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Jordan Drake — my YouTube accomplice — fingers me the Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Artwork lens, and the very first thing that strikes me is simply how cumbersome it’s. The second factor that strikes me is that we have to go shoot some astrophotography with it. I’m not an skilled astrophotographer, having solely tried it a couple of occasions with various levels of success. As soon as in Sedona, Arizona, the place I had some newbie’s luck, as soon as in Bend, Oregon, the place I didn’t get any keepers, and a rewarding journey to Writing-on-Stone nationwide park right here in Alberta. Throw in a pair extra occasions as a part of our lens testing routine and I can safely say that I solely know the fundamentals. The true problem is that when Jordan and I head out to take some evening pictures we now have the worst luck with the climate. Invariably we encountered heavy cloud cowl and poor timing with the moon. The Sigma 14mm take a look at was no exception. Fortunately we obtained a couple of pictures to a minimum of consider the lens earlier than heading residence. As I waited for evening hoping the clouds would keep away, I snapped some blue-hour images. Sigma 14mm f/1.4 Artwork: Design, Construct High quality, and Dealing with Artwork sequence lenses are at all times constructed to a really excessive normal, and the $1,599 14mm f/1.4 has some heft to it. Weighing in at a strong 41.3 ounces (1,170 grams), you definitely discover it after a day of taking pictures. The Sigma 14mm is absolutely sealed towards inclement climate and solidly machined from steel. From the built-in hood all the way down to the management rings and switches, all the things feels tight and well-built. The Sigma 14mm ART is definitely a handful.
Among the best options is a locking swap for the main focus, no matter whether or not the digital camera being in computerized or guide mode. I discovered this particularly helpful in taking pictures the celebrities, as I might affirm my focus manually after which flip the swap. Regardless of how a lot the main focus ring could get turned after that, I do know the main focus shall be in the identical place. This helped me to maneuver from one taking pictures angle to a different with out worrying about my focus needing to be confirmed each time. Like all Sigma ART sequence lenses the controls are well-appointed. There isn’t a built-in optical stabilizer — regardless that the lens appears to have loads of house for it — which is to be anticipated. This lens will spend most of its time on a tripod, and even when handheld, 14mm is a straightforward focal size to carry regular. Because of the nature of an built-in hood and the intense wide-angle protection, screw-in filters will not be an choice. You can feasibly place giant plate filters in entrance of the lens with an adapter otherwise you minimize gels to suit contained in the lens mount. For the latter answer, Sigma has offered a template to form your gel filters, together with a useful locking mechanism contained in the lens to carry them safely in place. Right here you may see not solely the rubber climate sealing but additionally the rear-mounted gel holder. I ought to point out that there’s a heavy-duty tripod collar included with the lens, which shifts the steadiness of weight appropriately backward. Not solely does this steadiness the lens and digital camera higher on a tripod, however it’s also minimize with Arca Swiss-style dovetails which simplifies attaching it to nearly all of fashionable tripod heads. If you wish to shed some weight and depart the collar at residence, you might be offered a easy defending ring to cowl the mounting lugs on the lens barrel. There’s even a gizmo offered to connect an anti-fog lens heater. The Sigma 14mm incorporates a highly effective linear focusing motor. It’s silent and snappy.
Sigma 14mm f/1.4 Artwork: Picture High quality So let’s begin with the traits that make for a great Astrophoto lens. We ideally wish to keep away from points like “coma,” or comatic aberrations, which make your stars appear to be little comets on the edges of the body. We additionally wish to keep away from sagittal astigmatism, which supplies your stars a dreaded bat or bird-shaped profile. Each of those points are very laborious to take away in submit. I’m blissful to report that the Sigma 14mm Artwork dealt with each of those points nicely. I noticed no actual comatic aberrations to talk of, however there was some minor sagittal astigmatism current. Capturing on the Sony Alpha 7RV, the extent of element accessible makes these aberrations noticeable when pixel peeping, however when seen within the context of {a photograph} the problems are proven to be minor. I really feel just like the Sony 14mm f/1.8 G Grasp handles aberrations slightly higher, however the Sigma offers a considerable profit when it comes to gentle gathering. The celebs got here out to play however so did the clouds. How does this lens deal with taking pictures in direction of vibrant gentle sources such because the solar, or the road lights of a busy cityscape? I’ve at all times discovered Sigma to have wonderful lens coatings that stop solar flare and a basic lack of distinction, taking pictures towards vibrant lights. The Sigma 14mm Artwork has no points with ghosting or flare and carries on the wonderful efficiency that the corporate has develop into identified for. What Sigma doesn’t historically ship nicely, although, is sunstars. They usually have softer factors, blurry rendering, and have an total lack of drama. So considered one of my largest surprises with the 14mm was simply how good the sunstars have been. Though they are often small within the body given the very large area of view, the sunstars nonetheless unfold throughout the body with a pointy, tight look to them. I might fortunately shoot this lens in sun-drenched landscapes with out hesitation. Among the best issues about ready for evening to fall is the sunshine present beforehand. We’re going to be taking pictures this lens at f/1.4 on a regular basis, so it higher be sharp large open. Gratefully, the Sigma completely delivers sharpness, even at its widest aperture. The element is superb not solely within the heart however proper to the corners as nicely.
This can be a big boon for astrophotographers who need even element clear throughout the body. I’ll say there’s a wholesome quantity of vignetting to be corrected however I used to be more than happy with the f/1.4 efficiency. Clearly when the aperture is stopped down picture high quality solely improves: the vignetting goes away and sharpness solely will get higher. This can be a very sharp lens. This lens delivers tons of element throughout the body. Let me preface this subsequent half by saying that taking pictures astro images will typically be on the widest aperture, targeted to virtually infinity, however with minimal concern for the look of the bokeh of a lens. When used for landscapes, most frequently the lens shall be shot with a stopped-down aperture, and once more with minimal concern for the rendering of out-of-focus areas. I say all this as a result of for my part, the Sigma 14mm doesn’t have essentially the most pleasing rendition of bokeh. Loca and different chromatic aberrations are nicely managed. In close-up pictures, or conditions particularly supposed to indicate shallow depth-of-field, I discover the transitions from in-focus to out-of-focus areas can look slightly “nervous.” Blurry backgrounds will distort in direction of the corners of the picture which may look distracting; a problem widespread on ultra-wide lenses. Specular highlights don’t have any hint of onion rings and are pleasingly spherical when stopped down, however have a considerably odd look when shot large open. They’ve a extra oval-like cat’s eye impact which reminds of the form of lemons. Specular highlights are well-behaved, however look slightly oddly formed. Sigma 14mm f/1.4 Artwork: Video Capabilities So we now have a lens that performs nice large open, corrected nicely for flare, with stunning sunstars, and is tailored for nocturnal shoots. It additionally has a well-dampened guide focus ring and a de-clickable aperture. This lens needs to be a wonderful software for videographers. And it’s in most conditions.
You may have a variety of enjoyable with the distinctive look of a 14mm lens. The one challenge the Sigma actually has is when it comes to lens respiratory. After I first examined the Sigma 14mm, lens respiratory appeared nicely managed, with the perimeters of the frames shifting solely barely whereas focusing from minimal distance to infinity. Nonetheless, upon nearer inspection of the recordsdata, I observed unusual lens respiratory within the heart of the body. That is fairly uncommon and sadly very distracting when pulling focus from one distance to a different. I’d nonetheless completely use this lens for video purposes, however I might keep away from lengthy focus pulls. Nocturnal Efficiency That’s Lights Out Wonderful optical efficiency coupled with skilled construct high quality; what’s to not love? The Sigma 14mm continues the custom of Artwork sequence lenses, delivering the products at an honest worth. Regardless of the bigger bodily measurement of the lens, the trade-offs are value it. I believe astrophotographers will take pleasure in this lens and can respect the sooner aperture in comparison with another rivals. Anybody who wants an ultra-wide lens for low-light conditions like indoor music venues or documentary work may also need to have a look. Sigma has created a wonderful low-light lens. There’s a little Sagittal Astigmatism however no Comatic aberrations. Are There Options? In L-Mount, there actually isn’t a lot else accessible. Purchase this lens now: it’s the way in which to go for quick aperture ultra-wide primes. When you have a Leica or Panasonic, that is the lens to buy. In Sony E-Mount the primary competitors would be the Sony 14mm f/1.8 G Grasp. The Sony is smaller, lighter, and takes beautiful evening images. However it’s also considerably slower than the Sigma 14mm f/1.4 Artwork. If compactness for journey or back-country climbing is vital, get the Sony. The value is successfully the identical, and each lenses are wonderful, so contemplate whether or not you need small or quick.
Ought to You Purchase It? Sure. Sigma has made an attention-grabbing focal size that’s worthy of the ART badge, whereas additionally offering a wonderful astrophotography lens at an honest worth.
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