Sigma 14mm F18 Dg Hsm Art Lens for Nikon F Reviews

Updates:
08/xvi/2018: Field Test & Gallery Images posted
06/27/2019: Field Test updated

Sigma 14mm f/1.8 Fine art Field Test

Ultra-broad, ultra-fast and very good

past Jeremy Gray | Posted 08/xvi/2018

Update, 06/27/2019
Revised on June 27, 2019: In my original Field Test of the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 Fine art lens, I had some issues with its corner performance. Upon revising my sharpness test shot methodology in more than recent lens Field Tests, I revisited the Sigma 14mm f/1.viii to meet if the lens was better than I had originally idea. Therefore, the sharpness section of this Field Exam has been redone with new test images and assay. Additionally, I take revised the conclusion of this Field Test with new findings.

The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 is a unique lens. Information technology'southward not often y'all tin say that a lens has no direct competitor, only in the case of the Sigma 14mm f/one.8 DG HSM Art, it's true. It'south the world's outset full-frame ultra-wide-angle lens to offer an f/ane.8 maximum discontinuity. Allow'due south accept a closer look at the lens to see how it handles and performs in real-world use.

*Notation: All gallery images in this Field Test were shot using a Nikon D800E.

Key Features and Specifications

"World's first and only total-frame f/1.8 ultra-wide-bending lens"
Splash- and dust-resistant design
Aperture range of f/i.eight to f/sixteen
16 lens elements in eleven groups, including three FLD elements and iv SLD elements
Minimum focus altitude of x.6 inches (27 centimeters)
9 aperture blades
Compatible with Sigma USB dock
Available for Canon EF, Nikon F, Sigma SA and Sony Due east
Retails for $1,599 USD

Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art Review -- Product Image

Construction and treatment

Big, heavy and very well-built is how I'd draw the Sigma 14mm f/one.8 Fine art lens. It'south a hefty lens, weighing over 2.5 pounds (1,170 grams). Its shape and heavy front elements also hateful it won't balance well on smaller cameras. With that said, the weight is non wasted. The lens has a splash and dust resistance construction and rubber sealing. The lens is congenital using both metal and Sigma's Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) material. All in all, the lens is designed for the rigors of a professional workload.

Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art Review -- Product Image

The lens feels very nice in the hands, you lot can sense the quality. The focus band is large and features a rubbery ridged design that's easy to grip. The lens also has a congenital-in focus scale, which is always a welcome addition. There's a switch for toggling between autofocus and manual focus on the side of the lens.

Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art Review -- Product Image

It'southward a fairly long lens in addition to beingness heavy. The lens is just under five inches long (126 millimeters) and has a maximum diameter of iii.8 inches (95.four millimeters). It'due south not as well different in size when compared to a Nikon 14-24mm f/2.eight lens, if that gives yous a better sense of the lens' size. Despite its weight, the lens is fairly comfortable to hold and use. Equally I mentioned, information technology can feel a bit front end-heavy, merely that'due south non piece of cake to avoid with an ultra-wide-angle optic.

Optical design and image quality

The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 lens has a circuitous optical structure. It features 16 elements across 11 groups. Of these elements, three are FLD elements, iv are SLD elements, four are aspherical elements and the lens besides features SMC coating to suppress ghosting.

Sharpness

I was dissatisfied with the original sharpness exam images I shot with the Sigma 14mm f/one.eight lens, so I redid them. The crops below are from raw files which were processed with Adobe Photographic camera Raw default settings and lens profile corrections enabled. Y'all tin can download the original raw files in the Gallery. Upon boosted investigation, the Sigma 14mm f/i.8 performs better than I originally thought.

When shooting wide open, center sharpness is impressive. When considering the extreme edge, sharpness does understandably decrease a fleck, which is typical of any lens, but specially ultra-wide angle lenses. However, even when shooting at f/one.8, the lens resolves a adept amount of item in the corners. It'southward a strong operation here for the Sigma 14mm f/i.8.

Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art Review: Field Test -- Gallery Image

f/one.8, one/3200s, ISO 100.
RAW processed image with Adobe Camera Raw defaults and lens contour corrections enabled. Click for full-size image. Click hither for the RAW file.

f/1.8, 1/3200s, ISO 100.
100 percent center crop from RAW processed paradigm with Adobe Camera Raw defaults and lens profile corrections enabled. Click for total-size paradigm. Click hither for the RAW file.

f/i.8, ane/3200s, ISO 100.
100 percent peak right corner ingather from RAW processed image with Adobe Camera Raw defaults and lens profile corrections enabled. Click for total-size image.Click here for the RAW file.

Corner sharpness improves a little bit equally you stop down to f/two.0 and f/ii.eight, but the outset really noticeable alter is at f/4.0, when corner sharpness improves a fair bit. You can see amend separation in the posts along the railing on the bridge, for case.

f/4.0, i/1000s, ISO 100.
100 percentage acme correct corner crop from RAW processed image with Adobe Camera Raw defaults and lens profile corrections enabled. Click for full-size prototype.Click hither for the RAW file.

At f/8.0, performance beyond the unabridged frame is even more than consistent. Center sharpness remains very practiced and corner functioning is even farther improved. For landscape shooters, this aperture strikes an fantabulous residuum every bit it offers good depth of field for 14mm and strong sharpness across the entire frame. At f/11, the lens continues to impress, although to my optics, maximum sharpness in the eye of the frame does decrease slightly as diffraction starts to go credible. The entire frame gets noticeably softer at f/16, although the lens is not terrible at its minimum aperture, which is pretty impressive.

f/viii.0, one/250s, ISO 100.
100 percentage center crop from RAW processed image with Adobe Camera Raw defaults and lens contour corrections enabled. Click for full-size image.Click hither for the RAW file.

f/8.0, ane/250s, ISO 100.
100 percentage top correct corner crop from RAW processed image with Adobe Camera Raw defaults and lens profile corrections enabled. Click for total-size image.Click here for the RAW file.

Overall, the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 is more than impressive upon further reflection. I already believed the centre sharpness to be impressive, simply the corner operation is better than I originally believed. It'south a really impressive performer.

Vignette

Where I'1000 less impressed with the lens is with respect to vignette. Vignette is quite potent at f/1.8. Fortunately, by f/2.8, the situation is considerably better. In nearly cases, vignette won't be specially noticeable, merely it is most-visible when trying to capture images with a shallow depth of field at f/i.viii or when shooting at night, another state of affairs where f/one.viii makes sense.

f/1.8, 1/1600s, ISO 100.
Vignette exam, -100 clarity applied in Adobe Camera Raw to reduce fine particular in the subject. Click here for the RAW file.

f/two.eight, 1/640s, ISO 100.
Vignette test, -100 clarity practical in Adobe Camera Raw to reduce fine detail in the subject. Click here for the RAW file.

f/five.half dozen, i/200s, ISO 100.
Vignette test, -100 clarity applied in Adobe Camera Raw to reduce fine particular in the field of study. Click here for the RAW file.

Aberrations

The lens generally performs quite well with respect to aberrations, although at that place are some cyan and magenta chromatic aberrations effectually high-contrast edges and fine details. There is also some imperial fringing, which is a bit distracting at times. With that said, overall performance with respect to CA is good, and the issues that are nowadays are non particularly obtrusive nor are they difficult to correct during post-processing.

In the field

The Sigma 14mm f/1.eight is an interesting lens to use because information technology offers a very wide field of view and also a fast aperture. Similar many other ultra-wide angle lenses, you will struggle with using filters. You'd need some sort of an adapter to utilize large filters on the front as there is no filter thread.

Autofocus

In my case, I needed to perform all-encompassing autofocus fine-tuning with the Nikon D800E I was using to accomplish adequate results with the Sigma 14mm f/1.8. This could be due to the camera, the detail lens sample, or perchance a flake of both. In any case, I wanted to mention information technology, but I tin't speak to whether this may be typical with the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 in general or just the sample I used.

Later on the fine-tuning, the lens focused quite smoothly. It'southward not crude, loud or apprehensive during focusing. I wouldn't say that information technology'due south super fast, simply it's certainly quick enough and delivers solid, reliable focusing.

Shooting at dark

With its wide field of view and fast aperture, the Sigma 14mm f/ane.eight practically begs to be used as a nighttime heaven lens. Even wide open, the lens does not brandish much by fashion of comatic abnormality. At that place is some at the farthermost corners of the frame, merely it's nifty at all. Further, the lens has a congenital-in focus calibration and a nice focus band, which is great in general, but specially appreciated when trying to dial in focus at night.

f/1.eight, 13s, ISO 3200.
100 percent crop from the above image. Click for total-size epitome. Click here for the RAW file. Nosotros can see a fair bit of comatic aberration in the farthermost corner.

Compared to manual focus fast prime lenses, of which in that location are multiple options out there including at 14mm, the Sigma 14mm f/one.8 is considerably more than expensive and heavier. On the other hand, there's a substantial difference betwixt f/1.8 and f/2.8. The actress light-gathering ability cannot be understated, particularly for shooting at night. I cannot say which is the right option for you, but I can say that I would definitely recommend the Sigma 14mm f/1.viii for night photography.

Field Test summary

Impressive ultra-wide bending lens delivers great performance and fun

What I similar:

Very proficient build quality
Impressive prototype quality, fifty-fifty wide open, across the entire frame
One-of-a-kind full-frame lens
Fun to apply

What I dislike:

Heavy and non well-balanced
Autofocus performance is fair
Some comatic aberration
Quite a bit of vignette
Similar other ultra-wide lenses, yous won't be able to hands utilise filters

The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Fine art ultra-wide lens is a very interesting and enjoyable optic. The lens has pro-form build quality, high-finish optical performance and is well-suited to many different ultra-wide angle shooting situations thank you to its bright maximum discontinuity.

If wide-angle photography is up your alley, and so this niche lens is a very good choice. Its price is fairly loftier at only under $1,600 USD, just you get a lot of lens for the money. The Sigma 14mm f/ane.8 lens is a very good choice for compages, landscape and night sky photography.

• • •

Product Overview

(From Sigma lens literature) In taking photographs of starry skies or other celestial scenes at nighttime, or of the seashore with a broad perspective, a large-bore lens is a strong marry, since information technology allows the capture of a moving subject area by adjusting shutter speed without relying on ISO sensitivity. With its total-frame 35mm coverage, 14mm focal length for an ultra-wide angle of view, F2 barrier-breaking F1.eight, the SIGMA 14mm F1.eight DG HSM | Art is the true high-speed ultra-broad-angle lens for which so many photographers have been waiting. Although some zoom lenses are available that tin cover 14mm, the large diameter delivering F1.8 effulgence is a singular advantage. Going beyond fast shutter speed, this lens can capture a swarm of fireflies with crystal clarity, a beautiful bokeh consequence, and outstanding command of light streaking.

Key features

1. 14mm ultra-wide angle of view and F1.8 brightness evangelize a new dimension of visual feel
By leveraging its farthermost angle of view and the dramatic perspective this creates, an ultra-wide-bending lens tin can get upward close and personal with a field of study while at the same time taking in a vast background-an example of photography going beyond normal human vision.

SIGMA 14mm F1.viii DG HSM | Art combines the extremely deep depth of field that comes from an ultra-broad angle of view with the extremely shallow depth of field that comes from F1.8 brightness. The result is a sharply captured bailiwick set against a vast groundwork dramatically blurred with a cute bokeh issue. It is a highly impressive mode of photographic expression that until now only has non existed.

Minimized chromatic aberrations
3 FLD ("F" Depression Dispersion) glass elements and iv SLD (Super Low Dispersion) glass elements assistance minimize transverse chromatic aberration, which tends to be noticeable in shots taken with ultra-broad-bending lenses. The upshot is outstanding image quality from the center of the image to the edges.
Featuring a large-diameter aspherical lens element
The SIGMA 12-24mmF4 DG HSM | Fine art was the first SIGMA lens to feature a big 80mm aspherical lens element. Building on the expertise derived from this success, the new lens features a big 80mm precision-molded glass aspherical lens as its front element. This technology has made possible the 14mm F1.8 specification-the offset of its kind.
Minimized distortion
Serving as the front lens element, the large 80mm precision-molded glass aspherical lens effectively minimizes distortion. Offer excellent peripheral brightness, this lens delivers outstanding image quality from the centre to the edges.
Distinctive bokeh outcome
Fifty-fifty at the 14mm ultra-wide-bending of view, F1.eight brightness makes possible a very shallow depth of field with the subject standing out dramatically against a bokeh background. It's the unique fashion of expression that merely a large-bore lens can evangelize.

2. Seventh 35mm full-frame prime lens to join the Fine art line
Launched in 2012, the SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG HSM | Fine art was the showtime lens in the Art line. Since so, SIGMA has developed a wide diversity of lenses for the line, and the SIGMA 14mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art is the seventh prime lens in the line to offer 35mm full-frame coverage. Now even stronger, the Art line sets the new standard for prime number lenses in the ultra-high-megapixel era.

3. Other features

Fast AF with full-time manual override
Note: The performance of total-time MF may vary based on mount type
Compatible with Mount Converter MC-11
Bachelor SIGMA USB DOCK
Makes customization and flexible adjustment possible
Available Mount Conversion Service
Allows utilize with another camera torso
Rounded diaphragm
Designed to minimize flare and ghosting
High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount
Evaluation with SIGMA's ain MTF measuring organisation "A1"
Made in Nihon
With outstanding craftsmanship
The lens barrel is engraved with the yr of release