Sigma 14mm f1. 4

[Johno1530]

Hi All, 

 

Has anyone used the Sigma 14mm f1. 4 for underwater wide angle? 

 

I'm looking for a new wide angle lens and this is an option. I'm looking at using it on land as well. 

 

Thanks

 

John 

[Chris Ross]

Seems to be an astro-photo oriented lens - giveaway is the lens heater thing it lists in the specs.  The min focusing distance is 30cm which is relatively long and generally a sign the lens won't work so well UW and the lens only stops down to f16.  Another issue is the lens diameter at 101.9mm, which won't fit through the Nauticam N100 mount and may be tight on some N120 ports - this means the lens would need to be installed after the camera is in the housing and the port placed over the top.   I suspect it would perform poorly in a smaller port - Nauticam recommends the monster 250mm for best performance.

 

The other issue for astro orientated lenses is that they are generally optimised for infinity focus.  The SIgma 15mm Sony mount fisheye was a non -starter for UW due mediocre close focus performance among other issues.  I would suggest checking reviews about its close focus performance first.

 

There's a whole post on 14mm lenses and in particular this post :  

The point being a 16-35 or 14-30 range zoom is likely a better option, being easier to shoot and more flexible.  not to mention smaller cheaper and working better behind a dome and some work quite well behind the 180mm dome.  You don't say which camera this is for but there a lot of wide angle zooms about.  You could always consider a fisheye lens as well.

 

BTW I'm moving this post to the Photogear & technique forum.

 

 

[Johno1530]

On 3/29/2025 at 11:13 PM, Chris Ross said:

Seems to be an astro-photo oriented lens - giveaway is the lens heater thing it lists in the specs.  The min focusing distance is 30cm which is relatively long and generally a sign the lens won't work so well UW and the lens only stops down to f16.  Another issue is the lens diameter at 101.9mm, which won't fit through the Nauticam N100 mount and may be tight on some N120 ports - this means the lens would need to be installed after the camera is in the housing and the port placed over the top.   I suspect it would perform poorly in a smaller port - Nauticam recommends the monster 250mm for best performance.

 

The other issue for astro orientated lenses is that they are generally optimised for infinity focus.  The SIgma 15mm Sony mount fisheye was a non -starter for UW due mediocre close focus performance among other issues.  I would suggest checking reviews about its close focus performance first.

 

There's a whole post on 14mm lenses and in particular this post :  

The point being a 16-35 or 14-30 range zoom is likely a better option, being easier to shoot and more flexible.  not to mention smaller cheaper and working better behind a dome and some work quite well behind the 180mm dome.  You don't say which camera this is for but there a lot of wide angle zooms about.  You could always consider a fisheye lens as well.

 

BTW I'm moving this post to the Photogear & technique forum.

 

 

Thanks for the reply Chris. I only considered it as I like astrophotography as well, but underwater is much more important for me. 

 

I'm using it with the Sony A7r5. 

 

I think I will look at the canon 8-15mm instead. I have the WACP-C but I'm going on an Alex Mustard workshop in June and wanted to try some splits. 

 

Thanks for the abuse, it's appreciated.