First Look: SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Art Lens for L-Mount

You won’t find a big red sticker with the words “New and Improved” on the new SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art lens when you first unbox it. There is just a subtle “II” inscribed on the box and lens barrel. But when you take it out of the box it feels a little bit lighter, it looks a little bit smaller, and it has the new distinctive, sophisticated look of the latest SIGMA lenses.

The original SIGMA 24-70mm for mirrorless on the left, and the new lens with its lovely aperture ring and slimmer barrel on the right.

There is now the familiar manual aperture ring that is present on SIGMA DG DN prime lenses, plus a switch to click or de-click the movement, and a switch to lock the aperture mode (auto or manual). There are two focus hold buttons. And of course, there is the dust and splash-resistant build employed by the latest SIGMA Art line lenses.

New physical features and weather sealing of the new SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art lens.

But what about the changes you can’t see? What hidden advantages make this already fantastic redesign truly “new and improved”?

Features beyond the lens barrel

The lens construction of the SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art

Inside the new SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art lens you’ll find:

Improved optical performance with new glass materials and aspherical elements (6 FLD glass elements; 2 SLD glass elements, and 5 double-sided aspheric lenses)
High speed autofocus drive speed because of a high-response linear actuator (HLA). Maximum drive speed is up to 3x faster than the previous version!
Minimum focus distance of 17cm (at 24mm) and a magnification of 1:2.7 for excellent close focus capability
MTF characteristics (sharpness, contrast, edge-to-edge performance) surpass the previous, highly acclaimed 24-70mm DG DN lens
Improved sagittal flare reduction in the corners
Weight reduced by 10%
11-blade rounded diaphragm for nice, smooth bokeh

But while the specs sound nice, the real difference is when you mount the lens to your camera. It’s when you take your first shots with it that you notice it does focus quicker. It’s when you download and zoom in on your computer screen that you notice the images do look sharper.

The SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art in the field

While this lens can be a workhorse in the hands of a professional, it can also be a wonderful, artistic tool in any photographer’s hands.

I put the L-Mount version of the new lens through its paces on the SIGMA fp L camera as well as the Leica SL3. Both are 60 megapixels and the high resolution makes a good test for performance.

The sharpness of the eye and eyelashes on Amelia is incredible with the new “II” version of the SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art lens. Bokeh looks beautiful in the background because of the 11 bladed diaphragm.

If you’re looking for versatility, look no further than a SIGMA 24-70mm. Perfect for a walk around Madison, Wisconsin capturing the people and architecture.

Close focus with the new SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art lens is unbelievable. Technically, the lens can get so close to your subject at minimum focus that the lens barrel might start blocking the light. In a real life situation, it allows you to get closer to put more emphasis on your subject for a more dramatic look.

The versatility of the focal length range allows you to create environmental portraits or zoom in tight for a headshot.

Walking around Madison, WI one Saturday led me to look at the beautiful architecture inside the capital building. Here is the ceiling art work photographed both at 24mm and at 70mm. Each is sharp, including the corners.

Zoom in on your subject and the SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art is a perfect portrait lens… with great sharpness wide open as well as a dreamy background fall-off.

Should you upgrade to the SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art?

So if you’re happy with your current SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN original version lens, why would you upgrade? Aside from the lighter, smaller, faster and sharper? 😊

Here’s my thought on that – I make a lot of my living with my SIGMA 24-70mm lens. I did with the original 24-70mm F2.8 DG HSM | Art lens on my Nikon a few years ago. I still do with my DG DN version on my Sony cameras. This lens carries the weight of most of the work assignments I photograph. It’s the lens I rely on to not just deliver to a client, but to make them happy. It’s a dependable lens that pays the bills. It has to be dependable and it has to do the job.

And now it will do the job even better. Remember… lighter, smaller, faster and sharper.

The new SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II | Art on the SIGMA fp L — an amazing combo for both photo and video creation.

Conclusion

If I had to recommend just one lens to almost any photographer, a SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 lens would be the best choice. You can use it for landscape. For portraits. For travel. The versatile focal length range is perfect for so many uses.

In fact, if I could just take one lens on a trip, it would be my SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art lens. And now, add the “II” to that lens, because I definitely want “lighter, smaller, faster and sharper” and this new lens absolutely delivers.