Sigma today announces three premium compact primes for the L system. Similar to the popular 45mm f/2.8 which has been on the market for the past year, the new 24, 35 and 65 mm lenses feature all-metal construction with metal hoods. In contrast, some of the more expensive Art lenses still use plastic hoods. Sigma claims that the new I-series lenses capture stunning detail and produce beautiful bokeh.
One of the biggest drawbacks of the L system so far has been the size and weight of the early lenses, particularly the pro optics produced by Leica and Panasonic. Even the Sigma Art primes are hefty.
35 mm f/2 
65 mm f/2 
24 mm f/3.5
With the arrival of the smaller Sigma fp and the Panasonic S5 cameras, there has been pent-up demand for smaller lenses. Sigma has met this challenge with these three primes which sell at very attractive prices. As is the case with the 45mm f/2.8, they all impress with their styling and build quality and all feature dust- and splash-proofing with a rubber-sealed mount.
All three feature the same “cine-lens” styling of the 45mm f/2.8, with metal focus rings and aperture rings with 1/3 stops. Despite the all-metal construction, they are commendably light and compact. The 65 mm weighs 405g and is 74.7mm long, with a 62 mm filter size. The 35 mm weighs 325g and is 65.4 mm long, with a 58mm filter thread. The wide-angle 24mm is very light, just 225g and 48.8 mm long, with a 55 mm filter thread. All come with a new magnetic lens cap.
UK recommended retail prices
- 24 mm f/3.5 DG DN — £479.99
- 35 mm f/2 DG DN — £549.99
- 65 mm f/2 DG DN — £649.99
And in one stroke, Sigma make the S5 an even more tempting photographic tool to my mind. A full bag of smallish primes with aperture rings and weather sealing. Perfect.
Throw in the recent 85mm DN and there’s really only a long telephoto prime missing. They do of course also have the 100-400 zoom for longer reach.
Panasonics own 1.8 primes aren’t far off either, but I suspect I’d prefer the Sigma build style.
Interesting is also that the 24mm weighs 225g whereas the 24mm equivalent APS-C 16mm weights 405g… it is f1.4 though… it will be interesting to compare image quality.
They look like great lenses. My first zoom lens ever was a Sigma back in 1976! but…325g for a 35mm f2 doesn’t seem ‘light’ to me. Don’t remember my 35mm 1.7s, fi.8s or f2’s for film camera SLR’s back in the day weighing that much! Need to check though.And filter threads used to be 49mm or 52mm, maybe 55 and this one’s a whopping 58mm on a standard lens? I must be missing something here. Dust and splash proofing I guess.
I am keen on the 24mm. I was originally dreaming of the Leica SL 24 but Leica seems to be daydreaming about it as well. The 24mm is in the lower use range for me so a lighter compact quality lens will hit the spot. Panasonic is also bringing out more compact glass. Leica was brilliant in partnering with Sigma and Panasonic is they are keeping L mount alive. I left the L mount system when I sold my SL after waiting forever for more options to appear. At the moment, I love my Leica SL2 with amazing core use SL 35/2, the great Panasonic 24-105 (not as good as the Leica 24-90, but the Panasonic is much lighter and more than adequate for most zoom purposes), and the wonderful Panasonic 16-35/4. The Sigma 105 2.8 macro is on my future purchase list but delayed for my higher priority Leica Q2M.
I’ll certainly get the 24 – lightweight companion to the Panasonic 20-60.
Lightweight affordable compact lenses are long overdue for the L-mount. I might go for the 24mm as the Leica WA primes are only rumored for the end of 2021.