The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) is primarily a photography lens, though it will be used for video.
In this article let’s take a comprehensive look at the important features and specifications of the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art and see how good it will perform specifically for video, cinematography and filmmaking.
I think it is important to mention that Sigma is a third party lens manufacturer and its performance cannot be justly compared to the native lenses.
The aim of this article is to provide you with enough information and perspective so you can decide for yourself whether this lens is right for your film or video.
Important: This article is a comprehensive overview of the lens with available information; and an analysis based on our experience shooting for almost two decades. It is not a hands-on review. If and when we get hold of the lens we’ll be sure to publish a detailed review. If this is not your cup of tea you can stop reading.
Click to what you want quickly:
- TLDR;
- What does DG HSM mean?
- Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM vs Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art vs Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM
- Features:
- Control:
- Basics:
- Alternatives to the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art
TLDR;
What you need to know for video work about the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H):
- The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art is a great third party ultra-wide focal length lens.
- The f/1.8 aperture is amazing for low light work.
- It’s heavier compared to its competitors.
- 9 blade aperture for smoother bokeh.
- Cannot attach filters due to the protruding front lens element.
- The lens doesn’t have OS, but you will get some stabilization with a camera that has in built stabilization.
- It exhibits breathing.
Can be great for most following types of filmmaking:
- Astro filmmaking
- Night wildlife and any wildlife
- Adventure and sports
What does DG HSM mean?
According to Sigma, DG refers to the lenses that are designed specifically for full frame DSLR cameras. Sigma claims that their DG DN lenses are designed specifically and exclusively for full frame mirrorless cameras.
So while the DG HSM will work with a full frame mirrorless camera, but, according to Sigma, a DG DN lens will communicate better with the camera than the DG HSM lens.
HSM refers to their ring-type hypersonic autofocus motor in that lens.
Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM vs Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art vs Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM
| Lens | Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM | Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art | Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM |
| Filter Thread | NA | NA | NA |
| Size | 83.5mm × 99.8mm | E-mount: 95.4mm × 152mm EF-mount: 95.4 x 126 mm | 80mm x 94mm |
| Weight | 460g | E-mount: 1,230g EF-mount: 1,170 g | 645g |
| Closest focusing distance | 0.25m / 0.82ft | 0.27m / 0.88ft | 0.2m / 0.65ft |
| Aperture Ring | Present, De-clickable | Absent | Absent |
| Customizable Button | Present | Absent | Absent |
| Manual Focus Mode | Fly by wire | Focus by wire | Focus by wire |
| Max. Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 |
| Min. Aperture | f/16 | f/16 | f/22 |
| Aperture Blades | 9 blades | 9 blades | 6 blades |
| Angle of View (Diagonal) | 114° | 114.2° | 114° |
Sigma is a third party lens manufacturer, so this is not an apples to apples comparison. Native lenses will always have an edge over third party lens manufacturers, when it comes to the communication with the camera system. While being a third party lens manufacturer, Sigma has become a tough competitor to many major lens manufacturers.
The Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) has major advantages over the Sigma 14mm f/1.8DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H). It is only a third of the weight of the Sigma variant, and it is smaller. This makes it the preferred lens for handheld or gimbal use out of the two.
The FE 14mm f/1.8 GM has aids on the lens body such as the aperture ring and a customizable button. It makes it more versatile and handy than the Sigma Art 14mm f/1.8. The de-clickable aperture ring, better focusing distance and fly by wire manual focus are icing on the cake.
If we compare the EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM (Amazon, B&H) with the Sigma 14mm f/1.8, we can observe that the EF 14mm is much lighter and smaller than the Sigma 14mm. The EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM has a much closer minimum focusing distance. The caveat of using the EF 14mm f/2.8 L II USM would be the smaller maximum aperture and the lesser amount of blades.
Here’s a resolution comparison at f/1.8:
The Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM seems to be sharper and has better corner to corner performance than the Sigma Art 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM. Official EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM MTF’s charts were not available.
For me, the Sony wins. It’s peerless.
Features
Coverage
The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) is a full frame lens. It is designed to completely cover a sensor the size of 36mm x 24mm.
If you are considering this lens for an APS-C sensor or other cinema camera, check out this article:
Focal Length
The focal length is 14mm. This is considered ultra wide on a full frame 35mm sensor.
This focal range is very useful for wide angle shots and drone work. The ultra wide angle and the wide maximum aperture makes this lens perfect for astro filmmaking.
Aperture
The maximum aperture is f/1.8 and the minimum aperture is f/16.
Having f/1.8 is great for low light. Most people will use it at f/2 or f/2.8 for the purpose of getting optimum sharpness, and to get soft out of focus backgrounds.
The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) has 9 diaphragm blades. One expects a smooth bokeh, considering the number of blades, but it’s not always a given. To know more about bokeh:
Resolution
From Sigma’s official MTF charts:
The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) is sharp in the center and has a slight gradual fall off at the edges. At f/1.8, it is an acceptable performance. As we have seen before, the Sony 14mm beats it by a long shot.
With the variance in the Sagittal and Tangential lines, you can infer (somewhat) that the bokeh should be smooth enough.
If you really want this lens at its sharpest you’re better off stopping down to f/2 or even f/2.8 for best results, but it’s manageable at f/1.8.
If you are curious and want to read the MTF chart for yourself. Here’s a guide on how to read them easily.
Close Focus
The closest focusing distance of this lens is 27cm or 0.88 feet. That’s great for this focal length because you can also use it for close ups.
Image Stabilization
The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) lens doesn’t have OS. This is not a huge disappointment for an ultra wide lens. Using it cameras that have IBIS can provide it with some image stabilization.
Control
Manual focus system
The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) has an infinite turn ring for its focus ring and can turn infinitely one way or the other. Unfortunately for videographers and cinematographers, the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art is set to focus by wire by default.
What is the meaning of focus by wire and fly by wire?
Focus by wire: Let’s say you turn the focus ring to change focus from point A to B. You’d expect the focus to shift accordingly. When you stop point B will be in focus. Now bring the focus point back to A and try again, but at a different speed. Slower or faster, doesn’t matter. Now, even if you precisely rotate to the exact same degree, the focus will not be on point B! The speed of rotation determines which point it is focused on. That’s just completely useless for follow focus work. If an actor or person moves at a different speed, evens lightly, you’ll never get the same focus. Avoid focus by wire lenses like the plague (for video work).
Fly by wire: The distance of focus shifted is directly proportional to the speed at which the ring is turned. This is how a manual focus ring is supposed to operate for video and cinematography.
This decision to exclude fly by wire or linear MF by Sigma will make this lens unsuitable for professional cinematographers and videographers.
Autofocus system
Sigma’s autofocus is improving day by day, but it is nowhere near the precision and reliability of Canon or Sony’s autofocus system. Keep in mind, that Sigma is a third party lens manufacturer, i.e., they do not make native lenses that can communicate as well as native lenses with the camera they are on.
I do not think anyone will purchase a Sigma lens for its autofocus performance.
Basics
Filter Thread
The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) is not compatible with any of the filters due to its protruding front lens element.
Build Quality
The majority of the lens exterior is plastic, though the lens doesn’t feel cheap.
The optical design consists of 16 elements in 11 groups, including aspherical lens, FLD glass and SLD glass.
Size and Weight
The Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) has a diameter of 95.4mm and a length of 152mm for the E-mount. It weighs around 1,230 grams for the E-mount. That is the heaviest and largest this lens can be.
Weather resistance
Sigma claims that all their lenses are weather resistant. But again this only holds true if the camera body you will be using is also weather sealed. No camera is truly and officially weather sealed, so the best you can hope for is reliable weather resistance.
This is an Art series lens and we can expect it to perform as such.
What’s in the box
This is what you get in the box (other than the lens):
- Case
- Cover Lens Cap LC954-01.
The hood is integrated in the lens.
While they have omitted the mention of the lens cap and rear cap on their website, I doubt that they will exclude such basic necessities.
Alternatives to the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art Lens
If we are being absolutely candid, the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM (Amazon, B&H) is the better lens through and through while being of the same price.
I hope you found this overview of the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art (Amazon, B&H) useful. If we have missed out on something, please let us know in the comments below.
