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The 85mm F1.4 DG DN | Art weighs 630g/ 22.2oz., with a filter size of 77mm and a body length of 94.1mm/ 3.7in.*. Designed exclusively for mirrorless cameras, it has a “large lens diameter and superb optical performance” and “a lightweight and compact body,” a combination which has long been difficult to achieve. The Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM might be the most obvious alternative. It is significantly heavier than the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art and quite a bit more expensive. I own the Canon 85 f1.8 and the 135 f2. My copy of the 135 isn't significantly sharper than my 85 but the overall look of the image is so much more pleasing to my eye. It has this dreamy look only a few lenses can create, and from this Sigma gallery I can't find any of that here. The latter issue is no longer a problem with modern highest-end mirrorless AF systems, such as on the Sony A9-series and even the crop-sensor A6600. Their AF systems, combined with the powerful stepper motor and the decently lightweight optics of the Sigma 85mm 1.4 DN, make low-light high-speed action photography a possibility, as long as 85mm is right for what you’re doing; it may very well be that you’re better off with either a 70-200mm f/2.8, or a longer lens like the Sony 135mm f/1.8 GM. Landscape & Nature Photography Very hard to say. We kept our Sony and got the Sigma as well. Sony will likely make an 85mm f/1.2 soon (it will be expensive though) which I believe will give a more significant jump from your lens.
The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art replaced the Viltrox 1.8/85 in my camera bag. The Sigma traveled with me through the alps and always finds its way into my camera bag whenever I go outside. I wonder how many of these people who care only about sharpness actually use super high resolution screens and print their picture in 40 x 60? You posted examples of people who said it worked great, and I posted examples of people who said it didn't, so it a MIXED RESULT.Look...I own the Sigma 20mm, 35mm and 50mm ART lenses. In spite of all the cryin about AF etc....I love mine. Love them. I would consider selling my 35mm to buy the new Canon...but that being said... when it comes to this lens...well...I own the Canon 85mm f/1.2L II. Some of the images I have shot with that lens are just magical. You cannot define them on an MTF curve. I know it focuses slow, has CA etc..etc..etc...but I will not even consider this new Art lens. I mean...I cannot justify owning or carrying both..as this would be good for times of fast focus....but to be honest ..I can just as well put on my 24-70mm zoom or break out the 70-200mm if i must. I just would never replace that 85mm f/1.2. That thing is very special in the rendering and DOF dept. There is magic in there...and those silly Sony lenses have none of that either. Don't really care what anyone thinks. :-) Flare resistance of the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 isn’t great which is unfortunately not uncommon with fast tele lenses. Veiling flare The Sigma corner sharpness – top left (f/1.4), top right (f/1.8), bottom, left (f/2.8), bottom right (f/4)
One area where the Sony has a huge disadvantage is CA. Wide-open this is very prominent and this is one of the worst-performing lenses we have ever tested in this aspect with tones of purple and green fringing. Chromatic aberrations, typically seen as purple or blue fringes along contrasty edges, are only conspicuous by their almost complete absence from our test shots. The examples below show the worst-case scenario. This is the part that I truly love about the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art. It provides exceptional sharpness with smooth bokeh. Even wide open at f/1.4, this lens works incredibly well. Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! Between the two, the additional light capturing capability of a low f-number lens is either lost, or image quality is severely impacted.Sunstars are noticeable by f/5.6, and beautifully well-defined by f/8, thanks to the fast wide-open aperture, however, the 11 rounded blades usually result in 22-point, open-ended sunstars, instead of needle-point sunstars of older manual focus lenses. Sony A7 III, Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art, 1/800sec at f/1.4, ISO 100 (With thanks to the Spa Valley Railway) Lenstip and DXO have rated it the sharpest 85mm lens ever created, beating out even the legendary 85mm F1.4 Zeiss Otus, which isn't something that wetake lightly.” The Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM Art (left) and Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art (right). The new lens is 500g lighter than Sigma’s previous version We published a side-by-side comparison of the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 versus the Rokinon/Samyang 85mm f/1.4 HERE, in case you’re interested. Colors & Contrast
It is worth noting, however, that on occasion, at f/14 exactly, gorgeous ~11-point sunstars may appear if the light source is truly pin-pointed, and is shielded in just the right way. (See below) Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art @ f/14 Because professionals palm cameras by the lens with their left hand. Why do you think large lenses have tripod mounts. It's not difficult to hold.The Sigma is quite a bit heavier than the Sony 85mm f/1.8 weighing in at almost 750 grams / 26.4 oz (with caps and hood) compared to only 450 grams / 15.9 oz for the Sony (mind you the Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM is even heavier than the Sigma at about 820 grams / 29 oz). The bokeh of this lens is very well behaved and seldom distracting. It doesn’t have the undercorrected SA look of the GM 1.4/85, but still the bokeh of the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is very smooth Both lenses seem to control flare pretty well with their hoods on, the Sigma does seem to have the edge here though. Vignette
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