Sigma 60mm f/2.8 Review
I recently picked up Sigma’s 60mm f/2.8 DN for my a6300. It is a part of their “Art” Line and it seems to be one lens in a series Sigma specifically makes for Sony's a6000/a6300/a6500 line because it is E-Mount and made for ASP-C size sensors. That series currently includes a 19mm, a 30mm and a 60mm and after seeing the quality of the 60, I plan on getting at least the 19 and maybe the 30 as well. It seems to be mostly metal construction and feels very solid in your hand, but it is much smaller and lighter than my Canon 50mm f/1.4 , especially once you add the adapter necessary to get it on an E-Mount camera.
60mm on the ASP-C size sensor means it is roughly a 90mm equivalent on a full frame camera, which is a very good focal length for portraits (it strikes a good balance between compressing the background well with minimum distortion, while still allowing you to stay relatively close to your subject). It’s maximum aperture is f/2.8, so you can shoot in relatively low light and get a good amount of bokeh. In my tests, it seemed to be pretty sharp at f/2.8, but you can see a slight increase in sharpness around f/8.
The focus ring is large, it takes more than half of the body of the lens, so it is super easy to use if you are focusing manually. And the focus mechanism is all internal, so the lens doesn’t extend when you focus. The auto-focus works really well for stills. It outperformed my Canon 50mm with Fotodiox adapter in every condition I tested it in, both in speed and accuracy. I don't love how the auto focus looks in video, but if you are like me you probably focus manually for video anyways. The minimum focus distance is about 20”, so no macro shots.
The only real downside is that there is a weird rattle that occurs when the lens isn’t connected to power. It doesn’t seem to be a problem and it doesn’t do it when it is connected to a powered-on camera. Not sure if this is something on my lens or on all of them, but I have seen several people mention it in reviews. If stuff like that bothers you, I'd try a different lens.
All in all, I’d call it a great lens for photography, especially at only $240 new. It wouldn’t be the first lens I’d choose for videography, it doesn’t have stops for the focus ring, it just keeps spinning and spinning, and there are no threads to attach a follow focus to. But it doesn’t hurt to have in the bag when you consider how small and lightweight it is. You never know when you’re going to need a 90mm equivalent.
It comes with a case that has a molded insert, to keep it nice and snug, as well as a small lens hood.