Portraits Where the Background Disappears

The Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG | Art combines a classic portrait focal length with an exceptionally bright F1.2 aperture. Its 85mm perspective provides natural proportions, while the extremely shallow depth of field creates strong separation between the subject and the background.

Why F1.2 matters

The F1.2 maximum aperture is about more than low-light performance. It allows exceptionally shallow depth of field and distinctive subject separation for portraits, fashion and cinematic close-ups.

Key benefits include:

• strong subject isolation
• smooth background blur
• increased low-light flexibility
• potential for faster shutter speeds
• distinctive portrait rendering
• cinematic video aesthetics

Classic 85mm portrait perspective

The 85mm focal length provides a comfortable working distance and natural facial proportions, making it particularly suitable for:

• portrait photography
• weddings
• fashion and beauty
• lifestyle photography
• stage and event work
• portrait video and interviews

13-blade diaphragm

The 13-blade diaphragm helps maintain rounded out-of-focus highlights even when the aperture is stopped down, contributing to smooth and natural-looking bokeh.

High resolution at F1.2

The optical design is intended to deliver high resolving power even at maximum aperture, allowing photographers to use the distinctive depth of field of F1.2 without treating the widest aperture as an emergency-only setting.

Dual HLA autofocus

Two High-response Linear Actuator units provide fast and quiet autofocus, an important advantage when working with the extremely shallow depth of field produced at F1.2.

Optimised for video

Reduced focus breathing helps minimise changes in framing during focus transitions, while the aperture ring can be switched to clickless operation for smoother and quieter adjustments during recording.

Professional physical controls

Controls include:

• dual AFL buttons
• aperture ring
• aperture-ring lock
• Click ON/OFF switch
• AF/MF control

F1.2 performance at 905g

At 905g, the lens remains comparatively portable for a full-frame 85mm F1.2 design, making it more practical for weddings, extended portrait sessions and mobile productions.

Key benefits at a glance

• full-frame 85mm portrait prime
• exceptionally bright F1.2 aperture
• high resolution at maximum aperture
• extremely shallow depth of field
• smooth natural bokeh
• 13-blade diaphragm
• Dual HLA autofocus
• reduced focus breathing
• video-oriented controls
• dual AFL buttons
• de-clickable aperture ring
• dust- and splash-resistant construction
• water- and oil-repellent front coating
• 905g weight

Recommended for

The Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG | Art is particularly well suited to photographers and filmmakers who use shallow depth of field and background rendering as deliberate creative tools.

It is an especially strong choice for professional portrait, wedding, fashion, beauty and lifestyle photography, as well as cinematic video work.

Uncompromising resolution and beautiful bokeh to make the most of F1.2

Overwhelming resolving power

In addition to two SLD glass elements, glass with high anomalous dispersion is used to suppress the axial chromatic aberration inherent to large-aperture lenses to the utmost limit. Aspherical lens elements further thoroughly correct spherical aberration and sagittal coma flare. The lens boasts reliably high resolving power from the maximum aperture, fully bringing out the rendering that only F1.2 can offer. It captures every detail of the subject’s expression and texture, taking the quality of both photographs and video to a higher level.

Beautiful bokeh that makes the subject stand out

The combination of a large-aperture F1.2 and a medium-telephoto 85mm delivers an extremely shallow depth of field and beautiful, rich bokeh. The adoption of a 13-blade diaphragm maintains a near-circular bokeh even when the aperture is stopped down. Natural bokeh rendering that suppresses color bleeding and double-line bokeh makes the subject stand out impressively, bringing overwhelming three-dimensionality and immersion to portraits and video work.

Designed to minimize flare and ghosting

Flare and ghosting, which reduce image quality, are addressed under all conditions of incident light, based on the most advanced simulation technology. High backlight resistance enables clear and sharp images under any lighting conditions.

Overwhelming mobility that breaks the conventions of an 85mm F1.2

The smallest and lightest in its class for an 85mm F1.2

By effectively arranging aspherical lens elements within the focus groups, the number of lens elements making up the focus unit has been significantly reduced. Despite incorporating a complex floating mechanism, a precise mechanical design pared down to the absolute minimum has achieved the smallest and lightest weight in its class for an 85mm F1.2 at 905g. It can be used comfortably even during long shoots or in situations that demand mobility, dramatically enhancing agility on set.

Fast and quiet autofocusing with dual HLA

The fast and quiet AF driven by the dual HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) delivers reliable tracking performance for both stills and video. Even with the shallow depth of field of the maximum F1.2 aperture, it captures the subject accurately, enabling smooth and precise shooting in any scene.

The pride of a creative tool: the high build quality of the Art line

By constructing the lens from high-precision parts made of lightweight, high-strength materials such as TSC, it off ers the rigidity and durability of the Art line without compromising portability, along with the build quality to serve as a reliable photographic tool over the long term.

A full range of functions and build quality that meet the demands of professional use

Designed to minimize focus breathing

Optimization of the focus group arrangement and aspherical shape significantly suppresses focus breathing. The change in angle of view due to focus shift is minimized, creating a natural-looking focus shift when recording video.

Various shooting assist functions

The lens is equipped with an AFL button in two locations, which can be assigned to a range of functions via the menu on selected cameras. In addition to the aperture ring, the lens is equipped with an aperture ring lock switch and a click switch to turn the click on and off.

Dust- and splash-resistant structure and water- and oil-repellent coating

In addition to a dust- and splash-resistant structure, the frontmost surface of the lens has a water- and oil-repellent coating applied, so that the lens can be used safely even in harsh outdoor environments.

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