10.4.2013

I took delivery of this lens yesterday, and since receiving it I've put it through its paces as best I can, mainly in low light, wide open at f/1.4. I should add straight off the bat that I didn't order via Amazon as they were out of stock at the time (they would have been my first choice otherwise, as they have been brilliant with my previous lens purchases, including having to send back two different copies of the Sigma 24-70 f/2.8). However, I wanted to add a review as for some reason there is only one other (glowing) review so far, and I felt the need to add to it.I've owned five different Sigma lenses to date, with very mixed results. Out of those five,two have been brilliant (an old 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 and a 70-200mm f/2.8 HSM II - both bought second hand), and served me very well in the time I owned them, including shooting a few weddings with them. However, out of the remaining three, two needed to be sent to Sigma for calibration due to focusing inaccuracies at different distances (a 30mm f/1.4 and a 50mm f/1.4 - the latter of which needed two trips to Sigma UK) and the remaining one is the 24-70 I bought off Amazon. The first copy was front focusing badly, so I sent it back. The second one was perfect - razor sharp at all apertures - but it died within less than two hours use! The autofocus mechanism completely failed and it refused to focus at all, instead making a hideous grinding noise. I sent that back for a refund and went with the cheaper Tamron 28-75, which is good enough for an all purpose zoom, but not as sharp as the best copy of the Sigma I owned.None of this is relevant to my review of this lens, but I wanted to share my mixed experience of Sigma lenses before publicly throwing adoration at the 35mm f/1.4. As I've had first hand experience of the Sigma quality control stories floating around on the internet, I was interested to hear about their new QC checks for their new "Art" line of lenses. From what I've read they have invested heavily in new machinery/software at their manufacturing plant, and each of their new lenses are checked thoroughly using it, and only pass through if they meet these new standards. That, combined with the incredible reviews I had read and my need for a "wide-ish" prime was enough for me to bite the bullet, but I was a little scared - I've had so much grief over the years with Sigma lenses I was hoping for the best, but assuming the worst.To add to my trepidation, I bought a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II last week, and as I'm sure everyone knows it is incredible. Razor sharp and incredibly quick and accurate in its focussing. There was no way the Sigma would be able to live up to that...surely?Well, actually...yes. It can. In fact, photos taken at f/1.4 on the Sigma are easily as sharp as my best photos taken on the Canon 70-200 at f/2.8, if not a bit sharper. Given my previous experience with Sigma lenses I have tried my best to make it show up any problems, and so far the only negative (and it's a very, very small negative) is that there is a bit of purple fringing when shooting high contrast scenes at wide apertures - but nowhere near as bad as my worst purple offender (the Canon 85mm f/1.8), and it just takes a couple of clicks in Lightroom to remove it altogether.Vignetting is fairly heavy at f/1.4, but I actually quite like that, and again can be fixed in Lightroom with a couple of clicks. Alternatively, stop it down to f/2 and it's pretty much gone altogether.I bought this lens to make up the main part of my "wedding lens" collection, alongside the Canon 70-200 and my Tamron 28-75, and whilst I've not used it at a wedding yet, I already know that this will be an invaluable addition to my kit bag. 35mm is a really usable focal length for environmental portraiture, and the kind of small group/couple shots you need to get at a wedding - this lens delivers incredibly sharp results, every time (as long as you make sure you and/or the subject doesn't move if shooting at wider apertures). Aside from that, and perhaps more importantly, I know that I can stick this lens on my camera and get great shots of my family/friends/daily life - so much better than I would get from a short zoom.I've only owned it for 24 hours, and whilst I have given it a pretty thorough testing I will most definitely update this review in the future, either positive or negative. But from my initial experiences I can only give this lens an honest 10/10 review. I love prime lenses (and I've owned a fair few) and I can confidently say it really is something quite special! From my testing at least, the positive reviews are absolutely justified. The Canon 70-200 will come out to play at weddings and paid gigs, but I suspect for 90% of the time this lens will be glued to my camera.As there are so few reviews on Amazon so far, please feel free to ask any questions and I will do my best to answer. But the long and the short of it is: If you are thinking about buying this lens - get one.

9.2.2013

First off, a warning: Sigma still have terrible QC issues!The first copy of this lens I received was back focusing horrifically. I did all the usual tests, after initially noticing it wasn't sharp where I was pointing focus. And no, it wasn't user error just because it's a 1.4, like Sigma will try to make you believe! It was off, by a significant margin, so I sent it back to the supplier. They contacted Sigma, who told them, to tell me, the customer, to wait for them to check it out. Well, I wasn't having that and requested a new copy or a refund. fair play to the store for seeing it my way and sending on a new copy, they will deal with Sigma on the other.Anyway, now that I have a decent,

4.1.2013

After moving up to full frame from a Nikon D7000 to a Canon 5D MK iii I didn't have much cash left a few months ago for any expensive glass. My first lens with the Canon was their 50mm 1.4 prime. Some shots I loved but there was something that surprised and disappointed me with that lens. It didn't seem to render as beautifully as my old 50mm I had on my Nikon! Anyway, after then purchasing a Tamron 24-70 and being very pleased with it I decided to look around for something to replace my 50mm Canon prime.I came across a review of this Sigma lens and became very interested. After reading a great review on DPREVIEW and some other stella reviews I decided to take the plunge.

19.9.2015

Oh. My. Gawd.To say that this lens is sharp is an understatement. It will make every other lens that you own look soft - if it's not another Sigma Art series that is. It is everything you've read in the reviews and more.It is sharp across the frame even at f/1.4 but of course at that wide an aperture there is quite a lot of vignetting. This goes away nearly completely at f/2 and it's gone altogether at f/2.5. Aside from sharpness, the colour and contrast is just astounding. As a comparison, I have a Canon 16-35 f/4 IS which I bought for my other half which is no slouch as I'm sure you're aware. To be honest, I wasn't expecting this to be better than the Canon as the Canon is a great lens,

10.3.2014

I ordered this lens half expecting to have problems with auto focus and I did. It wasn't a case that it required fine tuning for my camera (Canon 7d) which I wouldn't have minded as I'm prepared to work hard for perfection. No it lacked consistency, it was out of focus most of the time and sometimes was worse than others. Was a non starter for me. I have been so impressed with the reviews I wasn't prepared to give up so I asked Amazon for a replacement and full marks to them, was at my door within two days, first class delivery which I didn't ask for. The second lens was completely different, consistent and AF was absolutely perfect. Well it was at 1-3 ft but slightly out at 6-infinity.

1.11.2013

I received the lens a few hours ago and I imediately went into my studio to try it out. I recently borrowed the Canon 35mm f1.4 so that was the benchmark I was using. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I always test out my lenses as soon as I get them using various focus charts. This has proved useful in the past as I have had problems with some lenses usually with eaither back or front focusing. The test also give me a good idea of how a lens performs throughout its range. Well absolutely no problems with this little beauty. Focusing si fast, silent and precise at all apertures and subject to camera distances. The wide open performance is amazing and slightly better than the more expensive Canon lens.

5.7.2013

It has taken me weeks to make a decision to buy this lens. I needed a wide angle but one that would work in low light. The Canon 17-40 is a great lens ( I borrowed it from a friend) but in low light it's not what i needed. I read and read about the sigma 35mm 1.4 and finally it arrived today. I snapped away and the results were fantastic. I didn't take my time, the sun was in and out and the captures were not that great but I could see the sheer quality in the photos. I had to check the lens because I thought it had IS, it doesn't but i was seriously pleased at the sharpness, colours and so on. I am out on a full shoot tomorrow and I can't wait.I am sorry for those who have had a bad experience with this lens,

4.3.2013

A spectacular lens for the price - and a wonderful lens for any money...I've spent a long while with the Nikon 35mm f/1.4 G and it's always been a stellar performer, used for wedding and event photography. I recently had to have this serviced and a friend loaned my this Sigma in the meantime. On first shooting, I was really genuinely startled how well this performed in comparison. Unbelievably sharp wide open, and (whilst a subject of taste!) absolutely lovely non-distracting bokeh. Vignetting (heavy-ish, but very nicely shaped) disappears around f/4. Focus is relatively quick, accurate and repeatable on my D800, and rarely hunts in anything but the gloomiest of conditions,

7.12.2014

After hearing so much hype about this lens I figured I would finally give it a go. I have never had this focal length as part of my collection and wasn't about to pay £1k+ for the Canon version, so this was second best. I've had lots of Sigma lenses so am well aware of the focus issues. As I was putting it on my camera I was literally praying (lol) that it wouldn't need any adjustments because I really didn't want to fiddle around with it or end up sending it back. Anyway, put it on my 5D III and out of focus right away. ugh! I bought the sigma dock because I was preparing for this so I plugged the sigma dock in and figured I would be spending my sunday calibrating this lens.

29.7.2015

I've heard so many positive things about this lens that I was sure I would love it. It's a lot of money though, especially in light of the fact I already owned the Nikon 28mm 1.8g. So the first one I tried front focussed badly. No matter how much I microadjusted, I just couldn't get it tack sharp and so I sent it back.The second one I received still front focussed. Not quite as badly as the first but it was still not great. In the end I decided that I didn't trust it enough so I returned it. The third one I ended up getting off a friend who was selling his. His was accurate with a tiny tweak in AF adjust.I have to say I've really grown to love this lens now.

8.12.2017

This lens is simply amazing. I’m comparing this lens to my selection of Canon lens.Build quality feels pro. Focus ring is smooth with enough resistance to make for a nice glide into focus, would be ideal for motion pictures. There is no weather seal but then the canon equivalent doesn’t ether. The lens is fairly heavy but I like this. Feels stable in the hand.Image quality is simply amazing. Seriously, my only lens that comes close is my Canon 70-200 2:8 is. This Sigma lens is brutally sharp. Hand held at 1:4 the focus is tack sharp when checked at 100x zoom in post. Every fibre, crease or blemish is visually apparent.

4.1.2015

The Sigma 35mm 1.4 marks a significant step up in build and optical quality from previous Sigma efforts, they are really onto something with their Art range and this lens is certainly worth a look even if you've had issues with Sigma quality control in the past. I use this lens on a Nikon D750 and that combination really is a low light monster, if you can just about make something out in the dark this combo will lock onto it near instantly. Image quality is excellent, as you would expect you do get vignetting wide open but this is easily correctable in post (Lightroom has a preset for it), AF is silent and basically instant. Build quality is fantastic and although this lens isn't weather sealed,

29.7.2013

Everything about this lens is amazing. I bought on thursday, received on friday, shot a wedding on saturday almost exclusively with this lens. Used with a 5Diii it's pretty much unstoppable and almost impossible to take a bad shot with (provided you know how to work a camera & compose shots). I was a huge fan of the canon 50mm 1.4 before this and it's given me scope for a whole lot more with regards to creativity. It'll depend on your shooting style as to whether you'll agree with 35mm as a prime (there's no zoom, just pure fixed fun and sharp all the way down to f1.4) but for relaxed environmental portraiture the £££'s to quality ratio is almost off the charts.

25.2.2013

A spectacular lens for the price - and a wonderful lens for any money...I've spent a long while with the Nikon 35mm f/1.4 and it's always been a stellar performer, used for wedding and event photography. I recently had to have this serviced and a friend loaned my this Sigma in the meantime. On first shooting, I was really genuinely startled how well this performed in comparison. Unbelievably sharp wide open, and (whilst a subject of taste!) absolutely lovely non-distracting bokeh. Vignetting (heavy-ish, but very nicely shaped) disappears around f/4. Focus is relatively quick, accurate and repeatable on my D800, and rarely hunts in anything but the gloomiest of conditions.Now I've got the Nikon back I've shot them side by side and,

5.7.2014

After using a Nikon 50mm 1.4 for around a year, I wanted to get a lens that was more usable indoors, as the 50mm tends to be too long for small places, like dinner parties, meetings, etc.After a lot of research, this 35mm was the best option I could find and I'm very glad I got to this conclusion and I found an great deal here in Amazon that couldn't resist. This lens is superb.With the 50mm I got used to shoot at 2.8 because of the softness when fully open, but I don't have that problem with this one, it is very sharp at its maximum aperture. Image quality is excellent in any condition I've used it so far. This includes sharpness, colour, contrast and even the blurred backgrounds (or bokeh,

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art - Reviews

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