{"id":1318,"date":"2021-12-10T10:21:10","date_gmt":"2021-12-10T15:21:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brokenmount.com\/bm\/2021\/12\/10\/sigma-20mm-f-1-4-dg-hsm-a-review\/"},"modified":"2021-12-10T10:21:10","modified_gmt":"2021-12-10T15:21:10","slug":"sigma-20mm-f-1-4-dg-hsm-a-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brokenmount.com\/bm\/2021\/12\/10\/sigma-20mm-f-1-4-dg-hsm-a-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Sigma 20mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A Review"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Sigma 20mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A Review \u2013 Introduction<\/h2>\n

There has been a surge of new wideangle lenses in the past 12 months, with Sigma and many of the other major brands focusing their efforts in this area of the market. Not one for resting on its laurels, Sigma has been hard at work creating its fifth fixed-focal-length lens in its DSLR Art product line and the new 20mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A looks like it could be popular for landscape and astrophotography, as well as for shooting interiors, events and weddings.<\/p>\n

\"Sigma<\/a><\/p>\n

Just like Sigma\u2019s 24-35mm f\/2 DG HSM | A<\/a> was the world\u2019s first zoom lens to achieve a constant aperture of f\/2, the 20mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A is the world\u2019s first 20mm lens to trumpet an aperture of f\/1.4. The only 20mm lenses that really come close to it are the Canon EF 20mm f\/2.8 USM (\u00a3385) and the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 20mm f\/1.8G ED<\/a> (\u00a3539), which begs the question, is this Sigma worth paying a premium for?<\/p>\n

\"Sigma<\/a>
The lens is ideal when you\u2019re working in tight spaces or want to fill the frame with your surroundings<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sigma 20mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A Review \u2013 Features<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re wondering why a 20mm f\/1.4 lens has never been manufactured before, it\u2019s because of the technical difficulties that are imposed by engineering such a large double aspherical element. Sigma has managed to overcome this hurdle by turning to its experienced team of engineers who have used the latest advances in technology to successfully create a large double-aspherical lens that measures an impressive 59mm in diameter. By uniting this large aspherical lens with a second aspherical lens towards the rear, we\u2019re told that it controls distortion remarkably well \u2013 a claim that we intend to investigate in this test.<\/p>\n

The construction of the lens features 15 glass elements arranged in 11 groups, with two of these elements being the \u2018F\u2019 low-dispersion (FLD) type and five being the special low dispersion (SLD) variety. This low-dispersion glass is used to curtail chromatic aberrations, which are well known for being an issue in large-aperture ultra-wideangle lenses. To prevent flare and ghosting presenting problems when shooting towards the light, Sigma has employed its Super Multi-Layer Coatings and a permanently fixed petal-shaped lens hood at the front.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_0700\"<\/a>
The Sigma 20mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A has a permanent petal-shape lens hood<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The lens\u2019s nine-bladed aperture diaphragm offers settings from f\/1.4 to f\/16, and set to its maximum aperture it provides an attractive rendition of out-of-focus backgrounds with pleasing circular bokeh in the highlights. To ensure the lens operates as smoothly and as quietly as possible, the lens features Sigma\u2019s Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) that, in addition to driving the autofocus system, offers full-time manual focusing. This allows users to adjust the focus manually at any time without having to flick the AF\/MF switch to manual first.<\/p>\n

Like all lenses released by Sigma in recent times, it will be initially manufactured in three different lens mounts to cater for Canon, Nikon and Sigma users. The size and weight imply that it\u2019s going to be a lens that feels at its best paired with full-frame DSLRs, but there\u2019s nothing to suggest it can\u2019t be used with APS-C DSLRs. Coupled to an APS-C DSLR with a 1.5x crop factor, it behaves like a 30mm f\/1.4, whereas on Canon APS-C DSLRs it\u2019s equivalent to 32mm.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_0720\"<\/a>
The build quality is every bit as good as we\u2019ve come to expect from Sigma\u2019s \u2018Art\u2019 lenses<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Other noteworthy features include a minimum focusing distance of 27.6cm, a maximum magnification ratio of 1:7.1 and full compatibility with Sigma\u2019s USB docking device, allowing users to update firmware and refine the focus settings manually using the manufacturer\u2019s Optimization Pro software.<\/p>\n

As part of the boxed contents there\u2019s a rear cap and a sizeable front plastic cap, which has a slim felt-like lining on the inside to create a tight fit. For photographers who\u2019d prefer a more robust lens cap, Sigma also produces a metal lens cap (LC907-02) for \u00a330.<\/p>\n

Sigma 20mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A Review \u2013 Build and handling<\/h2>\n

When I pulled the lens out of its box, I expected to be greeted by a monstrous front element. The lens is slightly more compact than I\u2019d envisaged and the front element is smaller than those we\u2019re typically greeted by on fast full-frame wideangle zooms, such as Nikon\u2019s AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f\/2.8 G ED. Squeezing such a complex arrangement of elements and groups into a relatively compact package makes it quite deceptive in terms of weight. It\u2019s a lens that\u2019s heavier than it looks, and the fact it weighs 950g means it\u2019s almost 300g more than Sigma\u2019s 24mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_0707\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The build quality is comparable to other lenses in Sigma\u2019s Art line-up and the construction of the barrel is made from a mixture of metal and plastic. The section of the barrel adjacent to the camera is made from metal, just like the large manual-focus ring at the front of the lens, whereas the middle section of the barrel and lens hood are formed of high-quality plastic. The only issue that might concern some, as far as the build quality goes, is its lack of weather sealing. Although it will happily survive a few raindrops, it\u2019s advised to stow it away during a persistent shower.<\/p>\n

The permanently attached lens hood helps to shield the glass from any accidental bumps and scrapes, but the bulbous front element does prevent screw-in filters being used. Although it has been rumoured that the Sigma 12-24mm f\/4.5-5.6 DG HSM II adapter ring Lee Filters produces for its SW150 Mark II system might fit, we tried it only to find that it doesn\u2019t. Regrettably, no filter adapter was available at the time of testing, but Lee Filters disclosed to AP that it would look into creating one if there\u2019s enough demand, but it wouldn\u2019t arrive for at least a couple of months.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_0012\"<\/a>
The 20mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A slots into Sigma\u2019s \u2018Art\u2019 lineup. Pictured from left to right is the Sigma 50mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A, Sigma 24-35mm f\/2 DG HSM | A, Sigma 35mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A, Sigma 24mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In terms of its operation, the manual-focus ring operates fluidly and functions across its focusing range in just over a quarter of a turn. It falls nicely to hand and the same can be said for the large AF\/MF switch that juts out from the side of the barrel and is easy to locate with your thumb. This switch offers a reassuring click, and the white background that\u2019s revealed behind the switch when it\u2019s set to AF acts as a visual reference of where it\u2019s set to in low light.<\/p>\n

Sigma 20mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A Review \u2013 Image quality<\/span><\/h2>\n

Our review sample was supplied in Canon-fit, and for testing purposes I paired it with the Canon EOS 5DS<\/a>. Given the highly impressive level of detail this camera resolves, I wanted to find out whether or not its results wide open are as impressive as those we\u2019ve seen from Sigma\u2019s other Art lenses in the past.<\/p>\n

\"1V7A9197\"<\/a>
Opening the lens to its maximum aperture (f\/1.4) creates an extremely shallow and attractive depth of field<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rattling off a series of frames of the same scene from f\/1.4 to f\/16 and then analysing these alongside our Applied Imaging tests revealed a jaw-dropping set of results. Sharpness in the centre of the frame at f\/1.4 is very impressive. Edge sharpness is a little way off matching the same level of sharpness in the centre at f\/1.4, so to record the finest level of edge-to-edge sharpness across the frame you\u2019ll need to close the lens down a few stops. Corner sharpness improves by the time you reach f\/4, but the sweet spot between centre and corner sharpness is located closer to f\/5.6-f\/8. The lens continues to resolve sharp images beyond these settings and f\/11 is certainly usable if you\u2019re keen on creating a larger depth of field. Diffraction does begin to soften images a little at f\/16, so it\u2019s good to see Sigma putting a cap on the lens\u2019s minimum aperture.<\/p>\n

\"1V7A9260\"<\/a>
The lens allows you to work closely to subjects and contain a lot in the frame as illustrated above<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Equally as impressive is the way this lens controls curvilinear distortion. Although it\u2019s not entirely distortion-free, the barrel distortion it does exhibit is negligible and can\u2019t easily be traced in shots straight out of the camera. I did notice some signs of purple and green fringing at the edges of the opening image to this review, but that was only obvious at very close magnification. At the time of testing we were still awaiting a new lens profile update from Adobe. When this does become available we expect these signs of chromatic aberration and barrel distortion to be resolved with a single click of the \u2018Enable Profile Corrections\u2019 box beneath the Lens Corrections tab.<\/p>\n

\"1V7A9299\"<\/a>
Vignetting is clearly obvious when the lens is used wide open (f\/1.4)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The corners are around 2EV darker than the centre of the image when the lens is used at f\/1.4. Closing the lens down to f\/2 sees corner shading improve and dialling in an aperture of f\/3.2 sees vignetting clear up almost completely. It\u2019s untraceable in images that are taken at and beyond f\/4.<\/p>\n

Sigma 20mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A Review \u2013 Test Results<\/span><\/h2>\n

Resolution<\/h3>\n

The lens resolves a similar level of sharpness in the centre at f\/1.4 as it does when it\u2019s stopped down between f\/8 and f\/11. Our Applied Imaging test results show the lens is at its sharpest in the centre around f\/4, but to record the finest level of edge-to-edge sharpness across the frame you\u2019ll want to shoot between f\/5.6 and f\/8. Users can still achieve great results at f\/11, but diffraction does start to soften images slightly when you push to its f\/16 minimum.<\/p>\n

\"Graph<\/a><\/p>\n

Shading<\/h3>\n

Use the lens at its maximum aperture and images will exhibit obvious vignetting. This can help to draw a viewer\u2019s eye to the centre of an image, but is not to everyone\u2019s taste. Edges are approximately 2EV darker than the centre at f\/1.4, but this lessens to 0.6EV darker than the centre at f\/2.8. Vignetting can\u2019t be traced when the lens is closed down to f\/4.<\/p>\n

\"Sigma<\/a>
Sigma 20mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A shading at 20mm, f\/1.4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Sigma<\/a>
Sigma 20mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A shading at 20mm, f\/2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Sigma<\/a>
Sigma 20mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A shading at 20mm, f\/2.8<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Sigma<\/a>
Sigma 20mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A shading at 20mm, f\/4<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Curvilinear distortion<\/h3>\n

Barrel distortion can be seen in our test results, with straight lines bowing out slightly towards the corners. If you do want to remove this, it should be a relatively quick fix when Adobe releases a lens profile for Lightroom, Photoshop and Camera Raw. We\u2019re expecting this to be available very soon.<\/p>\n

\"Sigma<\/a>
Sigma 20mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A distortion TV SMIA = -1.5%<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sigma 20mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A Review \u2013 Verdict<\/span><\/h2>\n

The wide focal length combined with the extremely fast maximum aperture and \u00a3849 price tag might suggest the appeal of this lens will be limited, but for those who regularly find themselves wanting to squeeze as much of their surroundings in the frame \u2013 and for those who\u2019d like to gain an extra couple of stops when working in low light \u2013 it\u2019s a very tempting choice indeed.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_0705\"<\/a>
The Sigma 20mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A is a lens with lots of positives and only a few negatives<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By paying a premium for this lens you get first-class image quality and performance in return. It\u2019s a lens with many positives and only minor negatives. Those who\u2019d like to attach filters will have to be patient and wait for adapter rings to become available, and the fact it doesn\u2019t feature weather sealing means you\u2019ll need to take precautions in inclement weather.<\/p>\n

Overall, this is yet another valuable addition to Sigma\u2019s Art line-up of premium lenses and once again highlights Sigma as a brand that\u2019s at the forefront of innovative lens design.<\/p>\n

Score: 5 out of 5<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"WDC<\/a><\/p>\n

The post Sigma 20mm f\/1.4 DG HSM | A Review<\/a> appeared first on Trusted Reviews<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Author: Michael Topham
\nThis article comes from Trusted Reviews<\/i> and can be read on the original site.<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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