The Impressive Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm: a Travel Photographer’s Review

20221211 Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm 020
Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm X Mount
Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm Review

Are you looking for a Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm review? The Bumper Crew has it covered!

The Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN is touted as a fast portrait prime for Fujifilm’s APS-C X-mount cameras. Portraiture isn’t why I bought the Sigma – I bought it for travel photography. Despite the focal length being an 85mm full-frame equivalent, it’s still a useful focal length with an incredible aperture that can come in handy for travel photography.

At the point of writing this Sigma 56mm review, I’ve used it for some travel photography in Bridgnorth and at Blists Hill Victorian Town, a wedding, the National Memorial Arboretum and for taking some pictures of our cats for this review. So, how does it perform as a travel photographer’s lens? Read on to learn more about the Sigma 56mm f1.4 for Fujifilm!

You can buy the lens over on Amazon*.

20221211 Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm 040
Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA)

Sigma 56mm f1.4 DC DN Fujifilm Review

The Sigma 56mm f1.4 DC DN is an excellent choice for your Fujifilm camera. It’s smaller, lighter and cheaper than the equivalent Fujifilm XF56mm F1.2 R WR. It’s a great alternative if you’re on a budget or not a hardcore Fujifilm fanboy. The Sigma 56mm f1.4 DC DN churns out sharp pictures, has a wide aperture and is a bargain compared to the Fujifilm XF56mm. Before we start, below are some pros and cons of the Sigma 56mm. You’ll notice the cons section is short – there isn’t much to complain about with this lens.

Pros

+ Small & light

+ Great image quality

+ Fast f1.4 aperture

+ Cheaper than the Fujifilm equivalent

Cons

– No image stabilisation

– No aperture ring

– No weather sealing

20221211 Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm 038
Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm at the Armed Forces Memorial, NMA

First Impressions

I’ve owned Sigma lenses before when I used to shoot on Nikon, so I already had a bit of trust that Sigma would deliver another decent lens. The Sigma 56mm is small and light, and although it’s got an excellent build quality, it doesn’t feel as solid as the Fujifilm lenses I’m used to. It also has a matt finish, which doesn’t look as nice at home on the front of my Fuji, but I can accept that, given it’s got the classic finish of a Sigma lens.

The other noticeable thing is the missing aperture ring. Fujifilm X Series cameras are known for their classic look and feel, and something I now really like about the Fujifilm lenses is the aperture rings. I rarely shoot in any mode other than aperture priority and almost always at the widest possible aperture.

Hence, I rely on the aperture ring to tell me the lens is at its widest without having to check anything other than feeling it can’t rotate any further. With the Sigma, I have to use the rear command dial. It’s not a big problem and didn’t take long to adjust, but I prefer the aperture ring. Initially, the lens didn’t feel right without it, but I’m now used to it after some use.

20221211 Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm 037
Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm X Mount

Build

The Sigma 56mm f1.4 for Fujifilm feels like a solid lens. Still, it doesn’t feel as solid as Fujifilm’s XF lenses because they are made from so-called Thermally Stable Composite material, not metal, so they have a slightly plastic feel. That’s not to say it feels poor quality – they have a matt finish and feel nice, but they don’t feel as solid as the Fujifilm XF lenses. On the lens barrel sits the focus ring, which is relatively broad and super smooth to operate.

20221210 Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm 009
Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm aperture blades

Although the Sigma has a different finish to Fujifilm bodies and lenses that I’m used to, it still feels and looks good on the camera. And it’s small, measuring only 60mm (length) x 67mm (diameter) and looks balanced when the lens hood is fitted. As you’d expect for its size, it’s also light – weighing in at a featherweight 280g.

Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm 053
Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm X Mount

The other noticeable difference with the Sigma is that there is no aperture ring like you come to expect from Fujifilm XF lenses, which is something I very much like about them. The lens is also without a dedicated focus switch. This isn’t a concern for me because I rarely shoot in manual focus; it’s easily overridden to make fine adjustments when in autofocus, and the camera can easily be set to manual with the switch on the body.

The lens glass is coated in Sigma’s Super Multi-Layer coating, designed to reduce flare and ghosting in backlit conditions. A lens hood is also included to help keep those stray light rays out, which can negatively affect rendering performance.

Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm 054
Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm X Mount

Sadly, the Sigma 56mm isn’t weather-sealed. There is a gasket at the mount to prevent some dust and moisture from getting in, but there is no further weather sealing in the lens barrel, so you might want to avoid shooting in adverse conditions. Talking of the mount – it’s made from brass.

Performance

Optically, the Sigma 56mm f1.4 is as good as I would expect from a modern lens on a mirrorless camera – it’s pin-sharp where it needs to be. I’m not a pixel peeper and don’t pay particular attention to the very edges of the frame because they are rarely necessary to me. What I am concerned about is the autofocus. Thankfully, the Sigma performs as well as I would expect – it doesn’t miss a beat and is rapid. Unless you’re shooting sport at f1.4, you won’t find any issues with the autofocus. The Sigma 56mm f1.4 autofocus is also almost entirely silent.

20221210 Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm 007
Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm X Mount

Specifications

Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN C vs Fujifilm XF 56mm F1.2 R WR Specs

Although this post isn’t a Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN C vs Fujifilm XF 56mm F1.2 R WR comparison, below is a table to compare the two to make a better-informed choice about which lens is suitable for you, should you be considering the Fujifilm lens.

Lens FeatureSigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN CFujifilm XF 56mm F1.2 R WR
Lens typePrimePrime
Focal length56 mm56 mm
Image stabilisationNoNo
Lens configuration10 elements in 6
groups
13 elements in 8
groups
Max apertureF1.4F1.2
Min apertureF16F16
Aperture blades911
Aperture ringNoYes
Min focus distance0.5 m0.5 m
Focus methodInternalExtending front
Full-time manualNoYes
Max magnification0.14x0.14x
Weight280 g445 g
Length60 mm76 mm
Diameter67 mm80 mm
Filter thread55 mm67 mm
Hood suppliedYesYes
Weather sealingYesYes
Lens wrapping clothNoYes

Deciding Factors and Verdict

Before buying the Sigma 56mm, I spent a long time researching the Sigma and its rival – the Fujifilm 56mm and ultimately opted for the Sigma. The cost and weight led to my decision to buy the Sigma 56mm f1.4 over the Fujifilm 56mm f1.2. The two lenses are so close in almost every area that it’s hard to see any significant differences on paper and in real-world use. However, the cost of the Sigma is significantly cheaper and nearly a third lighter.

Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm 051
Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm X Mount

Cost is always a factor for me, and the Sigma came in at just under £500 cheaper than the Fujifilm. That’s a lot of money when the lens specs aren’t significantly different. Size and weight are also vital because I travel so much, so my camera’s primary use is travel photography. And I like to travel light because my camera goes almost everywhere with me, and the Sigma outperformed the Fujifilm 56mm in weight. It’s 125 grams lighter, which doesn’t sound much, but the weight quickly increases when carrying multiple lenses.

20221203 Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm 001
Nala, shot on the Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm X Mount

Sample Images

Below are some sample images taken on the Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm. Click any picture below or throughout the rest of the post to open it in a new tab. Each file has been processed through Adobe Camera Raw with the following save options:

  • 1500k file size limit
  • 12-inch longest side @ 300ppi
  • Sharpened for screen – standard amount
20221211 Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm 010
Stacey, shot on Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm
20221211 Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm 032
Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm X Mount
20221204 Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm 002
Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm X Mount
20221211 Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm 034
Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm X Mount
20221211 Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm 042
Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm X Mount

FAQs

What is the Sigma 56mm f1.4 lens for Fujifilm?

The Sigma 56mm f1.4 lens is a high-quality prime lens designed specifically for Fujifilm X-mount cameras. It has a focal length of 56mm, making it ideal for portrait, street, and travel photography.

What are the key features of the Sigma 56mm f1.4 lens?

The Sigma 56mm f1.4 lens has several features that make it stand out. These include a fast maximum aperture of f/1.4, which allows for excellent low-light performance and a lovely shallow depth of field. It also has a high-quality optical design with 10 elements in 6 groups, including two SLD elements and one aspherical element, which helps to reduce chromatic aberration and distortion. The lens has a silent autofocus motor and a manual focus override option.

What cameras are the Sigma 56mm f1.4 lens compatible with?

The Sigma 56mm f1.4 lens is designed specifically for Fujifilm X-mount cameras, including the X-T4, X-T3, X-T2, X-T1, X-H1, X-Pro3, X-Pro2, X-E3, X-E2, and X-E1. It is not compatible with other camera systems.

What types of photography is the Sigma 56mm f1.4 lens best suited for?

The Sigma 56mm f1.4 lens is ideal for portrait, street and travel photography. Its fast aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and gorgeous shallow depth of field, leading to beautiful bokeh. The lens also has a high-quality optical design that helps to minimize distortion and chromatic aberration, making it well-suited for detailed and high-quality images.

Is it worth getting the Sigma 56mm f1.4 for Fujifilm?

Yes, if you think it’s the right focal length to suit your needs. The aperture is beautiful, and the lens is small, light, well designed and robust. You won’t be disappointed if you opt for this over the Fujifilm 56mm f1.2. It rivals the Fujifilm lens in quality and beats it in price.

Is it worth getting a Sigma lens?

Yes, that is the short answer to this. Although Sigma lenses aren’t as good as their Fujifilm counterparts, they are a good alternative when considering quality and features against the price. And to be fair to Sigma, the picture quality gap is so close you wouldn’t even notice. So, unless you’re a pixel peeper, don’t worry about the differences in quality.

Is the Sigma 56mm f1.4 lens weather-sealed?

No. The Sigma 56mm features a gasket at the mount to protect against moisture and dust, but there is no weather sealing throughout the lens barrel. This means it’s not entirely protected against moisture and dust. However, it is still a high-quality, durable lens well-suited for various shooting conditions.

Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm Review

  1. First Impressions
  2. Build
  3. Performance
  4. Specifications
  5. Deciding Factors and Verdict
  6. Sample Images

*Affiliate link disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase, which comes at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and services that we believe will be of value to you 🙂

Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm Review

If you want to keep up with our travels, please subscribe to our mailing list. We won’t spam you; we’ll only contact you with exciting news and new stuff! Enter your email in the box below and hit subscribe!

20200417 Web Scans 6

Leave a Reply