Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art Lens Review

Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art Lens Review:

A 35mm lens is great to use for a variety of subjects because the focal length makes it extremely versatile.  With that said, if you’re going to use it for street, landscape, environmental portraits, and just have it mounted on your camera for the majority of the time, you want something that is probably a bit lighter, and more compact.  You could get one with a smaller maximum aperture lens like an f2 version, for instance, but sometimes, you just need a lens with a larger max aperture to get the job done.  For L Mount users, Sigma does make the 35mm f1.4 HSM version in L mount (review here) but considering it was originally designed for DSLRs, it’s a larger lens.  Well, Sigma has recently released the 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art lens, which is specifically designed for mirrorless cameras.  I had it for a while now, and here’s what I think of it.

Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art Lens Build Quality:

Let’s take a closer look at the 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art lens starting with the build and ergonomics, which I have to say, are all excellent.  You can tell this lens is built for professional use.  The 35mm f1.4 is very solid, and has a nice dense feel to it.  It also comes with a brass bayonet mount, and it has a dust and splash proof structure: there is sealing on the buttons, between the separate parts, and a rubber gasket around the mount.  There’s even a water, and oil repellent coating that’s applied to the front element of the lens for added protection against the harsh elements.  As some of you know, when I review a product, I immediately add it to my regular kit bag, and use it as if it’s my own.  From what I’ve experienced, the 35mm f1.4 is impressive with no signs of inferior parts or build that I’ve found.  I’ve been using this lens on the the Sigma fp L, and it’s been great in terms of build and ergonomics.

↑ The 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art lens attached to the Sigma fp L.

Speaking of ergonomics, this new version of the 35mm f1.4 is re-designed from the ground up to be more compact, and lighter than the previous version, so it’s perfect for mirrorless cameras.  I reviewed the HSM version a while back, and found it to be a fantastic lens but this new version is definitely more impressive to me.

For an f1.4 35mm lens with autofocus, and the build to keep up with its users, it’s pretty compact.  If you look at the photo below, it’s not much larger than my Leica APO Summicron-SL 90mm, which has the same barrel as the APO-Summicron 35mm f2 ASPH.  In fact, it uses the same 67mm filter thread as the 35mm Summicron, and with measurements of 3 x 4.3″ / 75.5 x 109.5 mm, it’s very close to the Summicron in size (its measurements are 2.87 x 4.02″ / 73 x 102 mm).  It is slightly larger but keep in mind that the Sigma is also an f1.4 lens.  Furthermore, it even weighs a bit less: The Sigma 35mm f1.4 comes in at 22.8 oz / 645 g, while the Leica 35mm f2 is 26.46 oz / 750 g.  This isn’t a comparison between these two lenses but my point is for a lens in this category, it’s definitely pretty manageable.

↑ Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f2.8-4 ASPH vs. Sigma 24-70mm DG DN Art lens vs. 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art lens vs. APO-Summicron-SL 90mm f2 ASPH size comparison.  The 90mm Summicron uses the same barrel as the APO 35mm SL lens.

I was reviewing this lens on the Sigma fp L, which as some of you know, is already a small camera.  It’s practically pocket size.  This lens worked superbly with the fp L.  The 35mm f1.4 feels very balanced; it feels great in the hands, and it isn’t too large but at the same time, it has a nice weight to it, which I like because it just feels more stable to me.  We were experiencing a bit of a heat wave here in New York City, while I had the 35mm f1.4 to review, and let me tell you, it was not easy going out there and shooting.  If it wasn’t the extreme heat and humidity, it was pouring rain.  But the 35mm f1.4 is quite manageable even when it’s not that great out there to shoot.  It’s also compact enough that it can be pretty discreet for street shooting, especially when I have it mounted on the already compact fp L.  Sigma really did a great job here, and the improvements over the older version are definitely noticeable to me.

To top it off, there are some great features as well.  For one, there is an aperture ring, which clicks in third stops.  The aperture ring is also de-clickable and lockable.  I love that the 35mm f1.4 has an aperture ring because before I was an Leica SL user, I was an M user, and I miss having an aperture ring on the lenses.  While I love my SL lenses, it’s one feature I do miss.  There’s also an AFL button.  Of course, there is also a manual focus ring, which is smooth in operation, while also giving the user the right amount of resistance as feedback for more precise focusing.

Lastly, the 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art lens also comes with a lens hood, and a zippered case.  The petal shaped lens hood is a twist on type that works well with no issues.  It helps with flare but truthfully, I didn’t even really experience any when I was using this lens.  It’s also great to leave on for added protection in case of minor impact.

↑ The 35mm f1.4 does come with a petal shaped lens hood.

↑ A zippered case is also included.

Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art Lens Autofocus:

As for the autofocus, the 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art lens uses a stepping motor that really seems to do the job.  Focusing performance depends on the camera as well but overall, I found it to be very quick and accurate.  I didn’t have any issues with hunting or lag.  It’s also worth noting that the minimum focus distance for people who want to do any sort of macro work is 11.8″, which is pretty good.

I don’t shoot sports but as you can see from my examples, I do cityscape and street.  As some of you know from my Instagram account, my main type of photography is portrait and boudoir.  With everything that I shoot, the lens’ autofocus performed great.  It’s also worth noting that the autofocus is silent, and after trying the face detection out with a few of my model friends, I found the results to be not only accurate but immediate, and drama-free.

Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art Lens Image Quality:

Image quality wise, Sigma lenses have built an excellent reputation, and I’m happy to report that the 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art lens continues on with this tradition.  According to Sigma, in addition to the ergonomics being redesigned versus the older HSM version, the optics were as well.  My current favorite L mount 35mm is the Sigma 35mm f1.2 Art lens (review here) because I just love the results I get from that lens in every way but I have to admit that the f1.4 version is beginning to win me over just a bit.

↑ This was taken around Chinatown with the settings being f5.6 and 100 ISO.

↑ Here’s another photo taken at f5.6 with me using 320 ISO.

↑ I barely had time to frame this before the person on the moped drove away.  The autofocus was quick enough to capture it and allow the camera to snap the photo.  The settings were f8 and 100 ISO.

It starts out with sharpness, which is excellent.  First off, keep in mind that I was testing this camera on the Sigma fp L, which is not only a relatively new camera (current sensor) but also one containing an insane amount of pixels: 61 MP to be exact.  With that said, even at f1.4, the 35mm does nothing but impress.  At wide open aperture, the entire frame is nearly tack sharp with just a very slight hint of softness in the corners, which is really no big deal at all.  In fact, it’s quite impressive.  Stopping down sharpens up things even more, and by just f2.8, the entire frame is sharp.  Bottom line is this is definitely a lens that will perform extremely well throughout its aperture range, especially wide open, which is important because you’re buying an f1.4 lens to use it at that setting.

↑ I took this photo around Chinatown using f4 and 100 ISO.

↑ Here’s a 100% crop of the photo above.

↑ Here’s a photo taken at f1.4 and 100 ISO.

↑ Here’s a 100% crop of the photo above.  Notice it is tack sharp at f1.4, and this isn’t even in the center of the image.

↑ Here’s an image of the WTC for testing sharpness taken using f8 and 100 ISO.

↑ Here’s a 100% crop of the photo above.

↑ This was taken in Atlantic City, NJ, and the settings were 100 ISO and f1.4.

↑ Here’s a 100% crop of the photo above.

To top it off, everything else about the 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art lens is just fantastic.  Color rendering and contrast are excellent.  Photos have a really nice pop to them.  There’s that three dimensional effect you get from a good optic.  It’s also worth noting that lens flare didn’t seem to be an issue for me under normal shooting conditions (meaning not purposely aiming at the sun, for instance, to try to make it flare).  I did see some vignetting at f1.4, which is completely normal.  Of course, stopping down to just f2 reduces it significantly.  Once you hit f2.8, it is nearly all gone.

↑ This photo was originally taken in the portrait orientation but I didn’t like it, so with 61 megapixels, and a lens this sharp, I did a horizontal crop of the photo just to see what I would get.  I still had over 24 megapixels haha.  I normally refrain from cropping but I thought the shirt and shoes on this woman would look good in black and white, and I just preferred the scene this way.  The settings are f5.6 and 400 ISO.

↑ This was taken under the FDR Drive using f4 and 1250 ISO.

↑ This photo was taken around Chinatown using f8 and 500 ISO.

Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art Lens Bokeh:

I’m also happy to say that with its rounded 11-blade diaphragm, bokeh is absolutely beautiful.  As some of you know, I generally like to shoot 35mm lenses or wider focal lengths stopped down, so in a way, f1.4 is wasted on me here haha but I did shoot some examples to give all of you an idea of what you could expect.  I don’t analyze every bokeh ball; it’s just not my style but overall, everything is very pleasing to my eyes.  There’s nothing really harsh.  The bokeh is buttery smooth and inviting.  I wish I was able to schedule a shoot with this lens because I think I would’ve gotten some cool shots at f1.4.

↑ This was taken using f1.4 and 100 ISO.

↑ Here’s another photo with the same settings as above.

↑ Here’s one more using f1.4 and 100 ISO.

Pros:

• Built really well with quality parts.
• Weather sealing.
• Pretty compact considering its features.
• Quick, silent, and accurate autofocus.
• Superb image quality.
• Beautiful bokeh.
• Decent price.

Cons:

• Finding a con is difficult for me because overall, I really enjoyed using this lens :).

Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art Lens Verdict:

If you’re looking for a 35mm lens for your L mount camera, the 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art lens is definitely one that you should consider.  It really just checks off all the boxes for me.  The build is excellent, it’s feature packed, the autofocus is good, and the image quality is superb.  Best of all, it’s priced at just $899, which I feel is reasonable, especially when you consider the alternatives.

↑ This was taken around the Civic Center in Manhattan using f8 and 400 ISO.

↑ Here’s a photo taken around Chinatown/Lower East Side using f5.6 and 100 ISO.

As I mentioned earlier, my favorite 35mm for L mount is the Sigma 35mm f1.2 DG DN Art lens but this f1.4 version has come pretty close to knocking that off its pedestal for me.  There’s just so much going for 35mm f1.4.  I think in the end though, I’d still go with the f1.2 version but the fact that the f1.4 even came close to the f1.2 in my book means a lot.  The only reason I lean more towards the f1.2 version is because I’m not a huge fan of the 35mm focal length, so when I do use one, it’s really for certain situations or for specialized purposes.  I want maybe a certain look for my fashion or boudoir shoots, for instance.  The f1.2 aperture is unique to me in a 35mm focal length, and it’s going to give me a certain look.  Plus, the optics of that lens are just incredible. 

↑ Here’s a photo I took with the lens set at f5.6.  I used 800 ISO.

↑ This was taken using f8 and 200 ISO.

With that said, the 35mm f1.4 comes very close to being my favorite, and I bet there are a lot of people who would prefer it over the f1.2 because it’s just a more user friendly lens than the massive f1.2 version all while not really sacrificing much in the process.  For instance, there isn’t a huge difference between f1.2 and f1.4.  However, by getting the f1.4 version, you save some money.  You also get a lens that is smaller and lighter, so you’ll use it more for not only specialized purposes but also for general photography.  In other words, one of the main reasons I would get this lens is because it’s really balanced; there’s truly a great combination of image quality, price, and versatility here.  During my time with it, I found myself always wanting to shoot with this lens even when I didn’t need the focal length, and as I said several times here, I don’t like the 35mm focal length in general haha.  But that should show you how much I enjoyed using this lens.  It’s great for everything, and because of that, if I were in the market for a 35mm, and I didn’t get the f1.2 version, I would not feel like I was just settling with the f1.4 version.

↑ Here’s a photo taken with f5.6 and 250 ISO.  The person is slightly out of focus but that was my fault.

↑ This was taken at Atlantic City using f5.6 and 100 ISO.

Now, I know some of you are also probably looking at the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 35mm f2 ASPH, which is also a superb lens.  As you know, I am a huge Leica fan, and have been for many, many years.  With that said, besides the huge price difference between the Summicron, and the Sigma 35mm, you also get an f1.4 aperture with the Sigma.  I have admit, I like having the extra stop advantage, especially when the Sigma is also roughly the same size, and weight as the Summicron as well.

↑ One last photo of the 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art lens with the Sigma fp L.

Overall, the 35mm f1.4 is really an impressive lens to me.  For those who have read my Sigma 85mm f1.4 review, do you remember how I went on and on about how great it is?  I basically feel the same about this lens, except this is a 35mm version :).  I think the 35mm f1.4 will satisfy many photographers out there who are looking for not only a fast 35mm but one that is extremely versatile, and also one that is just plain out fantastic in the image quality department.  I highly recommend it, and I have to admit, it’s one loaner lens that I did not want to send back.

Thanks for taking the time to read my review!  If you’re considering purchasing the Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art lens, and my review helped you decide, please help support this site by purchasing from the links below or any mentioned in this review.  It will not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your support!

Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art lens at B&H Photo

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