Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN vs 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM vs 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM - Which is the BEST?

There's been much debate online as to which lens is the best between the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN vs Sigma105mm f/1.4 DG HSM vs Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM. In this video, I'm putting all three lenses through their paces to find out which lens is the best in terms of build, handling, image quality and general performance to (hopefully) find an answer!
All three of these portrait lenses from Sigma are highly regarded as some of the best portrait lenses for Sony E-mount cameras. But today, I want to put any speculation to rest by finding out which one is officially the 'best' performer.
💲 BUY THESE LENSES 💲
🥇 Sigma 85mm f/1.8 DG DN Art
🇺🇸 amzn.to/3D44xsQ
🇬🇧 amzn.to/3gis6o5
Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
🇺🇸 amzn.to/2Uzc7uk
🇬🇧 amzn.to/3z2qqGK
Sigma 135mm f/1.8 Art
🇺🇸 amzn.to/3gist1X
🇬🇧 amzn.to/2UuClOq
--------------------------------------
⏳ TIME STAMPS ⏳
Intro - @0:00​​​​​
Cinematic B-Roll - @0:34
Specs - @1:06
Manual Focusing - @2:16
Price - @2:26
Photo Auto Focus Test - @3:11
Video Auto Focus Test - @4:22​​​
Auto Focus Noise - @4:56
Focus Breathing - @5:29
Bokeh - @5:53
Lens Flare - @6:47
85mm Distortion - @6:52
Lens Charts - @7:16​​
Longitudinal Chromatic Aberration - @7:50
Image Review - @8:07
And The Winner Is... - @9:22​​
--------------------------------------
🤘 JOIN US! 🤘
tom.calton
tom.calton
--------------------------------------
📷 CAMERAS & LENSES 📷
Sony A7III
🇺🇸 amzn.to/3sxcylx
🇬🇧 amzn.to/3xVdSzy
Sony A6600
🇺🇸 amzn.to/3mi7H6j
🇬🇧 amzn.to/3z5vt9l
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
🇺🇸 amzn.to/2XFJTiJ
🇬🇧 amzn.to/2Wbxylm
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
🇺🇸 amzn.to/3AWG5YM
🇬🇧 amzn.to/3iYJmR2
Sigma 85mm f/1.8 DG DN Art
🇺🇸 amzn.to/3D44xsQ
🇬🇧 amzn.to/3gis6o5
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art
🇺🇸 amzn.to/2Uukd7m
🇬🇧 amzn.to/3sxF0Du
Sigma 135mm f/1.8 Art
🇺🇸 amzn.to/3gist1X
🇬🇧 amzn.to/2UuClOq
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
🇺🇸 amzn.to/3AWGTwM
🇬🇧 amzn.to/2UuCtNU
⚡ LIGHTING ⚡
Godox AD600Pro Studio Flash
🇺🇸 amzn.to/3mkZCxR
🇬🇧 amzn.to/3D36l5C
Godox V860II-S
🇺🇸 amzn.to/3AYcdLl
🇬🇧 amzn.to/3ATftb0
Godox XPro-S i-TTL Wireless Trigger
🇺🇸 amzn.to/3mv1yUP
🇬🇧 amzn.to/3D08sqC
Godox SL60W
🇺🇸 amzn.to/3k6cGVg
🇬🇧 amzn.to/37Xfdvm
Godox SL150W
🇺🇸 amzn.to/3mbj9AS
🇬🇧 amzn.to/3xYbXu1
🔊 AUDIO 🔊
RodeLink VideoMicro
🇺🇸 amzn.to/2XH9F6c
🇬🇧 amzn.to/3B9oEEz
RodeLink Filmmaker Kit
🇺🇸 amzn.to/2XGIicv
🇬🇧 amzn.to/3zfFpNP
Tascam DR-10c
🇺🇸 amzn.to/3AWIF0U
🇬🇧 amzn.to/2W6l3YC
Sennheiser ME 2-II Lavalier
🇺🇸 amzn.to/3z1ld21
🇬🇧 amzn.to/2XFMJ7n
🦾 STABILISATION 🦾
Zhiyun Weebill-S
🇺🇸 amzn.to/3k4YD29
🇬🇧 amzn.to/2XAPLJX
#Sigma85mm #Sigma105mm #Sigma135mm #LensReview

[@mcwaffles121593]

That snippet about why the 105 1.4 was created was golden 😂

[@TomCalton]

I love delving in to the lore of Sigma lenses. Glad you do too 😜

[@mkiv15]

One of the best things about your reviews is how you show the edit and unedited raws! It's great seeing what the lens captures and your take on it :D

[@TomCalton]

Thanks for the feedback! Glad you found it helpful - I'll be sure to keep doing that in future reviews for you 👍

[@ralphtime]

I have all three. The 105 produces something so magical that you never wanna use the rest of them.

[@jamiesondean]

Yeah, larger biceps

[@TomCalton]

😂

[@Princeton_James]

The 105 is awesome just noticeably slower to focus as others have mentioned. Overall it produces some beautiful images.

[@larawilinsky8203]

Hi Tom! I'm LOVING your videos, thank you so much for putting out such well-produced and helpful videos! Seriously well-done. One thing I can't find anywhere online, perhaps you can help me- what is the difference between DG DN and HSM lenses? Looking at a Sigma 85mm 1.4 HSM art and am not sure what the difference is between that and the DG DN? What do the letters mean in general? Thank you!

[@AwakeTours]

Beautiful :) QUESTION : I see you are shooting outside.. do u have a ND Filter to allow it to go down to 1.4? struggling with this outside thanks :)

[@sarahmcbeth9156]

Thank you for your awesome and thorough review! 85mm used on apsc (it’s designated design) would be ~130 right?

[@Herkulez1981]

Nice review , im looking at all 3 but to Canon i do wonder of there is some optical difference btw this 85 and the one to ef mount

[@MatchuCT]

Tom, do you still have the 105 macro? Curious how it would compare in terms of bokeh with the 85mm 1.4. Want to know if it would be redundant to get both

[@TomCalton]

Yeah, the macro lens is my own actually. In terms of bokeh, the 85mm is the one to go for for portraits. I only ever use the macro for product shots and macro work.

[@mentosica29]

Got the 135mm for portrait work a few days ago and I'm just blown away by the sharpness, subject separation and color rendition. And, with the EYE AF on my camera, it does a great job for stills. I already had a 50mm F1.2, so the 85mm was too close, and the 105mm was too heavy.

[@TomCalton]

Sounds like you made the sensible choice - enjoy the new lens!

[@davidsky3536]

105 hands down. I love the size. Girls love that too.

[@joe2snj]

The 105mm produces stunning images but I held it once and that was enough for me.. Ended up with the 85mm GM which is so much more comfortable to use and handle.

[@TomCalton]

I've got to agree. I really love shooting with it, but I just can't justify owning it because of the size and weight. When Sigma eventually release a DG DN version though, that is potentially going to be a game changer...

[@reinhardbecker284]

I tried the 105 and 135 last year, because the older 85HSM was much to big for this kind of lens for me. I selected the 135, because it shares the same 82mm filter like the 24-70DGDN and is much lighter then the 105. I also like the distance to the model for full head shots (not only since Covid!). After releasing the new 85 DGDN I bought it instantly for half persons portraits and now I‘m very satisfied with the combination of 85/135, so I can select the right lens for the scene.

[@TomCalton]

I also have the 85mm and 135mm combo in my bag. I don't use the 135mm as much these days, but it's still a handy lens, especially for weddings! Thanks for the comment 😁

[@georgewood2566]

You and my mother! That's 2 people that think I'm handsome... I'll work on the mince.

[@TomCalton]

Nothing to work on bro - perfection 😙👌

[@markvandenberg4606]

Nice comparison! I just ordered the 85 and I’m thrilled to start using it. Also, Sigma are rumored to be working on a DG DN version of the 135 which I’m sure will be a lot friendlier on the arms. I’ll wait.

[@TomCalton]

Nice! The 85mm is beautiful! And yes, I've heard that rumour too. I'm sure that eventually they'll rework all of their primes to DG DN copies - hopefully for other lens mounts too!

[@markvandenberg4606]

@@TomCalton I got the 35 too. Coming from APS-C, the results from both are out of this world to me. Beautiful lenses. 🙌🏻

[@baljinderpanesar5739]

Really useful information 👍

[@TomCalton]

You're welcome! Glad you found it helpful 😊

[@jliang70]

I have Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN, Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM and Sony GM 135mm F1.8. For me 105mm has that unique quality that made it stand above the other two. Sigma 85 is newest of the three its auto focus is almost as good as 135mm GM. As portrait lens here is my ranking 105mm, 135mm and 85mm.

[@elisagarcia8555]

Thank you sir for saying this !! 👌🏼 You convinced me to add the sigma 105mm to my Sony 85 and Sony 135mm gm lens, as I truly feel that I am missing that in-between spot between the two others (plus I LOVE portraits, I just can’t get enough of them haha).

[@kallenbach58]

I have the Sigma 105mm 1.4 and I think of switching to the 85mm 1.4 dg dn if they release it for canon. Less weight and maybe better image quality. But really, I don't mind the weight of the 105 that much

[@theyounglife2755]

I am dying right now. Hilarious intro on the background on the 105 1.4

[@TomCalton]

😅

[@KEHA14]

Your jokes and description of george the model is probably the number one reason why I subscribe to your channel😂

[@kallenbach58]

I already own and love the Sigma 105mm 1.4. If they release the Sigma 85mm 1.4 dg dn for canon rf, I might switch because of better image quality. What do you think?

[@ujjwalsubedi8693]

M just waiting for 105 1.4 dg gn

[@kalinkalinkov94]

Me too, but I doubt it's coming any time soon. The 135 will be updated next, then a whole bunch of other lenses. I see 105 dg dn I atleast couple of years. Might as well just buy it before that...

[@TomCalton]

I think you're probably right, Kalin. When it drops, though, people are going to lose their shit.

[@ralphtime]

I can’t freaking wait. Just reduce the size and I’ll never use any other lens 😂

[@AllCarsUnited]

My 105mm is by far my most used portrait lens, leaving my 70 200 gm collecting dust

[@TomCalton]

I'd pick the 105 over the 70-200 too. No question

[@AwakeTours]

can you find a ND Filter for the 105 ? I cant.. thank yoiu

[@jonathanfederio7178]

u can buy filter direct attach to cam sensor

[@karikaru]

Loved the look of the 105 the best, but all three are bangers in their own right. 85 is definitely the most practical.

[@andrewdoeshair]

I owned each of these lenses independently (EF mount) and couldn't justify owning all three at once because I shoot portraits only semi professionally, but when I owned the 105 or 135 I missed how practical the 85 was, then when I owned the 85 or 135 I missed having the super unique rendering from the 105, and when I owned the 85 or 105 I missed the compression from the 135. Now I own all three. Screw it-- I picked them all up used and spent less than I did on my RF 70-200. They're very much the same but wildly different at the same time.

[@lindstrem]

So U dont prefer rf 70-200 over any of these primes?

[@andrewdoeshair]

@@lindstrem if I’m shooting in the studio I’ll usually bring the 70-200 because I’m shopping at 3.5-5.6 typically anyways, or if I’m shooting something where I don’t know exactly what will come up, like I don’t know how large the venue is, etc. then I’ll usually just bring the 70-200. However, even though 85, 135, and especially 200mm can produce a great deal of subject isolation at F2.8 you start to really miss the feeling of a very fast lens. Flash and compression aside, if I’m grabbing my camera instead of shooting with a phone it’s because I want some 3D pop with melty smooth backgrounds. Another big factor is that I don’t always want to be responsible for $5,000 worth of camera, sometimes I want to bring my RP with the relatively cheap sigma 85 so I don’t stress about babysitting my camera

[@BenjaminKanarek]

The Sigma 135mm and my Fringer EF to FX AF adapter renders "brutally sharp" results.

[@chrisyfitz]

I'm undecided between the 85mm and the 105mm. I do food photography, always on a tripod in the studio and I use manual focus always so autofocus is irrelevant to me. Separation is the most importan factor. I already have the Sigma 70mm 2.8 Art macro lens so the 85 doesn't seem much of a difference. My camera is Sony A7lll I would really appreciate your thoughts - I am erring to the 105mm.

[@nicholassmith7723]

The 105mm hand down has to be the best portrait lens, but it also has to be an intentional choice. Keeping the 105 in the bag is significantly less convenient than the 85mm. I'd love to own both, but I'd probably go for the 85mm as well.

[@mariotodorov4396]

Why the field curve on the 85 is so strange, somehow decentralized?

[@flashback9966]

Re. my 135, 105, 85 and 35. You've raised some good points but alas still can't decide who has to go. It would be like given away my children!

[@TomCalton]

I know what you mean! I rarely sell lenses because you never know when you might need them!

[@flashback9966]

@@TomCalton Funny that, was on a shoot today and to keep simple, just took the 85. Superb sharp images, but oh how I wish I had taken that 35 as well. . .

[@spectaculer350]

Why do you edit out a notch in tour b rolls?

[@TomCalton]

Cinematic innit blud

[@Mowikan]

I don’t understand these kind of discussions. 85 is great for portraits with chest. 135 is great for close portraits from the neck and up or extreme background blur. 105 seems to me a compromise between 85 and 105. My trio for portraits 50, 85 and 135 in the studio.

[@megapixelphotos338]

There's a reason I was the first person in Sweden to own the 85mm Simply put... its the best 👌

[@TomCalton]

No... YOU are the best 😘😂

[@reinhardbecker284]

About the picture quality: I think the problem with the 135 and your tests of blue fringing are related to minimum or very near focus distance. I never encountered such problems, but I normaly use the lens with at least 1.5m distance or more…

[@TomCalton]

The lens chart is printed A3 so it fill the frame using the 135mm you have to be quite a way away from it. You're correct though, the blue fringing definitely gets worse the closer you focus, as shown on the 2nd chart image which was taken at the lenses minimum focusing distance.

[@oneilrussell6054]

Thanks for the review am about to buy the 85 mm .

[@TomCalton]

Awesome! Which 85mm are you going to go for?

[@oneilrussell6054]

Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Sony E really appreciate your video awesome review.

[@TomCalton]

Great choice! You'll love it I'm sure. Thanks for your support too ☺️

[@oneilrussell6054]

You always have my support you keep it real.

[@TomCalton]

My hero 🤜🔥🤛

[@lindstrem]

I think i just peed a little while laughing, thanks for the origins... Guess i have to buy it now lol

[@TomCalton]

At least you have an excuse for peeing yourself 🤣

[@lindstrem]

@@TomCalton struggling to decide if my penis maybe big enough to get the canon ef 85 1.4 IS as it is a newer stabilized lens and my eos r has no stabe for 105 art

[@DavidStella]

Came here for the review, walked away crammed packed full of… jokes 😂

[@TomCalton]

I aim to please 😂

[@MichaelausBerlinberga]

I am sooooooo happy to own both of the nicer ones... the 85mm and the 105mm ... and i love it. And btw: THe 105mm helps me to increase some muscle (against small willie) :-D . win-win :-D

[@Mattross52]

I have all pretty much all hsm arts and it just depends on the model’s face shape and how much room I have to work with. And yes..,I’m really compensating for being a shit photographer 😂 I should also say I pretty much never use the 35 or 135, the 85 gets used the most and although the 105 is by far personally my favorite it’s just not as appropriate as the 50 and 85 seem to be if that makes any sense. love your reviews! Keep them coming. Cheers from us circumcised Americans🤣❤️

[@TomCalton]

At least you're honest 🤣

[@vito.cin97]

I think that in a comparison like that, the 105 f2.8 macro have its place and a reason to be “the 105”

[@BrentODell]

I keep thinking I should get an 85mm, but there are SO many toys I want to buy, I'm not sure I can justify it.

[@TomCalton]

I put off buying one for years. Eventually made the plunge. It's now my most used lens by some margin! 😂

[@BrentODell]

@@TomCalton I really like Sigma(have the 105 macro and 100-400 currently, and has the 56mm for my Olympus back in the day), so maybe I'll start setting some money aside.

[@hunterxhunter6957]

105 all the way!!!!!

[@TomCalton]

🙌🏻

[@jonoy4375]

The main difference is the Compression Look of the 3

[@JF..]

For gentlemen who are looking to over compensate for their, what? 🤣😂 Great comparison btw 👍

[@TomCalton]

That's how the story goes at least. I've heard Donald Trump is a big advocator of the 105mm... can't be a coincidence... 😜 Thanks for watching!

[@JF..]

@@TomCalton lol I have the 85mm. tho the 105 is tempting but is too big 😭

[@DavidStella]

@@TomCalton 😂

[@jemenesk]

I own the 135mm 1.8 GM which is the best image quality lens for Sony. I also own the 105mm 1.4 and the 105mm is almost retains as much detail as the 135mm GM. The 105mm is an astonishing lens, nowhere near as fast focusing or quiet as the 135GM, but the image quality is absurd. The 85mm Sigma I own as well, and it is better than the 85mm GM, but each lens creates a specific image and they are quite unique on their own. I agree that the 85mm sigma is the best 85mm for Sony right now, even for the other manufacturers, but it is not better than the 105, nor the 135 because it is just different. About size and weight of the 105... I am only 150lbs but do I work out a little and since I don't gave noodle arms the 105mm is not an issue when I carry it when I hike (12+ hours), for hours at all-day events, or just for fun. It is just as just as heavy or lighter than a 70-200mm and I don't see anyone complaining about the weight on a 70-200 lens, hell, is even lighter than my 100-400mm GM, and I still don't hear anyone complaining about the weight of the 100-400mm... As a photographer we aim for the best image out of a lens, not the lightest lens... otherwise we all be shooting tiny point-and-shoot or entry level aps-c cameras with plastic lenses, or just cellphone and go pros. The weight issue on the 105mm is stupid. Either work out to handle the weight, or find another hobby or profession, photography equipment is always heavy, specially if you start doing pro stuff. Bags and boxes with lights, tripods, gimbals, lenses, multiple bodies... it is always heavy. Only people who shoot for fun and do not care if they get mediocre images and care not for the best image possible worry about lens weight, sorry.

[@TomCalton]

What!? You only shoot with a 105mm? And you call yourself a REAL photographer? I walk around with this lens on a DAILY basis (kzbin.info/www/bejne/emelhZiefNRln7c). Clearly you don't care enough about image quality. I suggest you get down the gym more and stop making excuses... 🙄

[@superlita]

I shoot weddings with the 70-200 and need at least two days to recover, my wrists are absolutely obliterated after 4-6 hrs. I recently purchased the 135 because of it being lighter than the 105… that one lb difference makes all the difference and although the effects doesn’t show up now they will later on in life. I’m already showing signs of carpal tunnel in my early 30s.

[@DrWNoLs]

@@superlita Workout more.

[@bahaatamer1245]

How to get 85mm and 135mm with one lens: Get an 85mm lens and two Camera Bodies: a Full Frame body, and a Canon APS-C Sized Sensor Body. When you want 85mm, mount your lens to your Full Frame Camera Body. When you want 135mm, mount your lens to your APS-C Sized Sensor Camera Body Or just get a 70-200, if bokeh isn't your thing

[@acouragefann]

Aye, when ISO is irrelevant, that's certainly an option. Mind you, it's really a 127.5mm f2.1-f2.3 at that point if we take into account the impact on DOF

[@justinavila1320]

You can just crop in on the full frame image - that's ALLLLL the crop sensor bodies do (they see a crop portion of the image circle of the lens) which is why it angle of view is more narrow. However - unlike changing the focal length of the lens itself - crop or not will not change the rendering/compression. Especially for photographing people - an 85mm close up is different than a 105mm vs 135mm in terms of how the face renders and how much of the background is changed in terms of compression and enlargement. A great example is a person photographed with a skyline behind them. The wider the lens not only the more background ones sees but also the smaller/further away the background is from the subject. So the skyline will appear small at 35mm but at 105mm with the subject the same size in frame the skyline will appear closer and much larger

[@acouragefann]

Important - its not the focal length doing the compression, it's the distance. If you stand in the same spot with a 45mm lens and a 135mm lens and you crop in from the 45 to the 135 in post, you will have the same look on the person's face depth/compression wise. It's just distance, but because we usually use telephoto lenses at different working distances, we associate the compression with the lens, instead of the distance.

[@jamesseward9263]

Very well done in-depth video thanks! 😊💕 It was very professionally done right up to the the point you used foul language and then my respect for you went out the window. I don’t understand why KZbinrs would do this and degrade the professionalism of not only their craft but also their personality. Sad 😞

[@TomCalton]

Appreciate the feedback James. In answer to your question, the reason why people use curse words is because A) this isn't 1920's England anymore and swear words are now broadly accepted as an everyday part of the English language. B) Curse words are typically used to inject something called 'humour' in to the video. As a grown adult, I am able to fully understand and accept that humour comes in my forms and as a result of that, I will not always appreciate, or find funny, every joke I hear. But, when I hear something that doesn't appeal to me I simply accept it for what it is and move on with my life. What I don't do, however, is feel the need to lecture that person on why their choice of humour is wrong simply because it doesn't marry up with my own personal world view. Now that would be sad.