Sigma's Art lens series has been a hit with photographers since its introduction. The concept is simple—bright lenses with excellent optics and reasonable prices. Many of its designs have been good enough to pass muster in the world of cinema, and Sigma has released those as part of its manual focus Cine series. The 40mm F1.4 DG HSM Art ($1,399)—an autofocus lens for SLRs and mirrorless cameras—puts optics designed for the Cine series into an Art lens, instead of going the other way around. Its optical quality is exceptional, but it's bulky and more expensive than others. A Big Prime Lens My first reaction to seeing the 40mm Art ($1,399.00 at B&H Photo Video) in person was to marvel at its size. It's a big lens. Not as big as a telezoom, but big when compared with other primes. It measures 5.2 by 3.5 inches (HD), weighs 2.6 pounds, and supports 82mm front filters. Compare that with the Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM Art, which is much more typically sized (3.7 by 3.0 inches), lighter (1....

The Sigma 40mm F1.4 DG HSM Art lens features a cinema-first design that will appeal to videographers, but photographers may want to opt for a lighter alternative.

Excellent resolution; Bright f/1.4 aperture; Minimal focus breathing; All-weather build; Fluorine coating; Available for multiple camera systems

Pricey; Heavy; Some barrel distortion and vignette; Doesn't focus as close as some others; No stabilization