For top-of-the-line image quality with fast autofocus, it’s the pick of the crop for F-mount lenses to suit DSLRs.
Sigma’s previous 50mm lens was renowned as being a heavyweight but this newer ‘Art’ edition really piles on the pounds. It gains 50 per cent in physical length and rises from 505g to 815g in weight. The supersized Sigma has a relatively complex and sophisticated optical path, based on 13 elements, including one aspherical and three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) elements. Build quality feels superb but doesn’t feature any weather-seals. Apart from in the extreme corners of the frame, the Sigma delivers impressive sharpness wide-open at f/1.4, along with beautifully soft bokeh. It’s virtually distortionfree, and both colour fringing and vignetting are minimal. Performance is simply fabulous, leading the way for F-mount standard primes.