Sigma AF 14mm 1: 3.5 review

Sigma AF 14mm 1: 3.5 for Nikon lens for review has provided Mad Nicholas.

Sigma AF 14mm 1: 3.5 review

Sigma AF 14mm 1: 3.5 review

Sigma AF 14mm 1: 3.5 is a super wide-angle lens from film cameras. The 14mm focal length is really very 'wide'. The lens has huge convex front lens, and because of this, it attracts unnecessary attention. The convex lens is the reason that with this lens Do not use filters.

Sigma AF 14mm 1: 3.5 front convex lens

Sigma AF 14mm 1: 3.5 front convex lens

The lens is very funny front coverwhich consists of two parts. The first part is put on the lens as a 'sleeve', and the second part is a regular 72mm diameter cap on this 'sleeve'. The first part has fabric-rubber inserts, with the help of which the sleeve fits snugly and keeps on the lens, but because of these inserts it is not very convenient to remove and put on such a cover. At first I thought that the lens could use light filters that screw into the sleeve instead of the cap, but the very first shots with the sleeve on (without the cap) gave strong vignetting throughout the image field. But here's the great news: when using the Sigma AF 14mm 1: 3.5 on a Nikon DX camera, vignetting from the front cover sleeve is removed and the lens can be used with 72mm filters.

Sigma AF 14mm 1: 3.5 rear view

Sigma AF 14mm 1: 3.5 rear view

It is convenient to shoot landscapes, architecture with such a lens, and can be used for creative play with perspective. I was pleased that the lens has a slight distortion, especially considering the 14mm focal length.

Sigma AF 14mm 1: 3.5 side view

Sigma AF 14mm 1: 3.5 lens view

Auto focus speed is above average. The focus ring is rubberized and rotates 90 degrees. The lens has internal focusing, only the rear lens moves when focusing. The lens has a focusing distance scale and a depth of field scale. Infinity on the lens scale starts after 1 meter. MDF is only 18 cm. There is an infrared shift mark. The number of aperture blades is 6 pieces. The lens is very well assembled (Lens made in Japan), itself quite heavy and looks very good on the camera.

It's important: auto focus with this lens is available only when using him on cameras with built-in motor focusing.

Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras with a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will focus automatically:

Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras without a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will not focus automatically:

Only auto focus and sound confirmation of focus will not work with these cameras, all other important functions, such as automatic exposure metering and automatic iris control, will work well.

You will find a lot of useful information on the types of cameras and lenses Nikon here.

For the lens to work properly on modern Nikon cameras, you need to set the F / 22 value using the iris control ring on the lens itself and snap the aperture lock button.

Sigma AF 14mm 1: 3.5 with the first part of the cap on

Sigma AF 14mm 1: 3.5 with the first part of the cap on

Sample Photos

The lens is sharp in the central part of the image, sharpness drops noticeably at the edges. Also at F / 22, sharpness drops throughout the image field. Sigma AF 14 / 3.5 has strong vignetting, even on covered diaphragms. The weakest side of the lens is low contrast and a strong fear of back and side light. Light sources in the frame create a strong veil. On my camera Nikon D700 there were serious problems with the exposure meter. It seems to me real aperture the lens is much lower than f / 3.5. Perhaps I came across not the most successful instance.

   The parameters shown in the photo gallery:

Everything is filmed on Nikon D700. On-camera JPEG L ('optimal quality' compression). Functions that enhance the image, such as vignette control, ADL, noise reduction at long exposures, noise reduction at high ISOs were turned off. All shot in Picture Control mode SD (standard mode): contrast correction - 0, brightness - 0, saturation - 0, hue - 0, sharpness - position 5 between 0 and 9. Used white balance: 'Auto' and 'Cloudy'. Photo size was reduced to 2048px by 1363px (approximately 3MP) using FastStone Photo Resizer 3.0. When reducing the size of the photos, quality equal to 85% of the original was used, the Lanczos3 compression method.

Sigma AF 14mm 1: 3.5 on ZK

Sigma AF 14mm 1: 3.5 on ZK

My lens experience

You need to be able to shoot with an ultra-wide-angle lens, it's not so simple. Sigma AF 14mm 1: 3.5 turned out to be a really weak lens. Cheap manual Samyang 14mm 1: 2.8 ED AS IF optically much better and yes aperture more, that's why I recommend it as an ultra-wide angle for full-frame cameras for amateur use. And for serious shooting, nothing better than the Nikon AF-S 14-24 / 2.8 has not yet been invented. By the way, Sigma is a record holder in many ways. In pursuit of wide angle, Sigma is again a winner - the company has an autofocus lens that can use 12mm focal length over a full frame - the Sigma AF 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG Asherical HSM.

On Nikon DX cameras EGF Sigma AF 14/3.5 will fit 21mm. I do not recommend this lens for Nikon DX, there is a great option for cropped cameras - Tokina AT-X 116 PRO SD 11-16mm F2.8 (IF) DX II Aspherical.

Alternatives

Below is a list of all ultra-wide angle lenses with auto focus support for cameras with an APS-C sensor (crop Kf = 1.5-1.6X) whose focal length is less than or equal to 14 mm.

Tokina (for different mounts):

With moderate aperture:

  1. Tokina 124 AT-X PRO SD 12-24 mm F4 (IF) DX Aspherical, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
  2. promaster Digital af 12-24 XR EDO F4 Aspherical, previous lens under the 'ProMaster' brand
  3. Tokina 124 AT-X PRO SD 12-24 mm F4(IF)DX II aspherical, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
  4. Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28 mm F4 (IF) DX Aspherical, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
  5. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 12-28 F4 (IF) DX V, Canon EFS only

Aperture:

  1. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 11-16 F2.8 (IF) DX ASPHERICAL, since 2007, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, Sony A
  2. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 11-16 F2.8(IF)DX II ASPHERICAL, since 2008, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, Sony A
  3. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 11-16 F2.8 (IF) DX V, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
  4. Tokina atx-i 11-16mm F2.8CF, since 2019, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, black/white
  5. Tokina atx-m 11-18mm F2.8E, since 2022, for Sony E, black/white
  6. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 11-20 F2.8 (IF) DX ASPHERICAL, from 2014, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
  7. Tokina atx-i 11-20mm F2.8CF, since 2020, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, black/white
  8. Tokina AT-X PRO SD 14-20mm F2 (IF) DX, from 2015, for Nikon F, Canon EFS

fisheye:

  1. Tokina 107 Fisheye 10-17 mm F3.5-4.5DX AT-X, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
  2. Tokina 107 Fisheye 10-17 mm F3.5-4.5 DX NH AT-X, for Nikon F, Canon EFS
  3. Tokina 107 Fisheye 10-17 F3.5-4.5 DX AT-X V NH, Canon EFS only

Tamron (for different mounts):

  1. Tamron SP 10-24 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 Di II B001, from October 2008, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, Pentax K, Sony A. Japan / China / Vietnam
  2. Tamron 10-24 mm F/3.5-4.5 Diii VC HLD-B023, from February 2017, for Nikon F and Canon EFS
  3. Tamron Aspherical LD ​​DI II SP AF 11-18 mm 1: 4.5-5.6 [IF] A13, since 2005, for Nikon F, Canon EFS, Sony A. Konica Minolta AF DT Zoom 11-18mm 1: 4.5 (22) -5.6 D and Sony 4.5-5.6 / 11-18 DT (SAL1118) lenses are built on the same optical scheme )
  4. Promaster Digital EDO AF Aspherical LD ​​(IF) 11-18 mm 1: 4.5-5.6, previous lens under the 'ProMaster' brand
  5. Tamron 11-20 mm F / 2.8 Di III-A RXD B060, from April 2021, only for Sony E

Sigma (for different mounts):

  1. Sigma 4.5 mm 1: 2.8 EX DC HSM CIRCULAR FISHEYE, since 2007 for Canon EFS, Sigma SA and Nikon F. Since 2008 for Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A
  2. Sigma 10 mm 1: 2.8 DC FISHEYE HSM, from 2007 for Canon EFS, Sigma SA and Nikon F. In 2008 a version for Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A was released
  3. Sigma 8-16 mm 1:4.5-5.6 DC HSM, since 2010, Canon EFS, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sigma SA, Sony/Minolta A
  4. Sigma 10-20 mm 1: 4-5.6 DC EX [+ -HSM, + -D], since 2005 for Canon EFS, Sigma SA, Nikon F, Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A. Since 2008 for 4/3 SLR system. 'D' prefix for select Nikon and Sony / Minolta A only. HSM motor only available for Canon EFS, Sigma SA, Nikon F and 4/3. The Pentax K and Sony / Minolta A versions have a different appearance (there is no focusing distance window). There are two sub-versions: with a matte finish and with a velvet finish on the body.
  5. Sigma 10-20 mm 1: 3.5 DC HSM EX, since 2009, for Canon EFS, Nikon F, Pentax K, Sigma SA, Sony / Minolta A
  6. SIGMA 10-18 mm 1:2.8 DC DN C, from 2023, for Sony E, FujiFilm X and Leica L

Nikon DX (for Nikon F mount):

  1. Nikon DX AF Fisheye Nikkor 10.5 mm 1: 2.8G ED
  2. Nikon DX VR AF-P Nikkor 10-20 mm 1: 4.5-5.6G
  3. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 10-24 mm 1: 3.5-4.5G ED SWM IF Aspherical
  4. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 12-24 mm 1: 4G ED SWM IF Aspherical
  5. Nikon Nikkor ZDX 12-28mm 1:3.5-5.6PZ VR

Canon EF-S / EF-M

EF-S (Mirror APS-C)

  1. Canon Zoome Lens EF-S 10-18 mm 1: 4.5-5.6 IS STM
  2. Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 10-22 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 USM

EF-M (Mirrorless APS-C)

  1. Canon Zoom Lens EF-M 11-22 mm 1: 4-5.6 IS STM [2013]

RF-S (mirrorless APS-C)

  1. CANON LENS RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM [2023]

Pentax DA (+ Samsung / Schneider-Kreuznach, for Pentax K mount):

  1. SMC Pentax-DA 1: 2.8 (22) 14 mm ED [IF] (Pentax 14)
  2. SMC Pentax-DA FISH-EYE 1: 3.5-4.5 10-17 mm ED [IF] (Pentax 10-17) (FISHEYE, most likely optically identical Tokina Model 107)
  3. HD Pentax-DA FISH-EYE 1: 3.5-4.5 10-17 mm (FISHEYE, most likely optically similar to Tokina 107 NH)
  4. HD PENTAX-DA * 1: 2.8 11-18 mm ED DC AW
  5. SMC Pentax-DA 1: 4 12-24 mm ED AL [IF] (Pentax 12-24) (most likely optically identical Tokina Model 124)
  6. Samsung Zoom Lens Fisheye D-Xenon 10-17 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 AL, copy Pentax 10-17optical scheme from Tokina Model 107
  7. Samsung Zoom Lens D-Xenon 1: 4 12-24 mm ED ALcopy Pentax 12-24optical scheme from Tokina Model 124
  8. Schneider-Kreuznach D-Xenogon 1: 3.5-4.5 10-17 mm ED AL, copy Pentax 10-17optical scheme from Tokina Model 107
  9. Schneider-Kreuznach D-Xenon 1: 4 12-24 mm ED AL, copy Pentax 12-24optical scheme from Tokina Model 124

Sony / Minolta (A or E):

E-mount (E):

  1. Sony E 4 /10-18 OSS (2012)
  2. Sony E 4 /10-20G PZ (2022)
  3. Sony E 1.8 /11 (2022)

A-mount (A):

  1. Sony 4.5-5.6 /11-18 DT (SAL1118) (most likely optically identical Tamron model a13)
  2. Konica Minolta AF DT Zoom 11-18 mm 1: 4.5 (22) -5.6 D (most likely optically identical Tamron model a13)

Samsung NX

  1. Samsung Lens 1: 3.5 10 mm Fisheye
  2. Samsung Lens 1: 4-5.6 12-24 mm ED I-FUNCTION

Fujifilm x

  1. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS SUPER EBC XF 8 mm 1:3.5RWR
  2. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS SUPER EBC XF 14 mm 1: 2.8 R
  3. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS NANO-GI XF 8-16 mm 1: 2.8 R LM WR
  4. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS SUPER EBC XF 10-24 mm 1: 4 R OIS
  5. FUJINON ASPHERICAL LENS SUPER EBC XF 10-24 mm 1: 4 R OIS WR

Zeiss (E / X)

  1. ZEISS Distagon Touit 2.8 /12 T* (Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount)

VILTROX (E/X/Z)

  1. Viltrox AF 13mm 1: 1.4 STM ASPH ED IF C (2021, Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount, Nikon Z-mount)

Leica CL/TL/T/L

  1. Leica SUPER-VARIO-ELMAR-T 1: 3.5-4.5 /11-23 ASPH. (2014)
  2. Leica SUPER-VARIO-ELMAR-TL 1: 3.5-4.5 /11-23 ASPH. (2014)

Samyang (E / X)

  1. Samyang AF 12/2E + Samyang AF 12/2X (2021, Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount)

Yongnuo (E/X/Z)

Yongnuo 11mm 1:1.8 DA DSM WL S/X/Z (2023, Sony E-mount, Fujifilm X-mount, Nikon Z-mount)

Do you know more similar lenses? Or do you have experience with any of them? Then be sure to share your thoughts in the comments.


Catalog of modern Sigma lenses can look at this link.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Conclusions

The Sigma AF 14mm 1: 3.5 is an ambiguous lens. The strengths are excellent assembly and a normal level of distortion. Among the shortcomings - a strong fear of backlight and low contrast.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

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Comments: 11, on the topic: Review Sigma AF 14mm 1: 3.5

  • Denis

    The photographs give the impression that the lenses are dirty ...

    • Arkady Shapoval

      The lenses are clean enough. But the image from the lens simply “crumbles”.

  • Denis

    “… And for serious shooting, nothing better than Nikon AF-S 14-24 / 2.8 has not yet been invented…”, - I tried this, indeed, even on a crop, it sits well, looks nice and works great. What is the front lens :))… The lens is, yes, very convex, but Lee filters are provided for this lens. Probably best suited for shooting large groups of people, in case someone needs to take part in the filming of all kinds of special events.

    • Sergei

      Not only. works great for architecture (for example, narrow streets in Europe), indoors, and of course - for landscapes.
      Lee filters are expensive, uncomfortable.
      Nikon AF-S 14-24 test on crop and its comparison with other lenses I have on my blog.

  • Dim

    But what about Nikkor fish eye 6 mm f / 2.8?

  • BUTEK

    Taki better come up with! And wider than Sigma. Canon 11-24mm f / 4 L. But the technique is certainly not for mere mortals.

  • anonym

    Another Muddish Review of Another Great Lens in a Killed State

  • anonym

    Apparently, this old man has one of the doublets exfoliated, or the compound that glues it has become cloudy - everything indicates this - low contrast and incontinence of the back. It can be cured in the oven :-)

  • Vlad Geo

    On DX-crop, I use a Samyang 10mm f3.5. For interiors. Manual, yes. On hyperfocal - and off you go! It would be interesting to compare it in angle and sharpness with these top-end zooms, such as Nikkor 14-24 or Canon 11-24. And with this Sigma, by the way! EGF, it turns out, for Samyang is 15 mm, for Nikon and Sigma it is a millimeter wider, and for Canon it is as much as 4 (and I'm even afraid to think how wider you need to open your wallet on it!) - but in terms of sharpness, zooms usually lose to fixes although this applies to shirikam to a lesser extent, but nevertheless ... Can the super-wide-zooms from Canon and Nikon be inferior to the Korean fix in terms of sharpness?

  • Carlos fernandes

    I have a sigma AF 14mm f3.5 nikon mount exactly like the one on the review and I can't find it on camera raw to make lens correction.
    Can you help me. I tried some other lens to make auto correction but did not like any I tried.
    I'm not a pro so for me not easy to make manual lens correction.
    Can you help me please.

    Carlos

    • B. R. P.

      Most likely, there are no profiles, since this lens began to be produced before the advent of modern software. So, you will have to learn correction by yourself or use profiles for more modern lenses that are similar in parameters.

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