Introduction

Ease of Use

Weighing in at 1150g and measuring 13.5cms in length, the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art is a very big lens indeed, almost identical to the Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM and the Sigma 12-24mm F4 DG HSM Art lenses that we've previously reviewed.

While you can use the Sigma 14-24mm on a smaller APS-C body for a 21-36mm equivalent angle of view, it won't balance very well at all. As demonstrated by the images below, it's a much better match for a professional-grade, full-frame camera like the Canon EOS 5DS R, and even then you'd probably want to fit a battery grip when using it hand-held.

In terms of features, the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art offers all the basics that you need, with one main improvement when compared to previous Art lenses, namely enhanced weather-sealing. It features special sealing at the mount connection, manual focus ring, zoom ring and cover connection, borrowed directly from the Sports range of Sigma lenses.

The main "missing feature" is the lack of built-in Vibration Reduction, although most of this lens' main rivals don't offer it either (with the exception of the Tamron SP 15-30mm f2.8 Di VC USD).

The Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art lens mounted on a Canon EOS 5DS R

The Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art lens mounted on a Canon EOS 5DS R

The Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art lens mounted on a Canon EOS 5DS R, zoomed to 24mm

The Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art lens mounted on a Canon EOS 5DS R

The Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art lens mounted on a Canon EOS 5DS R, zoomed to 24mm

The Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art lens alongside a Canon EOS 5DS R

Build quality is excellent. The lens has a plastic shell with a mixture of metallic parts and a compound material, TSC (Thermally Stable Composite), used inside. It also incorporates a brass bayonet mount that's supposed to be more durable. The optical elements are made of high-grade glass.

Side of the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art lens

Side of the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art lens

Focusing is usefully internal and manual focusing is possible when set via the Focus switch on the lens barrel. Full-time manual focus override is also available at any time simply by rotating the focus ring.

The Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art lens has a generously sized focus ring. There are hard stops at both ends of the range, too, making it easier to set focus at infinity.

A clear distance scale in both feet and meters runs from the closest focusing distance of 0.26m / 10.24in. to infinity, but there is no depth of field scale.

Front of the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art lens

Rear of the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art lens

When it comes to auto-focusing, the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art zoom is a quick performer, taking about 0.15 seconds to lock onto the subject when mounted on the Canon EOS 5DS R that we tested it with.

We didn't experience much "hunting", either in good or bad light, with the lens accurately focusing almost all of the time. It's also a very quiet performer, thanks to the built-in HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which makes this lens well-suited to video recording.

Front of the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art lens

Rear of the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art lens

The Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art ships with a good quality soft case, a fixed plastic petal-shaped lens hood and a large round lens cap. Given the cost of the lens, we'd have liked to have seen a hard case included. Note that this lens doesn't accept standard screw-on circular filters due to its large, bulbous front element.

The Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art lens in-hand

Focal Range

At the 14mm focal length the angle of view is 114.2 degrees, and at the 24mm focal length it's 84.1 degrees.

 Field of view at 14mm

Field of view at 24mm

Chromatic Aberrations

Chromatic aberrations, typically seen as purple or blue fringes along contrasty edges, is generally very well-controlled but can be detected in some shots, as shown below.

Light Fall-off

With the lens set to its maximum aperture of f/2.8, there is some noticeable light fall-off in the corners. Stopping-down to f/5.6 virtually eliminates this. Barrel distortion at 14mm is impressively well controlled.

Light fall-off at 14mm

Light fall-off at 24mm

Flare

The Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art is able to control flare impressively well for such a wide-angle lens. Flare is limited even when shooting directly towards the sun, whilst shooting at f/16 - f/22 produces some nice starburst effects.

Macro

The Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art isn't claimed to be a macro lens, with a minimum focusing distance of 26cm / 10.24in. and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:5.4. The following example demonstrates how close you can get to your subject.

Close-up performance

Bokeh

Bokeh is a word used for the out-of-focus areas of a photograph, and is usually described in qualitative terms, such as smooth / creamy / harsh etc. In the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art lens, Sigma have employed an iris diaphragm with nine rounded blades, which has resulted in surprisingly nice bokeh for such a wide-angle lens. We do realise, however, that bokeh evaluation is subjective, so we've included several examples below for your perusal.

14mm, f/2.8

24mm, f/2.8

24mm, f/2.8

24mm, f/2.8

Sharpness

In order to show you how sharp this lens is, we are providing 100% crops on the following pages.