SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art Introduced – A Classic Lens Revisited

Lens News

by Olaf von VossApril 27^th, 2021

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In 2012, SIGMA introduced its instant classic: The 35mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art prime lens. This lens (the first Art labled lens ever) is still very popular, but now, some 9 years later, a worthy successor enters the stage: the SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art has been developed from scratch and is specifically designed for mirrorless cameras. It comes in Sony E-mount and L-mount and has a few tricks up its sleeve.

First and foremost, this new version is both smaller and lighter than its predecessor. Not by much, but noticeably so. And before you ask, of course this lens covers full frame sensors. However, the new 35mm only offers two mount options (E and L-mount), gone are the Canon EF, Pentax K, Nikon F, SIGMA SA or Sony A mount options that the old version had on offer, as these are DSLR mounts and the new lens is dedicated to mirrorless full-frame cameras.

SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art

Since this lens was developed from scratch, let’s talk about the lens design: The new SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art consists of 15 elements in 11 groups, including one FLD (‘F’ Low Dispersion), one ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion), two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) and two aspherical lenses that minimize all types of aberration, including axial chromatic aberration that cannot be corrected in-camera.

According to SIGMA, the new 35mm should perform very well even wide open, as the lens design is able to control sagittal coma flare very well, preventing bright points of light from flaring near the edges of the image. A feature that is especially attractive to night sky photographers.

Anti-ghosting and anti-flaring are two more features SIGMA throws into the mix, so this lens performs very well even in difficult lighting conditions like backlighting. The iris diaphragm consists of 11 rounded aperture blades that allow for a soft bokeh with rounded out-of-focus highlights.

More features

The autofocus of the new 35mm F1.4 DG DN features a stepper motor that controls a focusing lens group consisting of a single lightweight element. This allows for smooth, fast and precise AF performance. Of course, the lens offers an MF/AF switch, so you can focus manually using the focus ring on the lens.

Speaking of manual operation of the lens, it also has a de-clickable aperture ring, a handy feature for filmmakers. Additionally, the aperture can of course be controlled manually or set to automatic. It also sports an aperture lock switch.

There is a customizable AFL button on the body of the lens that can be assigned different functions depending on the camera body used.

The entire lens is dust- and splash-proof and features sealed buttons and a rubber gasket around the mount. In addition, the front lens has a water and oil repellent coating.

Here’s a quick rundown of the bare specs of the SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art lens:

• Lens construction: 11 groups, 15 elements (1 FLD, 1 ELD, 2 SLD and 2 aspherical lens)
• Angle of view: 63.4 °
• Number of diaphragm blades: 11 (rounded diaphragm)
• Minimum aperture: F16
• Minimum focusing distance: 30 cm / 11.8 in.
• Maximum magnification ratio: 1:5.4
• Filter size: φ67 mm
• Dimensions (Maximum Diameter × Length): φ75.5 mm×109.5 mm / φ3.0 in×4.3 in
• Weight: 645 g / 22.8 oz

The lens comes with a locking petal type hood.

Pricing and availability

The new SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art will sell for $899 and it should be available soon (mid May). The “old” version is still available for $799. And if you want even more, you might want to check out the 35mm F1.2 DG DN | Art, although it’s more expensive ($1,499) and bigger in size. Or, if you need a more compact option, maybe the SIGMA 35mm F2 DG DN | Contemporary ($ 639) might be worth a closer look.

We’ll see if other mounts like Nikon Z or Canon RF will follow the initial Leica L and Sony E-mount options, but for now it’s only the latter two. Each lens and all of its parts is built entirely at SIGMAs sole factory in Aizu in Japan.

Link: SIGMA

What do you think? Do you already have the original 35mm F1.4? Do you like it? Share your experiences in the comments below!