Sigma have just released an updated version of the popular 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art prime lens for L-Mount and Sony E-mount mirrorless cameras.
As well as razor-sharp optics and a small and light body, the lens brings a range of new features, including even better optical performance with smoother bokeh, an ultra-fast AF motor and an aperture ring and AFL button.
It will be available from 23rd February 2023 priced at £849.99 / $849 in the UK/US.
Sigma Press Release
The all-new 50mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is the latest lens to join Sigma’s growing line-up of fast-aperture DG DN Art primes. Designed specifically for mirrorless cameras, and available in L-Mount and Sony E-mount, it offers even better optical performance than Sigma’s existing 50mm F1.4 DG HSM, as well as faster and more precise AF, a smaller and lighter body, an aperture ring and AFL button, and smoother bokeh. The result is a true all-round optic that is ideal for portrait, wedding, street, landscape and family photography, and an excellent option for video. It delivers exceptional expressive performance to help photographers achieve striking and characterful images that display remarkable detail.
- Outstanding optical performance
- New ultra-fast AF motor
- Robust but compact design
- Advanced feature-set designed for professional use
UK SRP: £849.99 (US, $849)
Embargo date: 12:30pm, 7 February 2023
On-sale date: 23 February 2023
Supplied accessories: Case, Petal Type Hood with lock (LH782-02), Front Cap (LCF-72 III), Rear Cap (LCR II)
Available mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
Key features
Outstanding optical performance
Building on the reputation of the existing SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art as one of the highest-performing standard zooms on the market, this new mirrorless optic delivers even sharper results across the frame, particularly towards the periphery. Employing the latest optical design technology, the lens is constructed of 14 elements in 11 groups, including one SLD (Special Low Dispersion) element and three apsherical elements. It delivers significant improvements to sagittal coma flare and effectively suppresses various aberrations such as astigmatism and field curvature, which cannot be corrected digitally.
This new standard prime boasts an ultra-wide aperture of F1.4, making it ideal for low-light photography such as concerts, interiors and weddings. It also delivers a very shallow depth-of-field for background blur, which is perfect for creating stand-out portraits. The bokeh is smooth and attractive, and thanks to the lens’s 11 diaphragm blades, the out-of-focus highlights are nicely rounded. Even when working wide-open at F1.4, photographers can be assured of razor-sharp edge-to-edge results.
All-new ultra-fast AF motor
The SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is the first DG DN lens in the Art line to incorporate Sigma’s new HLA (High- response Linear Actuator) autofocus motor technology. This ensures fast, accurate and near-silent focusing, and despite its ultra-wide aperture, exceptionally fast tracking performance. Owing to the power of the new HLA motor, Sigma engineers were able to use a single double-sided aspherical element as the focusing lens – a stark contrast to the eight-element focusing group on Sigma’s existing 50mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art. This has delivered both autofocus and optical design benefits.
Robust but compact design
Throughout the development of the SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG DN | Art every effort was made to slim down the lens barrel by reducing the weight of the focus lens and optimising the lens unit layout. This allowed Sigma to create a light and compact lens that feels well-balanced on a full-frame mirrorless camera without compromising on optical performance. The lens’s build quality is superb, and meets the very high standards you would expect from a Sigma Art line lens.
With a dust- and splash-resistant structure, a rubber seal around the mount, and a water- and oil-repellent coating on the front-element, the 50mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is suitable for use in difficult shooting conditions. The outer barrel is constructed of TSC (Thermally Stable Composite), which has a similar thermal expansion rate to aluminium. This means the metal inner barrel and the TSC outer barrel behave in a similar way as temperatures change, ensuring a consistent performance in all environments. Both materials are very light, with the lens weighing just 670g (L-Mount version).
As with all Sigma lenses, the 50mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is crafted using cutting-edge manufacturing technology at Sigma’s sole factory in Aizu in Japan. Every single lens is evaluated with Sigma’s proprietary MTF measuring system before leaving the factory, ensuring consistenly excellent products that photographers can rely on.
Advanced feature-set designed for professional use
The lens barrel is equipped with a range of useful functions. As well as a manual aperture ring, the lens has an Aperture Ring Click switch, which allows users to switch between stepped, third-stop aperture increments and a smooth, click-free action. This is particularly useful for videographers who may want to use the aperture to adjust exposure seamlessly while filming. The aperture ring can be locked with lock switch.
The lens has an AFL button, which can be customised to perform a range of different functions (depending on camera model).
Also on the lens barrel is an Focus Mode switch, a rubberised focus ring with a smooth, fluid-like movement, and a robust, petal-type lens hood with lock button. The hood also has a rubberised grip for easy attachment and removal.
For L-Mount users, the 50mm F1.4 DG DN | Art can be connected to Sigma’s USB Dock for customisation and adjustment, including switching between linear and non-linear focus ring movement.
The 50mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is the fifth lens in Sigma’s F1.4 DG DN Art range. Together they make a high performance lens kit that delivers uniform optical performance and a consistent operational feel.
Feature summary
- Lens construction: 14 elements in 11 groups, with 1 SLD and 3 aspherical elements
- Internal focus system
- Compatible with high-speed autofocus
- HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) AF motor
- Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction
Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections and auto correction functionality may vary depending on the camera model.
On cameras where lens aberration correction is controlled with ‘ON’ or ‘OFF’ in the camera menu, please set all aberration correction functions to ‘ON’ (AUTO).
- Support for DMF and AF+MF
- Compatible with AF Assist (Sony E-mount only)
- Super Multi-Layer Coating
- Water- and oil-repellent coating (front element)
- AFL Button
Only on compatible cameras. Available functions may vary depending on the camera used.
- Support for switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings (L-Mount only)
- Aperture Ring
- Aperture Ring De-click Switch
- Aperture Ring Lock Switch
- Dust- and splash-resistant structure
- Petal type lens hood with lock (LH782-02)
- Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately; L-Mount only)
- Focus Mode switch
- Designed to minimise flare and ghosting
- 11-blade rounded diaphragm
- High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount
- ‘Made in Japan’ craftsmanship
- Every single lens is evaluated with Sigma’s proprietary MTF measuring system
Key specifications (The figures below are for L-Mount)
Lens construction: 14 elements, 11 groups (1 SLD and 3 aspherical elements)
Angle-of-view: 46.8°
Number of diaphragm blades: 11 (rounded diaphragm)
Minimum aperture: F16
Minimum focusing distance: 45cm
Maximum magnification ratio: 1:6.8
Filter size: φ72mm
Dimensions (max diameter x length): φ78.2mm x 109.5mm
Weight: 670g
Barcode
L-Mount: 0085126 315696 | Sony E-mount: 0085126 315658
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Supplied accessories |
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Petal Type Hood with lock LH782-02 |
0085126 940409 |
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Front Cap LCF-72 III |
0085126 929633 |
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Rear Cap LCR II L-Mount |
0085126 937256 |
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Sony E-mount |
0085126 929879 |
Optional accessories
SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 for L-Mount: 0085126 878696 SIGMA WR CERAMIC PROTECTOR 72mm 0085126 931810 SIGMA WR PROTECTOR 72mm 0085126 930950
SIGMA PROTECTOR 72mm 0085126 931087
SIGMA WR UV FILTER 72mm 0085126 930691 SIGMA WR CIRCULAR PL FILTER 72mm 0085126 930820
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