Sigma’s 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art Lens Announced

It’s small, it’s super fast, it’s ready to go on your Sony body!

Fast, sharp, and small, Sigma has just announced the 50mm f/1.2 DG DN Art lens for L-Mount and Sony E systems. This is the third 50mm DG DN lens in Sigma’s lineup and among the brightest lenses the company has ever released, offering exceptional performance in low-light conditions, as well as giving you the utmost in depth of field control. What’s truly special about this normal-length prime, though, is its sleek design that’s hardly larger than the 50mm f/1.4 and 30% smaller than the 35mm f/1.2 lens, giving you speed and compactness together.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/videos/photography/sigma-announces-the-ultra-fast-50mm-f12-dg-dn-art-lens

It’s no pancake lens but it’s still relatively compact!

The depth of field on this lens is going to be razor thin, at f/1.2 it’ll almost be unusable for a number of situations. But hey, Eye AF should work (I think it’ll work at f/1.2?) so you can knock out some great portraits.

Sigma really seems to be filling out their product lineup. Just with the 50mm there’s three different options.

And Sigma has 42 lenses in the Sony E mount while Sony has 67. The fact that a third party lens manufacturer has so many lenses is downright impressive. They’re only getting more impressive with these new f/1.2 lenses.

Let’s ask AI about lens lengths used for portraiture!

In photographic portraiture, the choice of lens can significantly affect the appearance and mood of the final image. Lenses are often chosen based on their focal length, which influences perspective, depth of field, and the subject’s portrayal. Common lengths of lenses used for portraiture, each with its unique characteristics and reasons for use, include:

1. 85mm Lenses: Often considered the quintessential portrait lens, the 85mm offers a flattering perspective free from the distortion typically seen with wider lenses. It allows for a comfortable working distance between the photographer and the subject, promoting a more natural expression. The 85mm focal length also helps achieve a shallow depth of field, beautifully isolating the subject from the background and emphasizing focus on the subject’s eyes.
2. 50mm Lenses: Known as the “nifty fifty,” this focal length is versatile and closely mimics the human eye’s field of view, resulting in natural-looking images. A 50mm lens is great for environmental portraits where the subject’s surroundings are included in the composition. It offers a balance between wide-angle and telephoto perspectives, making it suitable for both full-body shots and tighter compositions.
3. 70-200mm Zoom Lenses: These telephoto zoom lenses are favored for their flexibility in framing and compression effects, which can make the background appear closer to the subject and blur it beautifully. Photographers can adjust the focal length to frame the shot perfectly without moving, ideal for candid or unobtrusive shooting. The longer focal lengths within this range are particularly useful for creating a very shallow depth of field and flattering compression of facial features.
4. 105mm and 135mm Lenses: These lenses are preferred for their ability to compress and flatten facial features in a very flattering way, reducing the appearance of a prominent nose or forehead, for instance. They also allow for more background blur, making the subject stand out clearly. The working distance is greater, which can be beneficial for shy subjects, as it gives them more personal space.
5. 35mm Lenses: While not as commonly used as the others for traditional portraiture, a 35mm lens offers a wider field of view, making it suitable for portraits that include the subject’s environment. It’s ideal for storytelling or when the background context is important to the portrait. However, it requires careful composition to avoid distortion, especially around the edges of the frame.

Each of these lenses is used for different reasons, depending on the desired outcome of the portrait. The choice often depends on the photographer’s artistic vision, the nature of the portrait session (studio, environmental, candid), and the physical constraints of the shooting location. Understanding the characteristics and effects of different focal lengths allows photographers to select the best lens for their specific portrait photography needs.