Quick Take: Sigma Zoom-Gamma 21-35mm 1:3.5~4

Olympus E-P5, Sigma Zoom-Gamma 21-35mm 1:3.5~4

Sigma Zoom-Gamma 21-35mm 1:3.5~4

Imagine being able to replicate the use of four wide and ultra wide-angle primes from 21, 24, 28 and 35mm with a single zoom unit that combines the four focal lengths into one, albeit longer in length and heavier in weight than the any of the four. Firstly, of course, is the substantial saving in cost, followed by the ease of only carrying only one lens rather than four, and the ease of changing focal lengths on the fly.

That was my frame of mind when I put in the order for a 'rare' listing of the OM-mount Sigma Zoom-Gamma 21-35mm 1:3.5~4 lens. Online reviews indicated that this is an exemplary lens, ground-breaking, trail-blazing, and it comes with a reputation to match.

The options for me was the ability to use the lens both on my full frame film Olympus OM's and on the E-P5 with the OM Adapter MF-2 which will give the lens the equivalent focal lengths of 42, 48, 56, and 70mm. The views above are just of that, a quick early morning take looking down the dead-end road just outside of where I am staying.

The sequential images above was cropped to the 16:9 image aspect to adjust for the framing shifts from my handheld shooting, while the high-rise monstrosity is in the camera's native 4:3 aspect ratio. All shots were taken at f/5.6, as recommended by the reviews, post-processed on Olympus Viewer 3 (OV3), with final sharpening done on Google NIK Sharpener Pro 3.

The image below is of my aged table lamp shot with the lens setting at 35mm, f/8, close to the lens's closest focusing distance of 0.5m, while out in the garden, the Maidenhair Fern (final image) looks rather splendid when sharpened to accentuate its lacy spread.

The lens, the world's first, is a super solid all-metal construction composed of 12 elements in 12 groups. Weighing about 450 grams and measuring 105mm in length, the lens came with a built-in floral pattern hood and takes in 67mm filter size. Though slightly front heavy when attached to the OM System Winder 2 powered OM-2SP, the feel is just right and balanced for my smallish hands. On the E-P5, however, with the added extension to its overall length by the MF-2 adapter, my concern is more towards the fragility of the combination, which gives way an extra care and concern while handling and doing shoots with the lens.

Will you grab one if you have the chance? My recommendation is a big triple yes!!! I got mine for just slightly below USD 75.00 and it came attached to a fully configured and working Olympus OM-10. I believe that the lens was overlooked as the main sales pitch was about the camera. I have the camera listed on my sales page now, but as for the lens, I am in no hurry to part with it.


Resource Links:
Sigma 21-35mm F/3.5 - 4
Lens Review: Sigma 21-35mm f/3.5-4.2 (Zoom-Gamma II) | EOS Cameras and Manual Lenses | Flickr