Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX DG on the Nikon D810

The Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX DG is a fascinating lens—quirky, bold, and full of contradictions. It’s not for everyone, but in the right hands, it can be a tool for intentional, character-rich storytelling. Here’s a balanced rundown:

✅ What’s Good

• Unique aperture: f/1.8 at 20mm is rare, especially in older lenses. Great for low-light work and shallow depth of field in wide compositions2.

• Solid build: Metal barrel, substantial feel, and a large 82mm front element. It feels like a serious tool.

• Close focus: Minimum focusing distance of ~20cm allows for dramatic foreground emphasis and near-macro effects.

• Character rendering: Stopped down to f/2.8 or f/3.5, it sharpens up nicely and delivers images with a vintage warmth.

❌ What’s Challenging

• Soft wide open: At f/1.8, it’s very soft—usable only for dreamy or atmospheric effects2.

• Heavy vignetting: Up to 5 stops in full-frame corners at f/1.8. Improves by f/4, but still noticeable.

• Flare-prone: Backlight control is tricky; flare and ghosting are common.

• Autofocus quirks: Screw-driven AF is noisy and can hunt in low light—ironic for a lens marketed for low-light use.

• Large filter size: 82mm filters are expensive and bulky.

🧘 Why It Might Belong in Your Bag

If you shoot with presence and intention, this lens can be a creative ally. It’s not about perfection—it’s about possibility. Wide open, it’s soft and unpredictable. Stopped down, it sharpens and settles. It’s a lens that asks you to negotiate with light, not dominate it.

✍️ Closing Thought

The Sigma 20mm f/1.8 EX DG isn’t a modern marvel. It’s a lens with edges—optical, emotional, and practical. And for photographers who value character over clinical precision, it might just be worth rediscovering.