HI!:)
I need some advice.
For the purposes of photographing old books/documents of size 58cm x 48cm and 83cm x 58cm, I need to choose one of these two lenses that I would use on the Sony A7 IV:
1. Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
2. Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art
I can only choose between those two lenses (unfortunately, other variants are not possible)
The camera would stand on a tripod (attached to the wall) above the books/documents AND could be moved in height. Probably, the distance of the camera from the books/documents would be from 75cm to 90cm, depending on the size of the books/documents, whether the lens is 40mm or 50mm.
Which of the above two lenses should I choose? Apart from sharpness, the most important thing for me is to have as little distortion as possible in the photo.
Thank you.
Milan
Hi Milan,
For photographing old books and documents of the sizes you mentioned (58cm x 48cm and 83cm x 58cm), while minimizing distortion, I would recommend choosing the Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art lens over the Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art. Here's why:
-
Focal length and distortion:
- The 50mm focal length is generally considered a "normal" lens, which provides a field of view that closely resembles human vision, resulting in less distortion compared to wider-angle lenses.
- The 40mm lens, being slightly wider, may introduce more distortion, especially when photographing flat objects like books and documents.
-
Camera-to-subject distance:
- With the camera positioned 75cm to 90cm from the books/documents, a 50mm lens will provide a more suitable field of view for capturing the entire subject without having to move the camera too far back.
- The 40mm lens might require you to position the camera further away to capture the entire subject, which could be less convenient given your setup.
-
Lens quality:
- Both the Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art and the Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art are high-quality lenses known for their sharpness and overall performance.
- However, the Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art is a newer lens designed specifically for mirrorless cameras like the Sony A7 IV, which might give it a slight edge in terms of image quality and compatibility.
When photographing the books and documents, make sure to:
- Use a tripod to ensure stability and sharpness.
- Set the camera parallel to the subject to minimize perspective distortion.
- Use a smaller aperture (e.g., f/8 or f/11) to ensure sufficient depth of field and sharpness across the entire subject.
In conclusion, given your specific requirements and the choice between the two lenses, the Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art would be the better option for photographing old books and documents while minimizing distortion.
Wait really?? Thats actually super helpful. I always thought it was the other way around.
Bookmarked, thanks!
I will also choose Sigma 50mm Art. A native lens for a7 IV.
Like someone mentioned, the 50mm is the popular pick, but I have been super happy with the Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art for this kind of work. I actually used it for a project scanning old maps a while back and the results were incredible. Quick question tho... are you planning on shooting these documents perfectly flat under glass, or is there some depth to the pages? Makes a big difference for how you'll want to stop down the aperture. I personally prefer the 40mm for technical stuff like this because:
- It has almost zero distortion, which is huge for keeping lines straight in documents.
- The field of focus is incredibly flat, so the corners stay as sharp as the center.
- It was basically designed as a cine lens first, so the optical correctedness is on another level. Honestly, if your tripod setup can handle the weight, the 40mm is a total beast. I found it just works well when you need that total edge-to-edge consistency. The Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art is a fantastic lens and way lighter for walking around, but for a fixed wall mount setup, that extra glass in the 40mm really pays off for archival work. I have no complaints with mine for high-res stuff.
