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Sigma 56 mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary: One-minute review
Most early mirrorless cameras are available as kits with a standard zoom lens-a pair that many users live with long-term. However, if you want a specifically better-quality photo from such a setup, my first advice will be to invest in an additional lens.
This is the place where Sigma 56 mm F1.4 DC DC contemporary Prime comes.
It is one of a quartet of Dinky F/1.4 Primes by Sigma. But out of the four, and in fact, out of several lenses I have tested for crop-sensor cameras, this is the 56 mm F1.4 of Sigma that has affected me the most.
What is more-it is small, light, and well built, which means it will pair well with mirrorless cameras with the choice of Sony, Canon, Fuzifilm, Nikon, and more.
In fact, Sigma must be appreciated to provide this lens to such a wide range. It was originally released back in 2018 for Sony E and Micro Four Thirds, then for other mounts such as Fujifilm X, and only this year it debuted for the Canon RF-a third-party lens for the Canon RF is rare.
Simply put, Sigma 56 mm F1.4 is the best second lens that you can buy in this format, especially for painting. Being a sigma, it is built in the house for high standards in Japan, and the cherry on the cake is that its price is also appropriate.
Sigma 56 mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary Glasses
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Type: |
Telephoto prime |
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Mount: |
El Mount, Sony E Mount, Fujifilm X Mount, Micro Four Third, Nikon Z Mount, Canon EF-M Mount, Canon RF Mount |
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Censor: |
APSC |
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focal length: |
56 mm (85 mm effective for APS-C and 112 mm for MFT) |
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Maximum aperture: |
F/1.4 |
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Minimum Focus: |
19.7 inch / 50 cm |
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Filter Size: |
55 mm |
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Dimensions: |
69 x 57.5 mm (Canon RF – Other Mount is slightly different) |
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weight: |
10.2oz / 290G (Canon RF – Other Mount is slightly different) |
Sigma 56 mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary: Price and Availability
- Most mirrorless camera lenses are available for Mount
- Prices of about $ 450 / £ 420 / AU $ 650 based on Mount
Sigma L. Mount, Sony E Mount, Fujifilm X Mount, Micro Four Third Mount, Nikon Z Mount, Canon EF-M Mount and Canon RF Mount Version offers 56 mM F 1.4DC DC DN contemporary in versions. Simply put, you can find a version of the lens for your crop-sensor mirrorless camera, without the need for the adapter.
The cost of the lens depends on how much your requirement. For example, the Canon RF version, $ 449 / £ 419 / AU costs a cost of $ 649, while the Sony e-mount version is a bit cheaper.
Sigma 56 mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary: Design
- Weight is about 10oz / 285g
- Plastic barrel, no external button
- Most mirrorless camera lenses are available for Mount
The lenses for APS-C cameras are smaller than equivalent full-love optics, and this is definitely true of Sigma 56 mm F1.4. It weighs only 10oz / 285g (the canon RF version is some gram heavy), and measures 57.5 mm in length, while 85 mm f / 1.4 lenses for full-frame cameras usually double the weight and shape.
Its low dimensions and light weight Sigma lens make a suitable match for the best early mirrorless cameras, and this is the highest in a series of f/1.4 prime. I was testing it with Canon EOS R100, which is Canon’s smallest mirrorless camera with RF Mount, and was really a good balance for the pair.
There is also a good feeling for the lens, thanks to its large rubber focus ring that is easy to detect and lubricate in action. The barrel is plastic instead of metal, but it looks quite solid. I did not fix the lens during the test and portrait shoot, but I can still appreciate its stability.
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On the other hand, mount is metal, and most versions have a rubber seal for dust and moisture resistance (exception is the canon EF-M version). It is worth indicating that Sigma makes a lens at its headquarters in Azu, Japan, with tight control over the build and optical quality.
There are zero outer buttons and switches on the lens; The only manual control focus ring for the hand is the ring. I was testing the lens with an early level camera, which also lacks external controls found on prisier cameras. For example, I missed a quick access to a basic adjustment such as manual / autofocus switch.
The lens comes with a generous size lens hood, and whether you should attach the threaded filter you will need 55 mm. Such small filters are usually very low cost.
Sigma 56 mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary: Performance
- Smooth, acute and accurate autofocus
- Maximum f/1.4 aperture to defocus background
- Minimum 19.7 inch / 50 cm focus distance 1: 7.4 distributes maximum magnification
The autofocus in the 56 mm F1.4 lens is powered by a stepping motor, which easily runs light lens elements for light, rapid and accurate focus. Focusing is also internal – which means that the outer part of the lens maintains its shape.
The minimum focus distance is 19.7 inches / 50 cm, which is very decent for 85 mm-perfect lens, a 1:74 maximum magnification realization. This is not a macro lens, however; The closest is on details like the head of flowers to focus you fast.
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The aperture range is f/1.4 to f/16, which has a nine-blade round aperture. Naturally, I made gravity for maximum aperture for illustrations, and I suspect that most of the photos I will take with the lens, will I do it myself (and I want), will be on F/1.4.
In this aperture, as images below, background defocus for head-end-shoulder portraits well, in which you can also see what Bokeh looks like that pay attention to the quality of dapped lights in the land. The bokes are smooth and round in the center of the frame, although a small cats in the corners have a shaped shape.
On the same day when I shot those pictures, I also used Canon’s RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1, which is the STM lens for pictures and the difference in quality was obvious-Bokeh in the lower-end cannon lens is a ugly onion-line effect, while Sigma, as I have said, have said, butter smooth.
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Lens construction contains 10 elements in six groups, two of which are espherical elements, as well as a ‘SLD’ element. The result is ridiculously sharp details, even at f/1.4, although any setting between F/2.8 to F/5.6 for full peak acumen is on money.
Like several sigma lenses, 56 mm F1.4 in-camera uses digital improvement for fine-dhun images. I shot photos in both Raw & JPEG, and Adobe camera examined uncontrolled images in Raw, which supports the 56 mm lens profile for improvement. By switching and closing the lens reforms, I allowed me to see how extreme any improvement is.
The deformities of the lens such as chromatic abation and flare are all controlled well with the bat, and there is definitely nothing to worry about. There is notable gynecology deformation, and humble volume at f/1.4, but nothing is that automated lens improvements can not be easily handled enough.
The quality of the image is excellent in the board, and the outstanding acuity is even more impressive, given the small dimensions of the lens.
Sigma 56 mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary Sample Gallery
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Should you buy Sigma 56 mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary?
Buy it if …
Do not buy it if …
How I tested Sigma 56 mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary
- Sigma gave me 56 mm F1.4 DC DN contemporary loan for a few weeks
- I tested the lens at the same time as three of other F1.4 Primes of Sigma.
- I had a canon RF-mount version, and a canon was added to the lens with EOS R100
I had several weeks to insert Sigma 56 mm F1.4 DC DN contemporary lens through my pace, along with three other lenses that make a quartet of Sigma’s contemporary prime for crop-sensor cameras: 16 mm F1.4, 23 mm F1.4 and 30 mm F1.4.
They are some of the third-party lens made for the Canon RF-mount, which I had, and I connected the lens with entry-level canon EOS R100.
The lens has been tested during my time, I have set the camera to shoot at Raw & JPEG together, in-camera lens correction has stopped. Adobe Camera Raw’s profile for lens allowed me to check the range of reforms applied directly.
I have used lenses for most portraits, which is using its maximum f/1.4 aperture. I have also taken images in various scenarios and use various apertures, so that lens distortions can be examined and expanded.
