A review and sample photos of the SIGMA 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM ART, a large-aperture standard zoom lens for APS-C sensors, used with the SIGMA SD1 Merrill.
- Please see the disclaimer regarding advertising here.
- Italicized links in the text are advertisement links that take you to other sites.
- If you find any images used on this site problematic, please contact us via the comments or inquiry form, either as the rights holder or their representative. We will review the matter and take appropriate action.
Table of contents
Gallery
- The sample photos were taken using the SIGMA SD1.
Review
1．Overview
The 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Art is a large-aperture zoom lens for cameras with APS-C sensors released by Sigma in 2013.
The lens name includes DC HSM ART, with the “DC” designation indicating compatibility with APS-C sensor sizes, “HSM” indicating the lens is equipped with an ultrasonic motor, and “Art” referring to a lens that “pursues image quality above all else,” as the official statement states, and is a designation given to high-performance lenses.
The main specifications are listed below, with details provided in the table.
- Maximum aperture: f/1.8
- Lens construction: 17 elements in 12 groups
- Aperture blades: 9
- Minimum focusing distance: 0.28m
- Filter diameter: 72mm
2．Usability
The 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Art lens was originally used with the SIGMA SD1, and I ordered it used from Camera Kitamura and tried it out before purchasing it.
When I attached it to the SIGMA SD1 in the store, my impression was that the lens barrel was large, and when you add the 700g camera and 810g lens, it comes to 1.5kg, making it a fairly heavy camera.
The focal length is listed as 18mm-35mm, but since it is a lens for APS-C size sensors, when multiplied by the typical sensor magnification of 1.5x, the 35mm film equivalent focal length is 27mm-52.5mm, making it a large-aperture standard zoom lens.
The autofocus speed is decent, and focusing accuracy is not particularly good as it depends largely on the camera’s performance, but it focuses smoothly and quietly unless you are shooting through bushes or fences, which are areas where autofocus has difficulty.
In terms of preventing camera shake, this lens does not have image stabilization, nor does the SIGMA SD1 camera body itself. However, if you’re comfortable with your physical strength, the weight of the camera system provides a sense of stability when shooting, reducing the likelihood of camera shake. Additionally, in dark scenes, opening the aperture and increasing the shutter speed can help reduce camera shake.
Stopping down the aperture a little results in a resolution that’s hard to believe is from a zoom lens, and photographers who can handle the size and weight will no longer need a prime lens.
Operation is a bit lacking, but the focus ring on the lens barrel is wide and quite tolerable if you don’t mind its loose, unlimited rotation. However, since the zoom ring is located near the base of the lens, it can feel cramped when holding the zoom ring and leaving focus to the camera’s autofocus. It’s a bit questionable why the distance indicator is located in such a convenient position in the center of the lens, when you rarely see it on autofocus lenses.
This lens is released with a multi-mount system, and even lenses with mounts other than the SIGMA-SA are equipped with aperture controls that are controlled from the camera, so the only difference in appearance is the mount.
The controls on the lens barrel are simple, with only three: a zoom ring, a focus ring, and an AF/MF switch. The lens distance indicator is a scale marked in meters and covered by a plastic cover on the side of the lens.
3．Summary
To sum up, the 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Art is a large, heavy zoom lens with a good compositional image. However, if you are a photographer who can tolerate its size and weight, this lens is versatile enough to cover most scenes.
Specifications, considerations, etc.
Until 2024, Sigma was the only manufacturer to offer large-aperture zoom lenses exceeding F2.8, with other manufacturers seemingly considering 2.8 sufficient as the upper limit for zoom lens apertures. As a result, the bright zoom lens category remains Sigma’s domain and is an important element for differentiating itself from competitors.
Sigma continues to aggressively develop products, even in the mirrorless era, releasing the 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art, a 35mm full-frame constant F1.8 zoom lens.
In December 2024, Sony introduced a powerful lens for its α mirrorless cameras: the SONY FE 28-70mm F2 GM (SEL2870GM). This standard zoom lens with a constant F2 aperture is priced at an open price, but retails for around ¥450,000 to ¥500,000. Sigma’s large-aperture lenses are priced around ¥200,000, making this a lens in a different price category.
| Items | 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM | Art | 24-35mm F2 DG HSM | Art | 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art |
| Sensor size | APS-C size | 35mm full frame | 35mm full frame |
| Focal length(mm) | 18-35 | 20-35 | 28-45 |
| Max aperture | F1.8 | F2 | F1.8 |
| Min aperture | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Leaf blade | 9 | 9 | 11 |
| Lens Construction | 17 elements in 12 groups | 18 elements in 13 groups | 18 elements in 15 groups |
| Min distance(m) | 0.28 | 0.28 | 0.3 |
| Lens length(mm) | 121.0(SA) | 122.7 | 151.4(L) |
| Max diameter(mm) | 78 | 87.6 | 87.8 |
| Filter Size(mm) | 72 | 82 | ← |
| Weight(g) | 810(SA) | 940(SA) | 960(L) |
| Release date | Lens Hood (LH780-06) Front Cap (LCF-72mm III) Rear Cap (LCR II) | Flower-shaped hood (LH876-03) | Lens Hood (LH878-06) Front Cap (LCF-82 III) Rear Cap (LCR II) |
| Lens mount | 2013.6.28 | 2015.8.21 | 2024.6.20 |
| Price(Yen/No-tax) | CANON EF NIKON-F SIGMA-SA PENTAX-K SONY-A | CANON EF NIKON-F SIGMA-SA | L-mount E-mount |
| accessories | Open(90,000-) | ￥150,000 (list price) | ￥225,000（Open） |
Reference links
Affiliate links
- SIGMA SD14・Ads by Amazon
- SIGMA SD15・Ads by Amazon
- SIGMA SD1・Ads by Amazon
- dp0 Quattro・Ads by Amazon
- sd Quattro H・Ads by Amazon
Update history
- 2026.1.21
Be First to Comment