Sigma 24-105 - how good is it for videography?? Honest thoughts and opinions please

T

theprestige

Active member
I'm seriously considering buying the Sigma 24-105 Art Lens for event videography. It's to be used on a Sony A7S. I always told myself that I would never use a zoom slower than 2.8, but I really feel that a high quality optic that's a fixed aperture and within that zoom range is a much more honest 'walk around' lens than a faster 24-70...specially when you take into account the A7s low light ability.

All I have is a Tokina 11-16, so i'm covered for the wide end, but I really feel a mid range zoom is going to be versatile and 24-105 sounds a lot more versatile than a 24-70, specially if it's optics are strong. I was then just get about a set of prime lenses to compliment the 24-105, like a 24, 50 and 85. Sound good? Thoughts on the Sigma 24-105 in terms of event videography? Will the f4 hurt me more than I think it will??? Or am I better off getting a 24-70 f2.8 from Tamron or Sigma or somebody?
 
My favorite setup was the sigma 18-35mm F1.8 and Sigma 50-150mm F2.8

Only worked on cropped sensor but its what I used 90% of the time. Sadly when I upgraded to full frame the 50-150mm and just went back to cropped sensor for video work. The 50-150mm that I am talking about is the V2 with image stabalization. Another option would be something like the 24-85mm and 50-135mm nikon lenses. Older lenses but very light weigh.
 
Those Nikon lenses, 23-85mm and 50-135....those wouldn't happen to be variable apertures, would they? If so, those would big a BIG no no...I don't do zooms slower than 2.8 and I certainly don't do variable apertures. Great ranges...but no, I need fixed aperture.

In fact, I think i've changed my mind about the F4....F4 is too slow for videography events where i'm indoors a lot. It's nice that the A7s would still save a F4 lens, but i don't like the mentality of having to rely constantly on the sensor's amazing ISO performance when I could have got a lens that would have opened up more.

Besides, a F4 lens means that it won't look it's best until it's at like F8 or something whereas a 2.8 lens will sharpen around f4 for optimum picture quality.

I'm going with my original plan of getting a Tamron macro 70-200 2.8 (super cheap tele zoom) and Tamron 24-70mm VC....which is supposed be 'prime quality' according to another hot poster on here.
 
My two favorite lenses are the Sigma 18-35 F1.8
and the Sigma 50-150 F2.8. That's with a Super 35
cam though. Great for two camera interviews.
Sigma makes some nice lenses for sure, despite
some people's claims that third part lens makers suck.
 
theprestige said:
I always told myself that I would never use a zoom slower than 2.8
Click to expand...

What if I told you there was a zoom lens that, throughout its range, stayed at f-2, but it was for the GH4, with a focal range of 12-52.5mm? Because that's basically what the Sigma 24-105mm is on your A7S. Low-light sensitivity? The A7S's native ISO is 3200, while the GH4's is 800. That's two f-stops. Depth of field? Again, f-4 on 135 should have the same depth of field as f-2 on 4/3, given the same angle of view.
 
combatentropy said:
What if I told you there was a zoom lens that, throughout its range, stayed at f-2, but it was for the GH4, with a focal range of 12-52.5mm? Because that's basically what the Sigma 24-105mm is on your A7S. Low-light sensitivity? The A7S's native ISO is 3200, while the GH4's is 800. That's two f-stops. Depth of field? Again, f-4 on 135 should have the same depth of field as f-2 on 4/3, given the same angle of view.
Click to expand...

Khm, and this lens is...?
 
combatentropy said:
What if I told you there was a zoom lens that, throughout its range, stayed at f-2, but it was for the GH4, with a focal range of 12-52.5mm? Because that's basically what the Sigma 24-105mm is on your A7S. Low-light sensitivity? The A7S's native ISO is 3200, while the GH4's is 800. That's two f-stops. Depth of field? Again, f-4 on 135 should have the same depth of field as f-2 on 4/3, given the same angle of view.
Click to expand...

If what you say is true then i'll have to rethink (again) my thoughts regarding getting zooms faster than 4.....i used a Nikon crop sensor for awhile before upgrading to the A7s, so i'm used to the lighting on a crop sensor...so basically, you are saying that a F4 lens on a camera like A7s will behave exactly the same as a 2.8 on a crop sensor, yeah???
 
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