Sigma 85mm f/1.4 tested by Opticallimits: “it is among the best 85mm lenses that we have tested so far”

Sigma 85mm lens at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FocusCamera. Calumet DE, Amazon DE, Amazon UK.

Opticallimits reviewed the new Sigma lens and concluded:

The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DN DG ART didn’t receive too much attention out there, which is a bit strange in our book – it is among the best 85mm lenses that we have tested so far. It is plenty sharp at f/1.4 and only gets better when stopped down a little bit. The peak quality around f/4 is nothing short of outstanding. Image distortions are visible in RAW files but easily auto-corrected. The RAW vignetting is typical for a lens in this class – and, once again, there’s little to worry about with auto-correction. Lateral CAs are marginal. Conversely, axial CAs are clearly visible in critical scenes at f/1.4 and f/2. However, keep in mind that this isn’t unusual among ultra-fast lenses. The quality of the bokeh is good in the critical image background, with some nervousness in the foreground. Bokeh highlights are nicely rendered, but you’ll have to live with cat eyes near the edges. It’s a non-issue for photography, but videographers may not like that the lens exhibits pronounced focus breathing.

The build quality is exceptionally high and on the level of professional OEM lenses – other than the rather wobbly front cap. It’s also dust- and splash resistant. The Sigma lens is also surprisingly lightweight and compact for a lens of its class. The dedicated aperture ring offers a de-clicked mode, and you can customize the AF-lock button via the camera. The AF is both quite speedy and noiseless, with the usual caveat that this is heavily dependent on the camera as well.

Overall, the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DN DG ART is a winner, and it deserves our highest praise – “Highly Recommended”.