Small full-frame standard lens SIGMA 45mm DG DN
A review and photo example of the SIGMA 45mm F2.8 DG DN L mount with the LEICA SL Typ601 and LEICA T typ701.
Table of contents
Gallery
The following cameras were used to take the sample photos:
Review
1.Overview
The SIGMA 45mm F2.8 DG DN is a compact, standard focal range prime lens with autofocus (AF) for mirrorless cameras released in 2019, covering 35mm full-frame (FF = full-size) sensors.
As of 2024, it is available for Sony E and Leica L mounts.
Sigma lenses simply list their specifications, using confusing labels that are easy to understand. This can lead to confusion when minor changes or lenses with similar specs are released.
The official name of this lens is the SIGMA 45mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary, and it breaks down as follows:
- Manufacturer: Sigma
- Focal Length: 45mm
- Aperture: 2.8
- DG = Compatible with 35mm full-frame sensors
- DN = Short flange focal distance for mirrorless cameras
- Contemporary = Low-cost line
- The lens is equipped with a focus ring, aperture ring, and AF/MF switch.
- The minimum focusing distance is 0.24m.
The lens construction is comprised of 8 elements in 7 groups, including aspherical lenses, and is designed to take advantage of the characteristics of mirrorless cameras, with the rear element positioned very close to the sensor.
2.Usability
The SIGMA 45mm F2.8 DG DN ‘s image quality is excellent, with excellent correction for various aberrations and no noticeable vignetting, even at the edges of the image, making it a reliable lens to use.
When attached to the LEICA SL typ601, the lens feels small and a bit of a mismatch.
When attached to the APS-C sensor LEICA T typ701, the focal length becomes 45 x 1.5 = 67.5mm, which is on the medium telephoto side, but it creates a compact single-focus camera system that I found useful as a camera for walks.
When used with the LEICA SL typ601 and LEICA T typ701, the AF speed and accuracy of the lens are sufficient for normal shooting. It can struggle when shooting through fences or bushes, where AF is generally not ideal. This is largely dependent on the camera’s AF sensor algorithm.
When this lens was released in 2019, there were few AF lenses available for the Leica L-mount. This lens is a rare find, and I loved its compact appearance so much that I purchased it soon after it was released.
The lens barrel has a distinctive design that combines slits and straight edges, and the paint job is luxurious, making it look worth more than its price. As for the image quality, as long as you pay attention to camera shake, the image quality is also quite satisfactory for a modern lens.
On the LEICA SL typ601 and LEICA T typ701 that I used, the aperture ring on the lens was merely decorative, and the aperture value had to be set on the camera. This may have been improved with a firmware update, but that was the case when I used it in 2019.
In the early 2020s, this lens could be purchased used for around ¥30,000, but as of 2025, the number of used lenses has decreased, and used prices are only slightly lower than the new price, so it is no longer an inexpensive lens.
3.Summary
In conclusion, to sum up the SIGMA 45mm F2.8 DG DN is a compact lens for 35mm full-frame sensors. It is a lens that matches well with the SIGMA f-series and BF-series cameras, but with a large body like the LEICA SL, it sometimes felt out of proportion to the body size. It also matches well with the LEICA T typ701, which has an APS-C size sensor.
Specification
Sigma offers a comprehensive lineup of nine affordable prime lenses for 35mm full-frame sensors, ranging from 17mm to 90mm.
The DG DN lens line includes five lenses with a consistent maximum aperture of f/2: 20mm, 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 65mm.
The line includes four lenses with a consistent 55mm filter diameter: 17mm, 24mm, 45mm, and 90mm.
The SIGMA 45mm F2.8 DG DN is one of the lenses in the line that all share a 55mm filter diameter. A distinctive feature of this series is that while the maximum aperture varies for each lens, the consistent filter diameter ensures that the radial width of the lenses and the thickness of the lens group are consistent. This creates a highly satisfying visual experience when lined up alongside the rest of the lens series.
The Yashica Contax Tessar 45mm is probably the most representative lens with a focal length of 45mm. As the name of the lens suggests, it’s a Tessar lens with a 3-group, 4-element design, which means there are many compromises in aberration correction.
The Tessar lens is 18mm thick, but when attached to an L-mount, the mount adapter’s 25.5mm thickness is added, making it 43.5mm, which is not much different from the 46.2mm of this lens.
I’ve never actually used the Tessar 45mm, but at one point it was available for around 10,000 yen, so it’s one of those lenses I wish I had. As of 2024, the used price is around 30,000 yen, so if you’re going to pay that much for an old lens, Sigma’s latest lens would undoubtedly produce better images.
| Items | SIGMA 45mm F2.8 DG DN | CONTAX Tessar 45mm |
| Focal length(mm) | 45 | 45 |
| Max aperture | 2.8 | 2.8 |
| Min aperture | 22 | 22 |
| Leaf blade | 7 | 6 |
| Lens Construction | 8 emelent in 7 groups | 4 emelent in 3 groups |
| Min distance(m) | 0.24 | 0.6 |
| Lens length(mm) | 46.2 | 18 Y/C mount |
| Max diameter(mm) | 64 | 60 |
| Filter Size(mm) | 55 | 49 46（100 Jahre） |
| Weight(g)lens only | 215 | 90 |
| Release date | 2019/07/26 | 1982 2002（100 Jahre） |
| Price(Yen/No-tax) | 75,000 | – |
- SIGMA DG DN（Not F2）Variations
| Focal length(mm) | 17 | 24 | 45 | 90 |
| Max aperture | 4 | 3.5 | 2.8 | 2.8 |
| Min aperture | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| Leaf blade | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Lens Construction | 9emelent in 8groups | 10emelent in 8groups | 8emelent in 7groups | 11emelent in 10groups |
| Min distance(m) | 0.12 | 0.11 | 0.25 | 0.5 |
| Lens length(mm) | 48.8 | 48.8 | 46.2 | 59.7 |
| Max diameter(mm) | 64 | 64 | 64 | 64 |
| Filter Size(mm) | 55 | 55 | 55 | 55 |
| Weight(g)(lens only) | 225 | 225 | 215 | 295 |
| Release date | 2023/04/21 | 2021/01/22 | 2019/07/26 | 2021/09/24 |
| Edition Number | C023 | C021 | C019 | C021 |
| Price(Yen/No-tax) | 89,000 | 67,000 | 75,000 | 78,000 |
Affiliate Link
- Please see the disclaimer regarding advertising here.
- Italicized links in the text are advertisement links that take you to other sites.
- SIGMA L mount lens・Ads by ebay
- SIGMA 45mm F2.8 DG DN ・Ads by ebay
- LEICA T typ701・Ads by ebay
- LEICA SL Typ601・Ads by ebay
Reference links
- SIGMA Official page
- LEICA T typ701・Shige’s hobby
- LEICA SL Typ601・Shige’s hobby
Update history
- 2025.8.3
- 2024.8.21
- 2024.03.11:Update
- 2023.08.26:First draft
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