Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART lens image quality and sharpness analysis (video)

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

At a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to 16
  • Two Low Dispersion Elements
  • One Aspherical Element
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • TSC Material, Brass Bayonet Mount
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Photographer and reviewer Dustin Abbott takes a detailed look at the overall sharpness, resolution, and image quality from the new Sigma 85mm f/1.4 ART lens. He also compares the Sigma 85mm with the Tamron 85mm f/1.8 VC and the pro-grade and expensive Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4. A gallery with sample shots can be seen here,

[via Dustin Abbott]

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens sample pictures

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

At a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to 16
  • Two Low Dispersion Elements
  • One Aspherical Element
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • TSC Material, Brass Bayonet Mount
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Photographer and reviewer Dustin Abbott posted a set of sample pictures shot with the new Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens. The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art sells at $1,199 and can be pre-ordered: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

These are the best primes and zooms for the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, according to DxOMark

Eos-1dx Mark Ii
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DxOmark posted a list of what they consider the best prime and zoom lenses to be used with the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II.

Surprisingly (or maybe not), the zoom lenses ranked first and second are not Canon.

  1. Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM ART
  2. Tamron SP 15-30 mm F2.8 Di VC USD.
  3. Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM

The three best ranked prime lenses (recommended for photojournalists):

  1. Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM
  2. Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM
  3. Canon EF 24mm F1.4L II

What does it mean that third party manufacturers build lenses that are considered the best for Canon’s flagship, the EOS-1D X Mark II? It means that both Sigma ad Tamron made some significant advances in the last years and are now able to build lenses with outstanding optical performance and to sell them at a price that’s usually lower as the Canon counterparts.

eos-1d x mark ii

[via DxOMark: prime lenses | zoom lenses]

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Review (ePhotozine)

Sigma 85mm F/1.4
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Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM Art: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

At a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to 16
  • Two Low Dispersion Elements
  • One Aspherical Element
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • TSC Material, Brass Bayonet Mount
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Another positive review for the new Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens by ePhotozine.

The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens is a high class, highly competent design that performs confidently and efficiently. It is of the modern breed of 85mm lenses, sharp from open aperture, as opposed to older designs that were intended to be softer wide open for the purposes of flattering portraits. This new lens is sharp throughout, although not cruelly over-sharp, so subjects should be pleased enough.

It is also delightful to use, the only omissions being vibration reduction and weather sealing, but the performance itself is not in question. Read the review…

The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art is a highly anticipated lens, and it just started shipping.

Sigma 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM Sports Review (no sacrifice in image quality, Photography Blog)

Sigma 500mm
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Sigma 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM Sports: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

At a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/4 to 32
  • One SLD and Two FLD Elements
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Optical Stabilizer; Drop-In Filter Slot
  • Magensium-Alloy Barrel & Brass Mount
  • Dust- and Splash-Proof Construction
  • Rotatable Tripod Collar with Click Stops
  • Compatible with Sigma Teleconverters

Photography Blog reviewed the Sigma 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM Sports lens, a pro lens selling at $5,999 and still being substantially less expensive than Canon’s counterpart, the EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM.

From the conclusion:

The Sigma 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM Sports lens is a much more affordable alternative to similar lenses from Canon and Nikon without any sacrifice in image quality or performance. […]

The Sigma 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM Sports is tack-sharp at both the centre and edges of the frame when stopped down by one-stop, and it’s also very good even when shooting wide-open. Vignetting is apparent at f/4, but it almost completely disappears by f/8, or it can be easily removed in post-processing. Chromatic aberrations are noticeable only by their absence, and distortion is very well controlled too. Optically, there’s very little to complain about.

Build quality is excellent, with the brass lens mount and sober all-black design adding to the high-quality feel and the dust/splash-proof construction adding some peace of mind, plus there’s a very good carbon fibre lens hood and padded case. Read the review…

Sample pictures are here.

Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens review (ephotozine)

Sigma 50-100mm F/1.8
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Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

At a glance:

  • Canon EF Mount/APS-C Format
  • 80-160mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/16
  • One SLD and Three FLD Elements
  • One High-Refractive Index Element
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor
  • Internal Zoom and Focus; MF Override
  • Rounded 9-Blade Polycarbonate Diaphragm
  • Fixed, Rotating Tripod Collar

ephotozine reviewed the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens, another crazy and hot lens for APS-C DSLRs  in Sigma’s new “Art” line-up.

In the conclusion they write:

The Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC Art lens is a fine example of the lens maker’s art. The zoom range is limited, it’s heavy and it could perhaps focus a little closer, but apart from that it would be difficult to find fault with any aspect of its performance.

The sharpness reaches outstanding levels across the range of focal lengths, distortion is low, CA well controlled and the overall appearance of the images is very appealing. The clincher is, of course, that f/1.8 aperture, which opens up a realm of possibilities in low light and for control of depth of field. A lovely lens that’s a pleasure to use.

If I am not wrong, the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM is one of two unique lenses for APS-C having a constant f/1.8 over the zoom range, the other lens being the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM.

[via ephotozine]