Part of Sigma's lens philosophy seems to be: better optical quality, compact size be damned. And perhaps no lens more distinctly shows this idea than the 40mm f/1.4 Art. But is that gigantic size worth the results? This great video review answers that question.
Coming to you from Gerald Undone, this great video examines the Sigma 40mm f/1.4 Art lens and its performance. The Sigma 40mm f/1.4 Art follows in the footsteps of many of the other Art lenses: stellar optical quality at a very reasonable price, with size taking a back seat to the aforementioned characteristics. While photographers and videographers certainly value keeping the weight in their bags down, particularly for those who work long hours, for many, the quality and price of Sigma's lenses have been more than enough to overlook their ballooning proportions. I know that personally, while the 105mm f/1.4 Art is quite the chunk of glass itself, I absolutely love mine and am more than willing to handle the extra weight in my bag for the results it gives, particularly at the price I paid. Whether you feel the same is of course a personal decision, so check out the video above for his full thoughts to help you make up your own mind.
As an old person, no way. Young people can carry; that's why you become assistants.
I didn't even know the 40mm 1.4 existed. There a 42.5mm 1.4 as well? I need a sigma lens for every MM. Prime 1.4 of course. I get paid by the bokeh.
After buying the Sigma 105mm 1.4 and experiencing the quality of it, I don’t give a damn if the lens is 5lbs.
Quality is quality and if you can’t hold a lens on a body or use it on a tripod, stick with being one of those photoshop masters instagram loves so much.
I picked up the Sigma 40mm a couple of months ago. "Heavy" is definitely in the eye of the beholder.
“Heavy” but damn worth it
I have the 135 1.8, and I am sold. Will definitely be picking up another focal length in the near future. I have a feeling we will see a sale on some of the lineup real soon. As for the weight, you can make great photography and get in shape at the same time. Win win!
When shooting recreationally, if I'm worried about weight I just carry my "Holy Trinity" and maybe my Nikon 105 Micro. On professional jobs, I'm loaded up with whats necessary.
Pretty sure I heard at one of those NAB or some other conference interviews talking to a Sigma rep that this is basically a byproduct of the 40mm T1.5 cine lens. As in, they wanted to make the cinema lens and just rehoused the glass for a stills version (rather than the more usual vice versa) which would explain why it's large and heavy - it wan't really designed for photographers
Isn't all Art lenses heavy, expensive and produce amazing images? Not sure why that cow is still being milked... As an owner of the 35 and 135mm Art, I don't care about weight, they give me what I want - they maximize the sensor's rendering resolution on my D810 body. Sigma is eating others for breakfast, they went from being a mediocre 3rd party lens brand to a top player in the last 6 years or so.