Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG Art Lens for L-Mount

Key Features

• Premium Art-series portrait lens for full-frame L-Mount cameras
• High resolving power from maximum aperture
• 13-blade rounded diaphragm for refined defocus
• Dual HLA actuators provide fast and quiet AF
• Class-leading weight supports extended handheld shooting
• Two AFL buttons for direct access to assigned camera functions
• Lockable aperture ring with click/de-click operation
• Focus breathing suppressed for smoother video transitions
• Dust and splash-resistant construction
• Water- and oil-repellent coating on the front element

Product Summary

Portraiture is where this 85mm really comes into its own. The combination of a short-telephoto perspective and wide aperture lets you place attention exactly where you want it, from the eyes in a close portrait to a fleeting expression during a wedding, while distracting surroundings recede into smooth defocus.

There is equally good reason to keep it mounted as daylight disappears. The bright aperture provides more freedom to work with ambient illumination at receptions, performances and evening events, while the optical design maintains strong detail at maximum aperture rather than requiring you to stop down to find its best rendering.

For L-Mount photographers, it also brings that character to an unusually broad choice of full-frame bodies. Sigma, Panasonic Lumix and Leica cameras share the same mount, allowing photographers to build around their preferred body while retaining the same premium Art glass.

Despite the ambitious specification, this isn’t an optic that has to stay in the bag until a carefully planned portrait session. At 905g, Sigma has kept the weight unusually low for its class, while the floating mechanism and responsive focusing make it practical for people who rarely stay exactly where you put them.

This completes the F1.2 trio along with the 35mm F/1.2 DG II Art and 50mm F/1.2 DG DN Art, spanning wide, standard and short-telephoto perspectives.

In More Detail

Advanced optics driving artistic rendering

The optical design uses 17 elements in 12 groups, including two SLD and three aspherical elements, together with glass featuring high anomalous dispersion. These suppress axial chromatic aberration, spherical aberration and sagittal coma flare, maintaining high resolving power from f/1.2 so fine expression and texture remain clearly rendered at maximum aperture.

Portrait rendering and natural bokeh

With depth of field this shallow, the transition matters as much as the blur itself. Sigma suppresses colour bleeding and double-line bokeh so sharp detail falls naturally into defocused areas, while the 13-blade diaphragm maintains rounded highlights as the aperture closes. The subject holds presence while the background gently falls away.

Working with backlight

Flare and ghosting have been addressed using advanced simulation of incident light, helping to retain clarity when shooting towards strong illumination. That gives photographers more freedom to incorporate window light, low sun or stage lighting into the composition.

Sophisticated focusing in a smaller design

Placing aspherical elements within the focus groups significantly reduces the number of elements that need to move, allowing a complex floating mechanism to be incorporated while keeping the overall design manageable. Dual HLA actuators drive the system quickly and quietly.

Physical controls for stills and video

Two AFL buttons can be assigned to different functions through compatible camera menus, while the aperture ring includes both a lock and click/de-click switch. These provide direct control whether shooting stills or changing exposure smoothly during video capture.

Natural focus transitions for video

The focus-group arrangement and aspherical shapes are optimised to minimise changes in angle of view as focus shifts. This suppression of focus breathing produces more natural-looking transitions when moving between subjects during a shot.

Built for professional use

High-strength TSC components provide rigidity while helping to control weight, complemented by a dust and splash-resistant structure and water- and oil-repellent coating on the front element. It is equipped for demanding outdoor assignments, although the construction is explicitly not waterproof.

Learn more in our 85mm F1.2 DG Art Review where wee have more sample images, and compare it to the F1.4.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sample images

Sample 01 ©Doãn Quang. Settings: 1/500 sec. f/1.2. ISO 50

Sample 02 ©Doãn Quang. Settings: 1/160 sec. f/4.5. ISO 125

Sample 03 ©Tony Noel. Settings: 1/16000 sec. f/1.2. ISO 100

Sample 04 ©Kazuyuki Hagiwara. Settings: 1/2500 sec. f/1.2. ISO 160

Specifications

What's in the Box

• Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG | Art
• Pouch
• LH878-08 lens hood
• LCF-82 IV front cap
• LCR III rear cap