Sigma has announced a new 35mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens for video and still shooters alike. The lens refresh improves upon the 35mm F1.4 DG HSM with a lighter and more compact design, but what video shooters might like most is a dedicated manual aperture ring, allowing you to adjust the aperture without needing to toggle the camera settings.
Being part of the Art series, the 35mm F1.4 DG DN is Sigma's best in terms of optical performance and build. It's constructed from 15 elements in 11 groups, with two aspherical elements and a single FLD and ELD element to reduce aberrations and improve overall sharpness. The 11 blade aperture is going to produce some amazing bokeh and out-of-focus elements, and the 67mm front filter thread is going to allow you to attach common filters.
Credit: Sigma
There is also an AFL (Autofocus Lock) button, which you can use to lock in focus, or it can be customized in the menu. Say you want to use it to switch from full-frame mode to crop mode. With the AFL button, you can do that.
The lens sizes are slightly different when it comes to L mount or E mount, but they are both going to be lighter and smaller than the HSM version. The 35mm F1.4 DG DN is 4.3" in length and weighs 645g. It isn't the lightest or smallest 35mm on the market, so it will take some adjusting on a gimbal. That said, the construction is solid and features Sigma's weather-resistant design.
The 35mm F1.4 DG DN is available for $899.
For reference, the 35mm F1.4 DG HSM has dropped in price to $799, and if you want a little more bang for your buck, the 35mm F2.0 DG DN is only $639.
