Sigma 17mm f/4 DG DN Contemporary - Lens review and specs

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Sony E Leica L Wide Angle Prime full-frame 2023

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17mm

Focal length

f/4

Max aperture

225 g

Weight

14mm35mm85mm200mm600mm

▲ 17mm

Max aperture

f/2

f/4

f/8

Constant Aperture

Aperturef/4

f/4f/22

Near focus2' 3"

Far focus4' 9"

Total DOF2' 6"

Hyperfocal8' 3"

Subject distance3' 0"

Focal length17 mm

Aperturef/4

SensorFull Frame

Illustrative scene preview based on this lens's focal length, aperture, and sensor coverage.

This preview uses 17mm, f/4, and Full Frame. Subject distance is estimated to keep lens previews comparable.

Min aperture: f/22
Diaphragm blades: 7

Optics

Optical construction: 9 elements in 8 groups
Special elements: 2 SLD, 3 Aspherical
Coatings: Super Multi-Layer Coating

Focusing

Minimum focus: 12 cm
Max magnification: 0.28×
AF motor: STM

Physical

Weight: 225 g
Dimensions: ⌀64mm × 49mm
Filter thread: 55 mm
Hood included: LH576-03
Color: Black

Recommended Use

Ideal for: Architecture, Landscapes, Travel, Vlogging, Walkaround / Daily

Release year: 2023
Announced: Apr 3, 2023
Approx price: $599 USD
Optical correction & RAW development: NDPix Photo Editor

The best

The jewel of ultra-portability: It is probably one of the most balanced ultra wide angles on the market for those who hate carrying heavy equipment. It manages to fit high-performance optics and luxurious construction into a size that you barely feel on the camera.

Also

"Near-Macro" Focusing Versatility: Its ability to focus a just 12 cm away allows for a very dynamic style of photography, ideal for highlighting objects in the foreground (such as flowers, products or architectural details) while maintaining the full context of the landscape behind.

Summary

"I Series" Construction: Metal and Minimalism: The Sigma 17mm F4 DG DN belongs to the prestigious I Seriesline, which means that its design prioritizes a superior tactile and mechanical experience. With a body built entirely of high-precision metal and a featherweight of just 225 grams (in its L-Mount version), this lens redefines what portability means in the full format. Its physical specifications include the manual aperture ring, a focus mode switch (AF/MF) and its innovative metallic magnetic lid, which supplements the conventional plastic lid. It's a piece of engineering designed to be as robust as it is discreet, ideal for those who see their photography equipment as a natural extension of their hand.

Optical Performance and Focusing Versatility: Internally, this ultra wide angle features a configuration of 9 elements in 8 groups, including SLD lenses and aspherical lenses that minimize aberrations and barrel size. Its viewing angle is an impressive 103.7°, but what really separates it from other angle lenses is its minimum focusing distance of only 12 cm. With a magnification ratio of 1:3.6, it allows for "macro" style captures with an exaggerated perspective, where the main subject is very close to the lens while the background remains immense and contextualized. All this moves thanks to a stepper motor (stepping motor) that guarantees fast, silent autofocus and compatible with the most modern face and eye detection systems.

Recommended Uses: From Landscape to Vlogging: Given its 17mm focal length, natural uses include landscape and architectural photography, where its ability to capture massive structures in small spaces is vital. However, its extreme lightness makes it an exceptional tool for vlogging and content creation, as it allows you to record handheld without fatigue and maintaining a wide frame of the environment. It's also a winning choice for street and travel photography, allowing the photographer to blend in while capturing dynamic scenes with a deep depth of field. It is, in essence, the "always ready" lens for those who do not want to carry heavy packages but demand professional image quality.

NDPIX · PHOTO EDITORTurn your photos into something more.A focused photo editor for Mac and Windows. Essential tools, non-destructive RAW editing, and a workspace designed to stay out of your way.Download NDPix for freemacOS and Windows · 7 languages

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Pros & Cons

Pros

Premium Construction: All-metal body (Series I) with exceptional durability and feel.
Extreme Portability: Weighs only 225g and is incredibly compact, ideal for traveling light.
Creative Close Focus: Minimum focusing distance of 12 cm that allows unique perspectives with wide backgrounds.
Physical Controls: Includes manual aperture ring and AF/MF switch, something rare in such small lenses.
Efficient Autofocus: Fast, precise and totally silent stepping motor (STM).

Cons

Limited Aperture: Its maximum aperture of f/4 may fall short in very low light conditions or if you are looking for pronounced blur (bokeh).
Digital Correction Required: Relies heavily on software profiles to correct distortion and vignetting in RAW files.
Corner Sharpness: Although the center is excellent, the corners can look a little soft if the a f/5.6 or f/8 aperture is not closed.
Faint Sun Stars: Does not generate very defined star-shaped flashes a unless closes a very small openings like f/22.