Exploring Sigma’s 23mm F1.4 DC DN: A Compact Powerhouse for APS-C Images

This collection goals to concurrently introduce “small and lightweight” 35mm single-focus AF lenses. On this tenth installment, we’ll look at the Sigma “23mm F1.4 DC DN”.

The attribute of this lens is that it’s a giant aperture lens with an aperture worth of F1.4, which is uncommon for a 35mm equal single focal size lens appropriate with the APS-C measurement. But it’s so compact that you wouldn’t anticipate it to be an F1.4 lens.

Look/Specs

“23mm F1.4 DC DN” is a single focal size lens launched in April 2023, and it’s appropriate with a picture circle equal to APS-C. The efficient focal size is 23mm, however because it helps APS-C measurement, the focal size in 35mm format is equal to roughly 35mm. Along with the Sony E mount used this time, the L mount and Fujifilm X mount are additionally obtainable.

The utmost diameter x size is φ65.8 x 78.9mm and the burden is 330g (all for Sony E Mount). Is that this actually a lens with an aperture of F1.4? It’s so small and lightweight that you simply would possibly assume so, however in comparison with F1.8-F2 class lenses from different corporations, it’s really fairly giant.

Linked to Sony α6700

The design of the lens itself is sort of freed from irregularities and may be very intelligent and easy. Nevertheless, while you connect it to the digital camera, the stability when it comes to design is surprisingly good, and it’s a unusual mixture that doesn’t look misplaced. By the best way, this lens has different sister lenses with focal lengths of 16mm, 30mm and 56mm (all have a most aperture of F1.4) and so they all have the identical design fashion.

operability

There are not any switches or buttons. Nicely, it’s a lens designed for gentle taking pictures, so you will not have a lot hassle with out it.

There is just one focus ring for rings. The extensive rubber knurling has reasonable torque when working with MF, and the working really feel is sort of good.

A flower-shaped shade referred to as “LH554-01” is included. That is surprisingly luxurious for this class, which makes me glad. The shades have been extraordinarily straightforward to placed on and take off and have been deep sufficient to dam out the sunshine.

Instance

I took a photograph of a canine enjoying with flowers on the most aperture of F1.4. Though it’s a quick, wide-aperture lens, the imaging efficiency of the Sasuga is such that the sense of decision is maintained even when the aperture is extensive open. The bokeh within the foreground, not the background, is delicate and pure, and makes you wish to take pleasure in taking pictures at F1.4.

Sony α6700/SIGMA 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Simultaneous/23mm (34mm equal)/Aperture precedence AE (1/500 second, F1.4, +1.0 EV)/ISO 400

The shortest taking pictures distance is 25cm and the utmost taking pictures magnification is about 0.14x. I believed, “Huh? I can not get shut sufficient”, however that is in all probability a results of the precedence given to imaging efficiency with the extensive aperture of F1.4. Nevertheless, it’s not a lens that you may’t get near and, contemplating the specs of this lens, I feel it’s honest to say that it has adequate close-up capabilities. What proves this greater than something is that even on the shortest taking pictures distance the standard Sigma sharp edges are nonetheless current.

Sony α6700/SIGMA 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Simultaneous/23mm (34mm equal)/Aperture precedence AE (1/125 second, F2.8, +0.3EV)/ISO 100

The great thing about this lens is that it’s not solely compact and brilliant, but additionally straightforward to make use of. The AF is pleasantly quick and exact, and additionally it is very quiet. I heard that the AF drive system makes use of a stepping motor and I used to be impressed by the excessive stage of know-how that controls it in a well-balanced approach.

Sony α6700/SIGMA 23mm F1.4 DC DN | Simultaneous/23mm (34mm equal)/Aperture precedence AE (1/100 second, F2.8, -0.7EV)/ISO 400

abstract

This can be on account of the truth that it’s an APS-C sized lens, however this lens, the 23mm F1.4 DC, combines dependable descriptive efficiency and ease of use with a compact lens physique that’s onerous to imagine with its aperture of F1.4. DN”.

Specifically, the power to attain sharp, high-resolution efficiency even at wide-open aperture is really spectacular. A uncommon 35mm-equivalent APS-C single focal size lens delivers the vivid imaging efficiency that Sigma is thought for.

Regardless of this stage of efficiency, additionally it is attention-grabbing that the value is comparatively modest. In a approach, I feel that not solely L-mount customers, but additionally E- and X-mount customers won’t be upset by having a 35mm equal mounted focal size lens as an possibility.