Sigma Sigma Art Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens for Leica L Review
The Sigma 24mm f/1.4 Art delivers stunning image quality, but the L-Mount version is plagued by a broken aperture mechanism. We dug into the data and user reports to see if the optics are worth the headache.
The 30-Second Version
The L-Mount version of this lens is broken. The aperture doesn't operate smoothly, making it a hard pass for video and a constant annoyance for photos. Fantastic optics can't save a fundamental design flaw.
Overview
The Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is an optical powerhouse that's been hamstrung by a weird, deal-breaking flaw on the Leica L-Mount version. The one thing you need to know? This lens is a brilliant piece of glass that takes stunning photos, but the L-Mount version has a broken aperture mechanism that makes it unusable for video and annoying for stills. It's like buying a sports car with a transmission that only works in first and third gear.
Performance
The optical performance is genuinely fantastic, landing in the 94th percentile. The bokeh is creamy and beautiful (95th percentile), and that f/1.4 aperture gives you incredible low-light capability and subject separation. But the surprise here is how bad the autofocus performance is, scoring in the bottom half of all lenses. It's not just slow, it's loud and hunts more than it should for a modern lens. The real shocker, though, is the crippled aperture control on the L-Mount version, which is a massive oversight for a lens at this price.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Stunning optical quality with beautiful bokeh. 95th
- Excellent f/1.4 aperture for low light and creative control. 94th
- Solid, premium build quality feels great in the hand. 88th
- Sharp across the frame, even wide open. 84th
Cons
- The L-Mount version has a broken, stepped aperture mechanism.
- Autofocus is loud, slow, and hunts too much.
- No image stabilization, which hurts in low-light handheld shooting.
- Heavy and not versatile, scoring terribly for travel.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Wide-Angle |
| Focal Length Min | 24 |
| Focal Length Max | 24 |
| Elements | 17 |
| Groups | 14 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 |
| Min Aperture | f/16 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 11 |
Build
| Mount | L-Mount |
| Format | Full-Frame |
| Weather Sealed | Yes |
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.1 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 72 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Autofocus |
| Stabilization | No |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 250 |
| Max Magnification | 1:7.1 |
Value & Pricing
At $879, this lens is not worth it for L-Mount shooters. The aperture flaw is a fundamental failure that you simply cannot ignore at this price point. For Sony E-Mount, it's a different story, but for Leica, Panasonic, or Sigma L-Mount cameras, you're paying a premium for a defective product.
Price History
vs Competition
If you're on L-Mount and want a fast wide-angle prime, look at the Panasonic Lumix S Pro 24mm f/1.8 or the Sigma 24mm f/3.5 DG DN Contemporary. The Panasonic is more expensive but has flawless electronic control. The Sigma Contemporary is cheaper, smaller, lighter, and crucially, it works properly. If you're considering the Viltrox or Meike options from the competitor list, know they're for different mounts (Z-mount, APS-C) and are in a completely different, much cheaper league. This Sigma is in pro territory, but the L-Mount version doesn't act like it.
| Spec | Sigma Sigma Art Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens for Leica L | Viltrox VILTROX 35mm f1.7 Z, AF 35mm F1.7 Z-Mount for | Meike Meike 50mm F1.8 Full Frame AF STM Lens Standard | Nikon Nikon S-Line Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens (Nikon Z) | Tamron Tamron Di III Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Lens for Sony | Canon Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM Lens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 24mm | 35mm | 50mm | 24-70mm | 17-70mm | 18-150mm |
| Max Aperture | f/1.4 | f/1.7 | f/1.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 |
| Mount | L-Mount | Nikon Z | Nikon Z | Nikon Z | Sony E Mount | Canon RF |
| Stabilization | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | true | false | false | true | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 519 | 179 | 301 | 676 | 544 | 309 |
| AF Type | Autofocus | STM | STM | Autofocus | Autofocus | Autofocus |
| Lens Type | Wide-Angle | — | — | Zoom | Zoom | Telephoto |
Common Questions
Q: Is the aperture problem on all L-Mount copies, or just some?
Based on the data and consistent user reports, it appears to be a design flaw of the L-Mount version itself, not a faulty batch. The Sony version doesn't have this issue.
Q: Can I use this for video on my Panasonic S5 II?
No, you really shouldn't. The stepped aperture changes will cause visible jumps in exposure during shots, which is a nightmare to fix in post. It's a deal-breaker for video.
Q: Is it sharp wide open at f/1.4?
Yes, absolutely. The optical performance is this lens's saving grace. It's incredibly sharp even at its maximum aperture, which is impressive.
Who Should Skip This
If you shoot video on an L-Mount camera, skip this immediately. The aperture issue will drive you nuts. Also, if you need a lightweight travel lens or reliable, fast autofocus for events, this isn't it. For those needs, look at a zoom like the Tamron 28-75mm or a native Panasonic prime.
Verdict
We cannot recommend the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG DN Art for Leica L-Mount. The optical performance is top-tier, but the crippled aperture mechanism is a fatal flaw that makes the lens frustrating to use and outright broken for video work. It's a shame, because the glass is brilliant. L-Mount users should look at the Panasonic or the Sigma Contemporary 24mm instead. Sony E-Mount users, however, get the lens Sigma intended, and for them, it's a much stronger contender.