I was lucky enough to get the review unit for the latest Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM (EF Mount) from the local
distributor (Sigma Marketing Singapore) for a test run and a review. This is like the biggest thing now as every other
photographer – from amateurs to professionals – are all talking about this latest wonder from Sigma.

First impressions – the lens does not feel or even look like a Sigma lens! The new metal coating on the lens body
simply reminds me of those Leica lenses and the focusing rings are nice to the hand’s touch. The Sigma 35mm F1.4
DG HSM has a very solid feel and the layout of the lens are purposeful for ease of use and the lens is
considered quite compact and light (665g) too. This is not just a  “Love at First Sight” DSLR lens, the specs are
amazing too.

Featuring Aspherical glass on the 1st and last element, FLD glass (Low Dispersion Glass) on
the 2nd element, SLD Glass on 6th, 8th, 10th & 11th element, this lens is like a “Leica-Spec + Carl Zeiss-build”
combination. Everything about this lens just seems so well sorted and thought of.

So does this lens really deserves the rave? I took it out on a short walk and tried it out. My wife took
my Canon 5D MarkII for the weekend so I decided to have it mounted on my Canon EOS 1D MarkIV.
So with the given crop factor of x1.3 on this Canon APS-H sensor, effectively I get a very useable 45.5mm
for a walkabout. I will now let the photos do the talking, commentaries after the jump.

Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM at 1/500, F4, ISO 320 EV -3.

Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM at 1/100, F2.8, ISO 400 EV +1.

Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM at 1/80, F1.4, ISO 400 EV -1.

Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM at 1/125, F2, ISO 400 EV -2.

Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM at 1/100, F2, ISO 400 EV0.

Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM at 1/80, F1.4, ISO 400 EV +1.

Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM at 1/80, F1.4, ISO 400 EV +1.

Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM at 1/60, F5.6, ISO 400 EV +3.

From the above photos, I see amazing colors, sharpness and beautiful bokeh, all from the new Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM. All the above photos are not edited except straightening and cropping with the camera set to standard for every settings. To certain extent, I feel this lens is just as good as the “other 35mm F1.4” lenses by manufacturers but asking
price is much lower. This is welcoming to those whose wants a quality lens but do not wish to spend too much on it.

On overall, this lens is certainly worth buying if you had not own a 35mm range lens. And trust me, this
is no longer the same Sigma lens that you might expect, this is something totally new, totally refreshing and
totally make sense if you ever got a chance to lay your hands on one of this lens. As the Flagship Sigma lens,
the 35mm F1.4 DG HSM had set a new & high standard for the future updates of it’s lenses product line.
We will be watching Sigma’s development closely.

Some quick specs:
– 35mm Focal Length (52.5mm on Nikon, Sony, Pentax APS-C bodies, 45.5mm on Canon APS-H/ 56mm on Canon APS-C bodies)
– Aperture F1.4-F16.
– Minimum Focusing Distance 30cm
– Filter Size 67mm
– Retail Box includes the Lens, Hood, caps, Manuel & Pouch.
– Sigma A Lens* (See Below)

For more information or specifications on this lens click here.

Thank You Sigma Marketing Singapore for making this review possible & not to forget our Project Photographer Julian Tan.
-Editor.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
** Sigma had re-organized their whole lens line into 3 category.
They are “C” Lens, “A” Lens & “S” Lens.

C Lens = Contemporary Lens Line

Featuring the very latest technology, and combining optical performance with compactness, Sigma’s high-performance Contemporary line covers a wide range of needs. Lenses in this category are Standard zoom lenses, telephoto zoom lenses, high-magnification zoom lenses.

A Lens = Art Lens Line

Designed with a focus on sophisticated optical performance and abundant expressive power, Sigma’s Art line delivers high-level artistic expression. Lenses in this category are Large-aperture prime lenses, wide-angle lenses, ultra-wide-angle lenses, macro lenses, fisheye lenses.

S Lens – Sports Lens Line

While offering sophisticated optical performance and expressiveness, Sigma Sports line lenses deliver high action-capture performance, enabling photographers to get exactly the shots they want. Lenses in this category are Telephoto lenses, telephoto zoom lenses, super telephoto lenses, super telephoto zoom lenses.

Sigma Marketing Singapore Pte Ltd. is a subsidiary of Sigma Japan Corporation.

For more information, please visit http://www.sigma-global.com