Sigma 23mm f/1.4 DC DN 'C' lens review (Fuji X version)

[@astia_autochrome]

This lens has one of the best manual focus experience in Fuji camera when you set the focus ring settings to linear mode (tested in my X-T4 camera). The focus ring turns smoothly and because this lens is still using the stepping motor you can feel light vibration when the lens element is moving back and forth instantly. It's nowhere near as good as real manual focus lens such as Voigtlander Nokton 23mm f/1.2, but it's as close as it gets for an autofocus lens. I like this tactile experience. Manual focus in lens with newer linear motor doesn't feel as good and I can't feel that mechanical connection anymore, and that's include XF 23mm 1.4 LM WR which this lens is compared to. It just feels 'hollow' because it's fully simulated. The length of focus throw is just right for precise adjustment. I can focus from MOD to infinity in around 90° degree turn which is decent, not too short or too long, compared to Sigma 56mm f/1.4 or the old XF 56mm f/1.2 R which takes much more turns within the same focusing range. Although I understand that it's maybe necessary to focus precisely on longer lens when working with shallow depth of field at f/1.2 or 1.4. I like this lens because it has a much improved optical performance (especially in regards to reduction in chromatic aberration) compared to the old XF 23mm 1.4 R lens, yet it still has a good enough manual focus experience which I really appreciate from the old Fuji lens with the focus clutch, distance scale, and hard stop at MOD and infinity. Based on that consideration, I'm willing to accept the lack of aperture ring in exchange of the benefits I described above. Anyway, don't take my word for it and you should try this lens and others in store before buying it to see which one works best for your need.

[@nathanwood1506]

I feel homely looking at pictures of Cardiff. Great review!

[@classicboy97]

Waiting for the day Sigma starts adding aperture rings on their mirrorless Aps-c lenses… they’ve proven they can make sharp lenses

[@trym2121]

Just get FF. Their I series are the one You've been waiting for

[@jigjitsu5599]

Amen

[@TorToroPorco]

Absolutely, that’s one thing Viltrox has been doing of late and it’s so handy.

[@opalyankaBG]

Hi Chris, can we expect a Sigma 100-400mm review on Fuji X? One more question, do you plan on switching your tests to 40 mp in the future?

[@kaneclements7761]

They have just seen the new review by Chris and Jordan of Petapixel.

[@christopherfrost]

I'd love to test on 40mp in the future but unfortunately times are a bit tight here in the Frost household. If I can get hold of a 40mp Fuji body for a low price somehow then yes

[@IamShopping]

Great review. Thanks. It'd be very interesting if there was a side-by-side comparison video of the main 23/1.4 lenses for Fuji X like Viltrox, Fuji, and Sigma. A good solution would be to just use existing footage from the reviews of the relevant lenses packed into a one side-by-side video with a proper narration.

[@AndreiDimaReviews]

Nice review! I've been waiting for this lens.

[@ricknicholson5894]

Not having an aperture ring is no big deal. I have them on my three Fuji primes but not on my XC 50 - 230mm lens. At first I thought I'd be bothered with no aperture ring of the XC lens, but instead found I could use the dial at the back top of the camera and change my f stops on the fly without removing my eye from the view finder. I can't remember which brand is incorporating the USB portal into the lens end cap, but I think it's brilliant. When I look at the USB portal at the bottom of the lens, I think rain. Since Sigma's introduction of the 50mm f1.4 (not the art version), they have excelled with the lenses capabilities concerning bokeh.

[@JoelOman1980]

I am probably getting this lens to the new X-S20 come next month. It looks like the perfect travel companion if not wanting to bring an arsenal of lenses with you. Thanks Chris, your reviews are as helpful as ever! Kudos!

[@BrendanMacWade]

I own all the Sigma primes for Fuji (and Canon M before that). I am obviously going to get this as well!

[@HDSigningOut]

Would love to hear your opinion on Sigma 23mm vs Viltrox 27mm. I cant decide which one to pick. I do have Viltrox 13mm and Sigma 56mm, both are excellent lenses in my opinion, now i need something in between.

[@EruantionA]

I went for the Viltrox and honestly it has blown me away with its wide open performance and solid build. I love Sigma too but I'm so glad I went for the 27mm!

[@adinbradic7092]

In the same situacion I went with second hand Fuji 23mm 1.4 LM WR

[@d.vidoje6628]

Viltrox 27 mm 1.2 or Sigma 23 mm 1.4 for video? Both have problem with focus breathing for video autofocus

[@imharikrish]

This looks better than the Sony's counterpart. If only Viltrox could come up with a sharp Mark II version of their trios, that would be fantastic!

[@joelwybrew]

My man busting out koinē Greek of John 1 for the vid. Love it!

[@jtes1442]

Would like to see how this lens resolves on the XT5/XH2.

[@k1k13004]

you need the viltrox 27mm to resolve 40Mp I guess but I know this is not the same focal.

[@Bob-Horse]

Thank you for your valued review. Is this lens weather sealed?

[@juanthomas1700]

Great video as always! Any plans to review the Voigtlander 27mm f2 any time soon?

[@ChrisFlores22]

Just saw your sniper lens review. For Fuji x mount which one would you pick for walk around photography/video? Thanks

[@marcp.1752]

*If* Sigma only would package the optical part into something smaller & sexy, say the Sigma Contemporary 45mm 2.8 DG DN lens design, together with an aperture ring, it would be the the perfect price/performance ratio lens for Fujifilm X-Mount.

[@ichheissedamian]

still going to get the Viltrox 27mm 1.2 next

[@ChristianThueringer]

same. I think its more exciting.

[@asafoadjei1]

@@ChristianThueringer ...plus weather sealing

[@muttishelfer9122]

Same here. Better bulit+ IQ+ aperture ring+ weather sealing.

[@KingFiercer_zip]

@@asafoadjei1 Plus heavier - 560 g vs 335 g

[@d.vidoje6628]

Viltrox 27 mm 1.2 or Sigma 23 mm 1.4 for video? Both have problem with focus breathing for video autofocus

[@rui-uh5ib]

Hi Christopher, do you think there's enought difference in quality to upgrade from an xf 23 f2?

[@Princeton_James]

Yes

[@jcblum1507]

amazing review!!!

[@messylaura]

Chris, is there any chance you can ask the people at sigma why they not making any of these cool primes for ef-m mount, i tried asking but i just get a generic response Thanks great video as always

[@christopherfrost]

The other three primes are available for EF-M mount. Considering Canon is killing the mount off that's quite reasonable really

[@mintysingularity]

Thanks for the review, Christopher! Where could I find this image quality chart that you use? I've seen the ones at various online stores, but none like this. Thanks!

[@christopherfrost]

It's not publicly available I'm afraid :-)

[@mintysingularity]

@@christopherfrost it could be 😁

[@christopherfrost]

Haha, not in my lifetime ;-) I'd love to share it but I think that might ultimately be a bad idea for my channel! @@mintysingularity

[@shinyitiong8009]

i am struggling in sigma 24mm f1.4 or fuji xf24mm f1.4, pick which one?

[@joaoconceicao6856]

pick sigma

[@ericthestone]

Hmmmm….I am leaning more towards the Viltrox 27mm f/1.2 for a slight wide angle prime.

[@clementc7297]

I would love to see a 27mm with buttery bohke that is half as large as the version from viltrox and faster than the 2.8 from fuj

[@wenbinli5373]

exactly

[@Mebtaku]

It’s good lens but when counting what you get for your hard worked Great British Quids new Viltrox 27 /1.2 takes my heart in this price point

[@asafoadjei1]

I think the arrival of the recent Viltrox lenses has made Sigma lenses less appealing terms of image quality and their wider apertures PLUS weather sealing on the Fuji X mount

[@veeaa]

Not exactly. While the latest 75mm and 27mm are very close to Sigma quality, they don't directly compete with the existing Sigma lineup as they are completely different focal lenghts or are significantly larger. The original Viltrox trio, 23, 33 & 56mm don't come close to Sigma in quality and are still the budget option in comparison. They are still great lenses and certainly take sales away from Sigma. I'd like to see the Viltrox trio Mk2 with better optics, clickable aperture ring and weather sealing which would make them direct competitors to the Sigmas. The price would be very close to Sigma in that case too though.

[@imharikrish]

@@veeaaThis ☝🏽

[@asafoadjei1]

@@veeaa Please I am only referring to Fuji X mount

[@veeaa]

@@asafoadjei1 me too. All the mentioned lenses exist for X-mount.

[@FilmScape4K]

Are there any focus breathing? Seems like there is? E.g. is it suitable for video work.

[@trym2121]

Get 23 f2, almost no focus breathing

[@vladimirboevvisuals8032]

Dear mr. Frost, please make video review about Nikon Z8 and Z9. Thanks a lot!

[@christopherfrost]

I've already made a video about the Z9 :-) and the Z8 is essentially the same thing, but smaller

[@PraveenKumar-fs6of]

Viltrox vs Sigma 23mm vs 23mm 1.4 plz

[@devdeepganguly2627]

Viltrox wins for Build & handling, Sigma wins in every other category.

[@asafoadjei1]

If it is not weather sealing then it is a deal breaker

[@joaoconceicao6856]

It is

[@typeology8266]

I'll keep using my favorite old 23/1.4 which just found out is as sharp as 33/1.4 all the way in the center. Also its' aesthetic is something Sigma can't even get close in 100 years later XD.

[@cooplover9591]

I'm no expert in lens design but take Sigma 45/2.8 for Sony FE - that design is worlds away from this one

[@bunnatang]

viltrox seems to be better quality

[@cpr1087]

Test samyang 35-150mm f2-2.8 please

[@JL-sn1ee]

Sigmas APS-C lenses were great back when they initially came out with the C lineup, but they havent really improved much. viltrox is just plain better at this point with their newer releases. the 27mm 1.2 is way better than this lens.

[@ОмарХайям-ф8щ]

My like was 666))))

[@gr4y1nu]

just meh. 500 for acceptable fixed lens is not ok. and even not interesting like f2.0 135mm or f2.0 10mm

[@Rumplestiltskin7]

I don't get this lenses. I prefer using Fuji lenses which are much more compact and better looking. Price is too high for third party

[@kaneclements7761]

This lens is lighter. The dimensions are a mm or two different. Not sure why you are complaining for the price. Good quality lens.

[@Dimezis]

What are you talking about? This lens is lighter, has basically the same size and almost 50% cheaper than the new Fuji 1.4. It might be worse, but it certainly has a place for this price

[@Rumplestiltskin7]

@@Dimezis i am talking about the fujis F/2 lenses. Who needs to be shooting at f/1.4 anyways. But be my guess buy sigma