Im doing a high-end product shoot in Seattle next month and need something clinincally sharp for my Lumix S5II. Budget is roughly $1200 and Im torn between the Sigma 35mm f/1.2 Art or the 85mm f/1.4 DG DN. Which of these actually gives the best corner-to-corner sharpness?
Been using the L-mount system for a few years now and honestly, you are looking at the right brands. Sigma is killing it lately. I have spent some serious time with both of those lenses on my own S5II and I am super satisfied with the results, but for a high-end product shoot, you definitely want to go with the 85mm. The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art L-Mount is just a different beast when it comes to clinical sharpness. While the Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art L-Mount is a technical marvel because of that huge aperture, the 85mm was designed from the ground up for mirrorless and it really shows in the MTF charts. Tbh, the 35mm is more of a character lens while the 85mm is a precision tool.
- Corner-to-corner clarity: The 85mm is noticeably more consistent at the edges.
- Distortion: 85mm is way better for products because it wont give you that wide-angle perspective distortion that can make items look weirdly stretched or bulbous.
- Size: The 35mm f/1.2 is basically a gym weight. The 85mm is much more manageable for long sessions.
- Price: It fits your $1200 budget perfectly, usually retails around $1050. I also tested the Panasonic Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4 L-Mount and it is incredible too, but way over your budget. if you need that sharp look for products, the 85mm Art is the winner. No complaints here, it works well every single time I pull it out of the bag... just make sure you have enough space in the studio since 85mm is kinda tight for small rooms.
