I posted a few samples in another thread but this lens deserves a quick review all of it's own.

The lens arrived about an hour ago and I stuck it straight on the D4 and fired off a few shots about the house. Lighting was poor so I was at ISO500, achieving shutter speeds of about 1/160th to 1/200th and of course was shooting at f1.4, wide open.

Build quality is simply superb. Solid, heavy and just oozes quality from top to bottom. It's so damn sexy looking and feels awesome in the hands. When I was unpacking it the first thing I thought was 'damn the box is small'. I thought they might have sent me the wrong lens. The lens is twice the size of the Nikon 50mm f1.8 but the box is much much smaller. It comes with the usual padded Sigma case which is great.
Autofocus is extremely good for a 35mm f1.4 lens, quick and accurate. I think mine requires around a -2 MFA on my D4 but I need to confirm that with some controlled tests, but for now it looks almost smack on perfect. Most of my Nikons have needed more than this, so thumbs up to Sigma there.

Anyway, sod all of that nonsesne. What about picture quality? Well, HOLY MOLY!! I'll say it again, HOLY MOLY!!


DSC_2673 by ct8282, on Flickr

100% crop


DSC_2673_01 by ct8282, on Flickr

100% crop...


DSC_2677 by ct8282, on Flickr


DSC_2681 by ct8282, on Flickr

And 100% crop...


DSC_2681_01 by ct8282, on Flickr


Let me be very clear here. These are shot at f1.4 and have had NO sharpening applied whatsoever. The only processing was some tweaks to exposure compensation and that's it.

Some more samples to show what the Sigma 35 can do....


Sam (1) by ct8282, on Flickr


brake by ct8282, on Flickr


Siggy by ct8282, on Flickr


Siggy (1) by ct8282, on Flickr

I'm not being funny but there are still some doubters lurking about and I understand that. I have never bought into the non OEM lens thing and have always preferred to pay more for the OEM version. However, based on my very unscientific tests here I have satisfied myself that Sigma have seriosuly delivered, BIG TIME.

Man, I hate you! I pre-ordered this lens at the end of November and I didn't received it yet... :-(

BTW your pictures are amazing... my brain is itching watching them :-) I think this lens will be glued to my D800.

Having said that... Congrats for your new lens!

Congrats on the new lens! Thanks for sharing, you are making my trigger finger itch a bit...

Ho. Ly. Sh*t.

Nice! It is jaw dropping when you first shoot with it.

NathanHamler wrote:
Ho. Ly. Sh*t.


x2. Man I'm jelly!

I don't know if I can justify this (as I've already got the Nikkor 28/1.8G,) and REALLY want the new Nikkor 70-200/4 G too.

Decisions, decisions...

Thanks for posting none the less!

Edit: Jay, you're one the first reviews I checked out. Thanks to you as well.

I don't know if I can justify this (as I've already got the Nikkor 28/1.8G,) and REALLY want the new Nikkor 70-200/4 G too.


I'm in exactly the same boat...28mm was a foriegn FL to me and I've really enjoyed it, but I still use my 35/1.4 AI-s a ton. The 70-200/4 G is tempting as a 80-200/2.8 replacment.

I see a re-shuffling coming...

No problem...

I had the same reaction as ct8282 when I first shot with this lens and I knew that there would be non-believers out there and Nikon Fanboys that would try to knock this lens simply because it is Sigma. So, since I was one of the first ones to receive the Nikon version I figured I would show people how good it is with samples...and a little testing. It really IS that good, and the only advantage the Nikon has is the weather-sealing. I love my Nikon glass, BUT, when another company makes a better lens Im going to use it. Im not one for brand names, I will use the better lens no matter whos name is on it. The other benefit to this lens, its half the price.

Wow, I'm speechless. Those shots are beyond sharp. The photo of the baby is just great. I'm very anxious. Time to call and bug Allen's Camera.

Jonathan wrote:
Wow, I'm speechless. Those shots are beyond sharp. The photo of the baby is just great. I'm very anxious. Time to call and bug Allen's Camera.

you use Allen's Camera? Thats pretty funny, I use them for a lot. They actually recieved their order of the new Sigma's before me and I was the first one on their waiting list for one, but I had a pre-order in with B&H and didnt want to cancel it. I get most of my gear from them, Brandon is good guy there. Plus they are less then hour drive for me.

That's it. I am convinced.

Very nice. I wonder how the clarity/resolution compair with the excellent sigma 85.

how come BH is still back ordered

okafoja wrote:
That's it. I am convinced.

Glad I could help.

I still can't quite believe how good this thing is myself.

ct8282 wrote:
okafoja wrote:
That's it. I am convinced.

Glad I could help.

I still can't quite believe how good this thing is myself.

Could you take a shot with a corner of the frame in sharp focus?

Danner wrote:
ct8282 wrote:
okafoja wrote:
That's it. I am convinced.

Glad I could help.

I still can't quite believe how good this thing is myself.

Could you take a shot with a corner of the frame in sharp focus?

Will see what I can do later on...

Another awesome review just posted...same results.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-35mm-f-1.4-EX-DG-HSM-Lens-Review.aspx

ct8282 thanks so much for your reviews i was going to buy Nikon 28mm f1.8 after looking at you shots taken with sigma 35mm f1.4 i've changed my mind to Sigma i want to use it with D800 i will highly appreciate if you can tell me would this lens be good for landscape as i dont want too wide like 14-24mm.
and where in uk you bought sigma.
Thanks

This is not EX lens, am I right? after my friend registered his lens on sigma website, his found out it was 3 years warranty

Jun Zhou wrote:
how come BH is still back ordered

lol I know right?? I hope I'm in front of you though

@ OP, Many thanks for those images! Come on B&H!!!!