The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art is part of a series of prime lenses from the company that are able to deliver consistently quality images. With this 20-millimeter prime lens, it manages to capture sharp images with an ultra-wide field of view. As an added bonus, it is one of the lightest lenses you can carry around. It can even focus close to your subject without showing any significant barrel distortion.
The Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art is a Landscape Photographer’s Best Friend
Still, the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art is not one without its own set of faults. For instance, the corners and edges of the photos taken with this lens are noticeably dimmer than the center. But that can be rectified easily with the use of an image-editing software. If you’re in the market for an ultra-wide angle lens for your Canon, Nikon, or even your Sigma SLR, then this is a clear choice to get.
While it is quite large, even for a 20-millimeter lens, it is incredibly light. It has a measurement of 5.1 x 3.6-inches for its height and depth, and only weighs 2.1-pounds. While many lenses have lens hoods that are found within the standard packaging, this particular unit has one too, albeit it can’t be removed. Yes, the lens hood for the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Lens is stuck there. But it does serve a great purpose.
With its lens hood, it can block light from hitting the bulbous front element, which is a boon for shooting from oblique angles. It is also does a pretty good job in protecting the front element from accidental finger-touching (which would otherwise lead to nasty fingerprints on the lens).
This 20-millimeter ultra-wide lens focuses on subjects for as near as 10.9-inches. This is measured from the image sensor. Hence, the working distance from the front element to work is just around 4.1-inches. This functionality is not typical for shooting at wider apertures as you would not think for a 20-millimeter lens as an optic that can blur backgrounds. But for landscape photographers, or other types of photographers who want that creamy background blur, then it can certainly be done with this unit.
Even if the Sigma 20mm F1.4 DG HSM Art is a bit on the large side, as with other wide-angle lenses, it is rare to see one with an f/1.4 aperture. Not only that, it can deliver quality images with a great degree of sharpness. This makes it an easy pick for any landscape photographer, or photographers in general, to be part of their arsenal.