SIGMA 24mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art

[Zoom] Wide-zoom | Standard-zoom | Tele-zoom | High-zoom  
[Fixed-focal] Wide angle | Standard | Telephoto | Macro

The SIGMA 24mm F1.4 DG HSM is the third lens of the Art series for full frame cameras. Just by looking at my first shot, I was shocked by the 3D quality as well as delicate and sharp focal plane. The bokeh is unexpectedly beautiful and the depth of field is shallow. And, F1.4 shows a different world that can't be captured by slower lenses (F2.8 or slower). Because I was amazed by the image quality, I went home and checked the lens diagram... I was convinced. It generously uses three FLD ("F" Low Dispersion) glasses with a performance equivalent to fluorite glass, four SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glasses and two aspherical lenses. Considering the image quality, the lens body could be larger. But, it's smaller than I expected, presumably because of the rich lens construction. SIGMA claims that the FLD and SLD elements correct chromatic aberration of magnification, while the entire construction works to correct axial chromatic aberration. And, the results are convincing. The combination of the wideness and the F1.4 speed not only facilitates shooting in lowlight conditions, but also takes magical images with shallow depth of field like a standard lens, even though it's a wide angle lens. Now, let's take a look at the sample shots.

( Photography & Text : K )

First, I shot wide open to warm up. The vignetting is noticeable, but it's normal for this F-value. Even though the depth of field isn't deep, the sky is out of focus. And, despite the large diameter, it's incredibly clear.

Next image is meant to show how minutely it depicts wide open. Click here to see the double-sized image. It's breathtakingly sharp, but not hard. In this lens, changing aperture only means controlling vignetting and getting depth of field. And, it's usable wide open.

I should stop down, but I wanted to utilize the vignetting wide open because I wanted to place the bridge girder in the center. This is an interesting lens and we must just enjoy the character.

Usually, with a 24mm lens, we want to shoot pan-focused images. But, F1.4 allows an approach like this one. And, it's fun no matter what I take. Plus, the bokeh is too good for the focal length as I will detail later.

 

This shot was taken in the Tottori Sand Dunes. While a 28mm lens almost captures the entire vision, a 24mm lens captures the surrounding of the 28mm frame. And, the surrounding area works to guide the viewers' eyes to the 28mm frame. In addition, the shallow depth of field works to guide the viewers' attention. This effect is very interesting. Also, the razor-sharpness and good bokeh bring surrealistic outputs. I took this shot around the ridgeway. I focused on a woman in the front.

The birds were resting on the parapet. I wanted to approach to them, but they fly away if I invade their territory and I had this 24mm lens. I switched manual focus and prefocused on a plane behind where they were resting because I was expecting they would fly behind. Still, it wasn't easy to capture them within the depth of field. Anyway, the focal plane is very sharp.

This gentleman was drawing at the beach. After chatting with him, I got his permission to take this photo. I took a journalistic approach including his whole body, so I can take an airy shot taking advantage of the shallow depth of field. Yet, it's not overly shallow and you don't have to be too nervous about the depth even wide open. Plus, because the level of deformation is low considering the angle of view, you don't have to worry about the perspective. So, this lens would be great for full body shot as well.

At the bus stop at the coastline. I focused on the window frame to capture the ocean obscurely. The distortion is almost negligible. Wonderful!

The Sea of Japan. The lens reproduced the moderately warm seashore air. The severe cold winter will be gone soon and the spring is just around the corner.

---

Nisen (double-lined) bokeh can be seen depending on distance. I personally prefer this character when I want emotional images. Since I tested the SIGMA 35mm F1.4, I learned that the finest-quality lens can add so much to the 3D quality. SIGMA uses the MTF measuring device with a super high-resolution FOVEON sensor that even reveals the weakness of lenses and the lack of skills. So, I guess creating superb lenses has become even more feasible for SIGMA. And, I figure they took extra cautions to determine the incidence angle of light arriving the sensor. And, I strongly believe it improves the image quality of the corners.

A close up shot to show the beautiful bokeh. I like the soft way of depicting the tulip's petals. I really want this lens. I really do.

I'm not an expert in 24mm, but I learned that it's good for a bird's eye view. Shot at the roadside cafe in the afternoon.

Around the minimum focus distance. If I wanted to tell there's a Kobe Port Tower in the background, I would have stopped down. The bokeh is too big for ordinary 24mm lenses.

Now, what do you think? Doesn't it stimulate your creativity?

---

Your camera bag needs this fluent and dependable lens.

At the dune again. The girlfriend was jumping so hard while the boyfriend was photographing her earnestly. I talked to them and got a permission to shoot them. I switched to manual focus and prefocused predicting where they would jump to. But, unexpectedly, they jumped a little forward. Looks like I didn't take their youth into consideration. As a result, the focal plane was on their feet and this worked to show the bokeh taste accidentally. Look how she jumps! In a situation like this, ladies are more decisive than gentlemen...

This is an entertaining lens. I feel so even though I am not familiar with the focal length. There're 24mm F1.4 lenses from other brands, but I feel this lens may outperform them. At least, economically, it knocks them out. This is an almighty lens that covers architecture, reportage, street, landscapes, and portraits. And, because the coma is almost nonexistent, it's great for shooting starry sky, too. Now, 24mm is covered by standard zoom lenses, but as I already mentioned, the difference of F-value means the difference of the world, and it's worth exploring it.

• 
  No shots with larger aperture? Sorry, we believe a lens should be used wide open... Just kidding. This shot was taken at F5.6. The vignetting is almost gone to the commercial level. Sharpness doesn't change much and it indicates the high potential. *Click to enlarge.
• 
  Sharp and clear wide open even with a close-up. But, because it's not hard, it will take great portraits. *Click to enlarge.
• 
  Another shot around the minimum focus distance. It can focus to 25cm and it's quite useful. What a beautiful bokeh. Chromatic aberration is negligible. *Click to enlarge.
• 
  This image is larger than others and you can check the resolution more closely. *Click to enlarge.

( 27.02.2015 )