Sigma is one of the top third-party lens manufacturers. Included in their range is a great choice of ultra-wide lens options. In this guide, we have chosen five of the best Sigma ultra wide-angle lenses under $1000 to help narrow down your choices.
Sigma makes very good lenses but they have several features and models that are important to understand. Firstly, there are Sigma DC and Sigma DG lenses. DC lenses are suitable for DSLR cameras with an APS-C sensor. Alternatively, DG lenses are more suited to full-frame 35mm DSLR sensor cameras.
Next, you should consider the different categories like Art, Sports, and Contemporary. Art lenses usually have fast apertures and also have a superior build quality. Alternatively, Contemporary lenses are most consumer-level and may not have the same range of features and quality as the Art range.
For ultra wide-angle lenses, a fast aperture is vital, whereas features like image stabilization are not as important.
1. Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art (Overall Winner)
Our top choice for Sigma ultra wide-angle lenses under $1000 is the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art. This is an affordable lens that provides consistent quality and a good array of features. As a DG lens, it is suitable for full-frame DSLR cameras and is available for Sony, Nikon, and Canon cameras.
This is a lens from the Art series which means it has a great maximum aperture of f/1.4 and provides fantastic image quality. This high-end lens features Sigma’s Hyper Sonic Motor autofocusing technology which provides silent and accurate focusing.
In terms of build quality, the lens has a brass bayonet mount which offers a secure connection between lens and camera. It has a nine-blade aperture that allows you to produce smooth bokeh effects at the larger aperture range.
This lens weighs 662g and is therefore portable and not too heavy. With an overall length of 3.6 inches, it won’t shift your camera’s center of balance forward too far.
2. Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM
For excellent ultra wide-angle photography, the Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM is a valid option. This budget lens provides angles that are almost fisheye and allows you to shoot with fantastic detail and width.
The lens itself has numerous design features including three aspherical and four FLD low dispersion lens elements. These combine together to provide excellent image quality and consistency. They also reduce potential distortions like chromatic aberration and ghosting.
The 8-16mm benefits from Sigma’s HSM autofocusing motor and has a decent maximum aperture range of f/4.5-5.6. Remember that this is a DC lens too, which means it is suitable for APS-C cropped-sensor cameras.
This is a well-designed lens that weighs just 555g and has an overall length of 4.2 inches. It is relatively small and compact, and easy to carry. Also, it has a closest focusing distance of just 9.4 inches which means it could be used as a basic macro lens.
3. Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art
If you want versatility in your ultra wide-angle photography, the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art is a good lens under $1000. This lens provides a versatile focal distance, great build quality, and a good set of features for consistent image quality.
It is a DC lens and is therefore suitable for APS-C sensor cameras, and it’s available for Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sigma, and Sony models. It also benefits from a Hyper Sonic Motor for autofocusing which means you can focus quickly and accurately on subjects, even in low-contrast situations.
The maximum aperture of f/1.8 provides good control over depth of field and makes this lens suitable for low-light photography, too.
The lens element incorporates both aspherical and Special Low Dispersion glass to improve image quality and reduce distortions. The only downside is that this lens lacks image stabilization. However, with the aperture range and other features, that shouldn’t be an issue.
4. Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
The Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art is a top prime lens and one of the best Sigma ultra wide-angle lenses under $1000. It is available for Sony, Canon, Nikon, Leica, Sigma, and Pentax DSLR cameras. Also, as a DG lens, it is suitable for full-frame DSLRs only.
This versatile wide-angle lens has a great maximum aperture of f/1.4, and Sigma’s HSM autofocusing motor that provides accurate and silent focusing. The lens element features an advanced construction with numerous elements to reduce distortions.
It weighs approx 1200g and is, therefore, a little heavier than most of the other lenses on this list. Also, due to the relatively exposed external glass, we would recommend using a lens hood to protect the element. Regardless, this is still a good lens and a top ultra wide-angle choice.
5. Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye (Budget Winner)
Our budget option is the Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX DG Diagonal Fisheye. This specialist lens is available for Nikon, Pentax, Canon, and Sigma DSLR cameras. As a DG lens, it is suitable only for full-frame cameras unless you use an adapter.
At 15mm, the external lens element offers excellent detail, and it has a 180-degree field of view which means you can produce perfect fisheye compositions. It has a minimum shooting distance of just 5.9 inches which makes it a useful macro lens.
This lens is lightweight and weighs just 370g. The maximum aperture of f/2.8 means it is versatile and can cope with a variety of situational compositions.
Expand Your Angles with Sigma Ultra Wide-Angle Lenses Under $1000
This selection of lenses represents the best value Sigma has to offer. You do not have to spend a fortune to purchase a quality lens, and the best Sigma ultra wide-angle lenses under $1000 are just as good as any official manufacturer’s lens from Canon, Nikon, or Sony.
