Almost every photographer with a full-frame camera has a 35mm lens in their bag, and those with crop-sensor cameras will usually pick up something equivalent. Why? Because the 35mm is the classic “storytelling” lens… wide enough to make the background an important part of the image, narrow enough to separate the subject, all with a natural-looking angle of view. It’s a classic lens for any photographer, which is why the SIGMA America tech crew took their freshly-minted copies of the SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art lens out for a test and enjoyed every minute!
Aaron Norberg – SIGMA Technical Representative
The 35mm focal length has long been a favorite of mine, I find the perspective it offers feels much more natural to my eye than the old standard 50mm. SIGMA’s 35mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art was one of the lenses that really brought the brand to my attention when it was released. It offered such an incredible combination of imaging performance, build quality and affordability that it quickly became my go-to for everyday use. When I saw the lens had been redesigned for mirrorless platforms, I couldn’t wait to check it out.
I’m pleased to share that the new SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art hasn’t disappointed. It retains everything I loved about the original 35mm F1.4 Art and even manages to add a few new tricks. I love having the ability to control aperture directly on the lens, and the option to de-click for stepless transitions is very handy when I’m recording video. Other nice touches like a custom function button on the side, the positive lock on the lens hood and the thorough environmental sealing only further bolster my impression of the heightened build quality. Above all else, though, is the image quality, and this is where the new 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art really shines. If you’re looking for a fast-aperture prime lens that you can use for just about anything, I can’t recommend the new 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art highly enough.
Brett Wells – SIGMA Education Coordinator
As I have come to expect from our product introductions, the 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is another home run for SIGMA. To say it is sharp doesn’t began describe what this lens can do. The close-focus capabilities are incredible. The manual aperture ring is really nice to have as well. If you’re looking for 35mm lens, you owe it to yourself to check this one out!
Brian Linhoff – SIGMA Technical Representative
The new SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art builds on the legacy of the lens that, in my mind, allowed SIGMA to grow and build the “Art” brand. The original 35mm was a huge breath of fresh air that challenged the concept of how good a prime lens could be at an affordable cost. The new 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art does the exact same thing. It challenges the status quo of quality at an affordable price. 35mm is also my favorite general focal length. While many people enjoy a 50mm as it closely mimics what your eye sees, I love the ability to create a frame that is a little bit different than what the eye traditionally sees. The overall versality of the 35mm focal length really speaks to me, allowing me to shoot up close, grab great landscapes, or snap a great environmental portrait. The 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art excels with corner-to-corner edge sharpness, plus excellent control of chromatic aberrations and ghosting. Anyone that has used the original 35mm Art will instantly fall in love with the new one.
Mike Hill – SIGMA Technical Representative
The 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is my new favorite SIGMA lens. I keep a 35mm on my camera most of the time because it is so versatile and lightweight. The perspective of this focal length looks very similar to how our eyes see the world — just a bit wider and more interesting — which makes it fun to compose images with. I took several photos of my cat Clover stalking anything that moved and the focus was sharp, even at F1.4. The 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art also works perfect when taking photos in the city because it is easy to carry and provides a nice angle of view without distortion.
Nick Vrona – SIGMA Marketing Specialist
Unlike more serious and artful photographers, I don’t typically shoot with prime lenses, at least not regularly. I often find a single focal length limiting, and I really prefer to travel light with just one or two zooms so I can immerse myself in the moments when I’m actually away from my desk, yet still be ready for any photo opportunities that come my way. That said, if there is one prime lens I’ll make an exception for, it’s a 35, and the new SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is the best I’ve ever tried.
With a 35mm lens, I know I’ll be able to capture environments, candid snapshots, portraits, creative compositions, pretty much everything. And with the sharpness, bokeh quality and low-light capability of this F1.4 Art lens, I know it’ll look great, too. It’s the perfect do-it-all storytelling lens for us regulars, and for professionals, it’s an absolute essential. If you shoot with a Sony or L-mount full-frame camera, don’t sleep on this lens (or even the smaller 35mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary) because a killer 35mm prime is something that — once you have one in your bag — you just won’t want to be without!
