Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM | A review

Sigma’s 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM | A offers high-quality, fast glass in an extra-wide fitting. Find out how it performs in Matthew Richards‘ review.

Price: £700/$850
We’ve been impressed by the quality of Sigma’s recent Art-line prime lenses, like the 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM | A and the 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM | A.

The newest addition to the line-up is this 24mm lens, which maintains the same wide f/1.4 maximum aperture, while extending wide-angle viewing potential.

Compared with the 63.4° viewing angle of the 35mm lens, this one stretches to 84.1° (measured on the diagonal, using a full-frame body). Like the Sigma 35mm and 50mm Art lenses, the 24mm costs around £700/$850.

SEE MORE: Best wideangle prime lens – 6 top options tested and rated

Build & handling
The 24mm lens follows the same design ethic as the 35mm and 50mm Art lenses. As such, it features a high-quality brass mounting plate with compatibility to Sigma’s optional USB dock, along with metal and TSC (Thermally Stable Composite) barrel parts.

A focus distance scale under a viewing window has depth of field markings for f/8 and f/16 apertures towards the rear, and a super-smooth focus ring towards the front.

Focusing is all internal so the front element neither extends nor rotates. Autofocus is rapid, quiet and precise, based on a ring-type ultrasonic system. A lens hood and soft case are included.

The internals feature three FLD (F Low Dispersion) elements of equal optical performance to top-grade fluorite glass, four SLD (Special Low Dispersion) and two aspherical elements. Super Multi-Layer Coatings reduce flare, and a nine-blade diaphragm enables well-rounded apertures.

SEE MORE: Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM lens review

Lab results

Click to see at full size

SEE MORE
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Performance
This lens does very well to retain corner-to-corner sharpness even at its widest f/1.4 aperture, where vignetting is also fairly well controlled. Stop down to f/2.8, and corner-sharpness as well as peripheral illumination both become excellent.

Resistance to ghosting and flare is impressive, while chromatic aberrations and distortion are both minimal.

Specifications
Full-frame compatible      Yes
Focal length      24mm
(38.4mm on APS-C)
Image stabiliser      No
Min focus distance      0.25m
Max magnification factor      0.19x
Manual focus override      Full-time
Focus limit switches      No
Internal zoom/focus      N/A/Yes
Filter size      77mm
Iris blades      9 (rounded)
Weather seals      No
Dimensions (d x l)      89 x 90mm
Weight      665g

SEE MORE: 11 common lens errors (and how to avoid them)

Verdict
Continuing the trend set by recent Art-line lenses, the new Sigma 24mm is beautifully built and delivers exceptional image quality.

Features: 5/5
Build & Handling: 5/5
Performance: 5/5
Value: 5/5

Overall Score: 5/5

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