Sigma 24-35mm f/2 vs Nikon 24mm f/1.4G
I have not yet had a chance to test the Nikkor 24mm f/1.8G lens, so the below comparison for now is between the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 and the Nikkor 24mm f/1.4G. Once I test the 24mm f/1.8G, I will update this comparison as soon as possible. Let’s take a look at how the pro-level 24mm f/1.4G stacks up against the 24-35mm f/2:
The performance differences between these two lenses are clear – the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 outperforms the pro-level Nikkor 24mm f/1.4G in sharpness. While both lenses start out similarly at f/2 in the center, the Sigma is clearly sharper in the corners, pretty much at all apertures. That’s pretty remarkable, since the Sigma is much cheaper in comparison. Granted the Sigma is a full stop slower, but the Nikkor isn’t very sharp at f/1.4 either, often making smaller apertures more desirable to use anyway…
Sigma 24-35mm f/2 vs Nikon 28mm f/1.8G
Let’s take a look at how the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 does at 28mm when compared to the Nikkor 28mm f/1.8G:
Although the Nikkor 28mm f/1.8G is a bit sharper wide open in the center frame, take a look at how the lens performs in the mid-frame – its field curvature issues are to blame here and the Sigma is better there for sure. Once stopped down to f/2.8, the Sigma takes off in the center frame and shows slightly mid-frame and corner performance. And the difference is even more noticeable at smaller apertures – the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 is sharper all around! The Nikkor 28mm f/1.8G simply cannot keep up with the performance of the Sigma.
Sigma 24-35mm f/2 vs Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G
Let’s now take a look at how the Sigma 24-35m f/2 compares to the Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G:
The Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G is sharper at f/2 than the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 in the center, but its corner performance is surely lacking in comparison. It also loses to the Sigma stopped down to f/2.8 both in the center and corner sharpness. The lenses are somewhat comparable at f/4, but the Sigma seems to be stronger in mid-frame at pretty much every aperture.
Sigma 24-35mm f/2 Comparison Summary
Sigma deserves a big applause for making such a phenomenal lens. It practically outperforms all three Nikkor primes presented in this section, which is remarkable, considering that it is a single lens vs three dedicated primes. As you can see from the comparison above, the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 in most cases looks sharper than the 24mm f/1.4G, 28mm f/1.8G and 35mm f/1.8G at equivalent apertures. Since the difference between f/1.8 and f/2 is so small, if one were to look into getting all three Nikkor primes, it would be a tough choice to go with those, since the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 pretty much does it all in a single package. No need to worry about swapping lenses and spending all that money!
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