Shootout: Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art vs Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR: Cerro Gordo Bunkhouse (Nikon D810)
Get Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR and Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art B&H Photo.
This series puts the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art against the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR. As of mid 2017 these are two of the finest lenses available in the 135mm range. So how does a high-grade prime lens stack up against Nikon’s finest zoom?
A key expectation of a prime lens is a low level of field curvature. Similarly, a zoom can be expected to have more field curvature at least over much of its range. This comparison is an ideal showing of how a top-grade prime fares versus a top grade zoom in terms of field curvature, and why “quick tests” equate to ignorance of real lens performance: one has to understand what is actually going on with a lens, not shoot flat test targets. This scene shows just how tricky it is to compare lenses fairly.
The scene may not be exciting, but the results are instructive. Added to my review of the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art in Advanced DSLR:
Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art vs Nikon 70-200/2.8E FL ED VR: Cerro Gordo Bunkhouse
Includes images up to full resolution from f/1.8 through f/8.
NIKON D810 + Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art
[low-res image for bot]
