Sigma 90mm DG DN Prime Lens Review

Sigma 90mm DG DN Prime Lens Review
In this lens review Mark look at how this Sigma 90mm lens has been designed to appeal to photographers looking for a lightweight alternative to the many larger and heavier f/1.8 and f/1.4 options that are out there.
Mark shows multiple ultra high-definition examples he captured with this lens over an extended review period.
This lens review was not sponsored by Sigma and Mark purchased his own copy of the lens to make this lens review video.

Mark Galer is a Sony Alpha Ambassador for Australia.

#SonyAustralia #SonyAlpha #SonyAmbassador #SonyAlphaANZ

[photobatya]

And seems like Mark Galer is the best lens reviewer on youtube at the moment. No other photographer shows so many stunning photos of people during lens reviews, others can shoot crap and measure sharpness and CA levels, or show us "see how I drink coffee" shots. Your reviews proof the main is what is behind the camera, not in front of. But if so, probably one does not needs so many lenses.

[DCERA]

Yess! Finally
Thank you Mark for extending your perfectly executed reviews to some interesting 3rd party options. Please continue.

[robwill]

Brilliant review! I've been carrying a kit consisting of the Sigma 90, Sony 50mm F/2.5, and Sony 24mm F/2.8 for about 8 months now, and I couldn't be more pleased with the config. I have a few larger lenses like the GMaster 24mm, but it's becoming increasingly rare for me to actually take them out to play. So happy that somebody is finally extolling the virtues of the mini-rig. Less is more. Couldn't agree more with your speculation re a 135mm F/4. That is definitely something I would look at seriously.

[mrmonday]

Mark, I'm amazed that you reply to every comment not to mention how professional your comments are. I haven't stopped thinking about this lens since I saw this video a year ago. I think I've watched this video 4x now. I was waiting to see what Sony would come out with in this focal length, but the new 85mm GM2 is a bit disappointing since it's larger than the Sigma 85mm f1.4. I currently carry the 20mm f1.8 G, 35mm f1.4 GM, and 70-200mm f2.8 GM2 when traveling, but I end up just taking the 20mm and 35mm when I'm walking around the city because I like carrying a small sling instead of my backpack. So, my 70-200mm gets left at the hotel unless I know that I will need it. This has got me thinking about telephoto primes that will fit in my slings. I have a 3L Peak Design sling that fits the 35mm and 20mm. I tested it and it will fit my 35mm GM and the Sigma 85mm f1.4 but it is a tighter fit than I like. The Sony 85mm f1.8 would be perfect but I have found that I enjoy using an aperture ring. I really hope that Sony updates the 85mm f1.8 to a G version, I would buy that in a heartbeat, but I think I am finally ready to pull the trigger on this Sigma. I also purchased the Bellroy 10L camera sling because it can fit all three primes in it and it has less padding than the PD sling so I can fold it in half and it takes up the same amount of space in my bag as the PD does when not in use.

[HSNG]

This Sigma 90mmF2.8 lens is interesting for travel prime kit. For a really compact kit, I would choose the Sony 24mmF2.8 G, 40mmF2.5 G and Sigma 90mm. For a more capable kit, I would pack the Sony 20mmF1.8 G, Zeiss 55 F1.8 and the Sigma 90mm. When using my a7RIII, I can use crop mode to get 30mm (from 20mm G) and 82.5mm (from 55mm) and 135mm (from 90mm) - so basically 20mm to 135mm covered by 3 small primes.

I wish Sony would apply the design of the 20mmF1.8G to refresh the Zeiss 55, and launch a 50mmF1.8 G lens with aperture ring, AF/MF and other controls of modern G lens, and fix the CA of the Zeiss.

[dirktheunis]

Such stunning pictures and a perfect review, hats off! Thank you for making this wonderful video.

[wheresrunnicles]

Really helpful video, thanks. Currently looking for a short tele for my A7C and deciding between this and the 85 1.8 so this has helped reassure that 2.8 is probably enough for me. I’d love to see a compact 135 too. Currently I’m filling that niche with an old Olympus OM 135 F3.5. It’s small & light, even with the adapter, and dirt cheap, but of course manual only and while the quality is okay for portraits I wish it was a bit sharper across the frame for landscape work. A modern sigma would be just the ticket…

[PhotoTrekr]

Good review as always. I usually stick with lenses from the camera manufacturer. But, I'm considering this lens.

[simonfuller]

Thank you Mark for this real life review. It's great to see this actually used with a purpose and the fact that it succeeded in various lighting situations. I am enamored with my Sigma 65mm f2 and the Sigma 35 f2 is also nice to use, but I have been using my 35mm f1.2 more for many serious projects. Both have their place in my bag on different days. My issue is more with the Sigma 105mm f1.4, and for as much as I love the image quality it lets me down with so much flare, being so heavy and bulky, which is fine but in a bag with other gear its a limiting. After owning Sony 85 f1.8 the Sigma 135mm f1.8 and exchanging it for the 105mm f1.4, I can say that 100mm is amazing, and we should have some interest in a 100mm f2, in the same air and flavour of the 65mm f2, and with the same quality of contrast and flare resisitance. That would be amazing. Sadly I feel this 90mm would feel too similar to the 85mm, but 100mm is so useful. I hope lens makers try more medium tele primes.

[SilatShooter]

As always, thank you for this review. I picked this lens up and WOW, what a gem! Have the 85mm f1.8 but sometimes just a bit too big and draws too much attention when traveling. This Sigma is Soooo much more discreet. Feels great and focuses superbly. Agree, we need something longer and compact like this. Have really preferred moving to these smaller lighter optically excellent lenses. Still have some faster glass, but more and more prefer going to lighter set-ups. Reminds me of Leica M glass. Tiny but great.

[brunozhao]

great review with so many vivid pictures as support, thanks!

[tom_nuyts]

Interesting and very comprehensive presentation with many practical and useful comparisons - one of the best about this lens - 👍👍👍

[martin]

I love the Sigma I series of lenses. When I'm casually traveling in tourists areas, I like to pack light. So my light travel kit is the Sigma 17mm f4, Sigma 50mm f2, and the Sigma 90mm.

[lindakantes]

Love you informative videos --love the 90 on my A7C --tried a bit of portrait-ish stuff yesterday thank to your inspiration

[blindguymcsqueezy]

Dear Mark, please keep going and don't stop at the reviews of lenses!

Appreciate your efforts, love you, please do a review of the Sony 35mm 1.8 and additional lenses from Sigma and voigtlander ❤️❤️

[BenSussmanpro]

Very interesting. Maybe if I didn’t already own the Sony 85. I like the shorter min focus distance & all-metal construction. But to me there is a special quality from the Sony 85 that makes me go “Wow” when I see the results. Anyway, I like watching your product reviews b/c you always give useful photography instruction. Thanks.

[benjamindover]

Bought one and it's exceeded my expectations. Loving it.

[rayburn]

I love all your work and your recent stuff about India. Plus your other stuff about travel kits. My quest to arrive at a circa 7kg carry on kit has arrived at one A7Rv body, 3 lenses, a 13" MacBook Air and accessories. Here's my "three" lenses:

20mm 1.8
28mm 2.8
35mm 3.2
50mm 4.0
65mm 2.0
75mm 4.0
100mm 4.5
135mm 5.0
200mm 5.6

Hows's that? Well I take 20mm 1.8G Sony for wide and 65mm 2.0 Sigma for "hero" and general HQ prime. The remaining "7 lenses" are all contained within the 28-200mm Tamron. Which in itself is about the size and weight of the 35mm 1.4GM. To me it's a hugely versatile kit.

[dimitris]

The whole I series is awesome for the same reason. I am currently contemplating getting the 17mm f/4

[samtaylor]

Great review Mark, I do hope you review some more 3rd party lenses, I'd love to get your take on them!