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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.
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
First Impressions
I’ve owned Sigma lenses before, when I used to shoot on Nikon, so I already had some 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 matte finish, which doesn’t look as nice 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 absence of an aperture ring. Fujifilm X Series cameras are known for their classic look and feel, and one thing I now really like about 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.
Build
The Sigma 56mm f1.4 for Fujifilm feels like a solid lens. It doesn’t feel as solid as Fujifilm’s XF lenses because the Sigma lenses 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.
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.
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 for fine adjustments when in autofocus, and the camera can 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.
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 sports at f1.4, you won’t find any issues with the autofocus. The Sigma 56mm f/1.4 autofocus is also almost entirely silent.
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, the table below compares the two to help you make a better-informed choice about which lens is suitable for you, should you be considering the Fujifilm lens.
| Lens Feature | Sigma 56mm F1.4 DC DN C | Fujifilm XF 56mm F1.2 R WR |
|---|---|---|
| Lens type | Prime | Prime |
| Focal length | 56 mm | 56 mm |
| Image stabilisation | No | No |
| Lens configuration | 10 elements in 6 groups | 13 elements in 8 groups |
| Max aperture | F1.4 | F1.2 |
| Min aperture | F16 | F16 |
| Aperture blades | 9 | 11 |
| Aperture ring | No | Yes |
| Min focus distance | 0.5 m | 0.5 m |
| Focus method | Internal | Extending front |
| Full-time manual | No | Yes |
| Max magnification | 0.14x | 0.14x |
| Weight | 280 g | 445 g |
| Length | 60 mm | 76 mm |
| Diameter | 67 mm | 80 mm |
| Filter thread | 55 mm | 67 mm |
| Hood supplied | Yes | Yes |
| Weather sealing | Yes | Yes |
| Lens wrapping cloth | No | Yes |
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 me 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 Sigma is significantly cheaper and nearly a third lighter.
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 like much, but the weight quickly adds up when carrying multiple lenses.
Sample Images
Below are some sample images taken with the Sigma 56mm f1.4 Fujifilm lens. 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
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 features a high-quality optical design that helps minimise distortion and chromatic aberration, making it well-suited for detailed, 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 in terms of quality and features for the price. And to be fair to Sigma, the picture-quality gap is so small 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.
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