Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review (L-Mount) — Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary, L-Mount, on a Leica SL2-S

I bought a Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN for Travel. Will it Meet Expectations?

It has been three months since I got a Leica SL2-S, and I have been getting by using only manual focus Voigtländer lenses until very recently.

I am leaving for a trip to France and Italy in a few days. While I am quite pleased with my manual-focus lenses, I also want to relax and not worry about manual focusing, so I purchased a Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary lens with autofocus.

The 28mm, 50mm, and 75mm focal lengths are covered with my Voigtländer lenses, so the Sigma should fit nicely. All of these lenses are reasonably lightweight, yet I am debating if it may be overkill to bring all four. I had also considered the new Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art II lens, which is quite a bit heavier and costlier.

This initial take on the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN was written a week after I got the lens. I plan to follow up when I return from my trip and let you know if adding this lens to my kit was a good decision.

The Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary lens shown on a Leica SL2-S — Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary, L-Mount, shown on a Leica SL2-S

Introduction

The Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary was introduced in December 2020. It is part of a long list of Sigma DG DN Contemporary series prime lenses, and there are also several zoom lens options in this series.

The Contemporary Series lenses are known for portability and good build quality. They are one tier below the Art series, Sigma’s top-of-the-line lenses.

The Sigma DG DN lenses offer an affordable alternative, especially to Sony GM and Leica SL lenses. Here is a list of current Sigma DG DN Art prime lenses.

17mm f/4 DG DN
20mm f/2 DG DN
24mm f/2 DG DN
24mm f/3.5 DG DN
35mm f/2 DG DN
45mm f/2.8 DG DN
50mm f/2 DG DN
65mm f/2 DG DN
90mm f/2.8 DG DN

When this review was posted, the retail price of the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary was $639.00.

The Zaandam Rotterdam cruise ship docked in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Sample image from a Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary lens and a Leica SL2-S. — Canada Place, Vancouver, Leica SL2-S, Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary @ f/8

Specs and Handling

I reviewed the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art, and my overall impressions of this lens were favorable. However, at 22.6 oz (640 g), it is a bit too bulky and heavy for my upcoming trip. At about half the weight, the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN weighs 11.5 oz (325 g) and has manageable dimensions of 2.8 x 2.6" (70 x 65.4 mm).

The Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN has an aperture ring with perfectly dampened clicks. This, along with a solid and beautifully designed lens hood, is a highlight for me. The overall build quality feels very solid.

The lens takes 58mm filters, has three aspherical elements, one SLD element, a rounded 9-blade diaphragm, and is dust—and splash-resistant. It also has a stepping motor AF system for autofocus.

The minimum focusing distance is 10.6" (27 cm). On the side of the lens barrel, you will find an MF/AF switch, but unlike some Art Series lenses, the aperture ring is not de-clickable.

Design-wise, the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN is a perfect fit for my Leica SL2-S and balances perfectly with this camera. This was one of the main selling points for me.

In Action

The stepping motor autofocus works without a hitch and is silent and accurate. The contrast-detect autofocus on my SL2-S is fast enough for the style of photography you will see in this review. Admittedly, I have yet to do any demanding AF tracking, but I will report back if I get a chance on my trip.

Compared to the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art, the 35mm f/2 is easier to carry around for extended periods. I took it out for a bike ride and walked around Vancouver for a street photography session, and from the first few outings, it felt like a good start.

Photography gear is also about ergonomics, touch, and feel, and the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN does not disappoint on this front despite a lower price point than native Leica SL lenses. It also feels more solid than the Panasonic lenses I have tried.

A couple takes in the view of English Bay from the Stanley Park Seawall in Vancouver. Sample image from a Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary lens and a Leica SL2-S. — English Bay, Vancouver, Leica SL2-S, Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary @ f/11

Image Quality

The Sigma 35 mm f/2 DG DN version is slightly behind the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art in terms of overall image quality.

The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art has the advantage of f-stops down to f/1.4, which opens up a higher degree of creative control for photos with a more shallow depth of field and the ability to capture images in low light.

Images captured with the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN are still okay, and the two lenses are not miles apart in performance. The 1.4 version is currently on sale for only $160.00 more, and I do feel it offers more bang for your buck when it comes to pure image quality. However, it does come with considerably more bulk and weight.

I was never bothered by the vignetting on the 35mm f/2, and I most often prefer images without using the Lightroom profiles. Please see the two images below, one captured at f/2 and one at f/4.

Please make sure to click on the sample images to view them in sizes up to 2500 pixels, depending on your monitor size, or pinch zoom if you are using a mobile phone.

A blue Lotus car. Sample image from a Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary lens and a Leica SL2-S. — Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary @ f/2

Blue Lotus car. Sample image from a Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary lens and a Leica SL2-S. — Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary @ f/4

Conclusion

The conclusion for the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary is not fully baked, but I wanted to get this first impression review online before my trip to Europe, as I already had several sample images ready to share.

I will update you after my trip, during which I will test the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN for its intended use.

Despite my gripes that the Sigma 35 mm f/2 DG DN may not fully live up to the f/1.4 version when it comes to sheer image quality, it delivers on many other fronts, portability and build quality being the main assets.

Taxis lined up near Canada Place in Vancouver. Sample image from a Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary lens and a Leica SL2-S. — Downtown, Vancouver, Leica SL2-S, Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary @ f/8

I would be interested in hearing from other Leica SL photographers about your favorite 35mm lens options for the L-mount. There are so many options, especially if you count adapted M lenses.

After my trip, I will reaccess the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN, and other options are already on my radar, albeit in many cases, these will come at a much higher cost. Here are a few of the lenses that I would love to review.

Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f/2
Leica Apo-Summicron-SL 35mm f/2
Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8
Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2
Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 FLE
Voigtländer Nokton 35mm f/1.2 III
Voigtländer Nokton Vintage Line 35mm f/1.5

Update: August 2024

In my conclusion above, I mentioned that I would update you on the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN lens upon my return from my trip to France and Italy.

Unfortunately, for this review, I made a last-minute decision while packing for my trip and decided not to bring the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN. I wanted to travel as light as possible, so I only brought two lenses, both from Voigtländer.

In the period leading up to my travels, I had grown quite fond of the Voigtländer Nokton 28mm f/1.5 and the 28mm focal length, and when push came to shove, I picked the Voigtländer 28mm.

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

Thank you for reading my review. If you are planning a purchase and would like to support us, you can do so, at no additional cost, by using the affiliate link below. A small commission goes to us and helps us keep the wheels turning at 5050 Travelog.

Check the current price at B&H Photo

Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN at B&H Photo

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