SIGMA has launched a new wide-angle prime lens for full-frame mirrorless cameras. The SIGMA 14mm DG DN | Art also has a superfast f1.4 maximum aperture. The new lens is available with Leica L-Mount or Sony E-mount options.
Wide maximum aperture
The headline feature of SIGMA’s new 14 mm prime lens is the wide maximum aperture. SIGMA says it is the world’s first and only lens that combines an ultra-wide angle of 14 mm with a maximum aperture of f1.4. The lens also has a manual aperture ring which can be made clickless for smooth exposure changes when shooting video. In addition, the iris has 11 blades, giving rounded bokeh in out-of-focus parts of your image.
Autofocus and controls
The SIGMA 14 mm f1.4 lens has a high-speed autofocus with a linear HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) motor. It also has an autofocus lock button and a manual focus lock switch. The latter ensures that you can’t accidentally change focus during long exposures for astrophotography. In addition, the 14 mm lens has a close focus distance of 11.9 inches (30 cm).
Optical construction
This 14 mm f1.4 prime lens is constructed with 19 lens elements in 15 groups. These include three “F” ultra-low-dispersion glass elements, one special low-dispersion glass element and four aspherical elements. SIGMA says the design means the lens has advanced aberration correction, including sagittal coma flare correction. Sagittal coma flare distorts the shape of stars.
Build
The SIGMA 14 mm f1.4 lens is four inches (101.4 mm) in diameter and around six inches (151.9 mm) in length. It also weighs about 41 ounces (1,170 g). SIGMA says the lens has a dust and splash-resistant structure with sealing at the mount, focus ring and zoom ring. In addition, the new lens has a rear filter holder with a lock to ensure that your filters don’t fall out. The lens cap even has two slots for storing filters.
What we think
Although SIGMA is advertising it for astrophotography, the new 14 mm f1.4 lens would be great for low-light video use. You could also get some relatively shallow depth-of-field wide-angle shots if you wanted. In addition, the clickless aperture is an essential feature for video use, so it’s good that SIGMA included that option. The SIGMA 14mm DG DN | Art lens costs the same as Sony’s 14 mm G Master lens; however, the SIGMA offering gives you over 2/3rds of a stop extra exposure. If you want the fastest 14 mm lens on the market, you should check out this lens.
Pricing and availability
The SIGMA 14mm f1.4 DG DN | Art prime lens will be available from June 23. You can preorder the lens now, and it costs $1,599.
