SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art

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

When we want high image quality and speed, we choose a fixed-focal lens with a large diameter. This lens from SIGMA belongs to their Art line and it works with 35mm full frame. Just looking into the viewfinder is already exciting because the difference is obvious at this stage. Rendition is extremely sharp. The bokeh, which is smooth, mild, and big, has a lot to do with the power to emphasize the sharp focal peak in the shallow depth of field. As we expect from latest lenses, it has high clarity and contrast, which work to capture the light itself beautifully. And, this lens makes you understand what it means to use a fixed-focal lens instead of a zoom lens. Let's check the image quality.

( Photography : M.Ito / Text : Taka )

The greatest appeal of this lens is the bokeh. The leaf pops out thanks to the big bokeh and the sharp focal peak resolving the veins. The melting bokeh is just picturesque and it forces us to look at the focused point.

The definition of the hairs and whiskers is impressive. By stopping down slightly, sharpness increases to the corners. It also works to reduce the amount of bokeh when you feel the bokeh is too big wide open. And, the good news is that it won't affect the 3D quality.

Angle of view is up to your feet because it can get as close as 30cm to the subject. In other words, get close if you want a big shot. Or, retreat if you want a wide shot. The 15cm difference from the standard 50mm is bigger than you think and the 35mm focal length is a great choice if you need more versatility.

Like other modern lenses, image quality isn't affected even against the intense light. Besides, it captured the smoke receiving light wonderfully. The high clarity and rich tonal gradation realized the rendition of the blueness of the sky even in this adverse condition.

I stopped down a bit to take the above two shots. When you don't need to control light by aperture, you need to stop down just to F5.6 to get the maximum sharpness. It captures the light softly wide open, and it does so sharply at smaller aperture. This means you can keep shooting this lens from morning till night.

Table-top photography is easy thanks to the natural 35mm focal length and the short minimum focus distance. I didn't have to stand up to take this shot. If the lens was wider than 35mm, I would have had to deal with wider area coverage with stronger perspective effective.

When choosing a high-speed fixed-focal lens, you'll consider standard angle of view. The 35mm angle of view is said to cover the vision when we see things without paying much attention. It can be used both as a wide angle lens and as a standard angle lens by changing the distance to the subject. Therefore, a 35mm lens makes a solid candidate when you need to choose only one lens. The speed of F1.4 and the 30cm minimum focus distance realize extra shallow depth of field that zoom lenses can never do. This lens is never compact, but it's not too big for a lens to be used solely. You'll move your feet instead of the zoom ring, and you'll feel the distance and the mood in the location more directly. Of course, such sensation will trigger great shots. Feel great looking into the viewfinder, turning the focus ring, and of course looking at the results. And, just fall in love with photography.