The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art is a mid-telephoto prime lens designed for Sony E-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. It is part of Sigma's Art series, which aims to deliver high optical performance and artistic expression.
The lens offers a life-size 1:1 magnification ratio for macro photography, as well as a pleasing bokeh effect for portraits and other subjects.
In this review, I will examine the features, pros and cons of the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art lens, based on various sources¹²³. I will also provide some sample images taken with the lens and a Sony A7 III camera.
Features
The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art lens has a metal and polycarbonate construction, with internal seals to protect it from dust and moisture. It also has a fluorine coating on the front element to repel water and grease. The lens comes with a reversible lens hood and accepts 62mm filters.
This lens has a traditional aperture ring with 1/3-stop clicks, which can be de-clicked for smooth operation in video recording. The aperture ring can also be locked at the A position for automatic aperture control.
The lens has a focus limiter switch to restrict the focus range and speed up autofocus performance. It also has an AFL button that can be customized to perform various functions.
It uses a stepping motor for fast and quiet autofocus, which is compatible with Sony's continuous AF and eye AF modes. The lens does not have optical stabilization, but relies on the in-body stabilization of the camera. The lens has an internal focusing mechanism, which means the length of the lens does not change during focusing.
The Sigma 105mm Macro Art lens has 12 elements in 7 groups, including one SLD (Special Low Dispersion) element to reduce chromatic aberrations. It also has a Super Multi-Layer Coating to minimize flare and ghosting. The lens has a 9-blade rounded diaphragm that creates a smooth and circular bokeh.
The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 29.5cm (11.6 inches), which gives a working distance of 14.1cm (5.5 inches) from the front of the lens to the subject. The lens can achieve a 1:1 magnification ratio at this distance, meaning that the subject is reproduced at the same size as the sensor.
It is compatible with Sigma's TC-1411 (1.4x) and TC-2011 (2x) teleconverters for L-mount cameras, which increase the magnification ratio to 1.4:1 and 2:1 respectively, while reducing the maximum aperture to f/4 and f/5.6 respectively.
Pros and Cons of Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art
| Pros | Cons |
| High-resolution optics | Reliant on in-camera stabilization |
| 1:1 macro reproduction | Focus breathing limits video use |
| Quick autofocus | No optical stabilization |
| Dust, splash, and fluorine protection | Heavier than Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS |
| Focus limiter and aperture lock | |
| Available for E and L-mount cameras |
Sample Images
Here are some sample images taken with the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art lens and a Sony A7 III camera.
Conclusion
The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art is an excellent lens for macro photography, as well as for portraits and other subjects that require a short telephoto perspective and a shallow depth of field.
This lens delivers sharp and contrasty images, with minimal distortion, vignetting, and chromatic aberrations. The lens also has a fast and quiet autofocus system, a robust and weather-sealed build, and a smooth and circular bokeh.
It does have some drawbacks, such as the lack of optical stabilization, the focus breathing effect in video recording, and the relatively heavy weight compared to the Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS. However, these are not deal-breakers for most users, especially considering the lower price of the Sigma lens.
The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art is a worthy addition to the Art series, and a great option for Sony E-mount and L-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. It is one of the best macro lenses on the market, and deserves our Editors' Choice award.
Further Reading
(1) Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG DN Macro Art Review | PCMag
(2) Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG DN MACRO Art Review | Photography Blog
(3) Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art Lens (Sony E) – B&H Photo Video