Lens ReviewMorten Byskov - 5050 TravelogMay 13, 2026Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art Review, Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art sample images, Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art sample photos, Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art samples, Sigma 35mm f1.4 review, Sigma 35mm review, Sigma 35mm 1.4 review, Sigma 35mm 1.4 sample images, Sigma 35mm 1.4 art review2 Comments

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art Review

The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art (L-Mount) on a Leica SL2-S — Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art (L-Mount) on a Leica SL2-S

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art - Finally a 35mm Lens I Feel Good About

My quest for a great 35mm lens for my Leica SL2-S has been ongoing for a while now. I have been lucky to try a few, and I believe I finally found a lens that I can use with confidence—a lens that delivers in various conditions.

My journey along this 35mm lens path includes the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art, Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary, and the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 (links go to my reviews).

While all of these have been okay, I either sold them again or didn’t feel a strong urge to own them. It was as if I was waiting for something special to come along for L-Mount.

Let’s see why the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art ticks boxes where the other options have come a tad short, but first, an introduction.

Leica SL2-S with the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art — Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art shown on a Leica SL2-S

Introduction

The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art was announced in February 2026, and I got my copy as soon as it was available here in Canada, about two months later.

I tested the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art a couple of years ago when I first got my SL2-S, and was generally quite happy with it, though not blown away.

When the Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art II ($1,549.00) was released in September 2025, I was very tempted to get one, but despite considerable weight loss compared to the first version of this lens, I hesitated because I still found it bulky, too heavy, and a significant out-of-pocket expense.

The new Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art seems to have struck a good middle ground and was met with widespread enthusiasm from reviewers.

When this review was posted, the retail price of the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art was $1,059.00.

Tulips in a West 4th Ave. window display in Vancouver. Sample image from a Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art and Leica SL2-S.. — West 4th Ave., Vancouver, Leica SL2-S, Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art @ f/1.4

Specs, Handling, and Build Quality

Size, weight, bulk, and optical quality are all important features in a lens, but I find it very easy to get lured into lenses that promise the world, only to find they're too heavy or bulky, and the end result is that you won’t bother to bring them along on photo walks or for travel.

At 1.2 lb (530 g), the 35mm f/1.4 DG II weighs 83% of the former f/1.4 DG DN version and only 70% of the latest f/1.2 DG DN II version. It is also smaller than both of them. Especially when comparing to the f/1.2 version, the difference is significant.

If you favor smaller and lighter options, you have the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN version at only 11.5 oz (325 g), or the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 at 10.4 oz (295 g), but I found both of these trailing the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art optically.

Escalator at Lonsdale Quay. Sample image from a Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art and Leica SL2-S. — Lonsdale Quay, North Vancouver, Leica SL2-S, Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art @ f/1.4

The handling and build quality of the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art is top-notch—as good as any Art lens I have tried from Sigma. The aperture ring is de-clickable for video users, and it feels great.

You have function buttons on the lens barrel that you can customize on your Panasonic Lumix S-series cameras. As far as I know, you cannot do this on Leica cameras. I don’t mind this. With other lenses I’ve tried, I tend to hit these buttons inadvertently, resulting in unwanted changes.

The included lens hood has a rubber ring that feels good to the touch, but is a bit of a dust magnet.

Here are some of the key specs of the Sigma 35mm f/1.4:

Available for L-Mount or Sony E-Mount
15 elements in 12 groups
Rounded 11-blade diaphragm
Aperture ring, which can be de-clicked
Dual HLA-driven high-speed AF motor
Splash-resistant design
Filter size: 67mm

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art for L-Mount — Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art with the included lens hood attached, shown on a Leica SL2-S

In Action

I have been pleased with autofocus speed and accuracy, and the lens even performed admirably for tracking runners at the Vancouver Marathon. I missed a few shots when tracking with the lens wide open, but I also had several keepers.

I suspect the latest Panasonic S1 or Leica SL3 cameras will perform even better regarding autofocus.

I find the Sigma Art lenses to be an even match for the Leica SL2-S in terms of craftsmanship and build quality. Personally, this is important as it affects the overall feel when using a camera-lens combination.

The fact that they reduced the size of this higher-end 35mm lens is probably the single most important feature for me. They now have the balance right with the camera, without the lens dwarfing it.

I have used it for photo walks and for cycling, and while the combination with the SL2-S is a solid piece of kit, it is manageable.

An old VW drives along Beach Drive in Vancouver. Sample image from a Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art and Leica SL2-S. — Beach Drive, Vancouver, Leica SL2-S, Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art @ f/1.4

Image Quality

When it comes to sheer image quality, color rendition, sharpness, and bokeh, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art is probably the best autofocus lens I have tried on the L-Mount so far.

There is a wonderful vibrancy to images, and the sharpness seems unrivaled. You do see a bit of vignetting at f/1.4, but it is nowhere near a problem. Stop it down a bit, and it’s gone.

The lens has a bit of pincushioning, and so far, I do not see a lens profile in Lightroom that should correct it.

Below I have posted three photos. The first at f/1.4, then f/2, and finally f/2.8. Check for vignetting and the bokeh look. I have also posted quite a few images at f/1.4, so you can check the lens performance when pushed to the limit. Make sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to see all the samples.

The sample images in this review can be viewed at up to 2500 pixels wide, depending on your monitor's resolution. Please click to view larger photos if you're viewing on your PC or laptop, or pinch-zoom if you’re viewing on your phone.

Conclusion

For quite some time, I have been tempted by the Leica Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 (I have yet to try it), but most reviews note that it is heavily based on the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8, which costs way less, so I’ve resisted the temptation.

The Leica lens is slightly smaller and lighter than the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art, but also one stop slower, and costs significantly more at $2,690.00.

The Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN II is another lens I haven’t tried yet, but as mentioned above, the higher cost, increased bulk, and weight told me to be patient. If the utmost narrow depth of field in your images is important to you, you should keep this option in mind.

The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art with the lens hood shown on a Leica SL2-S — Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art with the included lens hood attached, shown on a Leica SL2-S

But now, at $1,059.00, this new Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art looks like a winner as it strikes on so many chords. It’s not too big, it’s not too heavy, and optically, it’s a great performer.

If you appreciate any of these attributes, favor a lens that lets you shoot in low light at lower ISO values, and want to create images with a shallow depth of field, I recommend adding the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG Art II to your shortlist.

Please see more sample images below

Pros

Build quality
Fast autofocus and bright f/1.4 f-stop
Image quality

Cons

The lens hood is a bit of a dust magnet

Price / Availability

Thank you for reading my review. If you are planning a purchase and would like to support us, you can do so, at no additional cost, by using the affiliate link below. A small commission goes to us and helps us keep the wheels turning at 5050 Travelog.

Check the current price at B&H Photo

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art at B&H Photo

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