BEAUTIFULL BEHEMOTH
Hey there! Today, I'm sharing my thoughts on the Sigma 40mm F1.4 DG HSM Art lens. Just to be clear, this isn't a deep dive into the technical specs—it's more of an overview from the perspective of an introvert photographer who loves still photography. If you want a detailed technical review, I highly recommend checking out Dustin Abbott's take on this optic. Now, let's get into it!
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Image Quality: Simply outstanding!
Sharpest Lens: The sharpest lens I’ve ever personally handled.
Optical Performance: Perfect, no distortions or chromatic aberrations whatsoever.
Bokeh: Beautiful, creamy bokeh.
Minimal Vignetting: Barely any darkening at the corners.
Build Quality: Excellent, feels solid and premium.
Design Language: Stunning and stylish.
Weather Sealing: Fully weather-sealed, great for various conditions.
AF Performance: Excellent on Canon RF and Sony E mounts ( I did not tested it on other mounts)
Cons:
Weight: It's hefty, around 1kg depending on the mount.
Size: Larger than most 24-70mm full-frame zooms.
Filter Size: 82mm filters can be quite expensive.
Perfect For:
Portraits (Studio and Outdoor): The rendering is so good it feels like you're shooting with a medium format camera.
Weddings and Events: If you can handle the weight, this lens is perfect for those who are wicked enough to use it for a full wedding day.
Astro Photography: The large f/1.4 aperture lets in lots of light, making it excellent for capturing the night sky.
Not So Good For:
Nature Photography: It's too big and bulky for landscapes, especially when hiking. You count every gram of weight carefully, and the scenarios where you'd benefit from the large aperture are marginal.
Street Photography: Hardly inconspicuous, even mounted on relatively small Sony bodies. It still looks huge, making the "fly on the wall" approach a no-go.
Every Day Carry: again to heavy and bulky
Why It's My Favorite Standard Prime Lens
As of writing this, the Sigma 40mm F1.4 DG HSM Art is my absolute favourite standard prime lens. The images it produces are absolutely mesmerizing in almost any scenario. There's a myth in the photography community that perfectly optical lenses lack character, but I don't think that's the case here. The rendering of this lens is absolutely magical.
A Selection of Sample Images
f 1.4
f 1.4
f 1.4
f 4.5
f 5.6
Each shot showcases the incredible sharpness and rendering this lens can achieve. Whether it's portraits, landscapes, or street photography, the Sigma 40mm F1.4 never disappoints if you wicked enough to carry it around.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a lens that delivers top-notch image quality, has excellent build quality, and offers stunning visual rendering, the Sigma 40mm F1.4 DG HSM Art is a fantastic choice. It's a bit on the heavier side, but for the performance and image quality, it's absolutely worth it.
Happy shooting, and until next time!