would have to settle with either a distinct worsening of the results or additional bulk of the lens. Most of us would like neither of these options. Distinct compromises can also be spotted in some optical categories such as e.g. vignetting. Coma is not corrected perfectly well and lateral chromatic aberration at the shortest focal length approaches medium levels. Still, there are no more flaws – in other testing categories the Sigma fared well or very well. Keeping in mind all that it seems that the price of the new Sigma, around $1340, should be called moderate. After all you get an exceptionally fast, full frame zoom lens that is able to produce images of record-breaking resolution and its autofocus performance is really impressive. With such a combination of assets the new Sigma A 28-45 mm f/1.8 DG DN is a dream device for the majority of journalists or wedding photographers and I don't doubt it will find a lot of fans among them.

Taking into account the fact that the tested lens presents a whole array of significant assets and just one serious flaw we had no doubts it deserves our 'Editors' Choice' badge. Congratulations!

Please Support Us If you enjoy our reviews and articles, and you want us to continue our work please, support our website by donating through PayPal. The funds are going to be used for paying our editorial team, renting servers, and equipping our testing studio; only that way we will be able to continue providing you interesting content for free.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - advertisement - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -