Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary: A Fine Balance

With the Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary, ‘well-crafted’ is a word that immediately springs to mind. K Madhavan Pillai puts it to the test.

- K Madhavan Pillai

Sigma is now among the rare companies that manufactures entirely in Japan. But more than this, it develops lenses that catches the gaps and widens the wedges, so to speak. Launched a couple of months ago, the 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary belongs to Sigma’s new I (for ‘Identity’, ‘Iconic’, and ‘Instinctive’) series, meant for discerning mirrorless camera users with an eye for performance, who want premium compact primes. These lenses are in Sony E and Leica / Panasonic / Sigma L mounts.

Features

With a lens of this nature, design and construction takes center stage, becoming more of a feature... but more on this, and this specific focal length in ‘Handling’. The Sigma 65mm is composed of 12 elements in 9 groups, with 1 SLD glass and 2 aspherical lenses. It has a 9-blade rounded diaphragm. It is compatible with the various AF modes of E and L mount cameras, and has a silent AF system with a stepping motor.

The knurled metal MF ring is coupled electronically. Focusing is internal, with no extension or rotation of the front element. The minimum focus distance of 55cm or 21.7in, with a reasonably good magnification of 1:6.8. There is no stabilisation. A knurled aperture ring (also metal) with marked, one-third stop increments has an A (auto) position for aperture control via the camera, including with manual or aperture-priority. There is an AF/MF switch by the side.

The lens comes with a metal hood and a two lens caps, one of which attaches magnetically. At 62mm, the filter diameter is uncommon, and filters can be expensive.

Handling