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Review on Black Sigma 19mm f/2.8 DN Lens for Sony E-mount Cameras (NEX) by Larry Simpson

Revainrating 4 out of 5

Great for photography but not good for video

I've tried several APS-C Sigma lenses as well as Sony OEM lenses. This little lens is probably the best sleeping lens on the market. I mean it doesn't look like much. It doesn't look like much. It's not even that expensive. But the pictures he takes are amazing. I did a comparison shoot with this and four other lenses. I had to triple check my work and lineup because what I was seeing didn't make sense. On the Sony APS-C, this lens outperformed lenses costing three times as much. Pin sharp across almost the entire frame (some softness at the edges) and yet no warping or barrel distortion typical of wide-angle lenses. I only have two complaints about this lens. One thing may seem trivial: the smooth outer barrel looks odd. We photographers are used to ripping or at least structuring focus rings. Oddly enough, this lens has a smooth outer frame. This does not affect operation (unless you are in fog or rain, or your fingers are slippery). My second complaint is related to the video. For reasons I don't understand, when shooting video with autofocus, there is a very noticeable, rhythmic and constant pulsing and breathing. It's very clearly visible at the edges of the frame and is very noticeable (not subtle at all). It's a very strange movement because it's constant and at the same speed (not that the lens chases and then finds its way, it's a continuous pulse or pulse and never stops). If you don't always want to use manual focus when shooting video, then this lens isn't for you. I will be returning this lens because I shoot about 50/50 videos and photos. I thought a lot about keeping this lens just because the images are so damn sharp. This is the perfect lens for the "city". But I don't want to switch lenses every time I see something cool that I want to capture on video.

Pros
  • Non-zoom lens
Cons
  • Not bad but...