Sigma Super Wide 24mm f/2.8 mkII impression

caspert79 · Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 3247 Location: The Netherlands

Some first impressions of this interesting lens:

The image quality doesn't suffer too much in most difficult lighting situations:

SigmaSuperWide242839 by devoscasper, on Flickr

1:4 reproduction is possible with this lens; you can get very close to your subject. Definitely a plus.

SigmaSuperWide242840 by devoscasper, on Flickr

The lens delivers sharp (although not perfectly sharp up untill the corners on a high res full frame camera ) and contrasty images, with good saturated colors.

SigmaSuperWide242842 by devoscasper, on Flickr

Wide open with closeby subject: very sharp indeed.

SigmaSuperWide242844 by devoscasper, on Flickr

Bokeh is not too bad for a 24mm:

SigmaSuperWide242845 by devoscasper, on Flickr

Overall image quality: good enough for me!

SigmaSuperWide242846 by devoscasper, on Flickr

Conclusion: this lens is pretty good IMO. It's close focusing ability makes is a lot of fun to play with. Straight out of the camera, the images look very good (no post processing needed). It's very compact as well. Definitely a lens I will take with me a lot.

stevemark · Joined: 29 Apr 2011 Posts: 4101 Location: Switzerland

The Sigma Super Wide II 2.8/24mm is one of the best 2.8/24mm lenses of its time - along with the Minolta MD-III 2.8/24mm and the Canon nFD 2.8/24mm or the Minolta AF 2.8/24mm (which is a completely different computation than the MD-III).

Very useable on 24 MP FF, I wouldn't recommend it on 50 MP FF class cameras unless you go for optimal apertures (around f8 or f11) plus some postprocessing.

S

LittleAlex · Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2024 1:35 pm Post subject:

My congratulations!

Like Dog

DrBB · Joined: 26 Mar 2014 Posts: 119 Location: Croatia

I have 5 different 24mm (and 25mm) lenses and Sigma Super-Wide II 24mm f2.8 is definitely best one when it comes to price/sharpness/color. But, it doesn't have "that something"

Vintage_Photographer · Joined: 10 Jun 2024 Posts: 84

This is a very timely post as I'm looking at one to use on my Contax RX.

stevemark · Joined: 29 Apr 2011 Posts: 4101 Location: Switzerland

kiddo · Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 1286

Vintage_Photographer · Joined: 10 Jun 2024 Posts: 84

kiddo · Joined: 29 Jun 2018 Posts: 1286

visualopsins · Expire: 2025-04-11

Very, very impressive!!! (I can smell the grass in the last photo!)

lumens pixel · Expire: 2021-06-25

It is a very nice lens. My best 24mm. Quite difficult to find a good sample. Had to buy many to find not tilted copies. If you are not happy with your copy, check that it is in good shape before considering it is a bad design.

Les bâtiments du port | Buildings of the port by lumens pixel, sur Flickr

Concession automobile détruite par le souffle | Automobile dealer blasted by lumens pixel, sur Flickr

Gravats | Rubble by lumens pixel, sur Flickr

Ecrasée | Crushed by lumens pixel, sur Flickr

caspert79 · Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 3247 Location: The Netherlands

Impressive pictures Lumens!

DrBB · Joined: 26 Mar 2014 Posts: 119 Location: Croatia

stevemark · Joined: 29 Apr 2011 Posts: 4101 Location: Switzerland

Vintage_Photographer · Joined: 10 Jun 2024 Posts: 84

You lot are a very bad influence.

One has been purchased for £45 for my Contax RX. Interestingly it appears it has the external tag to operate the TV/P capability on the camera. Only one I've seen with that tag.

e6filmuser · Joined: 12 Nov 2010 Posts: 862 Location: Reading UK

On A7r:

https://forum.mflenses.com/sigma-super-wide-ii-24mm-2-8-multi-coated-on-a7r-t80478,highlight,%2Bsigma+%2Band+%2B24mm.html

On A7r3:

https://forum.mflenses.com/sigma-super-wide-ii-12-8-24mm-on-a7r3-t81981,highlight,%2Bsigma+%2Band+%2B24mm.html

stevemark · Joined: 29 Apr 2011 Posts: 4101 Location: Switzerland

Since its already dark outside I've used a garment used by Tibetan monks for Sacred Dances. It depicts the Great Protector, Mahakala -
and it has enough detail to say something about the corner performance of a few well known vintage 2.8/24mm (25mm) lenses Wink

* Canon FD 2.8/24mm "silvernose"
* Konica AR 2.8/24mm (first computation)
* Minolta MD-I 2.8/24mm (first computation; later MD-II/MD-III is better)
* Nikkor AiS 2.8/24mm (therefore second computation)
* Sigma 2.8/24mm "Super Wide II" (newest lens of this comparison)
* Yashica ML 2.8/24mm
* Zeiss CY Distagon 2.8/25mm

DOWNLOAD AND WATCH IN A SEPARATE SOFTWARE SUCH AS PHOTOSHOP AT 100% -
THE "INTELLIGENT" BROWSERS THESE DAYS ARE WILDY RESIZING / ADJUSTING / "IMPROVING" MY CAREFULLY CREATED TEST IMAGES ...
CLICK TWICE ON THE IMAGE TO GET FULL RESOLUTION, THEN DOWNLOAD (OTHERWISE A LOWER RES PIC WILL BE SAVED)

There's no doubt that the Super Wide II is among the best vintage 24mm lenses of its time - comparable to the Minolta MD-III 2.8/24mm and the Canon new FD 2.8/24mm (both not shown here). It's certainly no coincidence that those three lenses mentioned (MD-III, nFD and Sigma) are the newest computations ...

S

lumens pixel · Expire: 2021-06-25

Completely agree. Thanks for the test. Most interesting is the performance @f5,6 where differences are obvious.

caspert79 · Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Posts: 3247 Location: The Netherlands

Stephan, thanks for your test. It doesn’t surprise me the Sigma does a good job.

Vintage_Photographer · Joined: 10 Jun 2024 Posts: 84

Interesting test results.

Looking forward to mine arriving.

Vintage_Photographer · Joined: 10 Jun 2024 Posts: 84

Mine arrived today and as described is cosmetically mint.

A quick test shows general sharpness to be very good, especially near the centre.
Right side corners are a bit less sharp at all apertures but not as bad as left side suggesting the lens is a little decentred. More accurate testing with a brick wall is required to confirm this.

As noted this one does indeed have the tab for activation if program and shutter priority modes on the Contax RX.

So far it's the only one I've seen with that tab.

LittleAlex · Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 7:19 pm Post subject:

Vintage_Photographer · Joined: 10 Jun 2024 Posts: 84

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

I'm impressed, and annoyed. I had one of these lenses and I thought it was horrid, it was as bad as the Japanese ( Cosina ? ) CZJ 28 / 2.8 which was dreadful. I got rid of them as soon as I could.

My go to non OEM 28 is the f2 Kiron built Vivitar, which is admittedly 'OK' wide open but is very good two stops down. The other non OEM 2.8 lenses I have are from Clubman ( Ensinor ? ) Hoya, Tefnon ( Ensinor ? Kobori ? ) and a Tokina which are the only non OEM 28's which I keep as they are the only lenses I have in a particular mount - but they are good enough lenses.

I've never had a good 'relationship' with Sigma from way back in the 1970's, and the 24 / 2.8 and the four 28 / 2.8's I've had and sold on hasn't done anything to change my mind. But.... I did buy another 28 / 2.8 Macro yesterday - mint condition with caps, hood and case for £3. It was so cheap in a junk shop I couldn't refuse. ( and so far untested )

Looking at caspert79 & lumens pixel pictures, and the comments also singing the praises of this 24 / 2.8 I'm going to keep trying to like what is obviously a very good lens, both the 24 and 28 have great reputations, maybe I wasn't giving them the chance they deserve? I shall certainly be looking for a 24 to add to my new Sigma collection.

LittleAlex · Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2024 11:10 pm Post subject: