Due to this impressive reports - and because of the price - took my decision phase is not long.
A few days later now so the lovely and modern acting through the smooth, almost something shiny finish Sigma lay before me. Great material, wider focus ring and supplied sunshade convinced quickly. At least at first glance Sigma me had ever caught so well.
The second impression was then quite satisfactory: Connected to the Nikon D300S with battery grip all feels harmonious and weight as matched. Still good to keep, but hard enough to deliver quality stability. The round body fits comfortably in your hand and supporting the slightly ridged underside of the tube helps to even better support.
The focus switch is a nice size, easy to reach and locks firmly. Should we even get into the opportunity to need to work manually or want to, you will (maybe even subjectively for some too tightly) support here from the generously dimensioned and tightly ongoing focus ring.
But for normal use probably the autofocus is activated. And this would be sufficiently swift. But compare very well with the 35mm Nikonpendant - Not quite at the level of a Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm or 70-200mm.
In the view of the big screen then also the most compelling feature of this lens:
The sharpness! The fact is so crisp that I was assured once if I had really photographed with f / 1.4 at maximum aperture.
The chromatic aberration moves to a high standard. While background blur easily available, but really minimal. Flares I could, however still no notice in practical use.
But why then only - as can be seen above - 4 stars?
My copy had opposed the many happy reviewers on a front focus of ~ 1cm on close distance. This was to reduce the in-camera correction (maximum +20) only to just 3mm and therefore absolutely not bearable.
Unfortunately, I had already fallen in love but before this point because of the many positive points (in particular, the focus in manual focus) in the lens and decided after a call from the manufacturer to send in the fixed focal length in combination with the camera.
In retrospect, a good decision: A week later, the duo is now back in front of me - and I'm thrilled. The sharpness is beyond all doubt now even with autofocus.
Unfortunately, given away Sigma unfortunately so again maximum score, because I really am not prepared as a rule, to take over quality control in retrospect. However, in this lens agrees otherwise much - and so I can still good conscience.
Whether my now was an isolated incident, will probably show with upcoming reviews yet.
Conclusion:
++ Open aperture sharpness
++ Backlight Sensitivity
+ Valent, stability mediating weight
+ Good Gegenlichtblende
+ Wide, quite tightly ongoing focus ring
+ Provided stable Objektivtasche
o autofocus speed (comparable to the Nikon counterpart)
o lack of dust and moisture sealing at bayonet
- Only by Sigma corrected front focus (individual case?)
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Addendum of 03/06/2013:
After many occasions, this Sigma in practical use now also the small image sensor (D700) to test in detail, I would like my previous experience further course not keep to myself:
1. Although it should be clear to everyone: The focusing range is extremely small! My initial goal, it use just in the dark and bustle with open aperture (parties, weddings), now needs to be well covered in most cases badly. Smallest wobbles forward or backward can be eyes, etc. drown immediately in uncertainty and ensure that you can now and then but doubt the focus capabilities of the lens.
Here one should therefore in most cases prefer a little dim (whereby the sharpness increases again and the object is nevertheless exempted wonderful) or very quiet breath before squeezes ;-)
Since this is generally 1.4er lenses are concerned, should not be judgmental and seen only as a marginal note.
2. At maximum aperture a fairly strong vignette is present which until about f / 5.6 completely disappears. This was not noticed on the crop camera (D300) before, but that bothers me about small picture again barely. Out Computing I let this not in any case, because I do not really even appeals to the resulting image effect.
Worth mentioning, it is but natural nonetheless.
3. Autofocus with this lens is in the dark compared with the Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm and 70-200mm f / 2.8 is not completely on a par. One should give the lens a little more time to get precise "leveling off" on the target before pulls the trigger.
However, the time difference is not so important that it would be negative to chalk. One should keep in mind it only to take in retrospect no lack focused images due to premature triggering home. Especially when working in combination with the above or other high-precision lenses.
In the second final conclusion I come to this lens express my best recommendation, I'm still surprised that sharpness can already produce at maximum aperture. This decrease compared with the center of the image even at the edges of minimal off and will probably have to look at the competition Ihresgleichenn long.
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Addendum to 07/25/2013:
Because now came out the Sigma USB dock for personal correction possibilities, I also tested this one in combination with the 35mm lens - and could thus again tease out a little more sharpness.
Incidentally, a highly recommended part if you want to quickly perform one or the other changes to its new Sigma lenses without having to leave the procedure of one Chickens endure. That this accessory sigmoid colon final not to replace, is clear. All the more sad that the company lately in focus errors often refers to this (in person on the phone know).
Read more in the review of USB dock. A link to it can be found in the comments.
- Thanks to "N900 Fanboy" for this note.
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Update 02/02/2014:
Even after nearly a year now, I can use the lens to express my recommendation. The focus is seated since the correction is still on the point, scuffs are temporarily not locate and my frequency of use increases steadily.
Combine it currently "shadowless" effect Portraits very happy with the Round Flash Ring Flash Diffuser. Here my taste by the distance to the model and the image angle fits just great. The size of the lens is very pleasant here. For flash-interested so perhaps a worthwhile consideration. When requesting this of course I'm also willing to provide me this in the comments.
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Update 5/16/2014:
Meanwhile, the Sigma has also been tested on a Nikon D800 - and I am still surprised by the open aperture sharpness. Pictures with 36MP can be used without at 100% view.
Looking forward every single day about these grandiose appearance.
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Note on 02/17/2015:
Meanwhile, the Sigma could sufficiently prove and now came to a Nikon D750 for use:
Funnily enough, did not work the autofocus in live view here - what I was told by the support that a firmware update is necessary.
For those who find the the same problem, perhaps a point worth mentioning.
The update is free of charge, either via the optional Sigma USB Dock or the Sigma Service.
Am I happy yet with the 35mm ART? Absolutely. Even after nearly two years of use, I believe the objective every day anew. Incidentally suitable as video lens very well. The large focus ring is a delight here.
Comparable or better would be for it because movies manually adjustable diaphragm by the way, for example, the favorable Walimex / Samyang lenses.
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If in the course of practical use yet problems arise, I will this grudge here.
Questions and comments I will answer in the comments at any time.
My review does not tell you about? Please let me know before you book a "Not helpful" forgiven.
