In terms of image quality, the 28-70mm f2.8 also delivers the goods. In fact, Sigma says that this zoom offers the same optical performance as the 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art lens, which as we know, is designed to be their best, and for pro use. That’s pretty impressive considering how much smaller this lens is as well.

Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN sample gallery Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN sample gallery

Where lesser zooms sacrifice sharpness for versatility, the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH rivals the image quality of a prime lens. Photos are exceptionally sharp, and an optical stabilization system rated at 3.5 stops helps keep blur from obscuring those details. In addition to its made-for-mirrorless DG DN lens series, Sigma sells many of its SLR lenses in L-mount. I wouldn't recommend them if a made-for-mirrorless edition is on sale, but there are some focal lengths and a few very special optical designs that just aren't available yet. Many are available at a discount, too. The 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary weighs in at 470g, and when attached to the SIGMA fp, the entire setup is 890g. The supreme portability afforded by a camera system that weighs less than 1kg gives photographers a huge amount of freedom and flexibility to achieve their creative vision. It’s also a perfect combination for filmmakers looking for a high-performance, lightweight, easy-to-handle camera system that works well with a gimbal and other accessories. In terms of video autofocus, the Sigma 28-70mm DG DN has the potential to be a really great option. Not only does it offer silent autofocus drive and very nicely-damped manual focus, but it also has well controlled focus breathing. There's only a bit at the 28mm wide-angle end and very little at all by the time you zoom in to 70mm. While the lens is an f/4 on the long end, the f/2.8 at the wide end is admirable for this type of lens. Leica has balanced brightness and zoom range to create a rather unique lens. It offers slightly more range than the usual 24-70mm f/2.8 and slightly less than the standard 24-105mm f/4, while its variable maximum aperture spans the difference between those two common lens types.Compared to its main rival, the popular Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III RXD, the new Sigma 28-70mm also has the edge, with the Tamron measuring almost 12cms in length and weighing in at 550g.

Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens for Leica L

As far as image quality, colors, and sharpness are concerned, both lenses perform incredibly well with nearly identical images coming out of each lens. Where they differ, however, is most noticeable while actually shooting. While the autofocus on the SL-2 is nowhere near as fast as the new generation of mirrorless systems From Nikon, Sony, or Canon, there is a significant performance difference between each of these lenses on a Leica camera.Performance in the L Mount version is going to be subject to the camera you’ll be pairing the lens with. I didn’t test this on L Mount, but I would expect to see a difference between cameras since all three companies in the Alliance tend to use a mix of different technologies.

Sigma teases its upcoming sports focused 70-200mm F2.8 for L Sigma teases its upcoming sports focused 70-200mm F2.8 for L

Another thing you can see is how sharpness is best at the center of the lens and it shows that there is a slight fall off as we move to the edges of the frame. Cat's eye effect is quite noticeable when shooting wide-open and can appear quite a long way towards the center of the image frame. Taking a close look in the middle reveals plenty of fine details even with the aperture wide-open, and closing the aperture makes little difference to the quality. For one more bokeh comparison, here’s the Sigma 28-70 at 28mm f2.8, as close as it can focus at that focal length, quoted as 19cm. There’s still some texture within the blobs, but it’s still a fairly attractive result and I enjoyed the potential for shallow depth-of-field effects when shooting at close range. Note the lens does become softer in the corners the closer you focus. Here’s another photo taken at f8 with the 28mm focal length. 640 ISO was used along with the Sigma fp L here as well.

Supplied Accessories

Focusing is usefully internal and manual focusing is possible when set via the Focus switch on the lens barrel. Full-time manual focus override is also available at any time simply by rotating the focus ring. In addition to prioritising portability, SIGMA’s optical engineers have introduced a new combination of coatingsand structural elements that make this standard zoom well-equipped for use in a wide range of shootingenvironments. Likewise, the latest production and manufacturing techniques were employed to ensureexceptionally high build quality.