Today Sigma finally released the long-awaited replacement for its original 35 1.4 Art Series lens: the new Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art. It’s been nearly 10 years since the release of the original, and Sigma has packed in a ton of features that make this a tempting upgrade.
It’s no secret that I usually prefer a zoom lens, but that comes with one big caveat—I love a 35mm 1.4 prime. It just makes everything look so dreamy! The super shallow depth of field makes even the most mundane subject incredible to look at. On top of the cool factor and low light benefits you get from the large aperture, I find 35mm to be the sweet spot between wide angle and telephoto. I really think a 35 is the perfect lens for an everyday carry, and I was excited to put this one though its paces.
Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art ()
If you’ve read any of my pervious reviews, you know that I love Sigma glass. The lenses are always super sharp, yet they also give images an almost indescribable softness and texture that I absolutely love.
This was my first from Sigma’s Art Series. That means it was built in Japan to Sigma’s highest optical and physical standards and really shows Sigma’s capabilities. At just under 1.5 pounds, this isn’t the lightest 35mm I’ve used, but that’s for a good reason. This lens is constructed almost entirely of aluminum, and inside it has 11 groups with 15 elements. This gives it a super solid in-hand feel, and you can tell it is a professional tool.
Sigma Art series: Creating the perfect workflow
Being an Art Series lens, we all know this lens is capable of creating stunning images. Here, I’d like to talk about what sets this apart from other lenses in this category and the features that make for an awesome photography workflow. I was surprised to find that my favorite feature of this lens actually turned out to be the AF lock button on the side. While I figured I wouldn’t use it much at first, I realized that you can custom program the button’s function inside the camera.
For me, the most frustrating part of shooting with a prime lens is the lack of focal length versatility. So, instead of this button locking focus, I set it up to toggle between full-frame and APS-C modes. Being able to punch in for a roughly 56mm field of view was awesome, and it really made the prime workflow feel more versatile.
Manual aperture ring for optimal control
Another new feature I thought really set it apart from other lenses in this category was the manual aperture control ring on the outside of the lens. This rotating aperture ring allows you to adjust aperture just like you would on an older analog film lens. If you’re more comfortable with the more traditional mirrorless camera controls though, just click the lens over to automatic mode, and you can control aperture though the camera as you would normally.
For video shooters, Sigma has also built in a de-click switch for the aperture. This way, you can smoothly change exposure while shooting video. So you don’t have to worry about accidentally changing your aperture settings, Sigma has also included an aperture ring locking switch on the side of the lens. Not only did I like controlling aperture manually as I do on my film camera, but having that new aperture ring freed up the front wheel on the camera for customization. I decided to set the front wheel to control ISO so that I had super quick access to all my most important settings.
The perfect balance between analog and modern:
Most mirrorless lenses were designed to be used in autofocus mode. Often, it seems like very little thought is put into the design of the manual focus ring. Fortunately, that’s not at all the case with this lens. It is obvious that Sigma put a lot of work into making its focus ring just right. It has a relatively long throw for a still lens. Plus, it’s dampened perfectly allowing for really precise manual focus control.
With Sigma’s new 35 1.4 Art Series lens, I think the company has struck the perfect balance between analog feel and modern features. Its lighting fast autofocus, perfectly dampened manual focus ring, and external aperture control make this lens the perfect tool for every kind of photographer. I have used a lot of 35s in my life, and I can honestly say that none of them comes close to this one.
The Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens is available for pre-order for in both L-Mounts and Sony E-Mounts at Adorama.
Feature photo by Cooper Naitove
