Sigma 35 mm F1.4 DG II Art:

The new edition of a classic

Hardly any other lens is as closely associated with the history of the Sigma Art series as the 35 mm F1.4. It was one of the Lenses that made the Art series famous in the first place: high sharpness, strong image effect and a clear claim to professional quality (and at a very good price). For many professional photographers and ambitious users, this 35mm was and still is a true classic.

This is precisely why it is so exciting that Sigma has not simply slightly revised this Lenses. The new generation builds on the legendary status of its predecessor, but aims to modernize it in almost all important areas - in terms of optical performance, autofocus, size and suitability for both photo and video.

This is exactly what makes this new edition so interesting. Because a Lenses with this name automatically carries with it great expectations. Sigma even seems to want to exceed these expectations and promises the best optical performance in the Art series to date.

Strong image quality from the center to the edge

One of the most important aspects of a fast 35mm Lenses is of course the performance at open aperture. This is where Sigma is particularly strong: The new 35 mm F1.4 DG II Art is said to deliver exceptionally high resolution across the entire image field, even at F1.4. In practice, you therefore not only have a sharp center, but also convincing detail reproduction right into the peripheral areas.

To make this possible, Sigma uses a new optical design:

• 15 elements in 12 groups
• New glass materials plus 4 aspherical elements and 2 SLD elements ensure very good suppression of aberrations

In addition, Sigma uses a new AAC coating to reduce flares and ghosting. This can ensure clearer, higher-contrast images, especially in backlit or difficult lighting situations. The bottom line is that there are many indications that Sigma is not only continuing a proven concept here, but has also noticeably improved the optical performance.

Bokeh and image look

A large part of the fascination of fixed focal lengths such as an aperture 35mm lies in the image look, i.e. the way in which sharpness, blur and transitions interact. With the new 35 mm F1.4 DG II Art, Sigma promises a natural, intense bokeh that does not appear artificially exaggerated, but rather can free up subjects in a very pleasant way.

What is particularly exciting is that the improved control of chromatic aberration not only benefits the focal plane, but also the out-of-focus areas of the image. This can help to minimize distracting colour fringing in the foreground and background and make the overall impression appear calmer. There are also 11 rounded aperture blades, which are intended to ensure that the aperture opening is as round as possible even when stopping down. As a result, the blur remains soft and harmonious instead of quickly appearing unsettled or angular.

More compact and lighter

With fast Lenses, more optical performance often means more size and more weight. With the 35 mm F1.4 DG II Art, however, exactly the opposite has been achieved. Compared to its predecessor, the Lenses has become around 30 percent lighter and around 20 percent shorter.

Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN ART (FE mount):

• Length approx. 109.5 mm
• Diameter approx. 75.5 mm
• Weight approx. 645 g

Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG II ART (FE mount):

• Length approx. 96 mm
• Diameter approx. 73 mm
• Weight approx. 525 g

This is made possible, among other things, by a floating focus system, which not only improves the optical performance but also contributes to the more compact design. In addition, there is high-quality equipment with dust and splash protection as well as a water and oil-repellent front lens. This makes the new 35 mm not only interesting for controlled studio use, but also for reportage, travel and outdoor use in less than ideal conditions.

Fast autofocus and more video capability

For autofocus, Sigma relies on a dual HLA system that works quickly, quietly and precisely. This is particularly important with a fast F1.4 Lenses, because the focus range can be very small with an open aperture. Reliable autofocus is therefore not only a convenience, but also crucial for suitability for everyday use.

Videographers are also likely to take a closer look at the new version. Sigma has minimized focus breathing, which in practice ensures more natural focus shifts and an overall smoother image.

In addition, the equipment is clearly aimed at professional use:

• two AFL buttons
• Aperture ring with click and de-click function
• Lock switch that prevents unintentional adjustment

These are not huge headline features, but exactly the details that can make a difference in everyday use.

Conclusion

The new Sigma 35 mm F1.4 DG II Art looks like a very consistent further development of an already legendary Lenses. Precisely because the original 35 mm played such an important role for Sigma and many users, the expectations for a successor were correspondingly high. From everything Sigma has shown so far, the goal seems clear: an update of the 35mm-F1.4 that improves in almost all decisive points.

A look at the competition is particularly exciting. In practice, the new Sigma actually performs at a comparable level to the Sony 35mm F1.4 GM - one of the most powerful 35mm lenses in the E-mount range - but remains noticeably cheaper. That is an extremely strong argument! Above all, it shows how strong manufacturers like Sigma have become. The fact that a third-party supplier can now offer such high optical and mechanical quality at such a competitive price is pretty impressive.

Anyone who appreciates the 35 mm focal length and is looking for a fast Lens for Sony FE or L-Mount should definitely keep an eye on the new Sigma 35 mm F1.4 DG II Art . Because this Lenses doesn't just want to follow on from a classic - it wants to bring it convincingly into the present.

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