Endlessly Curious

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

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Specifications

BrandSigma
CategoryTelephoto
Prime or ZoomPrime
Focus TypeAuto
Focal length (mm)85
Aperture (max)1.4
Angle of View29°
Filter Size (mm)86
Weight (g)1215
Length (mm)150
Diameter (mm)94.7
Weather Sealed✔
Image Stabilization✘
Min. focus distance (m)0.85
Max. magnification0.12
Release Year2016
Release Price (USD)1199
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Description and Reviews

Key Take-Aways:

The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art is a discontinued full-frame portrait prime from Sigma’s 2016 Art line. Sigma’s page lists the L-Mount version at 1,215 g and 94.7 mm across, with a length of 150 mm (Sigma gives 150.2), an 86 mm filter thread, a 29 degree angle of view (Sigma gives 28.6), a 0.85 m minimum focus distance and 14 elements in 12 groups, and Sigma’s US store prices the L-Mount selection at $1,199. Sigma describes a dust and splash resistant structure with rubber sealing at the mount. As of Oct 2026, seven written reviews and eighteen videos are linked. PetaPixel’s Tahir Yildiz called it a great lens that nearly matches the more expensive competitors at all apertures, very sharp with no chromatic aberration issues and great bokeh, and listed big and heavy as the only con. The Digital Picture’s Bryan Carnathan called it one of the greatest 85mm lenses ever made, with the lack of image stabilization and a bit of axial chromatic aberration the only openings for a competitor. Amateur Photographer’s Michael Topham was bowled over by its performance, called it bulkier and considerably heavier than the older 85mm f/1.4 EX but said short telephoto primes do not get much better for image quality, and gave it a Gold Award. Digital Camera World’s Matthew Richards found excellent sharpness wide open, beautiful bokeh, negligible colour fringing and practically zero distortion, with a particularly big and heavy build. Imaging Resource’s Andrew Alexander saw virtually no corner softness at f/1.4 on a full-frame body, very little chromatic aberration, vignetting of over 0.75 EV at f/1.4 on a Canon 1Ds Mark III and autofocus that racked from closest focus to infinity in about one second. In his video description Dan Watson calls it one of the greatest lenses ever made and the most affordable 85mm f/1.4 around, and Julia Trotti’s description compares it with the Canon 85mm f/1.2L II on a Sony A7III and a Canon 5D Mark IV.

From Sigma:

To create a top-performing 85mm F1.4 lens, Sigma leveraged its latest innovations in design and materials. The result is the ultimate lens for portraits. By taking chromatic aberrations to the absolute minimum, this lens offers performance that goes beyond, including incredibly sharp resolution and a beautiful bokeh effect.

Ultra-high-megapixel full-frame DSLRs offering 50-megapixel or higher resolution are now available, and nothing will bring out the performance potential of these cameras better than the fundamental performance of the lens. The Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art incorporates two elements made of SLD (Special Low Dispersion Glass) and one element with a high rate of anomalous partial dispersion and a high index of refraction. These features help ensure a clear image throughout the plane. The optical system also minimizes sagittal coma flare for outstanding image quality without streaking—even at wide-open aperture.

Elements made of SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass and an optimized power distribution help minimize axial chromatic aberration. In the areas in front of and behind the point of focus, the optical system produces an attractive and natural bokeh effect by producing a smooth gradation of focus and minimizing streaking.

Going beyond outstanding optical performance, Sigma has added all its latest technologies for outstanding usability. Newly designed HSM, dust and splash resistant structure, -this is the long-awaited prime lens from the Art line.

The lens mount incorporates rubber sealing to protect the mount from dust and water drops.

Official Website

Sigma has discontinued this lens. It is the predecessor of sigma-85mm-f1-4 (the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art): the DG HSM is a DSLR design that Sigma also offered in L-Mount, which is why it is large and heavy. Specifications are the L-Mount figures from Sigma’s English page (angle of view 28.6 degrees entered as 29, length 150.2 mm entered as 150, maximum magnification 1:8.5 entered as 0.12). Weather sealing is from Sigma’s statement that the lens mount has a dust and splash resistant structure with rubber sealing. The price is the L-Mount selection on Sigma’s US store (Sigma America). Dustin Abbott’s FE video and several other videos cover the Sony E version of the same lens.

Reviews:

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