Introduction
Every new lens I add to my kit comes with a sense of excitement and curiosity. The Sigma 28-105mm F/2.8 DG DN Art immediately caught my attention as a potential go-to zoom for landscape and nature photography. With its constant f/2.8 aperture, versatile focal range, and promising image quality, I was eager to take it out into the wild.
But photography isn’t just about the gear—it’s about the moments we try to capture, the emotions we feel when standing before a breathtaking landscape, and, sometimes, the frustration when conditions don’t go as planned.
Challenging Winter Conditions
When I first set out to use the Sigma 28-105mm F/2.8, I had a clear vision in mind: capturing monochrome and minimalistic images of lone trees or small clusters of trees standing in the snow. I imagined a serene, high-contrast winter landscape, where the simplicity of the scene would allow the forms and textures to speak for themselves. However, nature had other plans. Instead of white blankets of snow and deep, moody skies, I was met with inconsistent blue sky, little to none snow, melting patches of snow, and rain. It was a challenge to find the scenes I had envisioned, but instead of forcing compositions that weren’t there, I adapted. The Sigma 28-105mm proved to be a valuable tool in this process, allowing me to focus on these refined elements with sharpness, clarity, and excellent subject isolation. While I didn’t capture the exact scenes I had hoped for, the experience challenged me to see minimalism in new ways, and in the end, that was just as rewarding.
Build & Design
Sigma continues to impress with its solid construction and premium feel. The 28-105mm f/2.8 follows the sleek design of the Art series, with a well-balanced weight (just under 1kg) that feels substantial yet not overly heavy on a full-frame mirrorless body. The zoom and focus rings are smooth, with just the right amount of resistance, and the 82mm filter thread ensures compatibility with a variety of high-quality filters—a crucial aspect for landscape photographers using polarizers and ND filters.
One standout feature is the aperture ring, which allows for direct manual control—something that videographers and tactile shooters will appreciate. Additionally, the lens is weather-sealed, making it a reliable option for outdoor shooting in varying conditions.
Image Quality & Performance in Landscape Photography
Sharpness & Detail
Sigma has a reputation for excellent optical performance, and this lens continues that trend. Across the focal range, images are sharp, detailed, and contrasty, even at f/2.8. For this image of a waterfall in Bavaria, I stopped down to f/8 to ensure maximum depth of field and edge-to-edge sharpness, producing great detail in both foreground and background elements.
Bokeh & Depth of Field for Nature Details
While landscape photographers often prioritize sharpness and depth of field, this lens also excels in isolating subjects when needed. The f/2.8 aperture provides a pleasing, creamy bokeh, making it ideal for intimate nature shots, such as flowers, leaves, or textured rock formations, where subject separation is beneficial.
Close-Up Capabilities: A Hidden Strength
One of the most surprising aspects of the Sigma 28-105mm F/2.8 was its strong close-up performance. With a minimum focusing distance of 40cm, I was able to capture intricate details in nature, such as the delicate patterns of frost on leaves, the textures of tree bark, and even the subtle veins of a single blade of grass. The ability to zoom in while maintaining sharpness and a smooth background blur made it an incredibly versatile tool—not just for landscapes, but also for those moments when smaller details told a more compelling story.
Comparison to 24-105mm and 24-120mm F/4 Lenses for Landscape Photography
The 24-105mm F/4 zoom range is one of the most common choices among landscape photographers, offered by Sony, Canon, and Nikon. These lenses are often preferred for their versatility, built-in image stabilization, and compact size.
However, compared to the Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8, the key differences are:
The Sigma’s f/2.8 aperture allows for better low-light performance, making it advantageous for early morning, twilight, and astrophotography.
The 24mm starting focal length on Sony, Canon, and Nikon versions provides a slightly wider field of view, which can be beneficial for expansive landscapes. However, the Sigma’s 28mm still provides a broad perspective and can be easily compensated by stitching panoramas.
The Sigma is heavier and lacks optical stabilization, but modern mirrorless bodies with IBIS can compensate for this, making it less of a drawback for tripod-based landscape shooting.
While the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G OSS, Canon RF 24-105mm f/4, and Nikon 24-120mm f/4 S are excellent lenses for general-purpose travel and documentary photography, the Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8 is better suited for my style of landscape and nature photography with enhanced low-light performance and subject isolation.
Final Thoughts after a few weeks in the field: A Top Choice for Landscape & Nature Photographers!
The Sigma 28-105mm F/2.8 DG DN Art is a fantastic all-around zoom that perfectly complements my style of photography. It seamlessly bridges the gap between my 16-35mm f/ 2.8 wide-angle lens and the Sigma 100-400mm F/5-6.3 DG DN OS.
I personally don’t mind the extra weight of the lens because I used to carry both a 24-70mm f/2.8 and a 70-200mm f/4.0—now, I simply bring the 28-105mm instead.
A follow up post with a full, with a more in depth review and of course, more images will follow soon.
Σχόλια