After I first was requested to check out the Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Artwork lens, I used to be intrigued. I had lengthy been envious of the 40mm focal size. It’s nonetheless considerably uncommon to see, nevertheless it’s changing into extra used particularly in video work.
Whereas I’m not a videographer, I’ve been craving that cinematic look not too long ago. And whereas utilizing it to seize a number of documentary pictures round city, I shortly realized how worthwhile this lens really was.
Professionals
- Attractive picture high quality
- Quick autofocus
- Gorgeous background separation
- Climate sealed
Cons
- Large and heavy, because it’s a DSLR tailored lens for E mount cameras
- No picture stabilization
Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Artwork — Technical specs
All technical specs for (product title) have been taken from B&H Photograph:
- Aperture vary: f/1.4–16
- Angle of view: 56.8°
- Minimal focus distance: 1.31′ / 40 cm
- Most magnification: 0.15x
- Optical design: 16 parts in 12 teams
- Diaphragm blades: 9, rounded
- Picture stabilization: No
- Weight: 2.6 lb / 1.2 kg
- Dimensions: 3.5 x 5.2 inches
Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Artwork — Ergonomics and construct high quality
Let’s get the plain out of the best way. This isn’t a lens that you just’ll carry round evenly. It’s a beast of a lens, coming in at 2.6 kilos. It’s 3.5 inches vast, and comes out 5.2 inches out of your digicam. It is a lens that’s been tailored from its DSLR counterparts, so it didn’t shock me. However in comparison with my different E mount lenses, it actually was fairly giant.
However all that stated, the 40mm is constructed like a tank, in a great way. With climate sealing, brass mount building and a clean focus ring, relaxation assured that this can do nice within the parts. And regardless of its weight, it feels nice within the palms.
It has one swap on it, to alter between auto and guide focusing modes.
The lens hood is sort of giant, which shouldn’t be stunning given the lens dimension and what Sigma packs in with its different Artwork sequence lenses.
Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Artwork — Within the subject
In case you’ve ever used one in every of Sigma’s artwork lenses, you already know that they scream character. The 40mm isn’t any totally different, providing a delightful picture high quality that’s accompanied by quick, correct autofocus.
Regardless of its weight, the lens feels very nicely balanced on my Sony a7 IV with battery grip. On a smaller physique although, it’d really feel a bit awkward.
One factor to notice right here is that the 40mm doesn’t have picture stabilization, as a substitute relying in your digicam physique to carry out when it’s wanted. This stunned me barely, primarily due to its dimension.
Whereas the 40mm is a nontraditional focal size, I discovered it a pleasure to make use of. Whereas I primarily used it for documentary pictures, it additionally carried out nicely with some environmental headshots. The 40mm — like most of Sigma’s Artwork lenses — has a really pleasing depth of subject. This lens actually is extra versatile than I imagined, and it caught on my digicam for almost all of my three weeks with it.
Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Artwork — Autofocus efficiency
As I discussed earlier, autofocus on the Sigma 40mm is simply what you’d anticipate out of a pro-quality lens. It’s quick to lock focus, and extremely correct. With a minimal focus distance of 40 cm (approx. 16 inches), the 40mm was in a position to seize each up-close and from afar.
The lens labored nicely with Sony’s Eye AF, even when coping with shadows on faces and masks worn. I had no issues capturing any of might topics, which ranged from metropolis staff cleansing flower beds and streets, an artwork installer, a pair strolling canines, fishermen and Earth Day volunteers choosing up trash.
Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Artwork — Picture high quality
It must be no shock that the Sigma 40mm excels relating to picture high quality. Distortions, chromatic aberrations and fringing are of no fear right here. It’s a high quality lens with out actually any flaws that I may discover.
Distortion management and vignetting
Whereas the lens does give off a slight vignette, it’s greater than manageable and simple to right in post-processing. Distortion was almost nonexistent, making for a lens that’s actually constructed nicely optically.
Ghosting, flaring and chromatic aberrations
Sunny days are onerous to return by within the spring in West Michigan, nonetheless once I was in a position to expertise one, there have been no noticeable points with ghosting, flaring or chromatic aberrations.
Sharpness
This factor is sharp! Like different Sigma Artwork lenses, the sharpness mixed with the shallow depth of subject actually could make a topic pop. Even with small particulars like eyes, tree bark and material, I used to be amazed at how nicely this lens carried out by way of its sharpness.
Bokeh
Excuse the trash photograph, nevertheless it’s an excellent instance of this lens’ shallow depth of subject when wide-open. The bokeh rendered fairly delicate in my assessments, nevertheless it’s nonetheless noticeable and round.
Colour rendition
Colours with the Sigma 40mm had been fairly pure, leaning only a bit on the nice and cozy aspect. I didn’t discover myself making many changes by way of white stability due to the pure heat the lens rendered.
Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Artwork — Character in a flexible prime
In case you’re searching for an excellent lens with some character, the Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Artwork is tough to beat. With a stunning depth of subject and supreme sharpness, this lens carried out admirably. It’s nice it doesn’t matter what you’re photographing — landscapes, nature, environmental portraits, road pictures … you title it.
Whereas its dimension and weight is a bit to beat, this lens is tough to beat optically. And should you’ve been searching for a Sigma Artwork lens on a cut price, the 40mm is well the most effective choices out there.
Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Artwork Lens for Sony E
Designed inside the rigorous tolerances of a cine lens, the Sony E-mount Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Artwork Lensis a large normal-length lens characterised by a vivid design and complicated optical structure. The quick f/1.4 most aperture helps to attain shallow depth of subject and selective focus results, and in addition fits working in tough lighting situations.
