Sigma 23mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary Review X Mount:
Sigma has some great APS-C lenses that they have been steadily introducing to Fujifilm X mount users. Today, another lens for X mount has been announced: The Sigma 23mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary. The 23mm is a 35mm equivalent on a Fuji X body, which makes it an essential lens for many users that are interested in travel, environmental portrait, and street photography. Furthermore, having that large f1.4 maximum aperture only increases this lens’ versatility. Thanks to Sigma, I was able to get a pre-launch sample to test. Here’s what I think of the 23mm f1.4 for X mount.
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Sigma 23mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary Build Quality:
I’ve actually used, and tested the Leica L mount version of the 23mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary before (L mount version review here), and as you can guess, that version is very similar to this one here minus the mount change, of course. So, you can expect features like build quality, for instance, to be just as good as what you will find with the L mount version. Like most Sigma lenses, the 23mm f1.4 is made of TSC (Thermally Stable Composite), and has a brass bayonet mount. There is rubber sealing at the mount, so this lens has some dust and splash protection. The focus ring is rather large, and it is made of a rubberized texture, so you can expect it to be easy to grip, and use when you want to focus manually. All and all, this is a lens with a very solid build, and I feel the level of quality is definitely comparable to what Fujfilm has to offer.
↑ Pictured here is the Sigma 23mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens mounted to the Fujifilm X-T3.
In terms of ergonomics, the 23mm f1.4 is both lightweight and compact, especially given that it has a maximum aperture of f1.4. The weight of the 23mm f1.4 is just 335 g/11.8 oz. with the length being 65.8mm × 79.2mm/2.6in. × 3.1in. This all means you have a lens that balances beautifully with the Fujifilm bodies ranging from the larger ones like the X-T5 to the more compact models like the X-S10.
↑ Here’s a top view.
It also means the 23mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary is perfect for the subjects that it is intended to shoot like general photography, travel, environmental portraiture, and street photography just to name a few. It’s something that you can carry around easily, and all day long. The 23mm f1.4 is something that is compact enough to be discreet for candid moments as well. With it being lightweight and compact, you can essentially leave the 23mm f1.4 mounted on your camera 24/7, which is what many people do with a 35mm equivalent given the focal length’s versatility.
Overall, the 23mm f1.4 is not only built well but as you can see, it’s an easy lens to live with. In addition, it also comes with a petal shaped lens hood that is fully reversible for easy storage. It twists on, and locks in place.
↑ A lens hood is included.
Sigma 23mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary Autofocus:
Let’s take a look at the focusing capabilities of the 23mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary right now. The 23mm f1.4 uses a stepping motor that is both fast and silent. Overall, it is excellent. It’s capable enough that it’s not even something I really think about at all. Whether you’re shooting in perfect lighting conditions or the worse, there is no drama here. You just point and click. I found this to be true of the L mount version of this lens, and I’m happy to see it’s the same with this version on the Fuji X series bodies.
Being that we’re using an f1.4 lens here, accuracy is also very important. Having a thinner depth of field can sometimes make it more difficult to focus. I’m happy to report that this lens just nails the focus perfectly.
Lastly, the face detection from my Fuji X mount camera also works quite well with the 23mm f1.4. I wasn’t able to schedule a photo shoot in time to get a model but I did try it out with candid shots, and there weren’t any issues.
Sigma 23mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary Image Quality:
As for image quality, Sigma has said that the optical performance is comparable to the 35mm f1.4 DG HSM Art, and similar to the 56mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary. Both those lenses are top notch by the way. They have also said the 23mm f1.4 has been designed to achieve the highest level of optical performance in the history of DC DN. These are bold statements but after testing this lens, I don’t disagree with any of them. The 23mm f1.4 is a top performer in my book.
↑ This was taken on a walk around Coney Island here in Brooklyn. The settings were f5.6 and 160 ISO.
↑ The settings here were f8 and 160 ISO.
↑ This was taken in front of Gray’s Papaya. The settings were f5.6 and 3200 ISO.
In terms of optical sharpness, you really can’t ask for more. At wide open aperture, the 23mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary is tack sharp in the center with only a very slight loss in detail in the corners. Stopping down by just one stop, sharpens up the corners just a bit but overall, this is really one nice piece of glass. This is a lens that you can use throughout the aperture range, and achieve flat out excellent results.
↑ This was taken using f1.4 and 160 ISO.
↑ Here’s a 100% crop of the photo above.
↑ This was taken using f4.5 and 160 ISO.
↑ Here’s a 100% crop of the photo above.
↑ This was taken using f8 and 160 ISO.
↑ Here’s a 100% crop of the photo above.
Moreover, other features include images that have good depth, and pop to them. Color rendering, and contrast are also good. During my test, I found the 23mm f1.4 to be highly flare resistant, which I’m sure is thanks in part to the Super Multi-Layer Coating applied to the lens. There is some vignetting at f1.4, which is something that is expected. Stopping down by one stop reduces it significantly. By f2.8, the vignetting is nearly all gone. Overall, performance here is up there with the best of them. It’s a great lens, and the $549 price only makes it better.
↑ I was hanging out with a friend late at night, and stopped by Grand Central Station. This was taken using f2.8 and 4000 ISO.
↑ Here’s another photo taken in Grand Central Station using f2.8 and 5000 ISO.
↑ This was taken using f5.6 and 160 ISO.
Sigma 23mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary Bokeh:
With its f1.4 max aperture, the 23mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary can definitely produce a thin depth of field. When it does, the bokeh is buttery smooth. I didn’t find anything in the bokeh to be particularly distracting or harsh. Obviously, we have our own ideas of what good bokeh is but in my opinion, the quality that you’re getting here is in line with the overall high performance of this lens.
↑ This was taken using f1.4 and 160 ISO.
↑ Here’s another wide open shot with the camera set at 1250 ISO.
↑ Here’s one more f1.4 shot using 640 ISO.
Pros And Cons:
Pros:
- Great build.
- Compact and light, especially considering this is an f1.4 lens.
- Balances beautifully on an APS-C camera like the Fuji X mount bodies.
- Fast and accurate autofocus.
- Excellent image quality.
- Decent Bokeh.
- Lens sells for a good price.
Cons:
- Not much in my book; maybe lack of image stabilization but to me, this is a non-issue.
Sigma 23mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary Verdict:
If you’re looking for a 35mm equivalent lens for your Fujifilm X mount camera, the Sigma 23mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary is a superb option. It has all the features one would expect in a great 35mm equivalent. It’s built well, light, and compact, so it’s something you can easily carry around with you. Furthermore, the autofocus is excellent, and so is the image quality.
↑ Here’s a photo taken using f8 and 160 ISO.
↑ This was taken using 5.6 and 160 ISO.
I bet the lens most will compare this one to is Fujifilm’s own XF 23mm f1.4 LM WR lens. The Fuji lens also has an f1.4 maximum aperture, and there is no doubt that the XF 23mm f1.4 is a fantastic lens. It’s priced at $899. But I have to say, you’re really getting something here with the Sigma that is special in its own right, and the beauty of it is, you would only be paying $549. At the end of the day, we all have preferences; all I am saying is there are good options out there, and the Sigma is definitely one of them.
↑ This was taken using f1.4 and 1000 ISO.
↑ Here’s one last photo of the SIgma 23mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens attached to the Fuji X-T3.
So, I urge you to take a look at the Sigma 23mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary, if you’re in market for a new 35mm equivalent. It’s exceptional, and matches quite well with the Fujifilm X Series bodies.
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