Last Updated on 12/21/2018 by Mark Beckenbach
Just when you thought Sigma lenses couldn’t get any sharper, along comes the 40mm f1.4 Art.
There’s no doubt about it: Sigma lenses are some of the sharpest currently available. From the 18-35mm f1.8 Art that shook the world of APS-C cameras a few years back, to the super sharp 135mm f1.8 Art that was released last year; sharpness hasn’t ever really been an issue with Art series lenses. Just how much sharper can their lenses possibly get though? Quite a bit it seems. Kai Wong recently took this massive prime lens out onto the streets of London during a Santa festival to see how it would perform, and of course in typical Kai style, hilarity ensues and it’s all caught on video; which we just happen have for you just after the break.
Sigma Lenses are built like tanks, and this one is no exception. The 40mm f1.4 Art is a massive lens. If you’re thinking it would be a great way to do some stealth street photography, forget about it. A pancake lens this is not. Rumor has it that this lens is so big, it can be seen by astronauts on the space station! No, but really, it’s big, bulky, weighs 2.64lbs, and will make your Mirrorless camera look tiny in comparison.
Inside this beast you’ll find 16 elements in 12 groups and nine rounded aperture blades. The lens is also weather sealed and offers good autofocus performance when adapted to the EOS R and Sony bodies. These tests were performed with a Canon EF mount version, but there will be a Sony E mount version hitting the streets soon.
In his latest video, Kai Wong feels these optics make up one of the sharpest lenses (if not THE sharpest) he has ever tested. In fact it may be too sharp for it’s own good. While we’re still working on our review, we have posted our Sigma 40mm f1.4 Art first impressions for you, and so far we have also been impressed.
If you want to see this lens in action, along with some sample images check out the video below. You’ll also see a sharpness comparison test between the Sigma 40mm f1.4 Art, the Canon 50mm f1.2 L, and the Canon 35mm f1.4 L II. Be warned though, there are some crazy antics going on in the video, and there is the occasional bad word. If your’re at work you may want to turn the volume down just a hair.
What do you think about the Sigma 40mm f1.4 DG HSM Art? Is this a lens you’re looking forward to? Let us know in the comment section below. Be on the lookout for our forthcoming review.
