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Totally agree with you regarding Focus-by-Wired, really hate that crap, but unfortunately for Mirrorless AF lens that's what we stuck with whether we like it or not. but that manual focus lock on these new Sigma lenses are really life saver, i can shoot something and put the camera back in my backpack and hike a mile and pull it out again and never have to refocus it again, absolutely love that after shooting with their 20 F1.4 DG DN for a year, as well as the taper front housing for the heater, which is also super nice little feature but makes a huge different in real world use, you really need to use it to appreciate those little details. The tripod mount bracket is also great feature as you mentioned when using tracker, all in all, a really nice lens for Milky Way landscape. As owner of Sigma 14 F1.8 Art, while i think it's really sharp and fast lens, but I really don't care for its Coma performance wide open, so ever since the Sony 14GM showed up I hardly touched that sigma 14 again, I really hope this new Sigma has big improvement on Coma specifically and your sample comparison shows it does. Any chance you can do a comparison between this new Sigma and the Sony 14GM? I have the 14GM but also really interested in this new Sigma,

Simply stunning. When moved to full frame I jumped from Panasonic to Sony due to the lack of wide -> normal FOV astro suitable options in the L-mount line up. Sigma has very much put L-mount back on the radar as a really serious contender for widefield astro. As a Sony shooter, a big thank you goes to Sigma. I think Sony, Nikon and Panasonic are now all really viable mirrorless systems for astro, which is not something you could've said pre covid.

This was super helpful to watch as I'm going to be in the market for an ultra wide angle lens soon. Previously, the Sony 14mm f/1.8 GM was a sure bet but this absolutely makes me want the Sigma now. It's truly wild how well it performs in the corners for being 14mm and f/1.4, which is a combo we haven't seen in modern lenses before. Great work Nico.

Your review of this lens is greatly appreciated! Your astrophotography experience is 2nd to none!

i think sigma made a wrong choice, they should release a z mount for nikon user, sony guys have 14 gm, which have nice performance and lighter weight

Such a thorough review! Great shots and comparisons!

Another key note with modern focus by wire systems. They enable a linear focus option, which then allows the user to extend the focus throw well beyond what is typical in still lenses for super fine control. Those of us who shoot cine lenses know already how much more control you have with focus throws of 270 degrees or more, and with focus by wire you can go well beyond this rotation depending on the camera and the lens. For astro photography this makes getting that pin point focus so much easier than futzing with typical rapid-throw stills lenses.

Excellent review, Nico! I would be interested to see how this new lens does going head to head with my personal favorite landscape astro lens, the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 Art!

A tour de force from Sigma. What an impressive lens this is as your review clearly shows. Even with the weight I want one on Z mount. Sigma please...

I've used some wide angle lenses and this is the first time I see good star shapes in the corners. Good job Sigma and thank you Nico for the detailed review! 👍👍

Welp, I’m going to have to pick this one up for my LUMIX S1!

FYI the MEGADAP ETZ21 adapter allows you to mount Sony E-mount lenses (including the Sigma DG DN lenses) on Nikon Z complete with autofocus.

Like you said, don't hold your breath for a DSLR version, but I'd love to add this to my 3 Sigma Art primes, 20, 35, 50. I love these! Maybe the 14mm, 1.8 will end up available used at a good price now...hmm

Hey Nico, I don't follow Sony equipment but Richard at Nightscape Images uses the MEGADAP Adaptor for Sony Lenses to Nikon Z 6ii. The adaptor works well for him !

I very much hope they make a Z-mount version of this lens, as Sigma do make a few DX lenses in the Z-mount and Nikon has no competing ultrawide prime either announced or on their roadmap. They've been pretty clear that the criteria for approved third-party lenses is whether it complements the first-party offerings.

A good review but a missed opportunity to compare with other brands. You mentioned the Sony 14GM and comparison images with that lens would really make this review much more usefull. Just my 2 cts! Bob

Nico, great analysis. can i suggest a subject for video: stars trackers? because there are several models... some for cheap, others much more expensive, there is a pro version, pro pack, ioptron skyguider pro, skytracker, ioptron pro with polar. What really changes in these versions, advantages and disadvantages. I haven't found a video like that yet. Thanks.

I realized there is nothing called perfect untill you know how to use what you already have. People just buy random stuff thinking a ‘Perfect’ accessory will give them superiority over what they are doing right now. It’s true for few but not for all. I have seen people using so called ‘professional’ camera with shitty result. I bought 14 mm Sony 2000$ and returned just coz it didn’t give the prospective that I was looking for the nightscapes. I am using 20 mm right now and it is one of the best budget lens that you can ever have that doesn’t look unrealistic. Even if you are planning to buy 14mm, make sure you have option to return if not satisfied. Love your hobby, not tools. Just so be clear it’s my two cent and experience may differ person to person.

Great looking lens. Thanks for the video Nico, well done 👍👍

Great review! I've been holding off getting the 1.8 version in the hopes that a 1.4 version might come out, so this feels like my prayer was answered. The manual aperture control ring is a huge plus as well!

7:44 yeah thats also a reason why i mostly use autofocus. There are some exceptions though like the Sony 90mm macro which does have endstops.

You can buy a Sony E to Nikon Z adapter , not ideal , but it works. I use the Sony 14 mm f1.8 on Nikon Z cameras.

welp as a 6D shooter I guess I don't have to worry about upgrading to this lens!

Nico, great review as always. The focus by wire is understandable these days for video, nikon are doing a new thing where they allow a linear option in the menu. Thus, I hope this comes to Z mount, and I hope that becomes an option.

Nice review and amazing lens. I haven't made the transition to mirrorless yet...why are all my hobbies so expensive?! 😅

FWIW, the Nikon Z system has the shortest flange distance and the Sony version should be adaptable to the Z mount using the Megadap ETZ21.

Do I have time to update my list for Santa? This lens looks amazing. Thanks for the thorough review Nico!

Really a masterpiece! Tks for your review!

Great review, thanks Nico!

Nice that you were able get one prior to release and make a review. Fascinating lens. This new one is at f1.4 as good as the old was was at f4, which is just insane (but so is the price and weight :D )

Is the focus lock a mechanical or electronic lock? If you set a proper focus then turn the camera off, walk around a few days, and set up for a shot.. will the focus still be correct?

That's very impressive. Hopefully the HSM version will get a lot cheaper now that this is out. I still shoot on dslr cameras so that would be great news for me.

Very nice again Nico, Viltrox should have tested their new 16 mm f1.8 lens as well, it seems also great for stars at less than half the price. Also able to be used with 77 mm filters and is as good or even better than Sony 14mm f1.8 GM

Great review! What about the Sigma fp-L? How did it perform?

I was hoping Sigma would announce that this lens would also be made for Nikon Z-mount (alongside Sony E & the L-mount). I guess the MegaDap ETZ21 adapter is in my near future...bc I don't see Sigma debuting the Z-mount 20/1.4 DG DN Art anytime soon either.

It's a shame this lens won't work with an astro camera. Milky in narrowband anyone? Good review Nico. CS!

Hi, you've inspired me a lot getting in to astro as a beginner. My first lens is Samyang 12/2. But here in Sweden it's too light during night. I'm waiting for the fall.... This lens look stunning. But how is this compared to Sigma 16/1.4? Not much difference in numbers, but maybe in optics. But much cheaper for a beginner.

I love the review, but it would be helpful if you had the shutter speed and ISO in each of the frames you were reviewing.

Hey Nico! The lens looks great in performance, but that focus-by-wire really kills my plans to pair it with a dedicated astro camera, like the 2600mc. Any other specific points you would consider to watch out for, when looking at such pairing?

This was fun to watch

I wish theyd make it for nikon z mount currently using the 20mm art f mount for my astrophotography

Hi Nico I have a canon DSLR so this isnt for me however just a question could you use this lens with a ASI camera? thanks

As a Nikon user, I'm now considering getting a Sony camera just for this lens!

You say it has a short focal flange distance and no way of mounting it for other types of cameras. But what about Sony to Nikon Z adapter?!

The Z mounts flange distance is shorter and a full autofocus capable adapter exists from e-mount to z-mount so there is an option for Nikon.

Awesome stuff.. got my Sigma C 16/1,4 DC DN still running and enjoying it. Can you give timing for shots, I mean how long was shutter open for each one?

I have the Samyang 14mm. It's so wide it's difficult to use for anything else. I used it on a huge cliff and I had to stand right up close to the cliff. Must be even wider on full frame.

It's insane how quality has improved since moving to mirrorless. Next big thing is a curved sensor itself hope sony can pull that off considering they've already started on that tech way back. Ps - you can adapt this lens on nikon z mount as it has smallest flange distance in the world & there are some crazy adapters already.

14:50 When you get done send it down here to WV so I can test it too. 😂 I’m kidding but it’s good to see that more optical companies are thinking of us little astrophotographers.

Just thought I'd mention a small correction - the Sony e-mount version can be adapted to Nikon Z mount via. a megadap adapter.

Nico did you review the Viltrox 16mm yet? It’s a 1/3 the price of this beast and can take filters.

if the focus system could just focus on the pin points of light, there is no need for anything fancy on the lens. I've only seen Olympus do starry sky AF properly. All the big companies just stay in their lane and never innovate unless pushed.

Awesome in depth and well detailed review as always Niko! Objectively the 14 1.4 is clearly a better performer than the 14 1.8. Subjectively though, what is your opinion on fast ultrawide glass like this? for me I never really saw the point. I feel like you would be better off with something like a 14-24 2.8 and star tracker. To me being stuck at 14mm kinda gets boring after a while, so the versatility of being able to zoom and using the tracker to compensate for light (and get a better SNR) makes more sense than a big and heavy ultra wide prime.

What focal length is the MW shot from 17:40? Because it doesn`t look like a completly 14mm MW so if it`s a crop from a larger file then those corners aren`t the original ones.

Thanks Nico for the detailed review. Did you get a chance to review the Sony 14mm GM lens? It's much lighter, much better IQ vs the Sigma 1.8, my old Sigma copy (EF mount) was sold soon after I got the GM lens... IMHO it's a tough to swap out the Sony with this newer, yet much bigger lens, even with better image quality and the nice tripod ring.

I have the sigma 14mm f/1.8. Do you think I should go for the new f/1.4?

That is such an awesome lens. Wish they’d make it for RF. Probably never going to happen 😢

Thanks for the review. Interesting but I think I'll stay with my 14-24 Nikon 2.8. I can fix my wonky stars with one click of a button in SIRIL. SIRIL is free and I get to keep the $1000.00+ in my pocket.

Is it possible to attach cooling camera to this lense? If yes, what are adaptors?

I've been using this lens for a while, for astro and extreme wide angle shots

Can you maybe make a Video on the Askar Fma 180 Pro if there is an oportunity or something, that would be really nice, its so unknown i dont know, you almost see no videos on it here on youtube even though its really the cheapest Fully corrected triplet on the market. Probably the best Bang for the buck, when considering Quality over fl or aperture, isnt it? Edit: (Just to add: the most expensive teleobjective from the fma line is about 500 here in EU, show me a triplet for the same Price, you just cant)

I know Nikon Mirrorless lenses have had firmware updates that changed focus-by-wire to linear, allowing many different focusing tunings (90, 180, 270, 720, etc etc). Maybe Sigma will as well?

Can you mount it to an astronomy camera like ZWO?

Can someone help. How do you do your 'flats' when the lens like this has a petal / tulip lens hood??

Great comparison. Haven't had time to check, have you any Tamron reviews? Yes or no will suffice, I'll look into it when I actually have time to watch. I have a Tamron 35mm f/1.4 and would love to see what someone who knows what they're doing can accomplish with it. :D

So I can carry a 1 pound G Master plus a ball head that weighs another pound and then fumble with the ball head to get everything aligned; or I can carry the Sigma which which may weigh a few ounces more but is tightly integrated, better balanced, offers two-thirds of a stop more light, and costs less than the combined price of the G-master and a ball head. By my calculation the Sigma comes out ahead.

I wonder how this compares to the Nikon Z 20 f1.8S.

This video was interesting, just not for me...as I don't have a Sony. I do want to say, I love nearly all of your videos. I appreciate how you communicate. Not a fan of astrobackyard as he uses far more syllables than you to convey far less information. Often times, you hit multiple points and answer the questions that I have that arise as I am watching your videos. His skip over the questions he purports to address. I also concede your instruction isn't for everyone and his is probably spot on for them. I also watched all 8 hours of you critiquing other astro photos. I love that you invested the time to provide meaningful feedback to them all. Since you didn't ask, the only thing about your videos I would change is your rate of speech. I play them at 2x and still often times find them to be slow. But, I also listen to my audiobooks at 2.6x so its probably a me problem.

can anybody tell me how can I protect lens like this?I use MCUV for my normal lens, maybe kase and Nisi. I don't want to break it again.

Sigma should release it in M42 so it can adapt to any mount you want without licensing / IP issues. Kinda strange the third-party lens makers don’t do this for more lenses.

A big improvement from the old one for sure. But for Sony, not a single reason to buy this over the 14GM.

Nice lenses and great review. How does it compare to the Sony 14mm GM?

@NebulaPhotos If they aren't going to make an RF version for Canon should I switch to Sony or Nikon for Astrophotography??

I think the bat wings in the corners of the f/1.8 lens is due to comatic aberration, not astigmatism. Did you try the Sigma 15 mm f/1.4 DG:DN Art lens?

Any Askar 151PHQ reviews in the works?

Good stuff but too rich for my blood. That's almost 3/4 of the cost of an AM5 mount

Is there a reason why it doesn’t seem to be out for Canon EF?

I thought nikon z mount has shorter FFD than sony E so we could use sony FE lenses on nikon z mount...?

What are the differences between each type of mount? And what are f stops? Also, I want to do deep sky astrophotography not landscape or milky way, this means I should not opt for a wide angle lens right?

There's a working EtoZ adapter u would be able to use it on Nikon Z mount

Hello Nico, I hear such beautiful things about Sigma making their lenses more astrophotography friendly. I cannot understand why they do not have it for Nikon Z. It seems impossible because of the "short focal flange distance.." Therefore, should we focus on Nikon Z lenses or Sigma Art for the Nikon F with an FTZ adapter for us Nikon Z users?

Would you recommend this lens if you had to buy a camera to use it? And also , of the cameras that are compatible with this lens which of them would be best as an astrophoto camera to go on telescopes?

Inability to use Astro filters is a limitation for me. Are there any Astro filters that will fit into the gel filter holder at the rear?

Hi Nico! I just thought of a cool idea to compare a dslr with a astro camera using Rokinon 135 maybe. Please let me know if you did something like that or planning to do it in the future.

Niko, I have a full frame 28mm f2 lens and a full frame 16mm f4. If you had to choose one, wider and slower or narrower and faster?

Very good video. Liked and suscribed, good sir.

Hello, I`m planning to buy a Nikon D7500 ( unmodified)+ 300 mm AF/VR Lens ( no telescope will be used). what`s the best Filter do you recommand to get the best image for deep sky objets. I do appreciate your help! Thank you :)

Thanks for this video Nico, but you persuaded me to stay still in the DSLR market for long. :)

Nikon needs to license Sigma to make them for the Z mount!

WOW.... amazing lens. But amazing cost. Maybe one day. But for someone starting in astrophotograhy, not yet.

Nice review, really helpful. Have 2 questions: 1. How you are configured the skywalker synscan so that can follow the milk way during the shooting? I play to buy the EQ6 R pro synscan to begin with astrofotography with my Sony A7R5 and sony 14mm Astro lense. To let me the way open to develop in future with a e.g. astro camera mono, I decided for EQ6. But now starting and make reseach to control the mechanics during long time fotographing, I cannot really find something how to setup the synscan with synscan app and Stellarium. Would you pls help me here with an info? 2. The heating ring :-) do you have a link? thx in advance Carsten

The company 🗿 The lens🗿

Z9 has the AI shooting for Astrophotography and Sigma does not introduce a Z Lens for Nikon first??? Sigma needs a New CEO not Lens.

Any recommendation for location in MA for milky way shots please?

I like how they left out canon

Astrophotography art of distance

This lens looks very nice, but I'm staying with my Sony 20mm f 1.8

Sigma may have gave you one of there branded Camera's in reality .. those who buy Sigma buy them to use with other brands ,

I hate canon for not allowing third party lenses