Sigma 15mm F1.4 DG DN Diagonal Fisheye Art review: this lens will appeal to your inner Vincent van Gogh

The Sigma 15mm F1.4 DG DN Diagonal Fisheye Art adds ‘starry night’ potential to the arty, abstract effect of a regular fisheye lens

5 Star Rating
Sigma 15mm F1.4 DG DN Diagonal Fisheye Art
(Image: © Matthew Richards)

Digital Camera World Verdict

I love the bonus astronomical potential of the Sigma 15mm F1.4 DG DN Diagonal Fisheye Art and its refined handling characteristics. The comparatively warp-factor aperture speed takes it where no fisheye has gone before, but it comes at a price, in terms of size and weight as well as cost.

Pros

  • +

    Excellent image quality

  • +

    Fast f/1.4 aperture

  • +

    Pro-grade build and handling

Cons

  • -

    Relatively big and heavy

  • -

    Expensive for a fisheye lens

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Sigma is among a select group Japanese photographic manufacturers who still make their lenses in Japan, instead of farming them out to other nations. I’ve always been impressed by the quality of Sigma lenses, over many decades, and things got even better when the ‘Global Vision’ range of Art, Contemporary and Sports lenses was launched back in 2012. I’ve generally found that Sigma lenses are every bit as good as ‘own-brand’ equivalents from other camera manufacturers, sometimes even better, and often at a fraction of the price. Recent development has mostly focused on designing competitors to the best Sony E-mount lenses and the line-up includes some of the best Leica L-mount lenses, the latter also being compatible with Sigma’s own recent camera bodies as well as Panasonic S-line full-frame cameras.

The lens has a pro-grade construction with exotic handling finery and a weather-sealed plated brass mounting plate. (Image credit: Matthew Richards)
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Mount optionsLeica L, Sony E (FE)
Lens construction21 elements in 15 groups
Angle of view180 degrees
Diaphragm blades11
Minimum aperturef/16
Minimum focus distance0.38m
Maximum magnification0.06x
Filter sizeRear holder
Dimensions104x158mm
Weight1360g
7Artisans 10mm F2.8 Fisheye

The full-frame 7Artisans 10mm F2.8 Fisheye is a fully manual diagonal fisheye lens, but don’t let that put you off. It’s a great performer and comparatively small and inexpensive, at 87x68mm, 570g and around £249/$256, available in Leica L and Sony E, plus Canon RF and Nikon Z mount options.

Sigma 14mm F1.4 DG DN Art

Fisheye lenses aren’t for everybody. The rectilinear Sigma 14mm F1.4 DG DN Art is a great lens for astrophotography and anything else from cramped interiors to sweeping landscapes and cityscapes. Again it’s available in Leica L and Sony E mount options and has a virtually identical control layout.

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.