Weather sealing issue…do what I do. I just get a thick rubber band and place it around the lens connection. Problem solved. Works on all lenses btw. I do it to weather sealed lenses too
Mykhaylo
December 23, 2019 4:39 pm
Hi Nasim,
Ken Rockwell seems to criticize this lens and prefers Nikon 35mm f/2 to it. He specifically says: This Sigma is as good optically as the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 L and Nikon 35mm f/1.4 G, but its mechanics seem to be the poorest of any other 35mm f/1.4 lens I’ve ever seen.
Now, 6 years after your initial review of this lens, would you still recommend it over Nikon 35mm f/2?
What would be your first choice of an FX 35mm for Nikon under 1,000usd?
Mykhaylo
December 23, 2019 2:26 pm
Hi, Nasim
Ken Rockwell seems to be not a huge fan of Sigma 35mm art. He specifically says: This Sigma is as good optically, but its mechanics seem to be the poorest of any other 35mm f/1.4 lens I’ve ever seen.
If you shoot Nikon, the classic Nikon 35mm f/1.4 AI-s ($850 new or $500 used) is better made than any of these — and less expensive to boot, but as the oldest isn’t quite as good optically wide-open as the rest. The Nikon 35mm f/1.4 AI-s is a professional manual-focus lens. It’s still made today, but not well known outside professional circles.
For 35mm he seems to prefer Nikon 35mm f/2 This is a jewel of a small, fast sharp lens. It’s been a key part of the Nikon System of Professional Photography since 1989 when the F4 dominated, and today it’s still a top-performing lens. If you think you want one, you’ll love it! This 35/2 is optically about as good and feels better-made than the newest 35/1.8 G FX lens that’s bigger, heavier and more expensive. www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/35af.htm
I also read that a lot of people swear at 35mm f/2 and praise Sigma 35mm 1.4.
I realize that your review is some years old, so you could change your mind since then or new lenses were deployed that are a better choice.
So, can you please advise what are your thoughts on Ken’s judgement and what do you think is the best 35mm FX lens for Nikon with a three digit price tag?
Thank you and Merry Christmas.
Malcolm Clint
May 10, 2019 7:12 am
Hi Sir. Just recently bought this lens paired with D750.. It is sharp using far Left and far Right AF points. When I use the center AF point, it is consistently out of focus. If I add +15 on in camera AF-fine tune, Center AF-point is sharp but using side AF points are now back focus. Does this lens have curvature issue? will the dock solve my problem?
Doug
May 9, 2018 6:14 am
This Sigma looks more like a Zeiss. I have read elsewhere that the Sigma Art Lenses are actually better than the Nikkors and are much less expensive. The Zeiss lenses are definitely better than the Nikkors for sharpness and microcontrast. Nikon better get there act together
Pavel Kovalancik
January 14, 2018 9:00 am
Hello, how is this lens good in bad light condition? I am metal concert photograper and wanna have something to my 70-200/2,8. I was thinking about it as a change for my nikkon 50/1,4 af-d for wider angle but af speed and accuracy interests me too. I think it is better in both aspects, but i rather ask and I have not had the opportunity to hold the Sigma. Will be used with d750. Thank you.
I consistently use the sigma 35mm 1.4 wide open with my D750 in very bad lighting (night time street shots). By far the best wide open lens I have ever owned, contrasty and sharp at 1.4
Harminder Singh
December 7, 2017 9:42 am
I have the Sigma 35MM1.4 ART LENS and all I can I can say is WOW !!!
I already have a sigma 18-50 f2.8 and was doing okay with it until I heard about this lens. I thought to myself this can’t be as good as they make it out to be, and boy oh boy was I wrong. This lens is a cracker, images soooo sharp, F4 is sharp, but i find f8 sharpest. It is a lens that is always attache to the body and produces some remarkable results, I have no had any of the focusing issues mentioned and I have tried it all the way through the various F-STOPS. AT 1.4 THE LENS produces some brilliant Bokeh, might be ever so slightly soft, but f1.8 & 2.8 you can get some PINS SHARP images and the colors are very vibrant and the photos POP. Since using this lens I have had nothing but positive comments, so much so that it seems to stay on the body 90% of the time, I;d rather move around and get a shot, than change the lens, I like it that much.
BUY IT !!!!
Alexis Andres
November 19, 2017 2:25 pm
This lense in now my favourite lense.
Simply the best ever 35mm I ever had in my hands.
If you don’t have it and you’re thinking, do not hesitate ! After you get it, you can sell the rest of your stuff. I used to take many lenses with me when going to a concert, but now I only take this one, a 70-200 on my second camera, and a 16mm in my pockets just in case I want to take a wide shot.
Sigma 35 art.i heard there were problems with a.f. Have not seen it. I got this lens from a friend for less dollars. It is a lens that can do three things really great. Worth it. Sure I might have bought the Nikon 35. But it is called lack of cash. This lens is worth its weight in gold. Take care all. Be safe.
Joshua Wyborn
July 27, 2017 11:57 am
I adore my 35mm Sigma! Most of my wedding photographs are taken with it! great review! :)
Priti
June 6, 2017 6:49 am
I’m on the hunt for a 35mm – This is awesome and helpful. Thanks!
Weather sealing issue…do what I do. I just get a thick rubber band and place it around the lens connection. Problem solved. Works on all lenses btw. I do it to weather sealed lenses too
Hi Nasim,
Ken Rockwell seems to criticize this lens and prefers Nikon 35mm f/2 to it.
He specifically says:
This Sigma is as good optically as the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 L and Nikon 35mm f/1.4 G, but its mechanics seem to be the poorest of any other 35mm f/1.4 lens I’ve ever seen.
Now, 6 years after your initial review of this lens, would you still recommend it over Nikon 35mm f/2?
What would be your first choice of an FX 35mm for Nikon under 1,000usd?
Hi, Nasim
Ken Rockwell seems to be not a huge fan of Sigma 35mm art. He specifically says:
This Sigma is as good optically, but its mechanics seem to be the poorest of any other 35mm f/1.4 lens I’ve ever seen.
If you shoot Nikon, the classic Nikon 35mm f/1.4 AI-s ($850 new or $500 used) is better made than any of these — and less expensive to boot, but as the oldest isn’t quite as good optically wide-open as the rest. The Nikon 35mm f/1.4 AI-s is a professional manual-focus lens. It’s still made today, but not well known outside professional circles.
www.kenrockwell.com/sigma…mm-f14.htm
For 35mm he seems to prefer Nikon 35mm f/2
This is a jewel of a small, fast sharp lens. It’s been a key part of the Nikon System of Professional Photography since 1989 when the F4 dominated, and today it’s still a top-performing lens. If you think you want one, you’ll love it!
This 35/2 is optically about as good and feels better-made than the newest 35/1.8 G FX lens that’s bigger, heavier and more expensive.
www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/35af.htm
I also read that a lot of people swear at 35mm f/2 and praise Sigma 35mm 1.4.
I realize that your review is some years old, so you could change your mind since then or new lenses were deployed that are a better choice.
So, can you please advise what are your thoughts on Ken’s judgement and what do you think is the best 35mm FX lens for Nikon with a three digit price tag?
Thank you and Merry Christmas.
Hi Sir.
Just recently bought this lens paired with D750.. It is sharp using far Left and far Right AF points. When I use the center AF point, it is consistently out of focus. If I add +15 on in camera AF-fine tune, Center AF-point is sharp but using side AF points are now back focus. Does this lens have curvature issue? will the dock solve my problem?
This Sigma looks more like a Zeiss. I have read elsewhere that the Sigma Art Lenses are actually better than the Nikkors and are much less expensive. The Zeiss lenses are definitely better than the Nikkors for sharpness and microcontrast. Nikon better get there act together
Hello, how is this lens good in bad light condition? I am metal concert photograper and wanna have something to my 70-200/2,8. I was thinking about it as a change for my nikkon 50/1,4 af-d for wider angle but af speed and accuracy interests me too. I think it is better in both aspects, but i rather ask and I have not had the opportunity to hold the Sigma. Will be used with d750. Thank you.
I consistently use the sigma 35mm 1.4 wide open with my D750 in very bad lighting (night time street shots). By far the best wide open lens I have ever owned, contrasty and sharp at 1.4
I have the Sigma 35MM1.4 ART LENS and all I can I can say is WOW !!!
I already have a sigma 18-50 f2.8 and was doing okay with it until I heard about this lens. I thought to myself this can’t be as good as they make it out to be, and boy oh boy was I wrong. This lens is a cracker, images soooo sharp, F4 is sharp, but i find f8 sharpest. It is a lens that is always attache to the body and produces some remarkable results, I have no had any of the focusing issues mentioned and I have tried it all the way through the various F-STOPS. AT 1.4 THE LENS produces some brilliant Bokeh, might be ever so slightly soft, but f1.8 & 2.8 you can get some PINS SHARP images and the colors are very vibrant and the photos POP. Since using this lens I have had nothing but positive comments, so much so that it seems to stay on the body 90% of the time, I;d rather move around and get a shot, than change the lens, I like it that much.
BUY IT !!!!
This lense in now my favourite lense.
Simply the best ever 35mm I ever had in my hands.
If you don’t have it and you’re thinking, do not hesitate ! After you get it, you can sell the rest of your stuff. I used to take many lenses with me when going to a concert, but now I only take this one, a 70-200 on my second camera, and a 16mm in my pockets just in case I want to take a wide shot.
Sigma 35 art.i heard there were problems with a.f. Have not seen it. I got this lens from a friend for less dollars. It is a lens that can do three things really great. Worth it. Sure I might have bought the Nikon 35. But it is called lack of cash. This lens is worth its weight in gold. Take care all. Be safe.
I adore my 35mm Sigma! Most of my wedding photographs are taken with it! great review! :)
I’m on the hunt for a 35mm – This is awesome and helpful. Thanks!