More than once, we’ve called the Sigma 14mm F1.8 DG HSM | Art lens an astrophotographer’s dream lens. From the moment it was announced, we were dying to get our hands on it; and once we did, it did not disappoint. But what’s the big deal? Why pay $ 1,600 for this lens when the very capable Samyang/Rokinon 14mm F2.4 will cost you half as much and resolve nearly as much detail (if not more)?
Light… that’s why. A point explained beautifully by photographer Alyn Wallace, who recently took the 14mm F1.8 Art out for a spin in the night. After managing to take a hand-held photograph of the Milky Way—an insane and somewhat-pointless but also kind-of-fun experiment to see what F1.8 can really do—he pops the lens onto a tripod for some proper astrophotography and is immediately blown away.
“This lens is a light vacuum,” he says. “It’s like I’ve stuck a black hole on the front of my camera.”
DPReview’s Dale Baskin felt similarly after shooting the Aurora with the Sigma 14mm F1.8 Art, writing in his Gear of The Year post, “Once I tried the Sigma 14mm F1.8 it was game over. I knew I had found the one.”
Of course, the lens isn’t perfect, and Wallace gets into that as well, looking closely at the corners and revealing where pushing this lens to F1.8 is going to cost you. To see his results and drool a bit over a piece of glass that may make its way onto your very own “treat yourself” list this holiday season, check out the full video up top.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)