Sigma 105mm ƒ/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens Hands-on Review

I’ve recently been out shooting with the Sigma 105mm ƒ/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens.

Sigma has two 105mm primes in their DSLR lineup. (They also have 105mm ƒ/2.8 lenses designed specifically for mirrorless Sony E and Leica L mounts, but they have slightly different designs.) This is the fastest of them. It has a maximum aperture of ƒ/1.4. And there are versions for Nikon F, Canon EF, Sigma SA, Sony E, and Leica L mounts (I’ve been using the Nikon F-mount version). Sigma has set the MSRP at $1599.

The Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens is a big and heavy lens for its focal length, much heavier than the Sigma 105mm ƒ/2.8 macro, a lens I’ve covered before. And while it’s shorter than that lens, it’s much thicker.

Probably the most typical use for this lens is in the studio and for portraits. But it’s hard to resist a fast ƒ/1.4 lens for travel photography. They’re great for low-light shooting and for isolating subjects in ways that other lenses can’t.

So I wanted to see how this lens performed as a general travel-type lens. I did a similar test of the Nikon 105mm ƒ/1.4. ¹

In general, I’m impressed. It’s sharp and well-made. The biggest downsides I’ve found in terms of using it as a walking-around lens are that it’s big and heavy. But then, I’m using it for a non-typical use case. In a studio or set location, that’s going to be much less of a consideration.

Sigma 105mm ƒ/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens Sample Images

Here’s a small selection of sample images I’ve taken with a Sigma 105mm ƒ/1.4. I’ve posted a larger collection separately.

Key Specs of the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens

• Focal Length: 105mm
• Maximum Aperture: f/1.4
• Minimum Aperture: f/16
• Lens Mount: Nikon F / Canon EF / Sigma SA
• Lens Format Coverage: Full-Frame
• Angle of View: 23.3°
• Minimum Focus Distance: 3.28′ / 1 meter
• Maximum Magnification: 0.12x
• Optical Design: 17 Elements in 12 Groups
• Diaphragm Blades: 9, Rounded
• Focus Type: Autofocus
• Image Stabilization: No
• Tripod Collar: Removable and Rotating
• Filter Size: 105 mm (Front)
• Dimensions (ø x L): 4.56 x 5.18″ / 115.9 x 131.5 mm
• Weight: 3.62 lb / 1.64 kg

What’s in the Box?

• Lens
• Lens Hood (Model LH113-01)
• Lens Collar (attached)
• Lens caps
• Padded semi-rigid case
  

Other Alternatives

There are two obvious alternatives to this lens.

On a Nikon DSLR, the most direct is the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 105mm ƒ/1.4E ED lens. The Nikon is smaller and lighter. It’s also priced higher (around $2100 vs around $1600).

The other is the Sigma 105mm ƒ/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro lens. The Nikon mount version of that is, in turn, is a version of Nikon’s 105mm ƒ/2.8 macro. As you’d expect, both of the ƒ/2.8 lenses are significantly lower-priced than the ƒ/1.4 lenses.

	Sigma 105mm ƒ/1.4	Nikon 105mm ƒ/1.4	Sigma 105mm ƒ/2.8
Maximum Aperture	ƒ/1.4	ƒ/1.4	ƒ/2.8
Minimum Aperture	ƒ/16	ƒ/16	ƒ/22
Macro?	No	No	Yes
Minimum Focus Distance	3.28′ / 1 meter	3.28′ / 1 meter	1.02′ / 31.2 cm
Optical Design	17 Elements in 12 Groups	14 Elements in 9 Groups	16 Elements in 11 Groups
Diaphragm Blades	9, Rounded	9, Rounded	9, Rounded
Image Stabilization	No	No	Yes
Filter Size	105mm	82mm	62mm
Weight	3.62 lb / 1640 g	2.17 lb / 985 g	1.6 lb / 725 g
Dimensions	4.56 x 5.18″ / 115.9 x 131.4mm	3.72 x 4.17″ / 94.5 x 106mm	3.08 x 4.98″ / 78.3 x 126.4 mm

Things Worth Knowing

• It takes 105mm screw-on filters.
• The model number of the dedicated lens hood is LH1113-01.
• The DG in the lens’s model name essentially means that it’s designed for digital. And while it’s primarily designed for full-frame cameras, it will also work on APS-C and film cameras (with a 1.5x change in focal length on APS-C sensors).
• The HSM refers to Hyper Sonic Motor, which is Sigma’s version of a quiet and fast autofocus mechanism.
• The Art refers to the lens series. Sigma’s current lineup is divided into Art, Contemporary, and Sports. The Art line generally puts extra emphasis on optical quality over speed (Sports series) or portability and price (Contemporary series).
  

Wrap Up

For a long time, Sigma lenses have often been known as cheaper alternatives to the lenses made by the camera manufacturers such as Nikon and Canon.

And while it’s true that Sigma’s lenses are still generally priced a bit lower than the equivalent lenses from the camera manufacturers, Sigma has done a wonderful job in recent years of shaking off any assumption that inexpensive is the same as cheap. I’ve tried quite a few of Sigma’s newer lenses and have found them to be excellent.

I’ve tried quite a few of Sigma’s newer lenses and have found them to be excellent.

That’s especially true with their Art lineup, which is the series this lens falls into. In my experience, Sigma is really nailing the optical quality. Their lenses are very well-made and, in my experience, have very good quality control. That they happen to be a little cheaper is a nice bonus.

I like this lens. A lot. It’s fast, sharp, and solid. ² Any reservations I have about it aren’t to do with its performance–it’s simply to do with its size and weight. In putting together a travel-light camera kit, taking this lens means extra compromises elsewhere.

But in situations where portability is less crucial, and when you need large apertures for low-light or maximum bokeh (or both), this lens is well worth a look.

Accessories

Lens Hood. It comes with a lens hood. If you need a replacement or want a spare, the model number is LH113-01.

Tripod Collar. Again, the lens comes with a tripod collar attached. If you need a replacement, the model number is TS-111.

Filters. It takes 105mm screw-on filters (front).

Lens Cap. The front lens cap is model LCF-105 III. Aftermarket versions likely work just as well.

Price & Availability of Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens

The Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens is available in versions with mounts for Canon EF, Nikon F, and Sigma SA. It has an MSRP of $1599.

Check the current price and availability at:

• B&H Photo
• Amazon

1. I’ve been shooting with the Nikon F-mount version on a Nikon D850.[↩]
2. You can find Sigma’s optical performance charts for this lens here.[↩]

Images and product information from Amazon PA-API were last updated on 2023-03-28 at 09:59. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon Site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.