The new Sigma 14mm F1.4 Art is the Kawasaki firm’s brightest wide-angle lens for full frame. |
Today, Sigma added a new Art lens to its lineup. The 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is a wide-angle prime designed exclusively for full frame mirrorless cameras. This hefty new prime is designed with astrophotography, landscapes and real estate in mind, and includes a slew of features for those kinds of photographers.
With its removable tripod collar, manual focus lock switch, lens heater retainer (to keep condensation at bay) and rear filter holder, the 14mm F1.4 Art has a few tricks up its sleeve. It also has a specially-designed lens cap with sheet filter storage that Sigma says has a new locking mechanism. Expect build quality on par with the other Art-grade Sigma lenses, along with seals that help make the 14mm F1.4 splashproof and dustproof.
The unique lens cap stows sheet filters, and has a new locking mechanism. |
Inside the lens are 19 elements in 15 groups, including three super low dispersion glass elements, one ‘F’ low dispersion element, and four aspheric elements. Sigma says that this lens is engineered for starscapes with coatings that address ghosting and flare. An 11-bladed, rounded aperture is also part of the design.
The Sigma 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art will be available in L-mount as well as Sony E-mount, and will retail for $1599 starting in late June.
Stay tuned: DPReview has a copy of the new Sigma lens and we’re in the process of shooting a full sample gallery, including astrophotography.
Press release:
SIGMA Announces 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art – the World’s First 14mm F1.4 Lens – Designed Especially for Astrophotography
Ronkonkoma, NY – June 8, 2023 – SIGMA Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki. Headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan) is pleased to announce the SIGMA 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art lens. This is the world’s widest F1.4 single focal length lens*, born from our engineers’ passion for capturing the widest, brightest, highest- resolution, and most captivating starry sky images possible.
Designed specifically for astrophotography, the 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art lens is a full-frame, ultra wide-angle prime designed exclusively for mirrorless camera systems, and is available in Sony E- mount and Leica L-Mount.
This lens offers a full set of features designed for astrophotography including a removable tripod socket, MFL switch (Manual Focus Lock function), lens heater retainer, rear filter holder, and a specially-designed front cap including a NEW locking mechanism and NEW filter storage slots. All this, plus thorough aberration correction, make this possibly the best lens ever made for astrophotography. Its ultra-wide 14mm angle of view that captures wide starry skies and bright F1.4 aperture that minimizes exposure time are ideal specifications for astrophotography. Incredibly sharp from corner to corner with splash and dust-resistant construction, this lens retains the same high performance and quality standards found within the SIGMA F1.4 Art lens lineup.
The astrophotography-focused feature set and total optical performance make this an excellent lens for high-end architecture, real estate, and landscape photography as well.
The lens will retail for $1599 through authorized US retailers and will be available in late June 2023.
Learn more about the SIGMA 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art lens:
https://www.sigmaphoto.com/14mm-f1-4-dg-dn-a
* Excluding fisheye lenses, as interchangeable lenses for mirrorless cameras and SLR cameras (as of June, 2023 by SIGMA)
New vision. Expanding possibilities.
1. Ultra wide-angle 14mm with a maximum aperture of F1.4 and outstanding optical performance
2. Abundant functions and accessories to support starscape photography
3. Signature Art line features and high build quality
Supplied accessories: Case, COVER LENS CAP LC1014-01, REAR CAP LCR II, TRIPOD SOCKET TS-141, PROTECTIVE COVER PT-41, GUIDE PLATE GP-11
Available mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount
* The appearance and specifications of the product are subject to change.
* This product is developed, manufactured and sold based on the specifications of E-mount which was disclosed by Sony Corporation under the license agreement with Sony Corporation.
* L-Mount is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG.
The world’s first and only* lens that combines an ultra-wide angle of 14mm with a maximum aperture of F1.4.
All for the best starscape photography.
The stars in the sky are a source of inspiration for viewers. On the other hand, the starry sky is a very demanding subject for a wide-angle lens, with its numerous tiny point light sources spread over the entire image. The 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is the world’s widest F1.4 single focal length lens*, born from our engineers’ passion for capturing the widest, brightest, highest-resolution, and most captivating starry sky possible. Thanks to SIGMA’s latest technology, the lens combines an ultra-wide angle of 14mm with a maximum aperture of F1.4. In addition, SIGMA’s lens technology has achieved high optical performance with thorough correction of sagittal coma flare, specialized functions to support starry landscape photography, and high-speed AF with the HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) linear motor.
The Milky Way stretching across the night sky, twinkling stars emerging over ridgelines –the 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art can make this a reality as an image that surpasses the actual photographic experience. Its proven ability in shooting starscapes will provide new possibilities for visual expression and enjoyment in all scenes, including daytime landscapes, architecture, and indoor photography in dark and confined spaces.
* Excluding fisheye lenses, as interchangeable lenses for mirrorless cameras and SLR cameras (as of June, 2023 by SIGMA).
[ Key Features ]
1. Ultra wide-angle 14mm with a maximum aperture of F1.4 and outstanding optical performance
This world-first performance was achieved by applying the best of SIGMA’s optical technologies, from the design to the lens manufacturing process. 19 elements in 15 groups, including 1 SLD glass element, 3 FLD glass elements, and 4 aspherical lens elements, make up a luxurious lens configuration. This allows for advanced aberration correction and a high degree of precision in the lens construction. This allows both advanced aberration correction and F1.4 brightness. In particular, sagittal coma flare, which distorts the shape of stars, has been carefully corrected, and even at the widest aperture, the lens delivers high image reproducibility right to the periphery of the image. Ghosting and flare are also thoroughly addressed through both optical design and coatings. This allows for clear, crisp shooting of starry sky and night scenes. Optimized for starscapes, which require extremely high performance, this lens delivers images that exceed expectations in any scene, including landscapes, architecture snapshots, portraits, and indoor photography.
2. Abundant functions and accessories to support starscape photography
The 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is equipped with a wealth of features to support starscape photography. This fully backs up the fun of starscape photography.
• Tripod Socket
Includes a detachable tripod mount compatible with Arca-Swiss type. The 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art can be mounted on a tripod in a more stable condition, as it is heavier on the front side. The shape is designed to prevent interference even when using the lens heater.
• MFL (Manual Focus Lock) Switch
A switch to lock the manual focus at a desired position. Prevents focus shift caused by unintentional operation of the focus ring. This is useful for long time exposure photography, etc., where the focus is fixed.
• Lens Heater Retainer
Steps around the front and lens heater retainers prevent the lens heater* from protruding into the front of the lens and causing vignetting on the periphery of the screen.
* A belt-shaped heater that is wrapped around the lens to prevent condensation from forming inside the lens when the temperature drops.
• Rear Filter Holder
A rear filter holder is provided as standard equipment at the lens mount for attaching a sheet- type rear filter. A lock mechanism is also provided to prevent the filter from falling out.
• Special front cap with locking mechanism and filter slots
Includes a cover-type front cap with locking mechanism. It also has a newly developed filter slot that can hold two rear filters depending on the application. The cap is specially designed for the 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art to protect the sheet filters from scratches and dirt while ensuring that they are not mistakenly taken out or forgotten.
3. Signature Art line features and high build quality
In addition to functions specifically designed for shooting starscapes, the lens is equipped with various functions to assist in shooting, including an AFL button to which any function can be assigned and an aperture ring. The body is dust and splash resistant, and the frontmost surface of the lens is coated with a water- and stain-repellent coating, so you can shoot outdoors in harsh environments with peace of mind. The HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) enables high-speed, quiet, and highly accurate autofocusing.
In order to maintain performance while supporting a lens with a large aperture, the lens has a robust internal structure and uses lightweight materials such as polycarbonate TSC (Thermally Stable Composite), which has a thermal shrinkage rate equivalent to that of aluminum, and magnesium in appropriate locations to reduce weight while ensuring robustness. The lens body is built with the high build quality of the Art line specifications, allowing the user to fully enjoy the unique performance of the lens in any environment, including shooting starscapes.
[ Additional Features ]
• Lens construction: 19 elements in 15 groups (3 FLD,1 SLD, and 4 aspherical elements)
• Inner focus system
• Compatible with high-speed autofocus
• HLA (High-response Linear Actuator)
• Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction
o Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections and auto correction functionality may
vary depending on the camera model.
o 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).
• Supports DMF and AF+MF
• Compatible with AF assist (Sony E-mount only)
• Super Multi-Layer Coating
• Water and Oil Repellent Coating (front element)
• Aperture ring
• Aperture ring click switch
• Aperture ring lock switch
• AFL button
• MFL switch
• Rear Filter Holder (compatible with GUIDE PLATE GP-11)
• Lens Heater Retainer
• Focus Mode Switch
• Support for switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings (for L-Mount only)
• Dust and Splash Resistant Structure
• TRIPOD SOCKET TS-141 supplied
• Special front cap with locking mechanism and filter slot: COVER LENS CAP LC1014-01 (NEW)
• Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately / for L-Mount only)
• Designed to minimize flare and ghosting
• Every single lens undergoes SIGMA’s proprietary MTF measuring system
• 11-blade rounded diaphragm
• High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount
• “Made in Japan” craftsmanship
Learn more about SIGMA’s craftsmanship here:
https://www.sigma-global.com/en/about/craftsmanship/
Principal specifications | |
---|---|
Lens type | Prime lens |
Max Format size | 35mm FF |
Focal length | 14 mm |
Image stabilization | No |
Lens mount | L-Mount, Sony E, Sony FE |
Aperture | |
Maximum aperture | F1.4 |
Minimum aperture | F16 |
Aperture ring | Yes |
Number of diaphragm blades | 11 |
Aperture notes | Rounded diaphragm |
Optics | |
Elements | 19 |
Groups | 15 |
Special elements / coatings | 3 FLD, 1 SLD, 4 aspherical |
Focus | |
Minimum focus | 0.30 m (11.81″) |
Maximum magnification | 0.08× |
Autofocus | Yes |
Motor type | Linear Motor |
Full time manual | No |
Focus method | Internal |
Distance scale | No |
DoF scale | No |
Physical | |
Weight | 1170 g (2.58 lb) |
Diameter | 101 mm (3.98″) |
Length | 150 mm (5.91″) |
Filter notes | Rear filters only (GP-11) |
Hood supplied | No |
Tripod collar | Yes |
Author:
This article comes from DP Review and can be read on the original site.