The new Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN | Art lens was announced this morning for Sony E mount and L-mount, designed specifically for photographing the milky-way and night sky, with a wide f/1.4 maximum aperture and coma/aberration corrections that are optimized for rendering pinpoint light sources. Sigma touts the lens as “world’s widest F1.4 single focal length lens” and “possibly the best lens ever made for astrophotography”.
Designed to be sharp from corner to corner, even at f/1.4, the lens is not small. The 19 element optical design (with eight special glass elements) weighs 2.6 pounds (1170g), justifying the addition of a removable tripod foot on the lens itself. It’s worth noting, though, that this lens is actually slightly smaller and lighter than the existing Sigma 14mm f/1.8 ART lens, which is impressive.
The lens also has space for a rear filter (the large front element does not allow for front filter threads) and a lens heater retainer (to keep the lens from fogging or accumulating dew during time-lapse work). Also important for timelapse and long exposure work is a Manual Focus Lock.
The ultra-wide angle lens features a splash and dust resistant body and a zippy “High-response Linear Actuator” focusing motor, a manual aperture ring (with a click/de-click option), 11 rounded aperture blades, and a newly designed lens cap.
When the lens finds its way to store shelves at the end of the month (expected late June 2023), the lens will cost $1599. The lens is currently available for pre-order from B&H and Adorama.
For more information, visit Sigma’s website: https://www.sigmaphoto.com/14mm-f1-4-dg-dn-a
