Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN | C sample gallery

https://www.lenstip.com/550.4-Lens_review-Sigma_C_56_mm_f_1.4_DC_DN_Image_resolution.html

You could always have a second body ;)

Dec 24, 2018permalink

SETI

Waiting for MFT results. Great pics!

Dec 22, 2018permalink

Theelderkeynes

Not convinced. The lovely Sigma 60mm f2.8 is just as sharp, 60% cheaper and 60% lighter. Why haul all that glass around, for a couple of stops? And how much depth of field is there at 1.4? Really? Evidence based comment. See:

https://www.lenstip.com/376.4-Lens_review-Sigma_A_60_mm_f_2.8_DN_Image_resolution.html

Rien ne vas plus.

Dec 22, 2018permalink

DeathArrow

And it is also 300% opaque. I don't know about you, but I need light to make photographs. The more light, the better.

Dec 22, 2018permalink

Theelderkeynes

300% opaque??

Dec 23, 2018permalink

I don't know you but focus performance on the new Sigma is miles better than the f/2.8. I'm able to Continuous Eye-AF when taking portraits, especially helpful with f/1.4 depth of field.

Dec 23, 2018permalink

Ziginox

You get a surprising amount of DoF at distance with 1.4

Dec 24, 2018permalink

Veganpotter

Really? There's an ENORMOUS difference from 1.4 to 2.8. Even my cheap 1.7 prime has way more than a 2.8. Also, anything to keep me out of ISO 6400 and even 3200 is a good thing. I'm happy with the DOF at 2.8 past a M43 50mm range and up most of the time. I'm not happy with low light performance or DOF with close objects with somewhat close backgrounds.

Dec 11, 2019permalink

George1958

very nice lens, I am not sure about the focal length its a bit close to 50mm and I have a sharp 60mm albeit not at F1:4. It would be hard for me to justify this lens but I wonder what I might have done had it been in the line up at the time I bought my other primes.

Dec 22, 2018permalink

There's a thread on APS-C Sony forum about this lens. If comparing to the Sigma 60/2.8, the focus capability alone would drive me towards the new f/1.4, and I bought it already ;)

Dec 22, 2018permalink

George1958

Billy_s you make a good point about the focus speed. Mine is a canon EFS 60mm I sometimes use if for other than Macro shots, but not frequently enough for focus concerns to trouble me . For me I might have took the 56mm over the EF 50mm. F1:2 if I was making my decision today.

Dec 22, 2018permalink

Raist3d

@dpreview staff- I realize it's more work but would have been nice to see also some shots with the GX9 or PenF using this lens. Thanks either way! :-)

Dec 16, 2018*permalink

Richard Butler

It's not so much that it's more work, it's just that we've only got the E-mount version so far.

I'll make sure we request the Micro Four Thirds version in the new year.

Dec 22, 2018permalink

Raist3d

Thank you Richard!

Dec 23, 2018permalink

Camera Rubbing

Sigma - release these for L mount ASAP. I would buy a Leica CL and the full suite of Sigma DNs if they were available.

Dec 14, 2018permalink

Teuchter G

Aren't these crop factor lenses? They wouldn't work in a full frame mount like the L - at least not without cropping, which loses the point of spending all that money on FF.

Dec 13, 2019permalink

kristian2000

Nice doggie portrait.

Dec 12, 2018permalink

Carol T

IDK, to me these (at least the ones I looked at) seem pretty lacking in detail. I expected a lot more, based on the praise I have been hearing about this lens. Is this just an 'atmospheric' lens, more about some kind of dreamy look than sharpness? Or have these pics all been pushed a lot and lost detail to noise or something? Very confused...

Dec 11, 2018permalink

This lens is not dreamy at all...

Dec 12, 2018permalink

Carol T

I agree, I just wondered if they were going for something other than a sharp lens, as people keep gushing over the bokeh, for example.

Dec 12, 2018permalink

nathanhw

It’s very sharp. Similar and sometimes better than the best native glass.

People are harping on the bokeh because it is so clinically sharp that that is a boring conversation. In focus it’s very sharp.

So then the logical next question is “how does the out of focus stuff look?” :)

Dec 13, 2018*permalink

I can only speak to the 30mm version....striking differences between the m43 and the Sony APSC examples. The APSC version is very sharp. The m43 version is less sharp but has wonderful bokeh.
I wonder if these differences transplant over to this new 56mm lens.

Dec 15, 2018permalink

UllerellU

I think Sigma lenses are overrated. I had three for my Sony A6000, the 19mm f2.8 lasted with me only a couple of days, it was not better than the zoom of the kit, the 30mm f1.4 was not bad, but it has distortion and some epic purple halos in high contrast edges, it was sharp but not incredibly sharp either, the third one was the 16mm f1.4, a lot of distortion (which I can forgive in this focal) and some purple halos maybe more epic than the 30mm, this open was soft in the extreme corners. I have an SEL5018OSS and it is a great lens, sharp from f1.8, zero distortion and with the extra stabilization, it is a lens that comes out good and also cheap, not like the infamous SEL3518OSS (this one is really bad). I understand the fit of 30mm f1.4 but this 56mm .... Meh. The 30mm f1.4 I changed it for a Samyang 35 f1.2, excellent, zero distortion and a sharpness at f1.2 hard to believe, at f5.6 I have to reduce the sharpness in PP because it is something directly exaggerated, MF of course...

Dec 11, 2018permalink

I think your comment is over-exaggerated. I had the trio plus 19/2.8 for my Sony A6500, the 19/2.8 lasted me a year and a half, and is still working, it's better than the kit zoom until f/8, the 30/1.4 is awesome, although some distortion and purple fringing which are easily correctable in post, it's exceptionally sharp compared to native e-mount lens, the 16/1.4 show some distortion but again is easily correctable in post, is perfectly usable wide open until the extreme corners, unlike the SEL50F18OSS which is a joke, immediately soft off the dead centre until stopped down to f/2.8 onwards, unlike distortion and CA softness is not correctable in post, stabilization is useless for portraits and dynamic objects anyway. It's cheap but that's it, I've chosen the FE55/1.8z before the Sigma 56/1.4 is out, visibly better and proved by various reviewers, and the 56/1.4 could simply catch up with the Zeiss, watch Cameralab Gordon's review.

Dec 12, 2018permalink

Meh, the Samyang maybe sharp but it's MANUAL focus, case closed. Not to mention Samyang lens bokeh is usually shxt, said after trying its AF24/2.8 and AF35/1.4.

Dec 12, 2018permalink

@Billy's:
I agree, basically. My 19 and 30/2.8 were fine lenses, although no comparison to the 1.4 DN/DC series.
The FE 50/1.8 is a fine lens once updated to v. 0.3. But I don't know how well it works with APSC.
The FE version of the Samyang 35/2.8 is an outstanding value. I can't speak to the 1.4.

Dec 15, 2018permalink

They are indeed.
I liked the size of the Samyang f/2.8 lens too, especially the AF24/2.8. Very reasonable to be used on a6500, and doesn't encounter severe vignetting as on FF body, but I still prefer the FoV of my Sigma 19/2.8.

Dec 16, 2018permalink

I purchased my Rokinon 35 to use with my A7. My Sigma 19, being a crop lens, would not be very useful with the A7.

Dec 16, 2018permalink

4sofnature

Fuji users can stop saying there aren't enough quality lenses for E mount.

Dec 11, 2018permalink

Well, they can keep saying that there aren't many native affordable quality lenses for E mount.

Dec 11, 2018permalink

4sofnature

Seconded. As if Fuji lenses are actually affordable.

Dec 12, 2018permalink

davidt_man

Are not all of these sigma lenses both native and afordable (expect for the 56 and 16 f1.4), the rest are $350 and less

Dec 12, 2018permalink

SpacemanUA

Since E-mount specifications are open to 3rd party vendors, all lenses with this mount may be considered as "native". So, yes, Sigma kills Fuji with DC DN line. Sure, it has some flaws like distortion, but that can be corrected and auto-corrected easily, while the price is 1.5-2 times less than Fuji offerings.

Dec 13, 2018permalink

There are lots of very fine Sony FE lenses.

Dec 15, 2018permalink

4sofnature

Best prime lens of 2018.

...even better than 24 GM and RF 50L.

Dec 11, 2018permalink

lol

Dec 12, 2018permalink

Brendan R

Now I want to see if it covers most of a full frame sensor the way the 30mm Art does.....

Dec 11, 2018permalink

Brendan R

(just here to spread the good word of what I think is my favorite find in photography gear. Taken with my 6D and the 30mm 1.4 Art for Canon...a "crop" lens https://photos.app.goo.gl/8y4djTfdrYX1KnwLA )

Dec 11, 2018*permalink

Richard Butler

It doesn't, I'm afraid.

The least vignetting is at F1.8 at minimum focus distance, from what I can tell. It looks like this:

It gets worse if you open up or stop down. This is F4.0:

Dec 11, 2018permalink

Brendan R

Still, doesn't look like complete loss of image. I made a LR preset for the 30mm that lightens and sharpens the corners with a simple radial filter. If I had an A7 I'd be seriously looking at this lens....

Dec 13, 2018permalink

dpthoughts

Not sure, if I'd like a picture which looks like ISO 100, except for the corners which would look like ISO 6400 or so (after brightening them up extremely)?

Dec 22, 2018permalink

Jorginho

Review by Gordon Laing shows this to be a really excellent lens. Great job. In this case there is no real mFT alternative. We have the 42-45 mm lenses. Which are pretty good, but when Ilook at th eoutput of this one it is really excellent and it boasts weahtersealing on top of that. Well done. And fantastic news for Sony A-series owners of course.

Dec 11, 2018permalink

Agius FOTO

Had he ever had a lens he disliked?

Dec 23, 2018permalink

snowsurferDS

The MFT version is 380€ in a local shop with a 3 year warranty....this just might be the alternative to the Oly 75 1.8 that I've been waiting for. Half price, more usable focal length for portraits and opens up a bit more....let's wait for the tests but I'll be watching this one.

Dec 11, 2018permalink

Johan Borg

I look forward to this lens on an L-mount Sigma Foveon camera, but I suspect the 75mm/1.8 is a better lens on MFT if it's twice the price and designed by the same team ( https://www.dpreview.com/articles/6389121961/did-sigma-design-the-olympus-m-zuiko-75mm-f1-8 ).

Dec 21, 2018permalink

snowsurferDS

You can look forward to it as much as you want, but this lens will not cover the full frame Foveon L-Mount sensor, so, even if you adapt it, you will be left with what will likely be some monstrous vignetting....

Dec 23, 2018permalink

Johan Borg

Sigma's current mirrorless is sold in two sensor sizes (and prices) and their announcement of making APS-C lenses for L-mount makes more sense if they're not just intended for Leica cameras...

Even on a FF sensor, one may prefer to use a smaller lens sometimes and L-mount cameras auto-crop when an APS-C lens is mounted.

Dec 23, 2018permalink

similaar

That bokeh looks DELICIOUS. Way better than what I get with my current FE 50mm f/1.8.
I think this lens can easily kill my wish to move to full frame.

Dec 11, 2018permalink

davidt_man

yep, it is a longer focal length and faster aperture.

Dec 12, 2018permalink

justmeMN

This must be a good lens, because the gallery includes a cute doggie. :-)

Dec 11, 2018permalink

mxx

A cat would really have tested the abilities of the lens.

Dec 11, 2018permalink

ikan154

this lens really step up the game for apsc cameras

Dec 10, 2018permalink

Impulses

Timely gallery, this will be my Christmas gift for my mother, was hoping for better holiday deals on the G85 but none materialized so her G6 will make do for a while longer... 56/1.4 should complement her zooms (12-35/2.8 & 14-140) and PL25/1.4 and it's kind of an ideal sweet spot for her compared to the shorter/longer native options (several of which I shoot myself, namely the 42.5/1.7 & 75/1.8).

It's been in stock at B&H for a week but still backordered at Adorama which I prefer buying from, hrm...

Dec 10, 2018*permalink

davidt_man

I had this lens and the zhiyun crane plus on my list. My wife bough the the crane plus.

Dec 12, 2018permalink

GinoSVK

Nice gallery, great lens with a pretty good characteristics.

Dec 10, 2018permalink

Hugo808

Seriously impressive and I'd assumed this was a FF camera but it's an APS-C! Good work all round.

Dec 10, 2018permalink

V Ahrlenz

I really like these samples, and I would get one, but this guy Larry I work with at the Weyland Industries plant says nobody will click your Like button if you go off-brand.

Dec 10, 2018*permalink

I'm happy Sigma has waited so long with these lenses- otherwise it would have been way harder to find arguments as a hobby shooter to switch to FF 😂

Dec 10, 2018permalink

Eric Hensel

I don't see anything wrong, and a lot right -especially at the price-point.

Dec 10, 2018permalink

zakaria

Wonderful results. The bokeh is pleasant and for my surprise the color rendering also.

Dec 10, 2018permalink

Toni Salmonelli

Der Sigma, before my switch to Fuji I have been a longtime Sigma user and I certainly would be one again if you'd support X-mount. Please consider.

Dec 10, 2018permalink

BlueBomberTurbo

I doubt it's Sigma's choice. They support E and m4/3 mount specifically because they're open. Canon EF-M and Fuji X aren't, and don't see any support from Sigma. Their markets are just too small for Sigma to divert R&D time to. But you can bet Z and RF will get some lenses soon, as Canikon need to pull through their rough times in order to survive in the future.

Dec 10, 2018*permalink

bloodlmt

@Bluebomber, Nikon Z mount and Canon RF mount are both not open to 3rd party lens maker (Sigma, Tamron etc). Unless sigma reverse-engineered the mount which may lead to lesser than native performance

Dec 11, 2018permalink

zkz5

Neither E-Mount nor Micro Four Thirds is open. They are available only with the approval of Sony or the Micro Four Thirds Consortium, respectively, and with a signed NDA.

Dec 11, 2018permalink

snowsurferDS

I have nothing against Fuji but I suspect Sigma would like to sell more than 17 of these for each mount they eventually make it for. :)

Dec 11, 2018permalink

swiftshooter

But Sony at least is open in the sense that you can apply for the specs and get them, no such luck with Canon or Nikon. Or Fuji for that matter. Only overpriced Fuji glass will ever be available.

Dec 13, 2018permalink

kobakokh

last fixes from Sigma are really great, with normal prices...

Dec 10, 2018permalink

Hell of a lens! Thanks for the samples. It would be great to see some micro 4/3 samples too.

Dec 10, 2018permalink

h2k

Yes, i'd like to see M43 samples too (even if they could be "abstracted" from existing APS-C pictures).

Dec 10, 2018permalink

Eric Hensel

h2k -"extrapolated" fits your intent better than abstracted.

Dec 10, 2018permalink

h2k

Eric, thanks. (I had also toyed with "constructed", "deconstructed" and "exconstructed".)

Dec 10, 2018permalink

Eric Hensel

Thanks for taking it in the light that was intended :)

Dec 10, 2018permalink

Crop. I would say crop. 😎

Dec 10, 2018permalink

obsolescence

MFT samples would be better (but longer FL) due to automatic correction of distortion and reduced sensor size (less coverage by the image circle). The pincushion distortion is quite noticeable (see Image #39).

Dec 11, 2018*permalink

mlaca

My review of the m4/3 version (with samples), pls use google tarnslate,
http://mlzphoto.hu/2018/12/11/sigma-56-mm-f1-4-dc-dn-c-az-uj-portrecsoda-m4-3-ra/

Dec 11, 2018permalink

obsolescence

@mlaca -- Your review is excellent! This Sigma lens looks really good when used on Olympus.

Dec 11, 2018permalink

Köszönöm!

Dec 11, 2018permalink

yslee1

Dang, I can't decide between this and the 30/1.4 for m4/3. xD

Dec 10, 2018permalink

Then you need both, easy ;)

Dec 10, 2018permalink

Impulses

Meh, I have a very clear preference for wider or longer focal lengths and the 30/1.4 is kind of large for what it is, you should figure out what your focal length preferences are before tossing too much money around, tho these Sigmas are pretty inexpensive for what they are so it's not an altogether terrible way of doing so if you can swing it. I'd take the 56mm for either format it's made for and I'd most often pair it with something much wider, but that's enough anti ~50mm-equivalents (what the 30mm represents) sacrilege from me!

Dec 11, 2018permalink

Wei-Chun Wu

I also bought 30mm f1.4 (for indoor use) and 56mm f1.4 (for outdoor use), both of which performed very well, each with their own duties and just right. Excessive speculation and hesitation beforehand are superfluous. You should buy both, and you will never regret it.

Dec 11, 2018permalink

tangbunna

16mm 1.4 = 450
30mm 1.4 = 350
56mm 1.4 = 480
85mm 1.4 = 850
a6500. = 1200

$3330 total.

Dec 10, 2018permalink

Hautedawg

Less than EOS R with a lens and the same image quality

Dec 10, 2018permalink

Or just use the very nice Sony 85/1.8 to even save some money.

Dec 10, 2018permalink

zeratulmrye

??? Sigma does not have 85 1.4

Dec 10, 2018permalink

tangbunna

here it is https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1393494-REG/sigma_85mm_f_1_4_dg_hsm.html

Dec 10, 2018permalink

Why on earth would you pair a gigantic FF lens with the trio? In one word: Peculiar

Dec 11, 2018permalink

To get a 135/2. The 85/1.8 fits perfect, 135/2.8 is fine for most uses.

On the other side - how much is an
A7iii
28/2
50/1.8
85/1.8

The gap between APS-C and FF is not very wide any more.

Dec 11, 2018permalink

KristinnK

Like others have noted it's peculiar to say the least to include a full frame DSLR lens (the mirrorless version just has a built in extension tube) in this list. The list would have been much more elegant going A6500, 16mm f1.4, 30mm f1.4, 56mm f1.4, 2500 USD total.

However, an A7-2 (same gen as A6500), 28mm f2, 50mm f1.8 and 85mm f1.8 costs 1400+450+250+600 = 2700 USD total. The difference is negligible, and the full-frame setup has slightly larger equivalent aperture, and is likely to be sharper. The only problem is the 50mm has sh*t autofocus, and the better 55mm f1.8 costs a full 1000 USD!

Dec 11, 2018permalink

I would rather buy an a7iii and a tamron 28-75 + the 85 1.8 for this price.
And I have all of them

Dec 12, 2018permalink

You didn't, at least not 24/2(Sigma 16).
a7iii + tamron 28-75 alone is $2800 already, $320 more than the Sigma trio.

Dec 12, 2018permalink

io_bg

Would've been a great budget alternative to the Fuji 56... if only it was available on the X mount.

Dec 10, 2018permalink

ms18

I went to Fuji because no other APS-C ML system had fast 35mm and 85mm primes

Dec 10, 2018permalink

bloodlmt

@ms18, sigma 16, 30, 56mm 1.4 are excellent and affordable. Hope Sigma can make 24mm 1.4 dc dn next and probably native mirrorless 18-35mm 1.8 for those video shooters.

I am happy with Sony APS-C thanks to Sigma. Would not consider going Full Frame in next few years

Dec 11, 2018permalink

ms18

when i was buying this lens didn't exist. Still I wanted the 24mm f/1.4 you mentioned.

Dec 11, 2018permalink

io_bg

Yup, Fuji has a pretty much complete lens set (excluding long telephoto) but some competition is always good to have. Hopefully Sigma is reading this :)

Dec 11, 2018*permalink

swiftshooter

Well, for some reason Fuji doesn't want third party lens manufacturers on X-mount.

Dec 13, 2018permalink

Tom Schum

I'm shooting mostly third party manual focus manual aperture primes on my Fuji. Not sure I'd buy a third party prime with autofocus...

Dec 22, 2018*permalink

Modern well behaved boring bokeh

Dec 10, 2018permalink

jackspra

What lens would you recommend instead.

Dec 10, 2018permalink

I am not recommending anything. I wouldn't buy this lens.

Dec 10, 2018permalink

gameshoes3003

Certainly there would be a lens with "not-so-boring-bokeh" that you would point to as an example, hmm???

Dec 10, 2018permalink

Fujinon 55mm 1:2.2 :p

Dec 10, 2018permalink

jackspra

Do you mean the 56mm? That’s a fine lens that’s close to double the price but forgetting that,this sigma does a real fine job in the sample gallery and is a steal at that price.

Dec 11, 2018permalink

No I mean this one: http://allphotolenses.com/public/files/img/1d1932f1b3dc58f5295e820b32c873a5.jpg

Dec 11, 2018permalink

really...

Dec 12, 2018permalink

Most other fiftyish lenses from that website will do :p

Dec 12, 2018permalink

Rosemary Herbert

I am not a fan of 85mm nor 50mm for portraits, unless it if for full body pictures. Faces are still to rounded for my tastes and noses on some look unflatteringly large.

I prefer 100-135mm, especially for head shots, and so I would prefer the m43 version for easier framing for better looking portraits (for my taste).
I'd much rather see samples on an M43 camera.

Dec 10, 2018*permalink

Ebrahim Saadawi

I much prefer sub 50mm portraits, they give significantly more intimate charachter and natural porportions rather than the super flat far-away 85mm+ ones.

Anyway on a m43s this lens is 112mm.

Dec 10, 2018permalink

Rosemary Herbert

Really? For head shots I disagree. I much rather use 112mm.

There are many, many comparison photos on the Internet, for those wondering. I suggest to everyone to do a search and see what you prefer.

Dec 10, 2018*permalink

Impulses

I'm not sure I have a preference that applies across the board, other than I like both extremes and found myself bored at 50mm (equivalent), but that might just be a comment on my inexperience. I like shooting portraits with both my 42.5 & 75mm on M4/3 as well as with my wider <20mm lenses, tho I definitely don't shoot tight head very often shots with the latter (head and shoulders maybe, half body more likely).

Dec 10, 2018permalink

For tight headshots maybe, if this is your thing. But for tight headshots I don’t need 1.4 either

Dec 12, 2018permalink

amipal

Any chance you could test a m43 version? Looks like a very capable lens!

Dec 10, 2018permalink

Ladiesman217

The progression of berry photos really help understand this lens. the quality of bokeh stays very consistent as it is stopped down. I didn't see any onion ring in this one. I let others speak to the other qualities. I think I have get this one.

Dec 10, 2018permalink

I has a pronounced outlining. At least mine ;-)

Dec 12, 2018permalink

Ladiesman217

Is under all lighting conditions? the samples above lack that hard line from what I can see. Does your copy have any onion rings in the bokeh? I'm interested to hear your other observation of this lens as well.

Dec 12, 2018permalink

Ziginox

Maybe it's more a distance thing, but I've seen some onion ringing on specular highlights that are in front of the subject, and in some of the photos here the hexagonal shape of the blades shows up. I haven't caught either of those with highlights behind the subject, though.

Dec 24, 2018permalink