March 6, 2019 / For Photographers Gear Review
Sigma 105mm f/1.4 Art: A Wedding Photographer's Review
The Sigma 105 f/1.4 Art. It claims to be the “bokeh master.” But is it really? One of my favorite lenses has always been a mid-length telephoto prime. Back when I shot on Canon, the 135mm f/2 was a staple in my bag. When I switched to Nikon, I fell in love with the 105mm f/1.4 when it was released, and its slight shorter distance proved to be far more utilitarian for my style of photography. And, when I jumped into the Sony waters, I realized there were simply no comparable native lenses with such a shallow depth of field, which had me reevaluate how I photographed a wedding day.
I still adapted my gorgeous Nikon 105mm f/1.4 to my Sony cameras for a year and a half as I waited not-so-patiently for a native lens of that length to manifest for the Sony Alpha lineup. Sure, there’s been the Zeiss Batis 135mm f/2.8, I dedicated that particular focal length to buttery smooth bokeh-licious portraits for clients, as well as creating Brenizer Methods. Besides, for me, the shallower the depth of field, the better. That’s why the Zeiss 135 was never really a viable option.
Now, Sony is quickly developing their own arsenal of lenses, and Sigma is quickly doing the same to ensure the ever-growing army of Sony shooters have what they desire in the lens department. The one focal length that has been missing for me since my switch over has been that 105-135mm f/1.4-2.0 range…until now.
Enter the Sigma 105mm f/1.4. Touted by Sigma as their “bokeh master,” the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 lens has a big job to do, albeit a very specific one. But how does it stand up to its counterparts from other brands, and is it worth its cost? Read on to find out!
All sample images were shot on a Sony A9 or A7Riii, and notated accordingly in the EXIF data.
FAST STATS FOR THE SIGMA 105 ART F/1.4
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Retails for $1,599
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Available for Canon, Nikon, and Sony cameras
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Aperture range of f/1.4 to f/16
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Three FLD Elements, Two SLD Elements
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One Aspherical Element
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Super Multi-Layer Coating
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Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
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Weather-Sealed, Protective Front Coating
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Rounded 9 Blade Diaphragm
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Removable Rotating Arca-Type Tripod Foot
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Compatible with Sigma USB Dock
SIGMA 105 ART f/1.4: UNBOXING
When I received my box from B&H with this beauty inside, I was instantly greeted with a surprising amount of heft. Yes, I’d heard this was a big lens, but I hadn’t been fully prepared for just how BIG this thing would be. Being a mirrorless shooter, I have become accustomed to a smaller load, and even attaching a 70-200mm feels clunky at this point — something that as a former Nikon 200mm f/2 wielder I never would have imagined.
After the initial shock of the size wore off, I took a look at the accessories Sigma provided with the 105. Inside was a strap for the lens case (which was a genuinely beefy thing, padded extremely well), a silicone band that swaps out with the Arca-Swiss tripod collar, and a screw type lens hood that could very well double as a small salad bowl (according to my brother). Overall, the packaging was nice, the carrying case is impressive, and I felt I was about to use a quality product.
RATING: 10/10
SIGMA 105 ART f/1.4: ERGONOMICS
Let’s get something straight: this lens is MASSIVE. Yes, it is as massive as everyone says, and it weighs in at a whopping 3.6 pounds, just over half the weight of Nikon’s heralded 200mm f/2. And, since that’s the lens I thought of as I connected the 105 to my suddenly extremely small Sony A9, I was curious to see how it felt to wield such a lens again, and whether it would be worth the heft.
Before we dive into the image quality, though, I do want to say that Sigma was smart to include an Arca-Swiss tripod collar with this behemoth. While it did not bother me to hand-hold this lens, I can imagine many will value the tripod option it provides, especially those that aren’t of the barbell-curling, gym rat variety. I found the tripod collar to be nice for simply managing the weight of the lens as I held it, and the base of it fit well in my hand. For those who would prefer to not have it, however, Sigma did think ahead and also provided a silicone band that fits in the space that the collar resides, should you opt to remove it.
Along the left hand side of the Sigma 105 Art you’ll find a AF/MF focus switch that’s easily accessible but built well enough to not accidentally move. Also, I enjoyed being greeted with just the right amount of resistance on the manual focus ring, allowing me to avoid being overzealous and miss focus by wrenching the ring too quickly. Overall, once you get over the fact that you’re now wielding a mini t-shirt cannon on the front of your camera body, it really is a nice lens and feels sturdily built.
RATING: 7/10 (docked because of size)
SIGMA 105 ART f/1.4: BUILD QUALITY
When you pull this lens out of the box and begin using it, you’re comforted by the sense that you’ve invested in quality glass. I love the feel of brushed metal, which makes up most of the lens except the back piece, which is smoother.
Sigma has definitely packed this monster full of great elements, but even so, I question how much of the bulk is truly necessary. With the lens being weather sealed, I didn’t fear taking it to Iceland with me, but its sheer size deterred me from hauling it in my backpack on the long hikes.
Nikon’s 105mm f/1.4 is just over 2 pounds, and Sony’s new 135mm f/1.8 is an ounce lighter than that. So, with the Sigma 105 Art coming in well over a pound heavier, I have to wonder what they’re feeding this beast in the warehouse before shipping it out. All that being said, when you hold this lens, you know you’re holding a quality product. I just don’t know if we need SO MUCH of said quality product.
RATING: 9/10
SIGMA 105mm f/1.4: IN THE FIELD USE
No doubt this lens is a beauty, and it is inevitably a talking piece when I bring it out at weddings. The hilarity of the reactions from wedding guests has varied; some simply stare or nudge a loved one to take a look at the camera, while others straightforwardly make comments on the size of the lens. Basically, if you invest in this lens and intend to take it out in public, plan on having a new talking point to manage.
In addition to managing conversations, you’ll have to manage the weight of the lens. While using it in brief spurts won’t cause much annoyance, I’ll admit that having it hit my side as I walked with it on my Holdfast MoneyMaker reminded me of why I switched from DSLR cameras.
Even more than that, attempting to find a way to fit it in my gear bags was tricky in itself. It simply doesn’t fit in my ThinkTank Airport Navigator unless I completely rearrange my compartments (something I’m stubborn about, as I have a system that works for everything but this one lens). Instead, I’ve taken to placing it in my HoldFast Sightseer Backpack, where it still takes up a fair amount of room.
All of that being said, I was absolutely thrilled to take this beauty into the wild and give it a go. I wound up taking it to two weddings, one engagement shoot, and to Iceland, although it wasn’t obvious at first how I would factor it into shoots.
I’ll be perfectly transparent and say that since switching to Sony, I was forced to give up the longer telephoto primes due to no native options being available that suited my personal tastes. If I used anything, I would adapt my Nikon 105mm f/1.4 to my Sony A9 with a Commlite Adapter. While that worked, the autofocus was much slower. Over the past year, I’ve given in to using the 85mm as my go-to “long” lens, and if I really needed reach, I would use the Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 — something I own, though I much prefer prime lenses. So, I found myself no longer quite sure what to do with a true telephoto lens such as the Sigma 105 Art at first, even though I desperately wanted to incorporate it. Near the end of my time with the 105, it had become like riding a bike, and I found my groove with using the length again.
Despite its size and weight, I loved making images with this lens. Combined with the superior eye AF of the Sony cameras, the Sigma 105 Art nailed focus perfectly even at f/1.4, something I wasn’t expecting. Without image stabilization you have to be sure to use a faster shutter speed, but even then, the in-body stabilization of the Sony lineup compensates beautifully. If using either Nikon or Canon, though, this is a consideration to keep in mind.
Another thing to note is that this lens needs quite a bit of space to focus. I wouldn’t even attempt to use this during a processional unless the aisle was a respectable distance, simply because I’d find myself with those walking down the aisle too close to me to focus. Keeping that in mind, if you have the space to use it in a processional situation, you’ll be quickly rewarded with some of the most beautiful falloff to bokeh goodness I’ve ever seen from a lens, giving you a great 3D feel.
Overall, the Sigma 105 Art and the Sony A9 is a deadly combo — one I found myself reluctantly falling in love with the more I used the lens. It reminded me how much I truly love the compression of a telephoto prime, and how much I missed my Nikon 105mm as a native lens. It was a joy to have a telephoto again. My overall impression is this: it’s a specialty lens, it’s a pain in the butt to haul around, but it makes such gorgeous images that you honestly don’t care. You’ll carry it because of how beautifully everything turns out.
RATING: 8/10 (size, again, docks points)
SIGMA 105mm f/1.4: IMAGE QUALITY
Here’s where things get wild. I’ve used multiple Sigma lenses on multiple camera platforms, dating way back to when I shot on Canon. When I used the Sigma ART series on Canon, the results were superb; tack sharp, gorgeously vibrant colors, fast focus. I couldn’t get enough of them, so much so that when I switched to Nikon, I opted for both the 35mm and 50mm ART lenses over the Nikon variations.
Oh, what a misstep that was. I quickly found myself battling extremely front- or back-focused images, no matter how much calibration I attempted. I gave in and bought the calibration dock, which wound up doing nothing to solve the problem. I was frustrated, and let those ART lenses go in favor of lighter, more reliable Nikon f/1.8 versions…something I’d never imagined doing.
Needless to say, I had a bit of trepidation as I dipped my toes back into the Sigma waters, but I was pleasantly surprised. No more front- or back-focused images. Instead, everything was tack sharp on my Sony, even wide open, just like it was on Canon!
Colors are a tad muted in comparison to Sony native glass, but extremely easy to push in post to taste. Then again, I prefer extremely bold colors, so Sigma’s colors may be spot on for most everyone else! There’s minimal chromatic aberration. I was only once able to discern any at all, though I’m not a pixel peeper myself.
Overall, the image quality is beyond impressive, and I am falling in love with the 105 length all over again.
RATING: 10/10
SIGMA 105 ART f/1.4: FINAL VERDICT
The Sigma 105 Art is a massive lens. It’s cumbersome, it’s kind of a pain to lug around…but it makes such incredibly beautiful images that you find yourself just not caring about the extra muscle it takes.
The falloff is great, the images are tack-sharp, and the bokeh is stunning. It’s quick to focus (save for extreme low light situations, in which it slows down a hair), and I really can’t get enough of the look this lens renders. It’s a length I’ve missed in my lineup, and it’s exciting to see it back in the arsenal.
With it coming in under the price of comparable counterparts from other brands, if you’re willing to deal with the heft, it’s a great bang-for-your-buck lens. You can spend $600-800 more for brand-specific lenses if you’d like, but Sigma has made an incredibly compelling case for this lens.
Bottom line: if you’re on the hunt for a mid-length telephoto lens with great depth of field, you won’t be disappointed by the Sigma 105mm. Are there a few cons? Sure. Am I keeping this lens in my bag? Absolutely…and I can’t wait to use it more in the future!
If you’d like to pick up your own Sigma 105mm Art f/1.4, hit the link to B&H here to snag your own copy for Canon, Nikon, or Sony cameras!
FINAL SCORE: 8.8/10
PROS
Beautiful Bokeh
Solid Build Quality
Weather Resistant
Ridiculously Sharp
Perfect Length & Aperture for Portraits & Brenizer Methods
CONS
Lacks Image Stabilization
Ridiculously Large
Heavy for Extended Use
Long Focus Distance
Thanks for the report. I have a Nikon 105mm 1.4 I would like to adapt to a A7rii. You seem to have had some luck for a while adapting this on a Sony. Could you please advise which adapter you used and if the AF was acceptable? And which Sony camera were you using? And finally, is the Nikon in the same league with the Sigma 105mm? Thanks so much. Bill
Hey Bill! Great to hear from you. The Nikon 105, in my opinion, is better than the Sigma 105. I miss that lens from the Nikon lineup! When I adapt, I use the Commlite AF Adapter, and while no adapter provides the AF speed that native lenses will provide, it does get the job done. I would never adapt during a key moment that AF was crucial, but during portraits and things where I have more time, I absolutely adapt and don’t mind at all. Hope this helps!
I tried this lens out today in combo with my A7R3 at an event at a church where there was a lot of LED lighting. Sadly this lens creates much more banding than my adapted canon glass ever did at this venue, even at shutter speed 1/125. This is pretty much a dealbreaker for me. I also found that the Sony IBIS did not perform very well compared to my canon 70-200 with IS. I also expected it to much sharper than my old 85 1.2ii, but really in real world it’s not. Sigh. The Sigma focus MUCH better than the adapted canon glass, but I think I will have to return it due to those banding issues. It makes the images unusable.
What a bummer! Unfortunately, I have the banding issue while on silent shutter with my A7R3, regardless of the lens choice. If you switch to mechanical shutter it’s better, but the A9 is what I use to avoid banding in churches all together. I hope you find the best combination to create soon!