Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN For Micro Four Thirds

Image © SigmaPhoto

Background

We've reviewed the Sigma 60mm f/1.8 for Micro Four Thirds before and had good things to say about it.  IQ, size and price making it a quality consideration for someone looking for a 60mm focal length (120mm field of view).

Now, we look at another Sigma.  Highly regarded in most places, again for many of the same reasons as the Sigma 60mm.  This new review, though has a much faster aperture, wide open it is an f/1.4 - the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN with Micro Four Thirds mount is the subject of this review.

Is it as good as the chatter would have us believe?  Let's journey together and find out if this third party lens we got direct from Sigma as a refurb for $259 is worth keeping!

Handling/Size/Weight

The field of view (FOV) on this lens is 60mm on a 135 size sensor camera.  This falls within a competitive range of lenses both OEM and third party.  There are plenty of 20 through 35mm lenses out there for people to choose.

Upon unboxing, I found that the lens was a bit bigger than you'll see lenses like the Panasonic 25/1.7 or Olympus 25/1.8 and even the ZhongYi Mitakon Speedmaster 25mm f/0.95 has a smaller footprint.  It does have a little more weight to it than the above mentioned OEM 25mm, but it is much lighter than the Mitakon 25/0.95.  The Mitakon is 100% metal construction, where the Sigma uses a metal mount with plastics in the construction of the body.

The focus ring is dampened and feels good when you turn it, and this is a focus by wire lens, so power is needed to get it to focus.  There is also no hard stops at minimum focus or at infinity.  The lens also has no focus scale on it.

The front element is 52mm, which is common standard filter thread.

A lens hood is supplied with the lens.

The physical size of the lens is because it was designed around APS-C size sensors.  This can be a benefit to m43 cameras as the "sweet spot" of the lens fits squarely to the m43 sensor.

The lens may seem a little big on smaller m43 bodies, but it feels right at home on a PEN-F or an EM5.2 or larger body. 

Image Quality

No surprises here if this is not your first review of this lens.  Even at f/1.4, this lens delivers the goods!  Sharp wide open and 100% usable for most anything.

I find that Sigma lenses have a unique rendering that I find pleasing when using their lenses on mirrorless cameras.  A bit more contrast and a nice bokeh than some other lenses.

I had wanted this lens to replace the Panasonic 25mm f/1.7 lens I bought and as far as I can tell it will be able to do so.

Yes, the focal length and field of view are different, but if I really need a 25mm, I can utilize the Mitakon Speedmaster 25mm f/0.95 in it's place when I need very low light performance. Otherwise, I can pull out the Panasonic 12-32/3.5-5.6 or the Panasonic 12-35/2.8 when a zoom makes more sense.

Images taken in JPG mode with the Olympus PEN-F

1/1250, f/2.8, ISO 200

1/5000, f/1.4, ISO 200

1/60, f/1.4, ISO 400

1/5000, f/2.8, ISO 200

1/5000, f/4, ISO 200

Focusing

My history with Sigma lenses was severely tainted in DSLR land.   I've had poor luck with them in focus and function, even as recently as a short foray with the Sigma 12-35/1.8 on the Nikon D500.  This combo had severe focus issues with anything outside the middle focus point.

When we come to using Sigma's lenses with Micro Four Thirds mirrorless and have had nothing but great results in IQ, function and focus.

1/60, f/1.4, ISO 200

1/60, f/1.4, ISO 640

1/20, f/1.4, ISO 320

AF speed is excellent in S-AF. While not at the same near instantaneous speed as an OEM Olympus prime lens, it is not very far behind.  I do not use my current m43 cameras for C-AF, so cannot comment on those performance benchmarks.

I've not had an issue with missed focus with this lens, even at f/1.4.

1/250, f/2.5, ISO 200

Bottom Line

So, what is the deal with getting this lens when I already have a lot of other lenses in the same focal length/FOV range?  Yes, I have the Mitakon Speedmaster 25/0.95, but it is an all manual lens.  I did have the Panasonic 25mm f/1.7, but never really bonded with it.  It takes excellent images, for sure....but I was intrigued by the images I was seeing, the other reviews I've read about the Sigma 30/1.4.

The Panasonic 25/1.7 has gone up for sale and I'll be keeping the Sigma 30mm.

Panasonic 25mm f/1.7 Micro Four Thirds Lens Review

Image © Panasonic

Background

The rage as of late has been with the super fast aperture prime lenses.  Olympus has the 25mm f/1.2 that came out a while ago and they just announced that late 2017 and Spring 2018 will give us the birth of the 17mm f/1.2 as well as the 45mm f/1.2

While I do have a fast aperture lens in the Mitakon Speedmaster 25mm f/0.95, I'm not really in the market for any more.  So what is wrong with the f/1.7 or f/1.8 prime lenses?   Well, not a whole lot really.  They tend to be compact and lightweight and cost as little as they weight, relatively.

While it would be great to have the extra stop of light, the weather sealing of the f/1.2 lenses...I just don't see me needing that large aperture in those prime lenses.  Others that specialize in portraiture with their Micro Four Thirds kits will definitely love to see them...and listening to them, it has been a long time coming.

For this review, though - we are going to look at a bargain of a lens, the Panasonic 25mm f/1.7.

This little guy was bought brand new from Midwest Photo Exchange on sale for $150USD.  We'll look at it from handling, image quality and focusing on it's own as well as how I feel about it versus the stellar Olympus 25mm f/1.8.  I used to own the Olympus and really loved it.

Handling/Size/Weight

The field of view (FOV) on this lens is similar to a 50mm on a 135 size sensor camera.  It is not a pancake lens, but it is not large either.

It feels very light and is made from plastics, but the build quality feels very robust.

The focus ring is dampened and feels good when you turn it.

When compared to the Olympus, the Panasonic lens is a bit bigger.    When looking at the spec sheets, the Panasonic comes in lighter, by like 10 grams...not something most people would notice.

Both front elements are 46mm, so would use the same size lens caps and filters.

Panasonic does supply a lens hood with the lens, but it is a little odd to use because you must first remove a ring on the front of the lens. 

Image Quality

This thing is very sharp and at the price you can find them, it makes a whole lot of sense to get this lens if you wanted a 50mm FOV lens. 

I want to say that the Olympus might be a hair sharper in similar situations, but as sharp as both of them are, it's really splitting hairs at this point.

As I like to do, let us leave the proof show through in the images presented here.

1/60, f/1.7, ISO 800

1/125, f/1.7, ISO 200

1/60, f/2.8, ISO 800 (shot through some pretty dirty glass)

1/60, f/1.7, ISO 250

Focusing

As with all contrast detect cameras, when the lens locks in, it is dead on.

I did notice that on the EM5.2 that there were times when the Panasonic would hunt for focus or not lock in properly.  I'll keep an eye on it, but I do notice that this happens every now and again with new lenses.  I think a good lens contact cleaning would benefit here.

Bottom Line

Did I really need another 25mm prime lens?  No, not really.  However, for the price, how can you pass it up?  The Mitakon 25mm performs well, but it is a manual focus lens and that point may not be for everyone.    I love using it and will in the future.  The Panasonic 25/1.7 is a pleasure to use, produces great images, has excellent sharpness and focus' fast.   If maximum performance is desired in an f/1.7 or f/1.8 prime lens and you shoot Olympus bodies - get the Olympus 25mm.  If all things are equal and price is a sticking point - get the Panasonic on sale or used for around $150 - you won't be disappointed!

ZY Optics Mitakon Speedmaster 25mm f/0.95 Lens Review

Image ©ZYOptics

Background

Dubbed the "Speedmaster" for its fast, f/0.95 aperture, this Micro Four Thirds mount manual focus lens provides a small size lens with fast aperture.  It's main competitor is the Voigtlander Nokton 25mm f/0.95.  All images here are taken with the Olympus PEN-F.

1/100, f/0.95, ISO 6400

Handling/Size/Weight

Even given it's diminutive size, this lens is all metal and glass, making it a bit heavier than you would expect.  When compared to its main competitor, though it is smaller, lighter and half the price brand new.  The ZhongYi Optics comes in around $399 new, while the Voigtlander will put you back $799.

Many other reviewers have compared the 2 and I'll let you explore the internet for those.

The aperture ring is clickless, which, when used for photography can be a bit of a struggle.   Moving the aperture by feel is no longer possible and there are no electronic contacts in the lens, so the actual aperture value is not visible in the EVF.  Having the option to turn the clicks on and off, as in other lenses similar to this one would have been great.

1/6400, f/1.2, ISO 200

The focus ring is in the back and the aperture ring is toward the front of the lens.  They are close together and initially I found myself accidentally turning the wrong ring.  We'll see how long it will take for muscle memory to kick in and rectify that.

Focusing is well dampened and smooth.   Getting exact focus is quite easy for me.   I use a high intensity yellow peaking on the Olympus PEN-F.

Overall the lens feels quality, even with the very basic engravings on it.

For those who subscribe to the Micro Four Thirds ethos of small size matters, then this lens will definitely fit that.

1/640, f/4, ISO 200

3 Image stitched panorama
1/1000, f/4, ISO 200

Image Quality

Some people think that older lens designs, even prime lenses, are not as good as the modern equivalents.  There might be some truth to that statement if we get into a "measurebating" analysis.  I, however, do not fully agree.  While it might be true that on paper one lens may be sharper than another, there is more to a lens than the overall sharpness.  My belief is that there is a threshold of "sharp enough" or acceptable sharpness that is good enough for me.  The 105mm/2.5 AI lens certainly falls into that category and then some.

If we look at the lens at f/2.5, this is probably where the lens is at its weakest.  Even with that, the wide open performance is still plenty acceptable.  Stopped down even a little bit to f/4 and it is very sharp.

I find that I like the rendering of the Nikon 105mm lens as well.

Looking to the Speedmaster f/0.95, I found center sharpness was good to exceptional at all apertures from 0.95 through f/11.  The corners progressively get better as you stop down.

At f/0.95 I expected the lens to be a bit dreamy, like the other ZY lens I have the Creator 85mm f/2.  That does not seem to be the case though.  Optically, this appears to be quite a good performer.

1/4000, f/4, ISO 200

1/2500, f/4, ISO 200

Focusing

As stated previously, I use yellow focus peaking on the Olympus PEN-F.  That can be a challenge when shooting hand held at f/0.95 in low light situations.   Challenging - yes, impossible - no.  Use the zoom function to assist you as well.

The smooth focus ring makes getting exacting adjustments easy to do.

Close focusing distance is useful.  You are not getting macro close, but it should suffice for most peoples usage.

1/2000, f/2.8, ISO 200

1/100, f/1.2, ISO 640

Bottom Line

This is a fun, fun, fun lens to use.  For some people this would be a specialty lens, used for special occasions and most likely wide open.  

Nikon 24-85/3.5-4.5 VR VS Olympus 12-50/3.5-6.3

Another FX versus m43 comparison.  Today, let's look at the Nikon 24-85/3.5-4.5 VR against the Olympus 12-50/3.5-6.3.

Both are "kit" lenses, in that the respective companies often bundle them with cameras.

Image © Olympus America

The 12-50 Pro list:

• Slightly longer field of view ~100mm versus the Nikon's 85mm
• Weather sealed
• Electronic zoom for use in movie recording
• Macro mode - locked at 43mm
• Not as large in diameter and lighter than the Nikon
• Fast AF
• Internal zoom and focus
• can have MF override if setup that way in camera menu

The 12-50 Con list:

• Slower on the long end
• Needs stopped down a bit in order to be sharp
• No built in IS - only matters if you are going to use it on a Panasonic body

Image © Nikon USA

The 24-85 Pro list:

• built in IS
• Not as long as the 12-50
• MF override without having to setup as option in camera
• internal focusing
• quite AF-S lens with respectable focus speed

The 24-85 Con list:

• Having the MF focus always "on" and toward the camera body can cause accidental misfocus until you get used to it.
• not weather sealed.
• significant barrel distortion at the wide end(correctable in post)
• telescopes when zooming
• no macro mode

Nikon 24-85

Olympus 12-50

Focal Lengths

We shall not get into any equivalence debates, as I don;t much care for them.  I feel a photographer should know their gear and learn to adapt to it and use it accordingly.  These 2 lenses come close in field of view(FOV), which I shall define here for our purposes as follows:  If I am standing in the same location with each camera and lens and go from wide to telephoto, the view I see in the viewfinder is relatively the same.

Obviously, if we do the math, the Nikon lens FOV used on an FX camera is going to be 24mm to 85mm.  The Olympus OMD cameras I have need to have a 2x multiplier so going from 12mm focal length gives us a FOV of 24mm and at the long end, 50mm focal length gives us a 100mm FOV.

Pretty close except for that last 15mm.  The Olympus pulls ahead in the pure reach factor.  However, a lot of zoom lenses tend to get a little soft when they go from one extreme to the other.  Sometimes stopping the aperture down helps.

Nikon 24-85

Olympus 12-50

Image Stabilization

The Nikon has it in the lens, the Olympus relies on the camera body that it is mounted.  Both systems work great, so a wash here.  If you have a need for stabilization then you are covered.

Nikon 24-85

Olympus 12-50

Auto Focus Performance

The Olympus cameras are great AF performers in great to good light and suffer a little bit in speed when light starts to get challenging.  With that said, the Olympus 12-50 was the lens that convinced me on the m43 system over the Fuji X-T1.  It will get you there quickly and accurately.

The Nikon, even with AF-S is decent, but not the same speed as in single point AF as the 12-50.  We do need to bring up the point of continuous AF both speed and ability to lock.  as good as the S-AF is on the m43 cameras, they do still have a ways to go in the C-AF department.  They are decent when tracking a moving subject that is going in a predictable trajectory.  

Also, for perspective - AF performance is a package deal, both the camera body and the lens systems have to work together.  You can really only judge a lens on its AF performance based on its ability to keep up with the target.

Bottom line S-AF goes to the 12-50, where as C-AF goes to the 24-85.  

In real world use, I don't see the AF speed of either of these camera/lens combos holding me back.

Nikon 24-85

Olympus 12-50

Image Quality

We've done this before with the Tamron 70-300/4-5.6 VC vs Olympus 40-150/4-5.6

We are going to look at real world use and not shoot targets.  How well can the respective cameras and kit lenses compare to each other?

On the Nikon side, we will shoot with the D700 or Df and on the Olympus side, the OM-D E-M1 or E-M5.

The Olympus micro four thirds kits are not far behind.  Mirrorless gear keeps getting better and better. Fuji is improving their AF performance and the responsiveness of their cameras grows stronger with each generation.  While mirrorless might not be  an option for you right now, it is definitely a strong competitor in a camera rich environment that is still dominated here in the USA by DSLRs.

Olympus 12-50

Nikon 24-85

Nikon 24-85

Olympus 12-50