Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG | Contemporary

Reviewers agree the character is intentional. Wide open at close distances the image is lower in contrast and slightly glowy, while at normal and long distances the centre is sharp and the whole frame tightens up by f/4 to f/5.6. Bokeh is smooth for an f/2.8 lens and the 1:4 close focus is a genuine bonus.

The trade-offs are the slow f/2.8 aperture for a standard prime, heavy reliance on in-camera distortion and vignetting correction, and AF that is reliable but not among the fastest. Build quality is praised as unusually good for the price class.

Owners like how small and solid it feels and use it as a walk-around lens that stays on the camera. The tactile aperture ring and metal hood come up often, as does the gentle rendering for people and street scenes.

Common complaints are softness wide open up close for those who expect clinical sharpness, focus noise audible in quiet video, and the f/2.8 speed in low light. Some owners say an f/1.8 or f/2 fifty is the better choice if they need more subject separation.