This is an absolutely incredible review! I'm so glad you took two years with it and were really able to distill your long experience with it down to a concise and informative video barely over 10 minutes long. My only small concern is that I occasionally shoot house parties in small-ish spaces, and I'm worried about the intensely zoomed focal length. I'm coming from a 35mm on a crop sensor, so something close to a 50mm FF, and going to an 85mm FF. But honestly, I'm in love with the images this thing puts out, and your review definitely showed me that. I just placed my order for it alongside a D850, so pray for me! Cheers from the US.
Thanks so much for this comment! I wouldn’t personally use an 85mm at a party or anything like that, I’d stick with a wide or 35mm. You might get some really cool intimate shots in that scenario, but it’s all personal preference. Good luck with the D850 and 85mm!
Just subscribed! Your videos make it seems like you have 500K subscribers+ was very surprised when you only had 1.1K! Look forward to all your other videos!
Sam I have the same lens use it on my D850 I absolutely love the separation. I too thought I get a faux medium format look especially with my D850. What Nikon do you use yours with? Btw enjoy your sincerity in your videos. Keep up the great work!
Thanks dude! Sincerity is my only goal so thank you for recognising that. I use a D610, it’s been retired now for my Fuji system but I still use it occasionally.
Thank you for this review! I just bought the same lens but I'm finding that the focus is not as sharp as I'd like at 1.4-1.8. Is this a normal problem? Do you usually shoot at 2.8 with portraits?
Shooting at 1.4 on a lens this long will be very soft as your plane of focus is so thin. Stop it down to around 2.8 - 4 and test if it is back or front focusing. Might be worth getting your camera and lens calibrated if that’s the case!
J'ai le même problème. Obligé de faire micro réglage AF avec mon boîtier D7100. Je suis à+15. Je n'ai pas respecté les tutos sur micro réglage back focus front focus. Je ne suis pas satisfait encore. Dommage pour le prix. Il existe d'autres solutions avec dock USB Sigma (60€)😢.
I have this lens on a D750 and it's incredible. But sometimes it's restrictive. I need one more lens and i am thinking about a prime like 50mm or 35mm. Otherwise, a 24-70. What do you suggest?
A 24-70 will give you the most flexibility from what you’ve said. I used to run with the 35 and 85mm, but I definitely felt like a 50 would have been helpful. 24-70 covers both of those
I’ve used it for video loads! It’s amazing for B roll and talking head. Isolated subjects so nicely. I would say if you’re doing interviews or product videos, this will be golden
Hi Toni, The AF accuracy was something I actually had to work on a bit. The reason being is that Sigma’s lenses are made for across the board use, with the mounts being changed for individual brands. So where Nikon can tailor each lens to their cameras and their specific line up, Sigma make an “all around” lens design, so it works across the board. I did find that my lens back focused a lot when I got it, so I went and got it calibrated (check out Tommy Reynolds video on his channel, it’s my lens we are calibrating in the video!) I would recommend calibrating your lenses anyway if you’re using a DSLR. I also had to calibrate my Sigma 24-35 so it’s definitely a 3rd party thing. However, once it’s calibrated it’s a dream to use. So sharp, so quick to focus and the images are just something else. I hope this helps!
@@samvholt Thanks. All my Sigma art lenses are calibrated so nothing out of the ordinary. Only the 50-100 f1.8 was perfect out of the box. I will give it a try👍
hi! Would you recommend the sigma 85 mm 1.4 for wedding photography? I’m worried about the autofocusing. I have a sigma 35 mm and I find that sometimes if I’m shooting a couple or group of people not everyone is in focus and it is very frustrating. I’m wondering if this happens with the 85
Hi Madeleine! Thanks for watching. With the Sigma 35, I would seriously consider getting it calibrated to your camera. I did that for both my Sigma lenses (24-35 and 85. Not the lenses fault, it the focusing plane in the camera, and with third party lenses sometimes they are a one shoe fits all scenario. The 85mm is amazing for portraits and isolating your subjects. I wouldn’t use it for group shots unless you are very far away and going for a particular look (check my faux medium format video). The autofocus on this lens is insanely quick, even on my old Nikon D610.
I use the canon 90D canon can I use this 85 mm1.4 for video. I do beauty video here on RUclips am interested in it but am not sure if it’s good or sigma 50 mm 1.4 will appreciate your response 😊👍
Hey Estelle. If you get the Canon Mount version then it will work on your camera, however as this is a “full frame” lens then on the 90D it will have an equivalent of around 130mm. I would say maybe check out the 50mm as that would have the equivalent of 75mm on your camera (due to the 1.5x crop)
Sam Holt thanks I will try the 50 mm I just like how 85 blurs and focuses on the object but still I don’t what’s you mean by canon mount version 😢 I like how you explained yours with fact of usage rather than a lot who just put out content with usage just for view and all that thanks for the response I appreciate 😍
You’ll get a very similar effect with the 50mm especially if shooting at a wider aperture. By “Mount” I mean the version of the lens you buy. Sigma makes versions for Nikon, Canon and Sony so if you want to use it with your Canon you need to get the Canon Mount. Hope that helps! And thank you for the kind words :)
Good fair review but In one respect I must take issue with you. You say that Canon and Nikon spend more money on Research and Development than Sigma. Unless you have the costing for this particular lens and the Art series in general to back up this claim you should not make it. I use mainly Nikkor lenses (20+) and in no way are the Art lenses (I have three) in either construction or performance inferior - indeed they are generally optically superior and as well engineered. The reason they are cheaper is twofold. The costs of designing, tooling, production and marketing form a large part of the lens cost. This has to be divided on the basis of projected sales. Therefore although the costs for a kit lens may be similar to those of an extreme telephoto those costs have to be shared in the former among sales of perhaps a million and in the latter perhaps a few hundred. Where Sigma can undercut the Canon and Nikon is that those company supply lenses for their camera mounts alone which limits the number they can expect to sell. Not only do Sigma make lenses for both these brands (and more for mirrorless) but should you change brands Sigma will relatively inexpensively change the mount on Art series lens. Remember too that for every lens Sigma sells the others sell one less which puts pressure on their prices! My other point is that Sigma have invested in what is probably the most up to date manufacturing facility in the world with high productivity which keeps down costs. I should perhaps point our that I have no connection with the company.
This review is fantastic ! I’ve been looking for another art series lens for my car photography, this is definitely on my list... any other suggestions? Subscribed as well
Hey Justin! Thanks for the kind words. I really love the 85mm for automotive work. It compresses everything and makes lines on cars really pop. I would say you can’t go wrong with the Sigma 50mm either
Hi Sam, Fantastic video and review. Look like a great lens. I am thinking about purchasing but my only hesitation is the 86mm filter size. I shoot video and need an ND filter (currently own an 82mm ND filter). Do you reckon a stepdown ring would work for this considering it is such a tight lens or reckon it would vignette?
Hey mate, I personally don’t know much about filters, I’ve never used them. However I would think that putting an 82mm filter on an 86mm filter thread would cause some pretty heavy vignette. I’m not sure how much of the front element is utilised but I would imagine it would produce vignette if you were to do so.
@@samvholt oh okay, on the sigma webiste, it says the 85mm DG DN is for mirrorless cameras and cannon 5 d mark 111 is not a mirrorless camera, so thats why i got confused?
Sigma and B & H list the weight as actually 1.3 kg. That is the only reason I am hesitating. It's still the best bang for the buck available for Canon, anyway. Nice review though! Thanks!
Hahaha do it! At least test one out. I’m probably going to switch to a 50mm on the Fuji system but if someone made a 50-85 I would buy that in a heartbeat
From my research it seems sigma has only re-released the 35mm art lens and it’s for mirrorless bodies. There should only be one version of the other focal lengths in the art series currently.
Depends what you’re after. That Nikon is perfectly capable, and I imagine if you’re shooting anything about f/2.8 you’d struggle to tell the difference. Depends how important autofocus is for you, again something I really doubt you’d notice unless it’s a much older Nikon lens. If in doubt, save the cash and spend it elsewhere haha
Unsure what you mean. Everybody has a bias, you can choose to listen to my opinion or not, either way it’s impossible to avoid being influenced by something or someone.
@@samvholt As far as a review, I'm confident I could leave my personal feelings out of it. Maybe everyone can't, but I'm confident I could. I'm just saying, you're flaming other people for doing something that has 0 impact on your life, other than the amount you, yourself let it affect you. It's counterproductive.
This is an absolutely incredible review! I'm so glad you took two years with it and were really able to distill your long experience with it down to a concise and informative video barely over 10 minutes long. My only small concern is that I occasionally shoot house parties in small-ish spaces, and I'm worried about the intensely zoomed focal length. I'm coming from a 35mm on a crop sensor, so something close to a 50mm FF, and going to an 85mm FF. But honestly, I'm in love with the images this thing puts out, and your review definitely showed me that. I just placed my order for it alongside a D850, so pray for me! Cheers from the US.
Thanks so much for this comment! I wouldn’t personally use an 85mm at a party or anything like that, I’d stick with a wide or 35mm. You might get some really cool intimate shots in that scenario, but it’s all personal preference. Good luck with the D850 and 85mm!
I'm looking at this lens and this was one of the best reviews I found. Well done.
Appreciated this raw long-term review in comparison to the others I've watched on this lens. I've been eyeing it up for awhile! Thanks!
No worries! Glad you enjoyed it. It’s a cracking lens, definitely worth the cash.
one of the best lens reviews i've seen, just subbed!
Thank you Abby!
Thank you for the review. I enjoyed your words and your photos are amazing. Definitely considering this lens now. :)
Thank you so much for this review! I've been so torn and all over the place in trying to choose a 85mm, this just about made the decision much easier.
Amazing! So glad I could help.
Just subscribed! Your videos make it seems like you have 500K subscribers+ was very surprised when you only had 1.1K! Look forward to all your other videos!
Thank you so much Joseph, that means a lot!
starting broll was super nice
Thank you brother! Did some serious archive digging to get some clips of the lens haha. Nico Froehlich, Noah Twine and Sophia Bishop shot a lot of it!
Been looking for a streetphotography review of this lens. Thank you!
Cheers Miguel! Glad you enjoyed it
Sam I have the same lens use it on my D850 I absolutely love the separation. I too thought I get a faux medium format look especially with my D850. What Nikon do you use yours with? Btw enjoy your sincerity in your videos. Keep up the great work!
Thanks dude! Sincerity is my only goal so thank you for recognising that. I use a D610, it’s been retired now for my Fuji system but I still use it occasionally.
What camera you using with it ?..........trying to find out if this lens focuses well with nikon d810
This is with a Nikon D610. From experience, the lens is lighting quick so I’m sure it would be the same if not better on a D810
what camera are u using? is sigma 85mm lens depends the camera you using to get better image quality? thanks
I’m using a Nikon D610. The image quality depends on the camera and the lens. Sharp lens and a good sensor in a camera will produce the best quality
@@samvholt thank you very much, i bought canon 90D so i wanna get sigma 85mm will i get best image quality i wanna be just a model
Have you ever used it on a cropped sensor?
Hey Colin, I haven’t unfortunately. But I imagine it would still perform very well, it would act more as a 125mm on a cropped sensor
Thank you for this review! I just bought the same lens but I'm finding that the focus is not as sharp as I'd like at 1.4-1.8. Is this a normal problem? Do you usually shoot at 2.8 with portraits?
Shooting at 1.4 on a lens this long will be very soft as your plane of focus is so thin. Stop it down to around 2.8 - 4 and test if it is back or front focusing. Might be worth getting your camera and lens calibrated if that’s the case!
J'ai le même problème. Obligé de faire micro réglage AF avec mon boîtier D7100. Je suis à+15. Je n'ai pas respecté les tutos sur micro réglage back focus front focus. Je ne suis pas satisfait encore. Dommage pour le prix. Il existe d'autres solutions avec dock USB Sigma (60€)😢.
Super video. Helped with my decision to go and buy one today. 📸
Nice one Rob! Glad I could help
Thank you for your fair and educational review ! Take care.
Thank you for the comment! Take care yourself ✌️
I have this lens on a D750 and it's incredible. But sometimes it's restrictive. I need one more lens and i am thinking about a prime like 50mm or 35mm. Otherwise, a 24-70. What do you suggest?
A 24-70 will give you the most flexibility from what you’ve said. I used to run with the 35 and 85mm, but I definitely felt like a 50 would have been helpful. 24-70 covers both of those
What do you like about the lens wide open if not the sharpness?
just bought this today after watching your video. Thanks mate :)
Amazing! Enjoy the lens, you won’t be disappointed. Glad I could help!
Hi. I am planning to buy that lens for my Nikon D5600. I wonder how is it with AF? If you have any idea
The AF is so quick. Bear in mind on your camera the focal length with be around 130mm because of the cropped sensor
I know it's not a lens made for video, but I wonder how video performance happens on a full frame machine
I’ve used it for video loads! It’s amazing for B roll and talking head. Isolated subjects so nicely. I would say if you’re doing interviews or product videos, this will be golden
How is the AF accuracy? And did you had to calibrate the lens for any back or front focus?
I want this lens but heard that the AF could be a problem.
Hi Toni,
The AF accuracy was something I actually had to work on a bit. The reason being is that Sigma’s lenses are made for across the board use, with the mounts being changed for individual brands. So where Nikon can tailor each lens to their cameras and their specific line up, Sigma make an “all around” lens design, so it works across the board. I did find that my lens back focused a lot when I got it, so I went and got it calibrated (check out Tommy Reynolds video on his channel, it’s my lens we are calibrating in the video!) I would recommend calibrating your lenses anyway if you’re using a DSLR. I also had to calibrate my Sigma 24-35 so it’s definitely a 3rd party thing.
However, once it’s calibrated it’s a dream to use. So sharp, so quick to focus and the images are just something else.
I hope this helps!
@@samvholt Thanks. All my Sigma art lenses are calibrated so nothing out of the ordinary. Only the 50-100 f1.8 was perfect out of the box. I will give it a try👍
I loved the video, very good work! I wish you a lot more subscribers :)
Thanks!
Great review! You deserve more views
Thank you Eliza! Appreciate it
hi! Would you recommend the sigma 85 mm 1.4 for wedding photography? I’m worried about the autofocusing. I have a sigma 35 mm and I find that sometimes if I’m shooting a couple or group of people not everyone is in focus and it is very frustrating. I’m wondering if this happens with the 85
Hi Madeleine! Thanks for watching. With the Sigma 35, I would seriously consider getting it calibrated to your camera. I did that for both my Sigma lenses (24-35 and 85. Not the lenses fault, it the focusing plane in the camera, and with third party lenses sometimes they are a one shoe fits all scenario. The 85mm is amazing for portraits and isolating your subjects. I wouldn’t use it for group shots unless you are very far away and going for a particular look (check my faux medium format video). The autofocus on this lens is insanely quick, even on my old Nikon D610.
Is this lense better for sony a6400??
I use the canon 90D canon can I use this 85 mm1.4 for video. I do beauty video here on RUclips am interested in it but am not sure if it’s good or sigma 50 mm 1.4 will appreciate your response 😊👍
Hey Estelle. If you get the Canon Mount version then it will work on your camera, however as this is a “full frame” lens then on the 90D it will have an equivalent of around 130mm. I would say maybe check out the 50mm as that would have the equivalent of 75mm on your camera (due to the 1.5x crop)
Sam Holt thanks I will try the 50 mm I just like how 85 blurs and focuses on the object but still I don’t what’s you mean by canon mount version 😢 I like how you explained yours with fact of usage rather than a lot who just put out content with usage just for view and all that thanks for the response I appreciate 😍
You’ll get a very similar effect with the 50mm especially if shooting at a wider aperture. By “Mount” I mean the version of the lens you buy. Sigma makes versions for Nikon, Canon and Sony so if you want to use it with your Canon you need to get the Canon Mount. Hope that helps! And thank you for the kind words :)
Good fair review but In one respect I must take issue with you. You say that Canon and Nikon spend more money on Research and Development than Sigma. Unless you have the costing for this particular lens and the Art series in general to back up this claim you should not make it. I use mainly Nikkor lenses (20+) and in no way are the Art lenses (I have three) in either construction or performance inferior - indeed they are generally optically superior and as well engineered. The reason they are cheaper is twofold. The costs of designing, tooling, production and marketing form a large part of the lens cost. This has to be divided on the basis of projected sales. Therefore although the costs for a kit lens may be similar to those of an extreme telephoto those costs have to be shared in the former among sales of perhaps a million and in the latter perhaps a few hundred. Where Sigma can undercut the Canon and Nikon is that those company supply lenses for their camera mounts alone which limits the number they can expect to sell. Not only do Sigma make lenses for both these brands (and more for mirrorless) but should you change brands Sigma will relatively inexpensively change the mount on Art series lens. Remember too that for every lens Sigma sells the others sell one less which puts pressure on their prices! My other point is that Sigma have invested in what is probably the most up to date manufacturing facility in the world with high productivity which keeps down costs. I should perhaps point our that I have no connection with the company.
This review is fantastic ! I’ve been looking for another art series lens for my car photography, this is definitely on my list... any other suggestions? Subscribed as well
Hey Justin! Thanks for the kind words. I really love the 85mm for automotive work. It compresses everything and makes lines on cars really pop. I would say you can’t go wrong with the Sigma 50mm either
Is it worth it for Nikon D3300? Nikkor 85mm 1.4 is like 40% more expensive
Hi Sam, Fantastic video and review. Look like a great lens. I am thinking about purchasing but my only hesitation is the 86mm filter size. I shoot video and need an ND filter (currently own an 82mm ND filter). Do you reckon a stepdown ring would work for this considering it is such a tight lens or reckon it would vignette?
Hey mate, I personally don’t know much about filters, I’ve never used them. However I would think that putting an 82mm filter on an 86mm filter thread would cause some pretty heavy vignette. I’m not sure how much of the front element is utilised but I would imagine it would produce vignette if you were to do so.
Great review, thank you!
You’re welcome!
nice video, does thi s video work with cannon 5 d mark 111 ?
Yep! Make sure you get a canon Mount version
@@samvholt oh okay, on the sigma webiste, it says the 85mm DG DN is for mirrorless cameras and cannon 5 d mark 111 is not a mirrorless camera, so thats why i got confused?
Thanks for the review…especially since it’s a true long term review! Those photos are just 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Keep up the great work!
Cheers!
Sigma and B & H list the weight as actually 1.3 kg. That is the only reason I am hesitating. It's still the best bang for the buck available for Canon, anyway. Nice review though! Thanks!
Fair enough! Any lens that focal length is going to be hefty really, especially with a 1.4 aperture. Maybe worth going to a store and trying them out?
Good video, good review thank you
can you use filters with the lens hood on?
I don’t use filters, however I imagine you would be able to.
Secondhand Nikkor 85mm f1.4Gs are about the same price or even cheaper - I love the look of the Sigma images, but it's too big and heavy for me.
Almost convinced me to get my own 85mm! Well argued
Hahaha do it! At least test one out. I’m probably going to switch to a 50mm on the Fuji system but if someone made a 50-85 I would buy that in a heartbeat
What body do you use ???
I used a Nikon D610 with the Sigma 85mm
Is this lens compatible with nikon d500
Yep!
Only thing to note is the crop factor
Would this lens fit a Nikon D7000?
Yep! But bare in mind the crop factor so it will be a 135ish mm
What camera are you using with this lens for this video?
I’m using a Nikon D610. My first full frame camera that’s still going strong today. Honestly, a full frame sensor and this lens are an epic combo
@@samvholt I'm in need of upgrading my camera gear. Thanks for the info man! Very helpful 🙌🏽
No worries! Hope all goes well with the upgrades 🙌
@@samvholt One more question if you don't mind me asking. Do the photos straight out of the camera with these lens look descent without any editing?
I always post process my images so I wouldn’t be able to tell you unfortunately!
It would work on my apsc t6 canon?
It would, however because it’s a “full frame” lens it would perform as a roughly 125mm on your camera
Great photos!
Thank you!
QUESTION: has the next generation of this lens come out yet
From my research it seems sigma has only re-released the 35mm art lens and it’s for mirrorless bodies. There should only be one version of the other focal lengths in the art series currently.
What a great honest down to earth vid ... just purchased mine same reason wedding coming up hope I get it in time though 👍
Thank you mate! You'll love it. I wish I had mine arrive just before that wedding haha. It's a great lens and I'm sure you'll enjoy it!
Is there ND filter for this lens ?
The thread size is 86mm so you'll have to get an ND filter for that thread. Hope this helps!
You've a great eye. Keep going.
Thank you John!
It is worth the upgrade from the Nikon 85mm 1.8
Depends what you’re after. That Nikon is perfectly capable, and I imagine if you’re shooting anything about f/2.8 you’d struggle to tell the difference. Depends how important autofocus is for you, again something I really doubt you’d notice unless it’s a much older Nikon lens. If in doubt, save the cash and spend it elsewhere haha
You should focus less on how other people do things, it has no real impact on you. You also already admitted bias so your version isn't ideal either.
Unsure what you mean. Everybody has a bias, you can choose to listen to my opinion or not, either way it’s impossible to avoid being influenced by something or someone.
@@samvholt As far as a review, I'm confident I could leave my personal feelings out of it. Maybe everyone can't, but I'm confident I could. I'm just saying, you're flaming other people for doing something that has 0 impact on your life, other than the amount you, yourself let it affect you. It's counterproductive.
I’m struggling to find the part where I start flaming other people to be honest with you
@@samvholt That's okay, misguided focus or flaming, specifics aren't important to the point I'm making.
I’m still yet to understand your point