In combination with the PANASONIC DC-S1 camera
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For many a 28mm lens is a bit of an “in between” lens. Although the SIGMA 28mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art (SPECIFICATION) is marketed by SIGMA as a homage to the days of the analogue camera, actually and somewhat ironically, it is pretty much the equivalent field of view of an iPhone camera and, as such, it has a field of view which will be familiar to very many people. It offers a perspective on a full frame camera such as the Panasonic DC-S1 (LINK) which I quite like. It is a field of view, which is very comparable to the dp1 Quattro (18mm / APS-C) which, along with the other dp Quattro cameras, I very much enjoyed using (see here). Indeed, for landscape and other wide angle motifs, I really am happiest working between ca. 20-30mm (full frame equivalent).
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Pfarrkirche Mariä Geburt – Rottenbuch, Germany
In the area of southern Germany known as Oberbayern, as well as in Austria, there are some fantastic churches and monasteries. They do not look particularly monumental or even remarkable from the outside. Nevertheless they can truly astonish the visitors that enter: Light-filled weightlessness; rich ornamentation with delicate, sinuous lines; elegant playful details; tendril-shaped borders. Grace and beauty characterize this unique fusion of architecture, painting and stucco. Art and architecture connoisseurs call this style of 18th century European art the Rococo. These beautiful church interiors afford a wonderful opportunity to work with and test the 28mm Art lens, especially using the High Definition Mode of the new (summer 2019) full frame Panasonic DC-S1 (in combination with the SIGMA MC-21 L-SA mount adapter).
Pfarrkirche Mariä Geburt – Rottenbuch, Germany
In this case, looking to capture detail across the whole subject, one particular strength of this combination would not be put to the test: That is, the wonderful artistic opportunities a lens with a maximum aperture of F1.4 has to offer. The prototype DC-S1 that I have been using, is limited in High Definition Mode to a maximum exposure of 1 second. In the event, despite the dark and contrast rich interiors of the churches, this did not prove to be a limitation and I was very impressed by the crisp, clean, distortion free results this combination was able to produce.
Pfarrkirche Mariä Geburt – Rottenbuch, Germany
The lens itself has a nice solid, quality feel as befits its “Art” status and indeed is neither small (SPECIFICATION) or light weight (neither of which particularly interest me if the quality of the result is what I desire). It sits very nicely on the DC-S1, which is not a particularly small camera in its own right, and the view through probably one of the best electronic view finders I have ever had the pleasure of working with, simply feels right – The quality of the image in the viewfinder and the “familiarity” of the field of view, really promotes an element of confidence.
St. Peter and Paul – Oberammergau, Germany
Many of the images in this article have been (more or less) corrected for the false perspective caused by the necessary camera tilt required to capture the motifs shown. It speaks volumes for the lens that having made this simple correction, straight and parallel verticals are the natural result.
St. Peter and Paul – Oberammergau, Germany
The High Definition Mode of the Panasonic DC-S1 produces 12000 x 8000 pixel RAW files by combining consecutive sensor shifted exposures. As the images here show, in combination with the SIGMA 28mm Art lens these files are detail rich to the extreme – I am impressed!
St. Peter and Paul – Oberammergau, Germany – Combination of two High Definition Images
On a full frame camera the SIGMA 28mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art lens produces magnificent results. This very modern homage to the days of analogue photography has very much “come of age” and sits as a very justified member within the Art series of lenses from SIGMA. Which lenses did I say I was going to take with me on my next field tour … ? Hmm, perhaps its time to think again …
Benediktinerabtei Kloster – Ettal, Germany
Benediktinerabtei Kloster – Ettal, Germany
The images in this article were taken with the SIGMA 28mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art (LINK) in combination with a Panasonic DC-S1 (LINK) (sensor crop factor 1.0) camera with a SIGMA MC-21 L-SA (LINK) mount adapter and a Rollei Lion Rock 30 Mark II (LINK) carbon tripod.
Benediktinerabtei Kloster – Ettal, Germany
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