Sigma Art line delivers high-level artistic quality Sigma is organizing all its interchangeable lenses into three product lines; Contemporary, Art and Sports. Designed with a focus on sophisticated optical performance and abundant expressive power, Sigma's Art line delivers high-level artistic expression. Developed with the maximum emphasis on artistic touch, our Art line lenses are designed to meet the expectations of users who value a creative, dramatic outcome above compactness and multifunction. Along with landscapes, portraits, still-life, close-up and casual snaps, they're perfect for the kind of photography that unleashes the inner artist. Ideal for studio photography, they offer just as much expressive scope when capturing architecture, starry skies, underwater shots and many other scenes. The SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG HSM is the first lens from the Art line. Compensate for color aberration to ensure unsurpassed expressive performance Aberration is an important factor for the lens performance. To actualize a high-performance lens, one of the essential elements is aberration correction. When it comes to aberration, there are chromatic aberration of magnification and axial chromatic aberration. It is possible to correct the chromatic aberration of magnification in photo-editing software whereas axial chromatic aberration cannot be corrected afterwards. This lens incorporates FLD ("F" Low Dispersion) glass elements, which have performance equal to fluorite, and SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements, and by optimizing the power alignment of the lens, both types of aberration have been corrected. The lens achieves ultra-high image quality through the entire focusing range. Also, by appropriate alignment of aspheric lenses, astigmatism and field curvature are corrected. The result is superior optimum resolution even in peripheral areas. Large maximum aperture of F1.4 In 2005, Sigma released a lens that has aperture value F1.4 designed for digital SLRs, "SIGMA 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM". Since then, Sigma has produced high-performance lenses by incorporating the latest optical technique, such as the standard lens designed for a full size image sensor, the SIGMA 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM and the medium telephoto lens with large aperture, SIGMA 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM. This lens, SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG HSM, is Sigma's fourth lens that achieves extraordinary expressive power at the aperture value at F1.4. For wide angle photography, it ensures excellent brightness with the large F1.4 aperture and a beautiful bokeh effect. Attractive blur effect Correction of coma aberration enabled less blur on a point light source in peripheral areas, and the function is best used for astrophotography and illuminations. It is also possible to create an attractive blur to the out of focus areas. The aspheric lens elements used as the first lens have secured peripheral brightness while correcting distortion. The rounded diaphragm creates an attractive blur to the out-of-focus areas of the image. Floating inner focusing system This system compensates for astigmatic aberration and spherical aberration and provides extremely high optical performance for close-up photos. Flare and ghosting conscious design In order to achieve high rendering on this flagship lens, flare and ghosting were thoroughly measured from an early stage to establish an optical design which is resistant to strong incident light such as backlight. The Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting and provides sharp and high contrast images even in backlit conditions. Hyper Sonic Motor The HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) ensures high speed and quiet AF as well as full-time manual focus override by rotation of the focus ring. With the enhanced AF algorithm, smoother AF is achieved. Brass made bayonet mount This lens incorporates a brass made bayonet mount which has both high accuracy and durability. A special treatment to reinforce its strength is applied to the surface giving it greater strength and making it highly resistant to long-term use Ease of use The new product lines incorporate rubber for the attachment part of the provided lens hood. For better usability, the design of the lens cap and AF / MF changeover switch have been improved. In order to ensure high accuracy of the product, all metallic parts and the new compound material, TSC (Thermally Stable Composite), which has high affinity to metal parts, are housed internally. Newly developed "USB DOCK" exclusively for new product lines Based on these new lines, Sigma has developed special software (SIGMA Optimization Pro) that can update the lens firmware and adjust parameters such as focus. Evaluation with Sigma's own MTF measuring system "A1" Sigma used to measure lens performance with MTF measuring system using conventional sensors. However, they've now developed their own proprietary MTF (modulation transfer function) measuring system (A1) using 46-megapixel Foveon direct image sensors. Even previously undetectable high-frequency details are now within the scope of Sigma's quality control inspections. The SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG HSM will all be checked using this "A1" before they are shipped. "Made" in Japan All Sigma's manufacturing right down to molds and parts is carried out under an integrated production system, entirely in Japan. Sigma is now one of the very few manufacturers whose products are solely "made in Japan". They like to think their products are somehow imbued with the essence of their homeland, blessed as it is with clean air and water, and focused, hard-working people. Sigma prides themselves on the authentic quality of their products, born of a marriage between highly attuned expertise and intelligent, advanced technology. Sigma's sophisticated products have satisfied professionals and lovers of photography all over the world, because their manufacturing is based on genuine craftsmanship, underpinned by the passion and pride of their experts.