If you are looking for an ultimate winner though the Sigma is sharper, brighter, and more contrasty at f/8 in the corners, the center is fairly similar between both lenses. It’s perfect if you are looking for the dreamy bokeh effect on your portrait shots. It takes the cake for impeccably sharp wedding images. Especially ones shot in dark venues where artificial light disturbs the moment’s natural intimacy. For these distinct occasions, this lens is perfect for you. We’re not looking at a fast prime that’s only made in Sony E-mount either; it’s also available in L-mount for use with Leica, Sigma and Panasonic full-frame cameras. Is it one of the best portrait lenses you can buy? Let’s take a look. Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art: Features

You need to remember that f/1.4 depth of field is narrow. If you prefer a manual focus, you can switch the lens to manual focus by rotating the focus ring. It works even during continuous autofocus. The Sony corner sharpness – top left (f/1.8), top right (f/2.8), bottom, left (f/4), bottom right (f/8)I have tried out the Haoge 77mm square lens hood. It causes mechanic vignetting – it cuts top and bottom of highligt bokeh balls. Not acceptable. The 67mm version works with only a very slight amount of vignetting on 35/1.4 dg dn, there it is acceptable. The Sigma center sharpness – top left (f/1.4), top right (f/1.8), bottom, left (f/2.8), bottom right (f/4)

The larger focus ring has no hard stops but has a very nice resistance and the rubber finish it has feels better than the metal one on the Sony and easier to turn. The lens is made from metal and feels extremely well in the hand – you know that you are holding a quality product. The Sony 85mm f/1.8 is also well made but the Sigma feels a bit better possibly also because it is a bit beefier and larger. Size and weight The Sigma Art line was designed for artists who value unbeatable expressive performance over compactness and multifunction. As expected, the Sigma Art series offers premium image quality with a maximum aperture of f/1.4. This feature delivers distinct sharp and crisp photographs in darker venues.

osv - Why are you only fixating on the first half of that sentence and COMPLETELY ignoring the second half of the same sentence? 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. Another comparable lens is also by Canon—the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM.This Canon has the same bulky feeling as the Sigma, but the quality of the bokeh and image sharpness are unbeatable. Take note, it costs three times more than the Sigma.

The Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art is a nearly perfect portrait lens for photographers shooting E or L Mount mirrorless cameras. Were those Sigma Art lenses worth it? Yes, they were flawlessly sharp, if that’s what you’re asking. However, they were almost more trouble than they were worth, especially to any photographer who expected primes to be a portable, lightweight alternative to their big heavy full-frame zooms. When it comes to choosing which prime (or zoom) is perfect for you as a portrait photographer, I used to only recommend investing in the one focal length you would use the most, so that you can get a high-end f/1.4 or f/1.2 prime, and then “fill the gaps” with more affordable, portable f/1.8 or slower primes. The Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM Art (left) and Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art (right). The new lens is 500g lighter than Sigma’s previous version

Perfect for portraiture, the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art is a high quality, super-sharp lens that produces beautiful bokeh

I considered the Nikon AF/1.4 hood but it is quite large. AF Nikon 80-200/2.8 hood is smaller, but maybe it vignettes? The high resolving power that covers the entire image from the center to the edges ensures sharpness of the area in focus, and coupled with the significant bokeh effect produced by the F-value of 1.4 brings out the users’ subject in an evocative way. The focus ring has no direct coupling so manual focus is focus by wire. Resistance is fine and there is no delay when you turn the focus ring. Depending on the speed the focus ring is turned it takes 280 degrees or 1260 degrees to get to infinity from MFD. Because the focus throw is only 1260 degrees when you turn the ring very slowly it doesn’t bother me at all, sometimes it actually is pretty handy.