Sigma 65mm F2 DG DN Contemporary review

The novel focal length of the Sigma 65mm F2 DG DN makes it surprisingly versatile. Here’s the long and the short of it...

Sigma 65mm F2 DG DN
(Image: © Future)

Digital Camera World Verdict

For full-frame shooters with mirrorless Sony E or L-mount cameras, this lens falls between the conventional camps of standard and short telephoto primes. As such, its 65mm focal length can prove useful for everyday shooting with a fairly standard perspective, as well as being pretty ideal for half-length and head-and-shoulders portraits. It’s refreshingly compact and lightweight, immaculately turned out and delivers superb image quality. What’s not to like?

Pros

  • +

    Unusual but useful focal length

  • +

    Good handling, dedicated aperture ring

  • +

    Robust, all-metal build quality

Cons

  • -

    Aperture ring can’t be de-clicked

  • -

    No optical image stabilizer

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For anyone who often feels that a 50mm lens doesn’t get quite close enough, whereas an 85mm lens is a bit on the long side, the Sigma 65mm F2 DG DN is the perfect compromise. With a viewing angle of just under 37 degrees, it works well in many and varied situations, from general shooting to still life and portraiture. The fairly short minimum focus distance of 0.55mm adds further versatility, while the f/2 aperture rating delivers a fairly tight depth of field while enabling a compact, lightweight build, compared with most f/1.4 primes.

Specs

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.