Anyone use both the Sigma 45mm 2.8 and Samyang 45mm 1.8?

[TheEmfinger]

I have the Samyang 45mm 1.8, and saw the Sigma was on sale today at Adorama for $250. Has anyone used both? I know the bokeh is supposed to be a speciality on the sigma, but was sure if anyone could comment on the two. Not a fan of a 2.8 max aperture, so curious if it was worth it over the Samyang.

 

[QuietOC]

I have both. I have had quite a few 45's and 40's and the Pentax 43/1.9 Limited.

The Sigma 45 makes the best looking images most of the time. It has a very nice transition to background blur. Think environmental portraits or landscapes--natural without distractions. The Sigma is much closer in angle-of-view to the Pentax 43 than to the Samyang 45/1.8.

There is a rumor about some new Sigma 50's including an F2.

 

[TheEmfinger]

If I am mostly happy with the Samyang 45, is it worth buying the Sigma to compare and sell one, or are they pretty close? 1.8 vs smoother 2.8 bokeh would be close, no? This would mainly be used as a compact walk around lens for family portraits or city shots and what not.

I have both. I have had quite a few 45's and 40's and the Pentax 43/1.9 Limited.

The Sigma 45 makes the best looking images most of the time. It has a very nice transition to background blur. Think environmental portraits or landscapes--natural without distractions. The Sigma is much closer in angle-of-view to the Pentax 43 than to the Samyang 45/1.8.

There is a rumor about some new Sigma 50's including an F2.

 

[Impulses]

Dustin Abbott had some comments regarding the comparison in his review of the SY (or the Sigma, I forget)... I've tried to see what some people find intriguing in the Sigma's rendering and I just don't see it, DPR seemed to like it too tho (one of the editors picked it as his gear of the year back in 2019 IIRC).

I'm pretty happy with the Samyang, but I mostly grab it when I want a smaller alternative (to my 35GM) and/or a tighter FL (which tends to overlap with occasions when I want a smaller lens)... I wish it had the Custom switch that my SY 75/1.8 has, as then all my primes would have some manner of aperture control.

I'll probably end up selling my Sony 35/1.8 and keeping the SY 45, which I've been pairing with the Sony 24/2.8 G (same filter size works out nicely, got a little CPL for those two). I like the rendering of the 45, bokeh on the 75 is a little cleaner but the 45 is pretty sharp in the center wide open so it suits my purposes well.

 

[QuietOC]

If I am mostly happy with the Samyang 45, is it worth buying the Sigma to compare and sell one, or are they pretty close? 1.8 vs smoother 2.8 bokeh would be close, no? This would mainly be used as a compact walk around lens for family portraits or city shots and what not.

The Samyang isn't close to the Sigma in my experience. The Samyang is a mostly decent lens. There are much worse normal primes.

 

[travelinbri_74]

I had the Sigma 45/2.8, sold it, and now have the Samyang 45/1.8.

The Sigma had beautiful colors and bokeh, as others have mentioned, and felt really good in the hand... but it was a 2.8 prime that missed focus quite a bit.

When I sold it, I did not intend to pick up the Samyang - so it wasn't a 'this for that' type situation. Here are some pics I took with the Sigma: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmNqYYtd

I picked up the Samyang when it was on sale after reading stellar reviews from so many - such as Dustin Abbot. I tend to shoot wide when I use a prime, preferring 28 or 35, but I used to have a 40 equiv I loved and thought I would give it a try at that price point. I think it was after I was reviewing photos I had taken with the 55/1.8 which I loved, and realized I missed having a short portrait lens in my arsenal.

It has come with me on a few trips but I have to admit it has been rarely used. I sometimes think about investing in the Sony 50/1.2 as a walk around lens that can also do beautiful portraits, but then I remember that this was my reason for buying the Samyang, and it never gets on my camera. I don't even have an album for it yet.

That is not to say the Samyang is bad, that's more about me and my shooting style (and maybe my poor lens buying habits). The Samyang is extremely lightweight and inexpensive. I think its a fine lens. When looking at the two, I think Abbot - or some other reviewer - made this point, and I tend to agree: 'The Sigma is the lens you buy with your heart, the Samyang is the one you buy with your head.'

 

[TheEmfinger]

I ended up ordering the Sigma 45. If I don’t like it, I can end up selling it for not a huge loss. I am concerned about AF-C focusing, but we shall see. I think it will excel as a nice walk around family lens.

 

[Bijo S]

I just bought the sigma 45 recently and it should be arriving soon. Could have saved a bit if I had bought it at the current price.

the rendering of this sigma is something special. Check out the review by Fred Miranda on it on his forum.

 

[Impulses]

I thought firmware updates had fixed the quirks with both lenses (some SY batches wouldn't quite reach infinity, not sure what's up with the Sigma) but maybe not, this thread has some interesting comparisons:

Sony Forum - Photography - FM Forums

Explore Sony Forum photography discussions. Share your photos, discuss gear and techniques, and buy or sell equipment in our marketplace.

www.fredmiranda.com