Sigma, a renowned name in the world of photography, has recently introduced two remarkable lenses: the Sigma 17mm f/4 and 23mm f/1.4. Designed for both full-frame and crop cameras, these lenses offer photographers a versatile wide-angle duo that excels in various shooting scenarios. In this article, we will explore the features, performance, and overall experience of these lenses, highlighting their strengths and suitability for different types of photography.
Sigma 17mm f/4 Lens:
The Sigma 17mm f/4 lens is a prime wide-angle lens that provides an excellent field of view, making it ideal for landscape, architecture, and astrophotography. With a focal length of 17mm, it delivers an angle of view of 79.7° on full-frame cameras, capturing a significant portion of the scene. When used on a crop sensor camera, the effective focal length increases, offering an equivalent angle of view of approximately 26mm, which is still wide enough for most wide-angle applications.
One of the standout features of the Sigma 17mm f/4 lens is its exceptional image quality. It utilizes advanced optical elements, including four FLD glass elements and two aspherical elements, which effectively minimize chromatic aberrations, distortion, and other optical imperfections. The result is sharp, contrast-rich images with accurate color reproduction and minimal fringing, even at the edges of the frame.
The lens also features a minimum focusing distance of 7.9 inches (20 cm), allowing for captivating close-up shots with a wide perspective. This close focusing ability, coupled with the wide-angle view, makes the Sigma 17mm f/4 lens a versatile option for creative compositions, such as emphasizing foreground elements or capturing expansive landscapes with a sense of depth.
The build quality of the Sigma 17mm f/4 lens is robust and durable. It features a solid metal construction with weather sealing, providing protection against dust and moisture. The smooth manual focus ring and aperture ring offer precise control, enhancing the overall shooting experience. Additionally, the lens incorporates a built-in petal-shaped lens hood, effectively reducing flare and protecting the front element from accidental damage.
Sigma 23mm f/1.4 Lens:
The Sigma 23mm f/1.4 lens is a fast prime wide-angle lens that caters to photographers who require a wider aperture for low-light shooting or shallow depth-of-field effects. With its bright f/1.4 aperture, this lens excels in low-light conditions, enabling photographers to capture sharp images with reduced noise at higher ISO settings.
Featuring a 23mm focal length, the lens offers a slightly wider angle of view compared to the 17mm lens, making it suitable for various genres, including street photography, documentary work, and environmental portraiture. The wider aperture allows for selective focusing, drawing attention to the subject while beautifully blurring the background, resulting in stunning bokeh.
Like the 17mm lens, the Sigma 23mm f/1.4 lens incorporates high-quality optical elements to ensure exceptional image quality. With a design that includes two FLD glass elements and three aspherical elements, it effectively corrects aberrations and distortion, delivering sharpness and clarity throughout the frame. The lens also exhibits minimal chromatic aberration, even in challenging lighting conditions.
The autofocus performance of the Sigma 23mm f/1.4 lens is swift and accurate, thanks to its Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM). This enables photographers to capture fast-moving subjects with ease, making it suitable for street photography or capturing decisive moments. Both lenses exhibit excellent build quality, typical of Sigma’s Art series. The lenses feel solid and well-constructed, with smooth focusing rings and precise aperture control. They are designed to withstand the rigors of professional use and are equipped with weather sealing, providing added durability and protection against the elements.
When it comes to versatility, the Sigma 17mm f/4 and 23mm f/1.4 lenses excel in different shooting scenarios. The 17mm f/4 lens’s wide-angle perspective is perfect for capturing expansive landscapes, architectural details, and astrophotography. Its ability to focus close to the subject also makes it suitable for creative compositions and environmental portraiture, where you want to incorporate the surroundings into the frame.
On the other hand, the 23mm f/1.4 lens offers a slightly wider perspective and a faster aperture, making it well-suited for street photography, documentary work, and low-light situations. The wide aperture allows for greater control over depth of field, enabling photographers to isolate subjects and achieve pleasing background separation. Additionally, the lens’s focal length strikes a balance between wide-angle and standard views, making it versatile for various genres.
Both lenses deliver exceptional image quality, sharpness, and contrast. The incorporation of advanced optical elements ensures minimal aberrations, distortion, and chromatic aberration, resulting in crisp and true-to-life images. Even when shooting wide open, the lenses maintain excellent sharpness at the center and edges of the frame.
Autofocus performance is snappy and accurate on both lenses, thanks to Sigma’s Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) technology. The autofocus system tracks subjects smoothly and silently, allowing for quick and precise focusing in a wide range of shooting conditions. For those who prefer manual focus, the lenses offer a smooth and well-damped focus ring, providing a tactile experience and precise control over focusing.
In conclusion, the Sigma 17mm f/4 and 23mm f/1.4 lenses offer photographers a versatile wide-angle duo suitable for both full-frame and crop sensor cameras. Whether you’re capturing landscapes, architecture, street scenes, or environmental portraits, these lenses deliver exceptional image quality, sharpness, and versatility. Their robust build quality, weather sealing, and smooth operation further enhance the overall shooting experience. If you’re in search of reliable wide-angle lenses with outstanding optical performance, the Sigma 17mm f/4 and 23mm f/1.4 lenses are certainly worth considering.
