Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

£1249/$1599 Sigma’s portrait lens is a weighty proposition

Sigma’s 85mm Art lens is quite a handful but this one is about the same weight as a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom, at 1645g. Nicknamed the ‘bokeh master’ it goes long on focal length and extra-large in construction. Telltale signs include an oversized 105mm filter thread, due to the large diameter of the forward optical elements, and a tripod mounting ring to more evenly balance the weight.

Rather imposing from the outside, the lens has premium components on the inside, including three FLD (Fluorite-grade Low Dispersion) elements, two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) elements, and one aspherical element. As with the Sigma 85mm lens on test, fine-tuning and firmware updates are available via Sigma’s optional USB Dock.

Performance

Living up to its claims, axial and lateral chromatic aberrations are very well controlled, while bokeh is soft and smooth. There’s no shortage of sharpness on tap either, although the competing Nikon 105mm is marginally sharper at the centre of the frame.

N-photo verdict