Sigma Contemporary 16-28mm 2.8 DG DN

The Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary is a bit of a surprise. You'd expect that a designated "Contemporary" lens comes with a couple of compromises compared to Sigma's ART lenses. After all, it is targeting consumers. However, there are surprisingly few. The aspect that stands out the most is high sharpness at all relevant settings. The center quality is superb but borders and corners are still very impressive. The reason is surely the rather short zoom range of 16-28mm. Less range simply translates to higher performance because the manufacturer has to optimize fewer parameters. Lateral CAs are also low and with activated auto-correction, vignetting is restored to acceptable levels and image distortions are basically absent then. This is different in RAW images but that's hidden from most users. Sun star lovers may not be overly thrilled with this lens whereas the bokeh is comparatively smooth for such a lens. We always liked the build quality of Sigma lenses ever since the introduction of their ART/Contemporary/SPORTS lineups - and that's no different here. While the lens body is made of engineered plastics (Thermally Stable Composite (TSC)), it feels sturdy while still being fairly lightweight - also helped by an internal zoom mechanism. An aspect there the "Contemporary" grade does show up is weather-sealing - it only features a gasket at the lens mount. Unlike it's ART cousin, the 16-28mm f/2.8 also accepts front filters. The AF speed is pretty good although not really an important aspect on an ultra-wide lens. Overall, Sigma has created a winner that combines high optical and mechanical qualities with an attractive price.

Highly Recommended - A great lens for general shooting and travel at a great price.

The Sigma 16-28mm f2.8 DG DN provides the allure of a bright, fixed aperture zoom at a more affordable price and lighter weight than traditional 16-35 2.8 models. Sure, the shorter reach means you’re only getting a mild range of just 1.75x, but if you pair it with Sigma’s 28-70mm DG DN, you’ll enjoy uninterrupted coverage from 16 to 70mm with a constant f2.8 aperture, and the pair weigh less than a kilo combined. In terms of performance the Sigma has fast, quiet and confident focusing, gimbal-friendly internal zooming, and decent quality across the frame and throughout the range even at f2.8. The corner sharpness and vignetting can improve a little if you stop-down, but they’re already respectable from the get-go. The proposition may be similar in price and performance to the Tamron 17-28, but both companies are proving that mild tweaking of traditional ranges can bring solid benefits. Overall the Sigma 16-28 f2.8 DG DN is a highly compelling lens for anyone desiring a bright aperture wide zoom without breaking the bank.