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Is Sigma Going Back to Their Roots?

Chris Gampat
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06/07/2023
4 Mins read
Chris Gampat The Phoblographer Sigma 14mm f1.8 Art lens review product images 6

Last Updated on 06/07/2023 by Chris Gampat

In 2013, we started reviewing every Sigma prime lens and compiling them into a guide. We haven’t done significant updates to that guide since 2020, but we promise we will once our forearms recover from the strenuous workout involved with using their Art and Sports lenses. We’re not the only ones possibly canceling our gym memberships either, as others share our experience. Even better, Coach Bigma is reportedly offering a new wing of their fitness plan involving a new Sigma 14mm f1.4 DG DN Art lens.

Not For the Weak

When we reviewed the original Sigma 14mm f1.8 Art lens for DSLRs, we were even saying back then that this lens could be more innovative. For example, IRIX used text that glowed in the dark, and with some lenses it could glow under a black light. Sigma is designing this lens for astrophotography, most likely — so we’d hope that this lens does something similar to what IRIX did. After all, We reviewed the original lens for DSLRs in 2017, and it’s been nearly 7 years.

There are probably folks who will be massively offended by this tongue-in-cheek post: and that’s perfectly fine. Small legions of photographers swear by their Sigma lenses, and I used to. In fact, years ago, I switched all my Canon lenses out to Sigma only. But things have totally changed.

Yes, I’ve stated for years that Sigma makes clinically clean lenses. But I’m changing that term to extra-hygienic. They drum to the beat of a photographer that prefers a pretty antiquated look involving pixel peeping to see the pores on the bride you’ve photographed. Then they curry the flavor of the lens with a mammoth-sized portion of glass and thermal composite. Finally, it’s topped off with molasses-slow autofocus motor hailing from only the finest regions of the algorithmic world.

A New Sigma 14mm f1.4 DG DN Art?

Sony Alpha Rumors is reporting on the new Sigma 14mm f1.4 DG DN Art. Because we’re a respectable publisher that encourages folks to go visit our sources of information, I’ll only focus on the specifications that seem pretty accurate:

  • Lens construction: 19 elements in 15 groups (3 FLD glass elements, 1 SLD glass element, 4 aspherical lenses)
  • Size: 101.4 x 149.9mm (151.9mm for E-mount version) (Around 4 inches wide and 6 inches long)
  • Weight: 1170g (1160g for E-mount version) (Around 2.6 lbs)

Make no mistake, this is a heavier lens than the original for DSLRs. The original lens weighed 1120 grams according to our review.

For the record, the Sony 14mm f1.8 G Master lens is smaller, lighter, fast to focus, and was reviewed pretty positively by us. You can see our full review of that lens here. And if you’re stating something like, “This is just a rumor,” then remember how accurate that website tends to be. Further, just keep in mind how heavy Sigmas lenses typically are.

The Sony 14mm f1.8 G Master isn’t innovative in that it’s a fast wide-angle. Sigma has done this kind of lens for a long time now. Instead, it’s innovative in how lightweight and small Sony made it. Plus, it focuses incredibly fast. More importantly, this lens was made from the ground up for mirrorless cameras.

SMALL LENS, BIG, BEAUTIFUL COLORS. SONY 14MM F1.8 G MASTER REVIEW

Essentially, Sigma is returning to its roots of making lenses as big as possible to focus on image quality. Several years ago, when we asked Sigma why their lenses were so large, we were told that the back imaging circle was designed to cover a smaller medium format sensor so that the image quality would be that much better. They’ve seemingly not moved away from this philosophy.

Is this innovative? A bit — because it will be slightly faster of an aperture with most likely a much more affordable price. Whether or not that’s worth the trade-off of slow autofocus and the forthcoming carpal tunnel syndrome is another story.

What People Are Saying

The readers over at Sony Alpha Rumors seem to agree with us. The comments are honestly where the most delight is. Here are some gems:

  • Almost 3 times the weight of Sony’s 14mm 1.8 (460g) …to gain what? 2/3 of a stop? No, thx
  • Sigma, going back to their roots. Behold! Neo Bigma!
  • After the SIGzilla, this is now the SIGantic?
  • not for weaklings that don’t have the strength to carry a 70-200 2.8 around, let alone use one for a few minutes without succumbing to their weak body’s lack of muscle, strength and heart.
  • The Sony 14mm f/1.8 GM is only 460g, this is 1160g? Either Sigma doesn’t expect to sell a lot of these, or there is something wrong with this rumor.
  • In related news, the company corrected a typo in its trademark registration correcting the ‘S’ in its name to the originally intended ‘B’. Bigma Corp will be updating web addresses etc. shortly.
  • Is this a dslr lens with an adapter welded on the butt?

Some folks might obviously be trolling, as so many do. Despite this, something must be said about how much Sigma needs to try something new. They and Tamron are some of the OEMs for many of the camera and lens companies out there. Have they not realized that Europe and Asia are still buying DSLRs? Perhaps they should make lenses for DSLRs again. If they’re targeting mirrorless camera users, what about making lenses that people want to carry with them all the time? Professional photographers don’t tend to bring their cameras with them. But most of the market are passionate photographers. And even larger than that are the content creators. None of them want to bring big, massive lenses around.

We’ll call the new Sigma 14mm f1.4 DG DN Art lens in for review when available. Just so you’re aware, I’ve pretty literally compensated our staff to go get massages and a spa day after working with heavy equipment before. Will that happen again?

autofocus G Master image quality report rumor sigma sigma 14mm f1.4 Sigma 14mm f1.8 sony sony 14mm weight
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Chris Gampat is the Editor in Chief, Founder, and Publisher of the Phoblographer. He provides oversight to all of the daily tasks, including editorial, administrative, and advertising work. Chris's editorial work includes not only editing and scheduling articles but also writing them himself. He's the author of various product guides, educational pieces, product reviews, and interviews with photographers. He's fascinated by how photographers create, considering the fact that he's legally blind./ HIGHLIGHTS: Chris used to work in Men's lifestyle and tech. He's a veteran technology writer, editor, and reviewer with more than 15 years experience. He's also a Photographer that has had his share of bylines and viral projects like "Secret Order of the Slice." PAST BYLINES: Gear Patrol, PC Mag, Geek.com, Digital Photo Pro, Resource Magazine, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, IGN, PDN, and others. EXPERIENCE: Chris Gampat began working in tech and art journalism both in 2008. He started at PCMag, Magnum Photos, and Geek.com. He founded the Phoblographer in 2009 after working at places like PDN and Photography Bay. He left his day job as the Social Media Content Developer at B&H Photo in the early 2010s. Since then, he's evolved as a publisher using AI ethically, coming up with ethical ways to bring in affiliate income, and preaching the word of diversity in the photo industry. His background and work has spread to non-profits like American Photographic Arts where he's done work to get photographers various benefits. His skills are in SEO, app development, content planning, ethics management, photography, Wordpress, and other things. EDUCATION: Chris graduated Magna Cum Laude from Adelphi University with a degree in Communications in Journalism in 2009. Since then, he's learned and adapted to various things in the fields of social media, SEO, app development, e-commerce development, HTML, etc. FAVORITE SUBJECT TO PHOTOGRAPH: Chris enjoys creating conceptual work that makes people stare at his photos. But he doesn't get to do much of this because of the high demand of photography content. / BEST PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Don't do it in post-production when you can do it in-camera.