In 2019, Sigma made history with the release of the 35mm F1.2 DG DN | Art, the world's first 35mm mirrorless lens to offer an extraordinary F1.2 aperture. Six years on, Sigma has refined and reimagined that pioneering design, unveiling the 35mm F1.2 DG II | Art, a lens that carries forward the brilliance of its predecessor while introducing remarkable improvements in performance, portability and usability.
At its heart, this new-generation lens has been engineered with Sigma's latest optical technology, offering even greater clarity, resolution and rendering power. The immense depth and character of its images are matched only by its breathtaking bokeh, made possible by the vast F1.2 aperture. Whether capturing portraits, landscapes or creative compositions, the lens balances razor-sharp detail in the focal plane with a luxuriously smooth background blur that elevates every shot. Sigma's painstaking attention to correcting chromatic aberration and sagittal coma flare ensures that images remain consistently clean and true to life, even when working wide open.
One of the most striking advances in this successor is its enhanced portability. Thanks to a reworked design and floating focus system, the 35mm F1.2 DG II | Art is approximately 30% lighter and 20% shorter than the original model, making it far more practical to carry and use without compromising on optical excellence. The use of aspherical lens elements, high refractive index glass and thinner lens elements contributes to this achievement, while also further improving optical performance.
For videographers, the improvements are equally compelling. The lens has been designed to minimise focus breathing, so changes in field of view are barely perceptible when adjusting focus. This makes it a reliable choice for professional video work, where consistency across shots is crucial. In addition, flare and ghosting are suppressed with the help of advanced simulation technologies, ensuring outstanding backlight resistance and consistently sharp results in challenging lighting conditions.
The autofocus system has also been transformed. Sigma has introduced a dual HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) system, in which each of the two focus groups is driven by an individual linear motor. This configuration delivers autofocus that is fast, quiet and precise, while keeping the overall focus unit compact and lightweight. The result is an AF performance that inspires confidence in both stills and video, even in demanding shooting environments.
Beyond its optical and mechanical prowess, the 35mm F1.2 DG II | Art has been crafted with durability and ease of use in mind. Built in Sigma's renowned Aizu facility in Japan, it combines precision engineering with high-quality materials such as aluminium and TSC, creating a lens that feels as robust as it is refined. It also includes a range of practical features to support the photographer's workflow, including an AFL button that can be customised on compatible camera systems, a lockable aperture ring and the ability to switch between clicked and declicked aperture control.
Outdoor photographers will also value its dust- and splash-resistant structure, while the front element carries a water- and oil-repellent coating, providing reassurance when shooting in unpredictable conditions. These refinements make the lens a dependable companion wherever creativity leads, from controlled studio settings to dynamic outdoor locations.
