Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG Art (Sony FE)

Sigma 85mm f/1.2 DG Art (Sony FE) lens

Sigma's 85mm f/1.2 is unique in many ways. It's the manufacturer's first 85mm lens with such a fast aperture, and Sony doesn't have its own F1.2 option either. According to Sigma, it's the world's smallest and lightest 85mm f/1.2 lens.

Featuring professional Art series image quality and modern, ultra-fast autofocus, this is not just a portrait photographer's tool. This is an interesting option for all types of photography, when you're looking for strikingly beautiful image quality and a very shallow depth of field.

• The smallest and lightest 85mm f/1.2 lens
• Weight 905g and length 122mm
• Beautiful design suitable for portrait photography and 13 diaphragm blades
• Weatherproof construction
• Aperture control ring and programmable AF-L buttons
• Fast autofocus - 2 HLA focus motors
• Closest focusing distance 84cm

The lens represents a completely new design, there are no fewer than 17 lens elements in 12 groups and there are many special elements. Sharpness and image quality are fine at all apertures in all conditions and also at the edges of the image. But due to the raw resolution, this lens is purchased for depth of field delights, and in this respect too the novelty is successful. Bokeh is as soft as expected and different backgrounds behave nicely. In other words: the image has to look good.

In addition, the lens has no fewer than 13 diaphragm blades, and these are rounded in shape. This means that there is a very smooth transition from sharp to blurry areas even when shooting at medium apertures. For example, when blurring an entire face or a couple to a sharp point, the blurry areas are still beautifully soft.

The sharpness and beautiful bokeh of the image are therefore fine, but attention has also been paid to minimizing reflections. This is important because this type of lens is often used for backlit shots when the milieu is at its most beautiful, i.e. the sun is setting behind the subject.

Versatile and fast tool

As mentioned, the Sigma 85mm is exceptionally light for such a fast lens, but not flimsy. Due to the complex lens structure and large optical elements, the weight is around 900 grams. However, this is not much considering the fast speed, and the lens works great outside of the studio.

Subject tracking is fast thanks to two HLA focus motors, meaning the lens also works great as a short telephoto for indoor sports, close-up nature photography and event photography. Due to the paper-thin depth of field, focus is really important with a lens like this: if the image is not sharp in the right place, it will be particularly noticeable.

Aperture adjustment is possible in the traditional way directly from the lens! The adjustment wheel clicks at the third-stop apertures, so you can immediately feel the setting change. This mechanical sound can be turned off for video shooting, in which case the aperture is adjusted steplessly without any noise.

There is an AF-Lock button on the side of the lens that you can use to lock the focus, but on new bodies this can be programmed to activate eye focus, for example.

The Sigma 85mm f/1.2 DG Art is weather-sealed. Made in Aizu, Japan.

Specifications:

• Compatibility: Sony FE mount (full frame)
• Focal length: 85mm
• Aperture: f/1.2 (min. f/16)
• Closest focusing distance: 84cm
• Optical construction: 17 elements in 12 groups (2 SLD, 3 aspherical), 13 rounded diaphragm blades
• Weatherproof construction
• Filter thread: 82mm
• Size: 87.2 x 121.7mm
• Weight: 905g

The sales package includes:

• Sigma 85mm f/1.2 DG Art (Sony E) lens
• Sigma LCF-82 IV lens hood (82mm)
• Sigma LCR III rear plug
• Backlight protection
• Protective bag