In this review I will be covering the full frame E-mount Sigma FE 105mm f/1.4 Lens using the powerful Sony A7R IV.
The Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens goes for ~ $1600 US and weighs in at 3.62 lb / 1.64 kg. So, it’s not exactly cheap or light weight, but it produces some absolutely stunning results in my opinion and falls into the category for as one of those speciality lenses I would love to have, but would most likely only use for special portrait sessions due to the size and weight.
I had an absolute blast using this lens and got some of the best portraits of my kids in a log time! Enjoy the highly detailed review below, and be sure to scroll down for sample photos and links to recommended accessories and so forth…
Also, please feel free to ask questions and let me know what you think of this beast of a lens!
My Sony E-Mount Lens Guides: https://www.sonyalphalab.com/guides/e-mount-lens-guides/
VIDEO NAVIGATION LINKS:
- – Intro: 0:00
- – Hands-On: 0:42
- – Lab Testing: 3:17
- – Real World Photos: 8:27
- – Video Testing: 18:08
- – Conclusions: 19:25
LENS & RECOMMENDED LENS ACCESSORIES:
- – Sigma FE 105mm f/1.4 Lens
- – 105mm ND Lens Filters: https://bhpho.to/2Es0pte
- – 105mm Polarizing Lens Filters: https://bhpho.to/2FSqOki
- – 105mm UV Protective Lens Filters: https://bhpho.to/3llfnSq
- – 105mm Lens Cap: – Rear Lens Cap: https://bhpho.to/3kvjjj5
Real World Sample Photos
My son Jase…
My daughter Layla…
Full Scene Lab Testing – Sharpness/ Aperture Run w/ 100% Crops
As you will see with the 100% Crops, the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG Lens performs exceptionally well in my opinion. Be sure to click on the photos for a larger view and detailed inspection.
F/1.4 
F/1.4 
F/1.4 
F/1.4 
F/1.4 
F/1.8 
F/1.8 
F/1.8 
F/1.8 
F/1.8 
F/2.8 
F/2.8 
F/2.8 
F/2.8 
F/2.8 
F/4 
F/4 
F/4 
F/4 
F/4 
F/5.6 
F/5.6 
F/5.6 
F/5.6 
F/5.6 
F/8 
F/8 
F/8 
F/8 
F/8 
F/11 
F/11 
F/11 
F/11 
F/11 
F/16 
F/16 
F/16 
F/16 
F/16
MFD = Minimum Focus Distance Test
As I said above, I missed the focus on the quarter by a tiny bit so it’s not as sharp as it could be due to my human error. However the sharpness tests above are dead accurate, so please refer to those images for sharpness testing and use these images to get an idea of minimum focus distance magnification and background bokeh ball rendering….
F/1.4 
F/1.4 
F/1.8 
F/1.8 
F/2.8 
F/2.8 
F/4 
F/4 
F/5.6 
F/5.6 
F/8 
F/8 
F/11 
F/11 
F/16 
F/16
Closing Remarks
As you can clearly see from the sample photos and extensive lab testing, the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG Lens is absolutely killer optically in my opinion. With that being said, the Auto Focus as tested on the A7 III was not the greatest and required me to use AF-C mode a lot of the time and occasionally manual mode. The lens is also pretty darn heavy making a burden to hold for an extended period of time and/ or when in more difficult angles like being low to the ground for example.
The image quality produced is so awesome though, I would be willing to use a lens like this for special occasions like portrait sessions in particular for example.
Hopefully Sigma will eventually release a new version of this lens optimized for the mirrorless cameras as opposed to a DSLR lens that was basically converted to adapt to mirrorless. This is why the autofocus is not the greatest as far as I can tell, and really the biggest downside of this lens in my opinion.
That is about it for this review and I really hope you got what you were looking for. Please feel free to ask questions below and have a wonderful day, Jay
