Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN ART
– Review by AL Lee, Posted by Lee Shi Qing
Image: Editor AL with the Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN ART mounted to a Sony Mirrorless camera.
21st December 2019, Singapore – This is probably the last review for the year before the editorial team takes a break for the holidays. We decided to close the year with Sigma’s 35mm F1.2 DG DN Art lens. Being an Art lens in Sigma’s line-up is tough as the pressure is on to be on the top-of-the-line lens category. We had review Sigma’s lenses & cameras for about 7 years now and like the market’s increasing demands, we had raised our expectations for Sigma’s lenses progressively through the years too. To be honest, I was expecting a lot from the 35mm F1.2 ART lens.
Image: Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN ART mounted to a Sony Mirrorless camera.
The 35mm F1.2 ART is not small in size measuring at 87.8mm × 136.2mm and when I mounted the lens to the Sony a7R, the camera looks kinda small. Weight wise, its definitely not feather weight as gravity decided that it feels like 1090gm. But I understand the weight is the result of the construction of the elements and lens barrel.
There’s 17 elements in 12 groups!!! There’s 03 SLD glass and 03 Aspherical glass among the other elements, that is massive in the 35mm lenses category!
Image: Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN ART mounted to a Sony Mirrorless camera.
The 11 rounded aperture blades focuses from 30cm from the front (minimum focusing distance) not forgetting the smooth switching aperture selector ring. I don’t know about you but it gave me the new + old feel of handling especially you had came from the film era. The lens takes 82mm screw-on filters at the front in case you are wondering.
Image: Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN ART mounted to a Sony Mirrorless camera.
Image: Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN ART mounted to a Sony Mirrorless camera.
Being an ART line lens, Sigma had definitely ensured that nothing is open to the unforgiving scrutiny of today’s photographers, the near-perfect construction is one of the key factor why ART lenses are made to withstand harsh shooting environment. From the TSC compound used to buid the lens barrel to the coating on the the elements, everything about the 35mm F1.2 ART is well covered and well thought of.
Image: Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN ART mounted to a Sony Mirrorless camera.
The best way to test out the new Sigma 35mm F1.2 ART will be to take this lens out in the night and shoot and put the lens through its paces. Since Christmas is around the corner so I took it out at one of Ourshutterjourney’s Events where the shoot was planned at Orchard Road.
Although the decorations & light-up at Orchard Road had dropped in standard progressively over the years, it’s still a go-to place for the festivities although this year might be the very the last year that the group will visit Orchard Road. Let’s see what I managed to shoot/do with the new Sigma 35mm F1.2 ART lens!
Image: Shot with Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN ART mounted to a Sony Mirrorless camera.
When I started shooting, I totally forgot that I am holding a lens that weight 1 kg as strangely as it seems, the weight seems to be very manageable and easily forgotten. Although the Sony camera looks kinda tiny while mounted, on overall it is still lighter than your DSLR + Lens combo. I started to enjoy my night.
Image: Shot with Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN ART mounted to a Sony Mirrorless camera.
35mm is a focal length that is very versatile, from closer perspectives to wider framing, all it takes is a little walking for that “human zoom”.
I intentionally de-focused to blur out the lens for the below shot to check out the bokehs – quite decent to be honest.
Image: Shot with Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN ART mounted to a Sony Mirrorless camera.
Image: Shot with Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN ART mounted to a Sony Mirrorless camera.
Image: Shot with Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN ART mounted to a Sony Mirrorless camera.
Pairing the Sigma 35mm F1.2 ART with the Sony is definitely the right move, the images are highly detailed (on the focused area), the magnificent colors and the sharpness, its a perfect match anytime.
Image: Shot with Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN ART mounted to a Sony Mirrorless camera.
Although 35mm is very much a favored focal length for street photographers and film purists, I find that it is a very good range for shooting any genre that requires a walkabout. It can be the lens to accompany for a walk – be it anywhere, day or night.
Image: Shot with Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN ART mounted to a Sony Mirrorless camera.
Image: Shot with Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN ART mounted to a Sony Mirrorless camera.
Image: Shot with Sigma 35mmm F1.2 DG DN ART mounted to a Sony Mirrorless camera.
I like how fast the lens focuses and behaves while mated to the Sony. Many times I almost convinced myself that I am using a Zeiss lens while reality prove to me that this is really a Sigma ART lens.
Image: Shot with Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN ART mounted to a Sony Mirrorless camera.
Image: Shot with Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN ART mounted to a Sony Mirrorless camera.
As the night ended, I was thrilled with the Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN ART. I managed to shoot what I wanted easily and effortlessly with this lens. From the handling to the image quality, from the fast & silent focusing that is super accurate to holding this lens for 2 hours straight without breaking either arms, this is one of the lens that will rewrite the history of 35mm lenses. As more manufacturers are producing 35mm in F1.2 specs, I will say not all 35mm F1.2 are created equal – the Sigma 35mm F1.2 takes the lead and had created a benchmark that is hard to duplicate or surpass.
For a lens this great, I will not share about the retail price here, you will have to go find out yourself. 🙂
Before I go, the Team at Ourshutterjourney.com would like to wish Everyone a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year! We will be back in 2020!
Here’s a Parting Shot for you.
Buying this Lens
OK people, Buy your Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG DN (A) from our Accredited Merchants to experience this great lens for yourself!
Renting this Lens
For those of you who wish to try out the lens before purchase, we are pleased to share that this lens is available for rental at our appointed rental merchant:
Camera Rental Centre is Conveniently Located at:
50 South Bridge Road, CMO Building, (very near to Clarke Quay MRT)
#02-18. Singapore 058682
Website: http://sg.camerarental.biz/
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Reviewer: AL Lee
Chief Editor / Visionary & Brand Ambassador for Olympus Imaging Singapore
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Contributing Editor – Lee Shi Qing
A firm believer of Self-Sufficient living and gives no f**k to anyone getting in her way to reaching her goals in life. Kind in nature & Dangerous when provoked. Loves Mcdonald’s Fries and hates all the burgers there. While she helps out in gear reviews, Qing is currently serving as an Online Administrator for Ourshutterjourney.com Facebook Groups and Online Shop.
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