Before we get into it, I just want to make one thing clear: not all “photography lenses” are just for photography. Some of the best lenses you can get for video work are actually affordable portrait lenses, and Sigma has absolutely nailed it with a few of their prime options.
When I first dipped my toes into shooting video, my setup was pretty humble. A Sony A6000 and a Sigma 56mm f1.4. Nothing fancy. No 4K, no crazy dynamic range. Just 1080p HD footage and a lot of trial and error. Even with those limitations, the results blew me away.
Fast forward to today, I now shoot with the Sony A7IV, full-frame, 10-bit 4K, all the bells and whistles. And guess what? That same Sigma 56mm f1.4 still comes out with me almost every day.
Let’s take a proper look at why Sigma portrait lenses, particularly the 56mm f1.4 and 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art, have become my go-to choices for video work.
Why I Still Use the Sigma 56mm f1.4 for Video Work
Despite having access to bigger, “better” lenses, the 56mm f1.4 keeps a firm place in my kit bag. Here’s why:
- Ridiculously Sharp: Even when punching into 4K footage, the sharpness holds up beautifully.
- Compact and Lightweight: Especially helpful when using a gimbal or handheld rig for longer shoots.
- Fast Aperture: That lovely f1.4 gives you creamy backgrounds and works wonders in low light.
- Natural Depth of Field: It separates subjects nicely without looking artificially “overdone.”
When paired with the Sony A6000, the footage had a slightly “dreamy” look due to the 1080p resolution, but the lens’s clarity still shone through. Now, with the Sony A7IV’s 10-bit 4K capabilities, the footage is simply on another level.
The 56mm gives a roughly 84mm equivalent focal length on APS-C, perfect for portraits and mid-shots. Even today, I’d rather reach for it than some chunky cinema lenses for a lot of everyday video work.
Buy the Sigma 56mm f1.4 lens on Amazon today
The Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art for Talking Heads and Wide Shots
When I upgraded to the full-frame Sony A7IV, I wanted something to give me a wider perspective without losing that Sigma quality I’d grown to love.
Enter the Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art lens.
This lens is an absolute beast for talking head videos. When you’re shooting indoors, or trying to get a wider shot without stepping into another postcode, the 35mm comes into its own.
Why I Love the Sigma 35mm f1.4 for Video:
- Natural Perspective: 35mm looks “true to life” without introducing awkward distortion.
- Crisp Detail: The Art series lives up to its name, the sharpness is unreal.
- Beautiful Colour Rendering: The way it captures skin tones is something I noticed immediately.
- Strong in Crop Mode: When shooting slow-motion at higher frame rates (forcing the A7IV into APS-C mode), the 35mm crops to about 52.5mm, and still delivers fantastic results.
Again, the size and weight are pretty reasonable too. You can comfortably stick this lens on a handheld rig or gimbal without it feeling like a workout.
Click here to view the Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art Lens product page on Amazon
Understanding Crop Mode on the Sony A7IV
One thing to keep in mind if you’re planning to shoot high frame rates (for that lovely slow motion) is that the Sony A7IV automatically crops to APS-C.
Here’s what that means in practice:
- Your 35mm lens becomes about 52.5mm
- Your 56mm lens becomes about 84mm
In many cases, this “forced” crop can actually work to your advantage. It gives your footage a more compressed, cinematic feel without needing to switch lenses.
Shooting in S-Gamut3.Cine and S-Log3 for Best Results
If you really want to get the most out of Sigma portrait lenses for video, you need to pay attention to your shooting settings.
Personally, I shoot almost everything in S-Gamut3.Cine combined with S-Log3. If you’re not used to shooting in log profiles, you’ll probably think your footage looks horrendously flat and lifeless straight out of camera.
That’s the point.
Shooting in log gives you much more flexibility when it comes to colour grading in post-production. It captures a greater dynamic range, allowing you to:
- Pull back highlights
- Recover shadow detail
- Craft your own colour style
With the right grade, you can make your footage look:
- True to life: Ideal for documentaries or corporate work
- Cinematic and warm: Great for short films or promotional videos
- Cool and moody: Perfect for creating an emotional tone
Knowing how to shoot and grade properly is key. Sigma lenses give you fantastic raw material to work with, but it’s your shooting technique and editing that will make or break your final video.
Portrait Lenses vs Cinema Lenses: What’s the Real Difference?
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room. No, portrait lenses aren’t “cinema” lenses in the traditional sense.
Cinema lenses are built with certain features like:
- Smooth, clickless aperture rings
- Focus breathing control
- More durable housings
But they also cost five to ten times more than your average portrait lens.
When you’re starting out or even working professionally on smaller projects, using a high-quality portrait lens like the Sigma 56mm f1.4 or 35mm f1.4 can give you stunning results without rinsing your bank account.
You might miss out on a few cinema-lens luxuries, but you’ll still have:
- Sharp images
- Creamy depth of field
- Gorgeous colour and contrast
With some careful shooting and thoughtful editing, the end viewer will never know you weren’t using a “proper” cinema setup.
Final Thoughts: Are Sigma Portrait Lenses Good for Capturing Video?
In a word: Yes.
Sigma’s portrait primes, particularly the 56mm f1.4 and 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art, are not just “good” for video — they’re brilliant.
They give you:
- Top-tier sharpness
- Great low-light performance
- Manageable size and weight
- Beautiful natural rendering
- Insane value for money
Sure, cinema lenses have their place. But for most real-world shooters, whether you’re creating social content, stock footage, indie films or client videos, these Sigma portrait lenses will more than hold their own.
I’m still reaching for my Sigma 56mm f1.4 almost daily, even after all these years and equipment upgrades. That should tell you everything you need to know.
If you’re thinking about levelling up your video work without remortgaging your house, get yourself a Sigma.
You won’t regret it.
Click here to view the Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art Lens product page on Amazon
