Sigma 20mm F1.4 Art lens video-review (a game changer?)

Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM ART
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Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM ART B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM ARTat a glance:

  • EF Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
  • Two FLD Elements and Five SLD Elements
  • Two Aspherical Elements
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • TSC Material, Brass Bayonet Mount
  • Built-In Petal-Shaped Lens Hood
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Tony & Chelsea Northrup on YouTube posted a video-review about Sigma’s 20mm F1.4 DG HSM ART Lens. This is likely not a lens anyone will have in his or her bag, it’s a highly specialised lens. It’s for full-frame sensors but will work perfectly also on your APS-C DSLR. It’s another one of Sigma’s recent optical jewels, and as all of those recent Sigma lenses it comes at an almost affordable price, $899. It would sell for more if it was made by Canon or Nikon.

Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM ART (utterly unique lens)

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

Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM ART 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

Photographer and reviewer Dustin Abbott published his comprehensive review of Sigma’s latest of their unique lenses, the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM ART for APS-C DSLR.

What makes this lens unique is the constant aperture f/1.8, same as on the also outstanding Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM. There are no other lens with such features.

The video above is the review, which can also be read and comes with many sample pictures. In the conclusion Abbott writes:

The Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM ART is an incredible lens. The image quality is seriously impressive, and this lens exhibited none of the focus woes I encountered with the 18-35mm. Not only is the resolution extremely high on the lens, but the overall look of the images it produces is extremely nice. The tradeoff is that you are going to have to deal with a uniquely large and heavy APS-C lens that is also unmatched in the weight department. My most serious gripe is with the poor implementation of the tripod collar, but I suspect that most users will adapt. I could wish for weather sealing or Sigma’s Optical Stabilizer, too, but the ART series has given me no reason to expect that. If your wrists can handle the weight, and your wallet can handle the hit ($1099 in the US), then I can think of no other serious reason why you wouldn’t want to own this lens.

Dustin Abbott also tested the Sigma 50-100mm on a full-frame body. Even if the lens is not meant for a FF body, it can never the less being mounted on such a body. The video below reveals the findings.

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

Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8

[via Dustin Abbott]

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART review

Sigma 20mm F/1.4
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Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART:
B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART at a glance:

  • EF Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
  • Two FLD Elements and Five SLD Elements
  • Two Aspherical Elements
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • TSC Material, Brass Bayonet Mount
  • Built-In Petal-Shaped Lens Hood
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Photographer and gear reviewer Dustin Abbott posted his review about one of Sigma’s most exciting lenses, the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART.

Abbott’s review comes with plenty of sample pictures, and many educated considerations about this lens (does it suit for astrophotography?). In the conclusion he writes:

The Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART is undoubtedly another excellent entry in the optically stellar ART series. Sigma continues to push the boundaries of what can be done with wide aperture lenses. Not only does this lens enter new territory in its maximum aperture value but manages to best all direct competitors in its resolution (particularly in the center). It also does this while undercutting its principle competitors in price by a fair margin […].  It provides crisp, detailed images with good color rendition, strong flare resistance, and a moderately low amount of distortion.

The Sigma 20mm f/1.4 costs less than you may think: it’s yours for $899, which is a bargain given the stellar performance of this lens. You may watch the 14 minutes video below, which tells you all about Abbott’s impression, or you may go for the written review.

Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art real-world sample pictures (DPReview)

Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8
Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8

DPReview posted a real-world sample gallery shot with Sigma’s latest marvel, the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens. What so special with this lens (and with the awesome Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8?). It’s the following:

Sigma’s F1.8 zooms for APS-C are ground-breaking in the following sense: F1.8 on APS-C gives you around the depth-of-field control of F2.7 on full-frame. That makes Sigma’s 18-35/1.8 and 50-100/1.8 roughly equivalent to 27-53/2.7 and 75-150/2.7 lenses on full-frame, in terms of both DOF and noise (in low light) control […]. For some, these lenses go a long way in addressing some of the inherent disadvantages of the smaller sensor format.

If you want to go deeper into this, there is an article by DPReview here. The new Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 Art sells for $1,099, pre-order: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon

Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art review (Camera Labs)

Sigma 24-35mm F/2
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Camera Labs reviewed the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art lens. One of Sigma’s latest addition to their highly regarded “Art” line-up. Once more, a review that praises the virtues of this lens. Please note: the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 was tested on a Nikon D810.

If you’re looking for a wide-angle lens on a full-frame body you may consider the Sigma 24-35/2.0 DG HSM Art the ideal candidate: It covers three customary focal lengths (24/28/35mm) in one bright f2.0 zoom that performs as you would expect from a member of Sigma’s highly acclaimed “Art” series: It’s sharp at all focal lengths, has relatively little vignetting for such a wide-angle lens and shows only little longitudinal CAs and moderate coma. The build-quality supports Sigma’s claim to have developed and manufactured a lens to professional standards although there’s no weather sealing at the lens-mount. But other than that the Sigma 24-35mm f2.0 DG HSM Art plays on a very high level and as such earns our Highly Recommended rating. Read the review…

Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM ART key features:

  • EF Mount Lens/Full Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2 to 16
  • FLD & Special Low Dispersion Elements
  • Two Aspherical Elements
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor
  • Internal Focus; Manual Focus Override
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Thermally Stable Composite Material
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens real-world review

Sigma 20mm F/1.4
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Sigma’s new masterpiece, the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art gets a lot of attention. This time I would like to feature a more real-world oriented review by photographer Tyson Robichaud.

He writes:

The real magic that this lens brings to the table is firstly its speed.  As has been said, nowhere else can you find a full frame lens this wide, this fast.  Considering that for something like astro photography, most lenses in this range, at best, are f/2.8 with the rare exception of an f/2 or f/1.8 UWA (that is up to two full stops faster!) until you hit the 24mm f/1.4 variants.  It’s not just fast for speed’s sake either, it’s pretty darn sharp wide open too.  That in and of itself is reason to consider it.  Add in the optical quality, and relatively modest price and Sigma has continued to not only pressure the big boys, but is kicking ass in the lens game.  Good on you, Sigma.  Keep it coming.

Tyson’s review comes with a lot of sample pics, test pics, and aperture comparison, and it evaluates the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 for astrophotography. If you want a review that tells you how this lens performs in the real world and outside a lab, then Tyson’s review is for you.

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM sells at $899: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

  • EF Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
  • Two FLD Elements and Five SLD Elements
  • Two Aspherical Elements
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • TSC Material, Brass Bayonet Mount
  • Built-In Petal-Shaped Lens Hood
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock