GH3 Sigma 18-35 alternatives

The 12-35 Lumix is a great lens but is focus by wire, and can't be used with a Speedbooster.

The OP prefers the Sigma 17-XXs, but for others reading this thread I'll mention the Tamron 17-50 is 25% lighter. (Avoid the VC version though as it's a dog - look for the non-VC).
 
roxics said:
It also has image stabilization which the others do not.
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Yea actually it is perfect, I know... But I like how the Speed Booster gives me another stop of light + shallower DOF. I'm just thinking now how big the difference is.
Also, I've owned the Panny pancakes and found them a bit to 'clinical' looking. My Samyang primes have a more organic look to them without all the in-camera's corrections going on.
Last, but not least, the Sigma 17-50 is €399,00, while the Lumix 12-35 is €999,00 and I already own a Speed Booster. That's a pretty big difference ...
 
Stab said:
Thanks again.

I'm mostly shooting from a Fig Rig with an external monitor on top (with a huge battery on it). My current most used lens is the Samyang 35mm 1.4, which is big and heavy but not as huge as the Sigma 18-35. This is already actually my upper limit when it comes to size and weight. During long takes I get shaky hands and after a wedding my back hurts like hell. Mind you that I also have a Speed Booster attached which makes the whole setup longer and a tad heavier.
"Why wouldnt u use another rig or monopod or so", I hear you say, but with this thing I'm extremely mobile and can even make 'slider shots' that I woulnd't be able to do with a shoulder rig for instance.

So the thought of smaller and lighter zoom lens which stays on the camera all day, is rather appealing to me now. I will read some more reviews. From your experiences I understand that the 17-50 is better than the 17-70, but not as good as the 18-35. Sharpness is actually the most important for me. Colors and contrast are hopefully good enough to be color graded.

Although I make high-end wedding films, I can live with a lens which isn't the best of the best. For other stuff I do, I keep using my Samyang primes which are rated pretty damn good and I'm not selling them.

Will update when I bought something :D
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I see you like the Samyang 35mm 1.4...haha it was my favorite lens...until I met the Sigma 18-35mm:) For the low lit receptions Samy was always on my camera! However being a 35mm prime was making me feel a bit restricted, there were many times when the space just wasnt enough and I was forced to shoot only close ups! That isnt necessarily a bad thing, primes make you more creative, but to be honest I really love having the option to go wide when I need to sometimes. And I wouldnt say there is practically any noticeable difference in size and weight. I still like my Samyang and Im not going to sell it mainly because its FF, but right now it is just collecting dust:(
You know what...I ll try to find time this week and make a quick dirty test between all those lenses and see how they compare in the same shot with the same settings...If you have something in mind that you d like to see just let me know...
 
lyrov said:
I see you like the Samyang 35mm 1.4...haha it was my favorite lens...until I met the Sigma 18-35mm:) For the low lit receptions Samy was always on my camera! However being a 35mm prime was making me feel a bit restricted, there were many times when the space just wasnt enough and I was forced to shoot only close ups! That isnt necessarily a bad thing, primes make you more creative, but to be honest I really love having the option to go wide when I need to sometimes. And I wouldnt say there is practically any noticeable difference in size and weight. I still like my Samyang and Im not going to sell it mainly because its FF, but right now it is just collecting dust:(
You know what...I ll try to find time this week and make a quick dirty test between all those lenses and see how they compare in the same shot with the same settings...If you have something in mind that you d like to see just let me know...
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Amazing. Thanks!
I don't have any requests really, just try to shoot the same scenes from the same angle with those lenses. Wide-open and large apertures are my real concern as I will be shooting mostly 2.8-5.6.
Great man.
 
Stab said:
Nikon G -> MFT
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sorry i should have been more specific. what "brand" of speed booster are you using? since you are using nikon glass then a further question is does the brand your using also make one for Canon?

thanks again!
david
 
david_p said:
sorry i should have been more specific. what "brand" of speed booster are you using? since you are using nikon glass then a further question is does the brand your using also make one for Canon?

thanks again!
david
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Oh sorry. I'm using the original Metabones Speed Booster. There is no Canon -> MFT Speed Booster at the moment I believe.
 
There is no alternative to the Sigma 18-35 as it is a unique lens. If you want a zoom lens that is great in low light and still be sharp wide open, the Sigma is it. The way I see it, the sigma is a bargain. It pretty much replaces three lenses in the samyang line up, the 16mm, 24mm and 35mm. Not only does it replace them in focal length, but the sigma is one zoom that does compete with primes in picture quality.

If you need one lens with a longer reach over low light ability then get any of the 17-55 2.8 or longer lenses.
 
Stab said:
Amazing. Thanks!
I don't have any requests really, just try to shoot the same scenes from the same angle with those lenses. Wide-open and large apertures are my real concern as I will be shooting mostly 2.8-5.6.
Great man.
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Wow...GH4 forum is moving soooo fast...almost lost the thread...ok just did the test and I ll be uploading the footage soon. Really quick and dirty but I hope you ll get an idea...
 
Sigma's 17-50 ƒ/2.8 has been my run&gun lens on Nikon DSLRs for some time, and I've grown to rather like some of its oddities. There's a fair amount of focus breathing, and it can be made to flare quite outrageously. That, coupled with some vignetting and the general slight softness, gives it a bit of character. Depending on what and how you shoot it can be rather charming. I believe the optics - heavily rehoused - ended up as one incarnation of RED's wide zoom, and I've certainly seen the look I recognise on some high-end TV dramas.

However, I've found the optical stabilisation patchy with the D7100 (it seems to turn itself off in video mode, which never happened with the D7000), and the ultra-short focus throw is often a pain. It's also mediocre for stills use – soft and showing too much distortion. Even with a Speedbooster and at the excellent price point Sigma have it now, I think I'd look elsewhere for the GH4. Pana's 12-35 ƒ/2.8 isn't fast but is a little gem, though it's obviously more costly and I'd like to know how the focus feels for handheld work.

The 18-35 sure is tempting, but it's a big ol' chunk of glass and the lack of stabilisation concerns me for handheld work. As a 'variable prime' for tripod use in interviews... maybe.
 
lyrov said:


https://vimeo.com/94528964

I know Im not a test expert...I did my best though haha...
Watch it with the volume on to hear which lens is which in every shot and please excuse my awful accent:-)
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Wow thanks man! You put so much effort in it. Great job, really appreciate it.

To be honest, I don't see that much difference between the Sigma's... Could have to do with the image quality of the 70D, especially in crop mode, but at the moment there is no clear winner to me.

What do you think yourself?
 
You re welcome Stab,

I think the sigma 18-35mm and the Samyang 35mm are equal with the sigma 17-50mm being maybe just slightly softer (I have to admit that I had underestimated that lens) and the sigma 17-70mm being softer...no comment for the mir...haha although I love those vintage lenses:)
Now, I really dont know if and by how much the results would be more apparent with a much sharper camera or in higher resolution 4K...? I guess they would...
Anyway I hope you have an indication now...
 
Thanks Lyrov.

Does anyone own the Sigma 18-35 and uses it with an adapter or Speed Booster on the GH3 / GH4?
I'm wondering how how it is 'fititng' to it. Isn't the lens too heavy and long for the mount? Or will the GH3's mount supports it just fine?

Also, is there any lens bracket so that I can mount the Sigma on the tripod, in stead of the camera?
 
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