85mm F1.4 DG DN | Art Impression

The 85mm F1.4 DG DN | Art, which is designed exclusively for mirrorless cameras, achieves the best-in-class image quality suitable for our "Art” position by taking full advantage of short flange focal distance. At the same time, it is far more compact and portable than traditional 85mm F1.4 lenses. It is available in the L-Mount and the Sony E-Mount. This article consists of photo gallery, image quality check, and product description.

Bokeh taste and resolution of focal plane are the fundamental features of a 85mm F1.4 lens, also known as the "portrait lens.” The key characteristics of this lens is high transparency of bokeh. Thanks to the minimization of chromatic aberration, it is unclouded and has a great gap from the focal plane, which is extremely sharp at wide open. As a result, it produces rich and realistic 3-dimensional effect. In addition, minimal level of vignetting brings more freedom in composition. Eye AF function is supported for quick shooting. The compact barrel allows you to shoot portraits in all types of locations including indoor studios as well as outdoor settings.

Rina Saito
Solo and ensemble pianist playing worldwide
Education: Studying at Master’s Program for Music Studies, Tokyo University of the Arts / Bachelor of Music, Department of Instrumental Music, Tokyo University of the Arts / Graduated from the Music High School Attached to the Faculty of Music, Tokyo University of the Arts

For some people, subjects for portrait photography are women in studio. For others, they are close people in a real-life setting. At F2.8, the lens reproduced the man’s wrinkles on his shy face in great detail. Yet, the bokeh is soft front and back thanks to the 11 diaphragm blades.

The angle of view for 85mm focal length helps to focus on the essential elements. In landscape and snap photography, it vividly expresses the very impression of the scene by only showing the element that appeared impressive. The edge-to-edge resolution and beautiful bokeh bring the special atmosphere that a zoom lens cannot produce. Distortion is perfectly controlled as well.

85mm F1.4 DG DN | Art
(L-Mount / Sony E-mount)

85mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
(SIGMA SA Mount / Nikon F Mount / Canon EF Mount / Sony E-mount / L-Mount)

Taking advantage of the short flange focal distance of mirrorless system, this lens employs a unique lens construction that other 85mm lenses do not. And, it is entirely different from the one used for the 85mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art, which is designed primarily for DSLR cameras. As for extra-low dispersion lens, it uses five SLD glasses. Improving image quality and compactization were made possible by optically correcting axial color aberration which can only be corrected optically, while utilizing in-camera correction to deal with vignetting and distortion. In the following section, we will compare this lens with competitors in terms of chromatic aberration, sagittal coma flare, bokeh size, as well as bokeh balls.

* Red boxes are enlarged. All shot at wide open.

A comparison with the 85mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art. Though the two lenses maintain very high resolution by controlling chromatic aberration and minimizing color shift, this lens wins by the closest margin.

* Red boxes are enlarged. All shot at wide open.

Another comparison with the 85mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art. While it is assumed that large-diameter lenses are prone to sagittal coma flare, this lens depicts the light source more sharply and corrects chromatic aberration more effectively than the competitor.

* All shot at wide open.

Bokeh size is vital for a 85mm F1.4 lens. The power of F1.4 is obvious when it is compared with the F1.8 counterpart. Additionally, transparency of bokeh is higher thanks to the higher clarity achieved by minimizing chromatic aberration. Also, brightness is uniform throughout the frame because of the minimal level of vignetting.

Circularity of the bokeh balls is also an essential trait for a 85mm lens. The area with true circles is much wider than that of the F1.8 counterpart and this means that beautiful bokeh balls are available throughout the frame maintaining shallow depth of field. Generally speaking, circularity of bokeh balls increases by stopping down. However, it leads to small bokeh size and weak 3-dimensional effect. By reducing the dilemma, this lens provides greater freedom in expression.

Variety of functions can be assigned to the AFL button. The aperture ring allows direct control of the aperture from the lens. The Iris Ring Click Switch can be used to remove clicks. And, the lock switch on the other side is used to either secure the aperture setting at the A position or free it to be turned for the desired position except the A position. And, it is easy and safe to attach or remove the hood thanks to the the lock mechanism.

The 85mm F1.4 DG DN | Art provides mellow bokeh taste that only F1.4 can produce and exceptionally high resolution at wide open. The key strength is the combination between the best-in-class image quality that redefines the standards of the 85mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art developed as "the ultimate portrait lens” and the compact size that is equivalent to typical 85mm F1.8 lenses. We made it possible by taking full advantage of high optical technology and in-camera correction. The AFL button and switches enhance operability and the dust/splash-proof construction gives more confidence in adverse conditions. This lens will bring maximum flexibility and joy to all situations including portrait photography.