CNET’s key takeaways
- Sigma’s Artwork 14mm f1.8 DG HSM is a quick, wide-angle lens that may take superb pictures of the evening sky.
- It is pretty heavy at 1,120 grams (2.5 kilos) however compact for what it’s.
- The f1.8 aperture permits you to take distinctive wide-angle pictures with a shallow depth of area.
Taking pictures of the sky at evening is likely one of the most difficult sorts of images. There’s not a number of mild out there (clearly, it is evening), and to get actually epic pictures, you need a actually wide-angle lens. Quick lenses aren’t arduous to seek out, and neither are wide-angle lenses, however quick wide-angle lenses are far rarer. Uncommon, and infrequently actually costly.
The Sigma ART 14mm f1.8 DG HSM is not low-cost by any stretch, however it’s cheap contemplating how briskly and huge it’s. I traveled for years with a predecessor of this lens, the Artwork 12-24mm f4 DG HSM. That lens was superb for a lot of issues, together with the interiors of submarines and different tight areas. Whereas f4 is not gradual, it is not significantly quick both. I used to be capable of get some cool pictures of the Milky Manner and star-filled skies, however none I actually liked. On a current journey to Dying Valley Nationwide Park within the campervan I constructed, I rented the 14mm f1.8 and oh my.
My expertise with the Artwork 14mm f1.8 DG HSM
You may see 1,000,000 miles tonight, however you may’t get very far.
One of many large challenges with astrophotography is that you do not have the luxurious of time such as you do in different low-light conditions. The Earth is spinning, in any case, so in order for you pinpoints of starlight, you want to restrict your shutter velocity. For a wide-angle lens like my previous Artwork 12-24mm f4, 30 seconds was pushing it. The 500 Rule says 41 seconds was the max for this lens, however I discovered that to be too lengthy. Worse, most lenses can look smooth when huge open (at f4 in that case), particularly on the edges of the body. So that you usually need to step down a number of steps, which suggests your shutter time needs to be even longer to get the identical quantity of sunshine. Which is to say, it is a positive steadiness and one which I by no means fairly perfected with the Artwork 12-24mm f4.
Visually, the Artwork 14mm f1.8 seems much like my 12-24mm f4. It is a reasonably large lens, almost as large because the f4, and weighs a beefy 1,120 grams. On high is a distance scale with a depth of area indicator. It isn’t usually you want to fear about depth of area with such a wide-angle lens. The autofocus is not nice, however for astrophotography, the digital camera is on a tripod, and there is a large guide focus ring to assist make easy changes. Whereas the entrance aspect bulges outward, there are at the very least wings to keep away from some disasters. You may need to watch out, although.
A motorized star tracker can assist you get nice pictures of stars with lesser lenses, however as a result of they transfer with the sky, you may’t additionally get Earth and something on it within the photograph.
As I discussed above, I traveled for years with the f4 and let me inform you, you are all the time going to note its weight. In your bag, on the digital camera, switching lenses — it is a drag. It mainly doubles the burden of any digital camera it is connected to. So, nearly as good because the 14mm f1.8 is, that is one among my primary causes I would hesitate including it to my package. I additionally do not do as many photograph excursions as I used to, so I do not have as a lot want for such a specialised lens.
Plus, all prime lenses are much less versatile than an excellent zoom lens, which is okay, as every has its makes use of. Even so, a 14mm lens has a really distinctive look and it is not as nicely suited to as many conditions as, say, a 35mm or 50mm lens could be. When you’re not accustomed to ultrawide lenses like this, every part seems type of such as you shot it with a GoPro. Manner higher high quality than a GoPro, however that is the aesthetic. It isn’t essentially a foul factor, simply one thing to contemplate. It is also not weatherproofed in any respect.
The specs
- Supposed sensor dimension: Full body
- Area of view: 114.2 levels
- Minimal focusing distance: 10.6 inches
- Dimensions: 5 inches tall, 3.8 inches in diameter (at entrance lens)
- Weight: 1,120g/2.5lbs
- Mount: Canon EF, Leica L-Mount, Nikon F, Sigma SA, Sony E
The 14mm f1.8 is a heavy lens, however not fairly as massive because it appears. Right here it is mounted to my Canon R6. Word that the EF-to-RF adapter in between will increase the obvious dimension.
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As a lot as I like this lens and am blown away by its efficiency, I will be the primary to confess it is not for everybody. On one hand, there are solely a handful of quick, huge lenses just like the 14mm f1.8 and none that I do know of which might be as quick, as huge and price what the Sigma does. Then again, $1,599 is some huge cash for a lens that most individuals will not recurrently use. Nevertheless, if you’ll use it usually, it is nice! I want I had the house (and cash) so as to add it to my package.
The Sigma Artwork 14mm F1.8 DG HSM is on the market for all full-frame lens mounts, together with Canon EF, Leica L-Mount, Nikon F, Sony E and Sigma’s personal SA. Whereas the lens remains to be out there new as of this writing, it appears Sigma is discontinuing it for some mounts, together with Canon and Nikon. Thankfully, it has been out there for a number of years, so there are some used choices on KEH and MPB. When you go that route, take a look at our information for purchasing used digital camera gear.
When you’re headed someplace with darkish skies, you too can do what I did and lease it for per week from Lens Leases.
Along with masking cameras and show tech, Geoff does photograph essays about cool museums and different stuff, together with nuclear submarines, plane carriers, medieval castles and epic 10,000-mile highway journeys.
Additionally, take a look at Finances Journey for Dummies, his journey e book and his bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines. You may comply with him on Instagram and YouTube.
