Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART Review (extreme optical instrument, D. Abbott)

Sigma 105mm F1.4
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Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
  • Three FLD Elements, Two SLD Elements
  • One Aspherical Element
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Weather-Sealed, Protective Front Coating
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Removable Rotating Arca-Type Tripod Foot
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

There are many gear reviewers (and review sites) you can find on the web. Very few take it seriously and make their reviews “real world” related and yet highly professional. One of them is Dustin Abbott, who just posted his review of the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART lens, a pretty interesting lens in our opinion. It’s dubbed the “bokeh master”. Guess why.

In the conclusion he writes:

Sigma has once again successfully created an extreme optical instrument. Tackling a project like a 105mm lens with a huge maximum aperture of f/1.4 is not for the faint of heart, and yet I see evidence of growing maturation as Sigma manages to get more and more right. There’s no question that the extreme size and weight of the 105 ART will be off-putting to many, but those with a little extra arm strength will be rewarded with an exceptional portrait lens. The Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART is not a mainstream lens. It isn’t a general-purpose lens; it is a tool for specialists. A lens like the 105 ART can seriously set your work apart from the crowd, providing images unique to those that a standard 70-200mm f/2.8 lens can produce. And for some photographers, that is worth the extra effort. […] The autofocus works well, the images look fantastic, and the build level is high.

D. Abbott’s reviews always come with a lot of sample photos, and all sorts of analysis. For those in a hurry the 23 minutes Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART video review below should do fine.

The Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art sells at $1,599: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon

Deal: Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary – $749 (reg $1089, free USB dock)

Sigma 150-600mm
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Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary at a glance:

  • Canon EF Lens/Full Frame
  • Aperture Range: f/5-6.3 to 22
  • One FLD and Three SLD Elements
  • Hyper Sonic Motor AF System
  • Optical Stabilizer with Accelerometer
  • Zoom Lock & Manual Override Switches
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 110.2″
  • Splash and Dust Proof Mount
  • Lens Hood & Tripod Collar
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Authorised Sigma retailer B&H Photo has the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM “Contemporary” lens on sale at $749. Compare to $1,089. And you get a free Sugma USB Dock as bonus. Offer valid only today, August 20, 2018.

More selected and exclusive deals…

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First impressions review of the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 Art lens – The “Bokeh Master” – DIY Photography

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Five Tips for Better Outdoor Portraits – Canon DLC

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Creative Uses of Extreme Focal Lengths for Landscape Photography – Canon DLC

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Review: Canon EOS M50 (Canon EF-M) (Not Bad, But Not Fantastic) – The Phoblographer

Review: Tamron 70-210mm f4 Di VC USD (Canon EF) – The Phoblographer

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Below: Why I ditched full frame for micro four thirds cameras ? [Canon vs Panasonic Mirrorless]

Below: Why Sony is absolutely KILLING it right now – The Art of Photography

Below: Canon C200 Review – 6 MONTHS LATER! – Armando Ferreira

Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art First Look/Hands On Review and Image Sample Gallery

Sigma 105mm F1.4
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Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
  • Three FLD Elements, Two SLD Elements
  • One Aspherical Element
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Weather-Sealed, Protective Front Coating
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Removable Rotating Arca-Type Tripod Foot
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Our preferred reviewer, Dustin Abbott, posted a hands on/first look review video (below) for the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens, and a sample photo gallery too. The Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art just recently got a “Hot One” award from Professional Photographer Magazine.

The Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art sells at $1,599: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon

Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Art and 70mm F2.8 DG Macro Art get Hot One Awards from Professional Photographer

Sigma 105mm F1.4
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Sigma press release:

Sigma 70mm F2.8 DG Macro Art and 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Lenses Honored with Hot One Awards from Professional Photographer

Two of Sigma’s Art lenses join this year’s buyers’ guide showcasing the year’s best and most innovative technology products for professional photographers

Ronkonkoma, New York — August 1, 2018 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading camera, DSLR lens, flash and accessories manufacturer, today announced that two of its newest Art lenses, the 70mm F2.8 DG Macro ($569; available in Canon, Sigma and Sony E mounts) and 105mm F1.4 DG HSM, the “Bokeh Master” ($1599; available in Canon, Nikon, Sigma and Sony E mounts), have been honored with Professional Photographer 2018 Hot One Awards. The annual Hot One Awards are given to innovative, exciting and inspiring technology products for photographers. Winners will appear in the August issue of Professional Photographer and also in a featured gallery beginning August 1st on the Professional Photographer website.

Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon

Sigma 70mm F2.8 DG Macro Art: B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon

Professional Photographer is the official magazine of Professional Photographers of America, the largest international non-profit association for professional photographers. For more than 100 years, it has worked to help the pros advance their businesses and careers through editorial content that addresses the artistic, technological and business aspects of their work. This year marks the 19th Hot One Awards, and award recipients are more exciting and groundbreaking than ever before.

To see the full list of Hot One Award winners, please visit www.PPmag.com.

Click here to open the rest of the article

Sigma 14-24mm f2.8 Art lens MTF charts by Lens Rentals

Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art
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Sigma 14-24mm f2.8 ART at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to f/22
  • 3 FLD, 3 SLD, and 3 Aspherical Elements
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Weather-Sealed Brass Bayonet Mount
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 10.2″

Roger Cicala of Lens Rentals posted MTF charts and other lab analysis data of the Sigma 14-24mm f2.8 Art lens.

In the conclusion he writes:

I said at the beginning that I expected this lens to be at least as good as the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 and better than the Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8. I think it’s pretty apparent that while they are all within hair splitting distance of each other at 14mm, the Sigma is the best at 24mm. Optically, this one is worth the money and the best overall 14-24mm zoom. There are lots of other things that go into choosing a lens, but at these very wide angles, things like autofocus speed are not big points.

That being said, if you’re buying a 14mm lens to be a 14mm prime (and some of you are), then all three of these do very well. Honestly, though, for a little more money you should consider the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 Art if that’s the case. If you’re thinking of matching a 14-24-70mm f/2.8 to collect the whole focal length set, then the Sigma is the best optical choice.

Head over to Lens Rentals to see the MTF charts and learn more about the Sigma 14-24mm f2.8 Art.

The Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 ART sells for $1,299:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE