Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN C Evaluate

In February 2022, Sigma introduced its first three lenses for the Fujifilm X Mount. Unsurprisingly, they’re reworked variations of the present Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN C, 30mm F1.4 DC DN and 56mm F1.4 DC DN Up to date optics. These lenses had been initially launched between 2016 and 2018 for Sony E-mount and Micro 4 Thirds cameras, and had been later made accessible in each Canon EOS M and Leica L mounts. In April 2023 Sigma introduced Z mount availability too (see beneath).

Now we have beforehand reviewed each the 30mm F1.4 DC DN and the 56mm F1.4 DC DN. Nonetheless, while I’ve personally used the 16mm F1.4 DC DN in Sony mount, we have now but to assessment it completely. So when the Fujifilm model arrived, what higher time to assessment it and briefly summarise the opposite two lenses of their Fujifilm incarnations.

Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN C Options

Priced at £359, the Sigma 16mm F1.4 DG DN | C is a comparatively inexpensive wide-angle lens that ought to enchantment to entry-level and extra seasoned panorama photographers. This X mount model has a subject of view equal to a 24mm lens on full body, on account of Fujifilm’s X system cameras having APS-C dimension sensors. It’s the identical if you are going to buy the Sony E and Canon EOS M mount variations. In the meantime, the smaller sensor utilized by Micro 4 Thirds cameras offers the lens a narrower subject of view, equal to a 32mm lens on a full-frame digicam.

Sigma 16mm F1.4 on Fujifilm X-S10 with lens hood

Sigma fortunately retains its lens designations pretty simple. DC denotes that the lens is for crop sensor cameras, whereas DN reveals that it’s particularly designed for mirrorless cameras. Lastly, C stands for Up to date, Sigma’s normal vary of lenses, versus the agency’s higher-end Sports activities or Artwork line-ups.

Sigma 16mm F1.4 on Fujifilm X-S10

It’s price noting that there isn’t a built-in optical stabilisation. Nonetheless, with a lens this broad, it shouldn’t be an inconvenience, particularly on these Fujifilm X-mount cameras which characteristic in-body stabilization (specifically the X-T4, X-S10, X-H1 and X-H2S).

Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN C entrance

Optically, the lens is constructed utilizing 16 components in 13 teams. Amongst the extra unique components are three FLD (Fluorite Low Dispersion) glass components and two SLD (Particular Low Dispersion) glass components, that are designed to scale back chromatic aberrations. Two moulded glass aspherical components assist to maintain curvilinear distortion to a minimal. These aspherical components are additionally stated to assist minimise the ‘onion pores and skin’ impact in bokeh and maintain sagittal coma flare in examine, which can be excellent news for these eager to shoot astrophotography pictures.

Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN C Construct and Dealing with

The lens is a fairly hefty for an APS-C format prime, even considering its massive f/1.4 aperture. It weighs 405g and measures 92.6mm in size and 72.2mm in diameter, requiring it to have a 67mm filter thread. A plastic lens hood is included, which has a petal form to account for the wide-angle subject of view. Regardless of its dimension, although, it pairs properly with the SLR-style physique of the Fujifilm X-S10 that I used to check the lens.

Sigma 16mm DC DN C on Fujifilm X-S10

To place the dimensions and weight in context, we have to contemplate a few notable alternate options. First up is the distinctive Fujinon XF 16mm F1.4 R WR, which is round 2cm shorter than the Sigma and barely lighter, at 375g. The Fujinon additionally boasts a formidable 15cm shut focus distance, 10cm nearer than the Sigma, though how helpful that is with a wide-angle lens can be completely as much as the photographer. Nonetheless, the Fujinon 16mm f/1.4 comes at a major value premium, costing £930.

Sigma 16mm DC DN C on Fujifilm X-S10 balanced in hand

Additionally accessible is the Fujinon XF 16mm F2.8 R WR lens, which is far smaller and lighter than the Sigma f/1.4 optic, at simply 45.4mm and 155g. But it prices across the similar value, at £350, which underscores the Sigma’s spectacular worth for cash.

The rear includes a rubber seal for weather-resistance

When it comes to development, Sigma has employed a mix of metallic and plastic. Notably, the lens mount itself is fabricated from coated brass and is surrounded by a silicone ring. These mix to supply a good seal to the digicam mount, which retains mud and moisture out of the digicam physique and away from the sensor.

The Sigma 16mm lens includes a comparatively easy, elegant design. Proven right here on the Fujifilm X-S10

Bodily, there isn’t a vital distinction between this Fujifilm X model and different variations of the lens that we have now seen, apart after all from the mount. It has the identical easy, elegant design that Sigma adopted nearly a decade in the past. There’s minimal textual content and branding on the barrel, with only a easy small chrome badge with the letter ‘C’ denoting that that is a part of the Sigma Up to date lens line. There aren’t any buttons both, only a very massive focusing ring with a ribbed texture. Not like most of Fujifilm’s lenses, there’s no aperture ring, so to alter this setting it’s a must to use a dial on the digicam physique.

Autofocus

General, autofocus carried out nicely. It snapped in to focus rapidly and effectively with all of the pace you want from a wide-angle lens. Perceptually it’s slower than a extra premium lens, missing that nearly instantaneous snap that you just get from top-of-the-range optics, however that isn’t to say the lens is gradual. It’s sooner than a 24mm equal lens usually must be, on condition that the almost definitely subject material can be panorama or journey pictures.

Taking pictures wide-open, Sigma 16mm, 1/4000s, f/1.4, ISO160, 16mm, Richard Sibley

Together with your ear to the lens, you may hear the excessive pitch noise of the AF motors whirring as they transfer, however in regular use, you gained’t. Be happy to {photograph} a chess match with this lens with out being kicked out of the venue. Nonetheless, in case you are videoing a chess match, you could wish to examine whether or not your microphone registers the noise – it shouldn’t be a difficulty, however in case you are utilizing a extremely delicate on-camera mic, it might simply faintly choose it up.

Flowers with Sigma 16mm and Fujifilm X-S10, 1/220s, f/5.6, ISO160, 16mm, Richard Sibley

I had no points manually focusing. The main focus ring is fly-by-wire and turns constantly, responding to the pace at which you rotate the ring. For close-up and panorama work, it’s wonderful when mixed with magnified view. Nonetheless, for video, it may be a bit of tough to do A-B focus pulls as a result of non-linear response.

Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN C Picture High quality

One among my largest conclusions from reviewing the lens is simply how good the efficiency is throughout the aperture vary. There are, after all, a few factors of weak spot. Usually, the extent of element when taking pictures broad open is superb, with robust distinction, too. Nonetheless, when photographing a black and white check chart, you do get a slight color tint on account of magenta fringing elimination. Cease all the way down to f/2, and this disappears, and the color is then constant all through the vary. After all, this gained’t be a difficulty should you aren’t photographing a high-contrast monochromatic topic.

Solar-star – Sigma 16mm f1.4 at f/16, 1/15s, f/16, ISO400, 16mm, Richard Sibley

Even with a check chart, it’s onerous to choose precisely the sharpest level of the lens. By f/11 and f/16, there’s a drop on account of diffraction; sharpness drops ever so barely, and so does distinction together with it. Zooming in to a picture to round 200% reveals that f/5.6 is the sharpest aperture, simply edging out f/4 and f/8. However the reality I’ve needed to zoom in past 100% to see this tells you every little thing about how fractional the variations are.

Sigma 16mm structure, 1/210s, f/8, ISO160, 16mm, Richard Sibley

Chromatic aberration is nicely managed. The standard check of taking pictures a tree towards an overcast sky reveals that there’s a trace of purple fringing and its discount. It’s seen most within the very corners when taking pictures broad open, however cease all the way down to round f/2.8 and it’s nearly gone. The sides additionally look barely sharper partly on account of much less chromatic aberration discount occurring.

No fishing signal, Sigma 16mm, 1/680s, f/1.4, ISO400, 16mm, Richard Sibley

Distortion is routinely corrected in software program, forsaking just a bit seen barrel distortion. All that’s required is the slightest nudge in your uncooked modifying software program to right it absolutely. Panorama photographers clearly don’t have anything to fret about on this regard, certainly until you’re photographing geometric shapes, it shouldn’t even be noticeable.

Sigma 16mm bokeh, 1/4000s, f/1.4, ISO160, 16mm, Richard Sibley

With an f/1.4 aperture, it will be remiss if I didn’t discuss in regards to the bokeh. Out-of-focus areas are rendered easily with the aspherical lens components proving to do a great job at stopping the ‘onion skinning’ impact. Taking pictures a woodland scene at f/1.4 resulted in good specular highlights, whereas stopping all the way down to smaller apertures confirmed the 9 rounded aperture blades produce nearly excellent circles.

Shut-focus, Sigma 16mm, 1/1100s, f/1.4, ISO160, 16mm, Richard Sibley

Vignetting is one thing of a non-issue, on condition that Fujifilm’s in-camera correction produces pictures with nearly none. It’s barely seen, taking pictures broad open, however is all however gone when taking pictures at f/2.8. It’s quite educational as even when taking pictures broad open, you may be onerous pushed to note it until you’re photographing paint drying on a wall.

Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN C for Z Mount

In April 2023, Sigma introduced it will be making three of its “Up to date” prime lenses accessible for the Nikon Z mount – the primary Sigma lenses to do that. Amy Davies spent a while utilizing the brand new lenses to see how nicely they work with Nikon Z.

The trio comprised the 16mm F1.4 DC DN C, but in addition the 30mm F1.4 DC DN C, and the 56mm F1.4 DC DN C. That is now the sixth mount that these lenses have turn out to be accessible in, following the preliminary introduction for Sony E mount and Micro 4 Thirds, adopted by Canon EOS M, Leica L and most just lately Fujifilm X (which most of this assessment is predicated on).

What’s notably attention-grabbing about introducing these fashions for the Nikon Z mount is that Nikon itself has nothing related in its personal line-up, notably for the DX (APS-C) fashions which the lenses are meant for use with. So, if you would like this sort of focal size, then actually Sigma is your solely possibility.

When used with the Nikon Z30, the Sigma 16mm is a bit of unbalanced. Picture: Amy Davies

The 16mm F1.4 lens offers you an equal of 24mm with a DX digicam, such because the Nikon Z30, Nikon Z50 or Nikon Zfc. This can be a good “normal” walkaround size for typical topics reminiscent of panorama and even avenue pictures work. It’s considerably wider than the closest Nikon DX lens prime lens, which is the Nikkor Z DX 24mm f/1.7 lens, which provides an equal focal size of 36mm.

It’s additionally price noting that though these lenses are designed for APS-C cameras, you too can use them with full-frame our bodies, just like the Nikon Z6 II, with the digicam routinely switching to crop mode should you do. You may due to this fact contemplate it a great different to the Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S lens, which prices greater than twice that of the Sigma.

We’ve been utilizing the 16mm F1.4 with a Nikon Z30. It’s the most important lens of the trio, and as such is probably a bit of unbalanced with the small dimension of this digicam which doesn’t have a viewfinder to make it a bit extra chunky. It’d in all probability be a greater pairing for the Nikon Z50 or the Nikon Zfc to that finish.

The equal focal size is 24mm, making it well-suited to panorama and architectural work. Picture: Amy Davies

NIKON Z 30 · f/8 · 1/320s · 16mm · ISO100

The drop off in focus when taking pictures at f/1.4 may be very nice and pure. Picture: Amy Davies

NIKON Z 30 · f/1.4 · 1/4000s · 16mm · ISO100

One other level to recollect right here is that the lens doesn’t have inbuilt stabilisation. Though that’s not a lot a difficulty with some producers, such because the a number of of the Fujifilm fashions talked about right here, not one of the Nikon Z DX cameras embody IBIS. Usually, that shouldn’t actually be an issue with a lens this broad, however it’s price making an allowance for should you’re trying to shoot in sure situations, reminiscent of low gentle or for vlogging for instance.

In any other case, utilizing the lens with a Nikon digicam is just about equivalent in expertise to utilizing it with one of many different mounts. Focusing is quick, correct and quiet, making it well-suited to a spread of various topics.

Picture high quality is equally nice to that already talked about right here with the Fujifilm model. Photos show wonderful sharpness, incredible element and a beautiful drop off in focus due to the very broad aperture. I’d extremely advocate the lens for Nikon Z mount DX customers, and even probably full-frame customers too in search of a quick, 24mm lens at a great value. Amy Davies.

Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN C Verdict

The Sigma f/1.4 fastened lenses are extremely fashionable amongst these taking pictures with APS-C and Micro 4 Thirds mirrorless cameras, and it’s nice that Fujifilm customers can lastly get in on the motion. The 16mm F1.4 DC DN lens is a compelling possibility for people who need an inexpensive wide-angle that produces nice edge-to-edge picture high quality. It’s a lens that I might describe as a workhorse in that it will do an amazing job if you want it, with out being a glamorous or headline-grabbing possibility. The most effective half is that it’s a massive aperture lens that the majority entry-level customers will be capable to afford, while for extra demanding customers, its picture high quality exceeds what you’ll anticipate for the value.

Ford, 1/60s, f/11, ISO160, 16mm, Richard Sibley

There actually isn’t a lot that I can fault it on. It lacks optical stabilisation, however that isn’t important at this focal size. There’s no aperture ring, however that’s forgivable given the value, and it’s straightforward sufficient to make use of a dial on the digicam as an alternative. When it comes to dimension and weight the lens is a bit of bigger than you could anticipate, however in actual phrases it’s nothing when in comparison with among the lenses that photographers carry round. It balances properly on Fujifilm’s SLR-style mirrorless cameras, and the dimensions and weight are nowhere close to sufficient to place anybody off from shopping for it.

Sigma 16mm F1.4 DC DN C Specs

Sigma 16mm DC DN C on Fujifilm X-S10 (entrance)