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The SIGMA 14mm DG DN f/1.4 lens brought about shockwaves upon its preliminary launch. By no means earlier than had a lens been coupled with apertures reminiscent of f/1.4, and at 14mm. As the newest in cutting-edge expertise, it could show to be an total game-changer for astrophotography, permitting extra mild into our cameras and revolutionizing advanced compositions of evening sky photos, coupling landscapes with starry skies above.
With astrophotography, we have to let as a lot mild into our cameras as potential, so as to resolve the finer particulars in our night-scape photos. With lenses beforehand on the threshold of f/2.8–f/1.4, mild gathering was acceptable, however resulted in adjustment of different digital camera settings — together with shutter pace and ISO values — to generate a low-light picture. Now, with f/1.4, it’s potential to execute sharper, extra outlined photos than ever earlier than, and it has actually proved to be a lens worthy of a spot in any photographer’s digital camera bag.
Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN overview
Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN: Design
- Heavier lens
- Wonderful lens construct
- Climate-sealed design
With a weight of 41.3 ounces (1,170 grams), this lens is far heavier than a lot of its rivals. Subsequently, it’s best used whereas supported on a static tripod. It may be used handheld, however the weight can limit utilization time.
Sigma goes a step above and past to provide high quality optics of an expert grade. From machining to materials alternative and model illustration, every lens is like an artwork type of its personal, and attests to a high quality lens alternative.
There are a sequence of buttons and switches on the 14mm DG DN, together with Focus Mode (to modify between Handbook and AutoFocus), Handbook Focus Lock (to disable the main focus ring), AFL (a button that may be customised primarily based on digital camera physique operation) and Aperture Click on (to disable aperture click on when adjusting this determine on the barrel of the lens),
Specs
Focal size: 14mm
Most aperture: f/1.4
Weight: 2.58 lbs / 1,170g
Minimal focus distance: 11.81 inches (30 cm)
Dimensions (in): ø 3.99 x 5.9
Dimensions (mm): ø 101.4 x 149.9
Mount: Sony E
Filters can be utilized in several methods, from an adapter hooked up to the entrance of the lens (for the usage of glass filters immediately in entrance of the lens) to the built-in rear filter holder. Filters (that are roughly the scale of an SD card) could be positioned between the digital camera and lens, and the provided lens cap has compartments to deal with as much as two filters.
This 14mm lens has been designed with climate resistance in thoughts. That includes a dust- and splash-resistant development, it appropriate to be used in rugged environments and inclement climate. Nevertheless, the lens just isn’t totally waterproof, and direct contact with water just isn’t suggested.
The lens comes with a one-size, removable L-mount that can be utilized to deal with the lens if hooked up to a static tripod. The mount comes with a common 0.25 inch (6.3 mm) screw thread to just accept nearly all of common tripod attachments.
Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN: Efficiency
Picture 1 of 2
- Wonderful light-gathering functionality
- Sharp outcomes on the nook of the body
- Chromatic aberration corrected from earlier mannequin
This check picture captures a discipline of sunflowers beneath the arms of the Milky Method — taken at various apertures of f/1.4 to f/4. Taken at a hyperfocal distance of 4.67 meters, nearly all of the scene is in focus, apart from a couple of topics nearer than half the hyperfocal distance, for which focus stacking was obligatory when taking pictures at this aperture. Sharpness is superb as sufficient mild can enter the digital camera to carry out an correct deal with the celebrities in-frame — we used the LCD monitor to digitally zoom in on a star and fine-tune the main focus.
At f/1.4, vignetting is extra evident; nevertheless, that is the character of taking pictures at such a large aperture. This may be corrected in photo-editing software program reminiscent of Lightroom, the place the lens profile could be utilized, or you’ll be able to carry out guide changes. As you lower the aperture, vignetting turns into much less obvious; nevertheless, changes should be made in your different digital camera settings, leading to launched artefacts, reminiscent of noise.
In comparison with its predecessor, the Sigma 14mm F/1.8 DG HSM, chromatic aberration has been considerably improved. Stars are extra spherical and sharp at each corners and edges of the body, and there is no loss intimately via various apertures.
Colour replica is excellent. Not solely do the lens’s immaculate light-gathering capabilities reveal fainter construction and element throughout the Milky Method, different atmospheric phenomena reminiscent of airglow can generally be obvious in photos — although the impact could not have been seen to the attention throughout an evening shoot.
Throughout the context of panorama images, flaring just isn’t so obvious. Solely when immediately centering the solar (for the context of sundown images) is flaring considerably launched, relying on the way you body and angle the lens in relation to a shiny mild supply.
Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN: Performance
- Good autofocus functionality for daytime topics
- Improved signal-to-noise ratio
- f/1.4 at 14mm is a game-changer for astrophotography
The wonderful light-gathering functionality at f/1.4 at 14mm is a game-changer for astrophotography. Not solely does this additional cease let in much more mild to your digital camera, however exposures will also be utilized to extend the signal-to-noise ratio in photos. Utilizing a lot greater ISOs, it’s even potential to amass photos of the Milky Method handheld — though customary observe is to make the most of a static tripod (or a star tracker for longer exposures).
The lens also can establish deep-sky objects inside photos at this scale. Pictures of the moon are recognized on a smaller imaging scale and composite photos could be deployed to amass the total visible impact of the lens, as an illustration because the moon strikes all through the evening.
As a result of this lens gathers rather more mild, a digital magnifier constructed into your digital camera’s LCD monitor can be utilized to zoom in on a shiny star and carry out refined fine-tune focusing. Rocking the main focus wheel backwards and forwards will establish pinpoint sources of sunshine.
Autofocus accuracy is nice. Working throughout the digital camera’s focusing space (we used the Sony A7S II), the pictures have crisp focus throughout the body, with restricted chromatic aberration within the corners of the body.
One notable (and comprehensible) state of affairs is that the lens struggles in additional light-directed environments. In an instance of sundown images, the lens doesn’t reply properly when trying to establish the subject material. For that reason, guide focus is extremely suggested. Total, autofocus is nice inside well-lit environments however struggles extra in low mild, with topics more difficult to detect.
Even with f/1.4 functionality, guide focus continues to be suggested for low-light environments. Even when utilizing an amplified ISO, subject material could be a lot tougher to detect, or the main focus could also be considerably comfortable. Handbook focus, making the most of better light-gathering functionality, will present better management.
The main target wheel turns very easily to acquire vital focus, particularly if focus stacking is utilized. This clean operation makes it potential to acquire crisp photos in low-light environments, particularly within the context of panorama astrophotography.
Do you have to purchase the Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN?
In case you’re on the lookout for a high quality lens on the very prime of its recreation, with superior light-gathering and revolutionary expertise, then that is the lens for you. Sure, it is a dearer alternative, however it’s properly definitely worth the funding.
14mm is an appropriate alternative of lens for versatility throughout quite a few photographic genres. The unimaginable light-gathering functionality at f/1.4 provides a component of creative aptitude, and so we might vouch for this lens as a must have in any photographer’s digital camera bag.
If the Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN is not for you
Sigma Artwork 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM
