Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM - Review

The Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art Lens for Nikon F has been highly praised by photographers for its stunning image quality, fast and accurate autofocus, and solid build quality. Let's dive deeper into this lens and see what makes it such a standout performer.

Design and Build Quality

The Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art Lens for Nikon F is built to last. Its sturdy, all-metal construction is impressive, and it feels well-balanced and comfortable in the hand. Weighing in at just over 2.5 pounds, it's not the lightest lens on the market, but it more than makes up for its weight with its outstanding performance and durability.

One bonus feature of the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art is that it is weather-sealed, meaning that it can withstand moderate amounts of rain, dust and moisture. This makes it a great choice for photographers who like to shoot outdoors in various weather conditions.

Image Quality

The Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art Lens for Nikon F is optimized for full-frame DSLR cameras and produces stunningly sharp images with excellent color and contrast. The large f/1.8 aperture allows for shallow depth-of-field effects, making it an excellent choice for portrait photography.

Bokeh, the quality of the out-of-focus areas in an image, is essential to many photographers, and the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art does not disappoint in this aspect. Its nine-bladed diaphragm produces smooth, creamy bokeh that adds an extra dimension to your images.

Autofocus

One of the standout features of the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art Lens for Nikon F is its fast and accurate autofocus. The new large hyper sonic motor (HSM) delivers ample torque to the focusing group for outstanding speed, ensuring exceptionally stable performance even at lower speeds. The lens also includes full-time manual focus override, which lets you make fine adjustments to focus without switching out of autofocus mode.

Minimum Focusing Distance

The minimum focusing distance of the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art Lens for Nikon F is 87.5cm / 34.4 inches, which is standard for a lens of this type. It's not a macro lens, so it's not designed for ultra-close-up shots, but it still allows you to get close enough to your subject to capture the details you need.

Handcrafted in Japan

Like all Sigma Global Vision lenses, the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art is handcrafted at Sigma's single factory in Aizu, Japan. Each lens undergoes individual evaluation before leaving the factory, ensuring the highest level of quality and performance.

Customer Reviews

With 108 reviews on the website, the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art for Nikon F has an impressive rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Customers rave about the lens' sharpness, bokeh, and autofocus, making it a great choice for portrait and event photography.

One customer said, "This lens is amazing! The images that I've captured with this lens are incredibly sharp and the bokeh is incredibly beautiful. Autofocus is speedy and accurate, and the build quality is top-notch. This is the perfect lens for portrait photography."

Another customer added, "I've owned this lens for over a year, and it's been my go-to for portraits and event photography. The bokeh is lovely, and the sharpness is incredible. I highly recommend this lens."

Conclusion

The Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art Lens for Nikon F is a standout performer in its class. Its excellent build quality, image quality, and autofocus make it a must-have lens for portrait and event photographers. It's not a budget lens, but its quality justifies its price.

In conclusion, if you're in the market for a high-quality portrait lens or an event photography lens and have the budget, the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art Lens for Nikon F is an excellent choice. With a solid build, stunning image quality, and fast autofocus, it's a lens that will not disappoint and be a valuable addition to your camera bag.

Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM

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