Ronkonkoma, NY—The Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is a new standard prime lens in Sigma’s DG DN lineup (DG = full-frame, DN = mirrorless-exclusive).
“The 50mm f/1.4 DG DN | Art expands the impressive line of fast f/1.4 aperture primes with professional-level quality that the Art line is renowned for. While further improving optical performance from the 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM | Art, the new Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN | Art achieves the ideal balance of the size, weight and autofocus performance,” Sigma announced.
“By incorporating all the latest technologies, this lens has achieved a high degree of compatibility between the optimum size and high-speed AF required for today’s mirrorless systems.
For full-frame mirrorless cameras, the large-aperture lens provides edge-to-edge imaging performance due to a completely new optical formula. Moreover, the formula is optimized for the short flange distance of mirrorless systems. The lens uses Sigma’s super multilayer coatings. Sagittal coma flare was improved, resulting in rounded star images as well as a clean bokeh effect.
Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN | Art Key Features
Featuring Sigma’s new HLA autofocus driver (high-response linear actuator) first introduced in the 60–600mm DG DN OS | Sports lens, the new standard prime achieves swift, silent autofocus for both still and video capture.
Moreover, with a dust/splash-resistant build; a manual aperture ring with click and lock switches; and 11 rounded aperture blades for bokeh rendering, it is a choice for all types of photography and video work. Whether in the studio or on location.
In addition to the brightness of the large f/1.4 aperture and its bokeh effect, various aberrations are controlled. Thus it produces uniform image quality from the frame’s center to the edges.
Furthermore, based on the latest optical design technology, the compact, lightweight lens incorporates 14 elements in 11 groups. It includes three aspherical lenses and one SLD (special low-dispersion) glass element. They suppress aberrations such as astigmatism and field curvature, which cannot be corrected in-camera.
Despite the large f/1.4 aperture, Sigma optimized the image performance on the periphery of the image. Sagittal coma flare was also minimized. This enables the lens to withstand challenging star and night scenes, with demanding severe point light source imaging, from wide open.
Also, along with an HLA linear motor, the lens uses a single double-sided aspheric lens as the focus element. Consequently, it offers fast, quiet focusing and high tracking performance.
In addition, when developing the lens, Sigma focused on slimming down the barrel. It reduced the weight of a focus lens and optimized the lens unit layout. This was in pursuit of the “optimum size” for mirrorless systems without compromising the optical performance of the Art line.
Additional Features
What’s more, the barrel integrates a focus mode switch and an aperture ring click switch to turn the click on. It also has an aperture ring lock switch to prevent unintended operation. Additionally, it incorporates an AFL button to assign functions from the camera. These features also allow intuitive operation during shooting. 
The new lens also features an inner focus system and is compatible with high-speed autofocus. Additionally, it supports lens aberration correction, depending on the camera model, plus DMF, AF + MF.
Morever, with “Made in Japan” craftsmanship, the lens has a dust- and splash-resistant structure and a water -and oil-repellent coating on its front element. As a result, the lens is a solution for a range of shooting environments. It also features a durable brass bayonet mount and is compatible with the separately sold Sigma UD-11 USB dock (L mount only).
In E and L mounts, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN | Art will reach retail in late February. It will have a suggested retail price of $849.
