Sigma 35mm Art F1.4 DG HSM Review

A cutting-edge lens made for full-frame cameras that can also be used with APS-C sensors is the Sigma 35mm 1.4 DG HSM. It combines a relaxing focal length with an incredibly quick design. But is it worth GHC 6,500 ($800)?

First off, this lens is heavy. Like, really heavy. I thought Tamron’s version of the 3.5mm was heavy but, this is on a whole different level. It is 3 x 3.7 inches in diameter and length respectively and weighs 665g or 23.5oz.

On the sides are the Auto and Manual focus slider and the focusing ring, from 0.99ft (0.3 m) to infinity. They also provide you with a neat carrying pouch and a 67-diameter lens hood, which actually adds up to the already existing heavy lens.

The lens comes with a wide aperture of f1.4 and a minimum aperture of f16

The HSM in the name which stands for Hyper Sonic Motor is responsible for ensuring a quick and quiet autofocusing with manual focusing override.

One thing to note is that Sigma, the company, has developed and developed the SIGMA Optimization Pro software, with which if you use the USB Dock that this lens is compatible, you can update the lens firmware and adjust parameters such as focus.

Since this is a premium lens, Sigma had to make sure that the lens mount had a metal ring around it, of course. It also connects via the EF mount of any Canon camera, so if you’re wondering if you can get this lens for your crop sensor Canon camera, well, as long as your crop sensor camera supports an EF lens as well, then you would have no issues purchasing this lens. This would give an equivalent field of view of about 56mm.



As for focusing, here’s how fast it’s able to focus using the Canon EOS RP. Here’s how vlogging with this 35mm lens on a full frame Canon EOS RP. As you can also notice in the video, it is very shaky. Not because the lens doesn’t come with any form of stabilization, NO. but because the lens was too heavy to keep it still enough.

I keep mentioning how heavy the lens is which I feel I can’t stress on it enough. So much that, I’m afraid to have it on a gimbal like the Zhiyun Weebill Lab I have here.

Anyway, here’s how it looks in an indoor shoot on the Canon EOS RP. And then on the Canon EOS M50 crop sensor camera.

Now if you’ve ever used the Canon 50mm f1.8 lens, which I would be surprised to hear you say NO, well, here’s how it compares to the Sigma in size. Even if I decide to flip the lens hood around, it’s still bigger.

So, for GHc 6,500 ($800), is it worth it? Well, first things first, it’s GHc 1,600 ($200) less expensive than the Canon version of a 35mm f1.4 lens. Secondly, Sigma has a great reputation for making 3^rd party lenses and they haven’t been disappointed so far. If you’re on a full-frame sensor and you’re looking for a wide lens for sit-up shots, wide shots and the general 35mm look, then definitely look at this lens.



For me, with that kind of money, I would rather choose the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 lens instead. Yes, it’s still expensive at GHc 5,700 ($700). Yes, it doesn’t have a wider aperture at f1.8 instead of f1.4 but, what it does have is, a zoom ring. With that, I will be able to shoot even wider landscapes or wider YouTube videos at 16mm. and I don’t even remember ever shooting at f1.8 or even wanting more than that. F2.0 to 2.8 is right about the sweet spot for me. And if I want to stay away from 3^rd party lens manufacturers, Canon’s EF 35mm f2.0 would be another great choice for me.

Anyway, the links to everything I’ve mentioned here along with some interesting other products will be in the description box below so be sure to check it out.