Sigma has changed its brand image in the past year. Their newly launched camera, the BF, reflects this minimalist approach. While they are building new products that reflect this direction, Sigma has left behind some cameras and lenses to focus on its future. For instance, the fp and the fp L, as well as 12-24mm f4.5-5.6 II DG HSM and 50mm f2 DG DN Contemporary, amongst others. It now appears, a new wide-angle lens has joined this list: 14mm f1.4 DG DN Art.
According to Asobinet, Japanese retailers such as Map Camera and Yodobashi Camera have listed the 14mm as “discontinued.” Usually, when one of the retailers puts this tag, with time, the lens does discontinue officially. The same happened during the fp and fp L series, where the cameras were quietly discontinued after the launch of BF.
At the same time, the report also wonders whether the company is going through discontinuation or will they change the logo and the name to continue the lens. That’s because on Sigma’s USA page, the 14mm for Sony E mount is out of stock, just like at MAP camera. In addition, the 14mm for Leica mount still does not have the ‘discontinued’ tag.
In all of this, the bigger question is whether the lens will be replaced anytime soon. The Sigma 14mm f1.4 is said to be the world’s first lens that offers this focal range with a wide aperture. It is created with 19 elements in 15 groups, weighs 1,160g for the Sony E version, has a minimum focusing distance of 30cm, and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:11.9. As we said in our review, “If the Sigma 14mm f1.4 Art was another copy of a widely available lens, I’d probably knock it down to three stars because of the slower autofocus and weight alone. But, there are very few options that can shoot both this wide and this bright, plus the lens has a ton of character. For that, I’m giving the Sigma 14mm f1.4 Art four out of five stars.”
Samyang, 7Artisans, Rokinon, and others have 14mm options, but they are f2.8 and cost a quarter of the Sigma lens. As we said, many photographers will lose out on that wide aperture. However, if Sigma does plan on launching a new iteration, they will have to work around the weight aspect or offer some character to the lens. Until then, we just have to wait and watch.