The New Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Lens Inaugurates the "Art" Line

Sigma has announced a new 35mm f/1.4 prime lens for DSLR cameras. A wide-angle lens with a fast maximum aperture, it’s available for Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sony and Sigma Autofocus mounts. With this lens, Sigma is inaugurating a new line of interchangeable lenses: the "Art" line. This new line of lenses is designed to emphasize creative expression above compactness and multi-functionality, and you can expect sharply defined, high-contrast images with nice background bokeh. They are equally at home in the studio as well as the field. The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM is the first lens from the new Sigma Art line of lenses.

With a wide, fast maximum aperture of f/1.4, this 35mm lens lets in lots of light and ensures the brightness needed to shoot crisp images indoors, in evening light and when handheld. The 35mm focal length in the full-frame format is wide enough for dramatic perspectives and for shooting in cramped interior spaces. When using this lens on a camera with an APS-C sized sensor, the equivalent focal length is approximately 50mm, which makes it a very fast “normal” lens, ideal for street photography, photojournalism, portraiture and all your day-to-day needs.

Sigma has designed this lens to tackle the problem of chromatic aberration in digital photography. With FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) and SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements and precise lens alignment, both magnification and axial chromatic aberration have been corrected throughout the focusing range. In addition, with proper alignment of its aspherical lens elements, including the first lens, astigmatism and field curvature have been corrected. Super Multi-Layer Lens Coating reduces flare and ghosting by providing uniform light transmission even in the presence of strong incidental light and backlight. The result is sharp details, pleasing contrast, accurate colors and high-resolution imaging across the entire field of view.

The HSM in the name of the lens stands for Hyper Sonic Motor, and this brings with it an enhanced Autofocus algorithm that provides fast, accurate, smooth and silent autofocus. The AF system is responsive, yet glides to focus—and this is particularly useful when using this lens to shoot HD video, as motor noise can be picked up in the audio capture. In addition to the autofocus capabilities of this lens, full-time manual focus override is always available simply by turning the focus ring. The lens incorporates a floating inner focusing system and the lens does not extend while focusing, which is helpful when shooting close to your subject. This system increases autofocusing speeds and reduces distortion, especially in wide-angle lenses.

Physically, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 is a handsome, all-black lens designed to be durable. All metal parts are housed inside the lens and the front end, where the included lens cap is attached, is rubber. Many internal parts are made with TSC (Thermally Stable Composite), which does not react negatively to temperature changes, and therefore ensures accuracy and functionality in tough conditions. The bayonet mount is made of brass and to its surface has been applied a special reinforcement treatment for increased strength and longevity. Sigma is very proud that every part of its lenses are manufactured, assembled and tested in Japan under an integrated production system, based on genuine craftsmanship. Sigma expects you to use this lens for the long haul and to that end have developed SIGMA Optimization Pro software to update the lens firmware and adjust parameters when needed.