Commercial and fine art photographer Michaela Simpson puts the SIGMA 50mm F1.2 DG DN | Art to the test. Never using a F1.2 lens before, Michaela was keen to us the lens for gig photography and as the opportunity arose, wedding portraits. Read on to find out the results.
My first outing with the SIGMA 50mm F1.2 DG DN | Art was to photograph a small gig at the beautiful Wylam Brewery in Newcastle. Irish band the Villagers were being supported by a solo acoustic set from Hamish Hawk. I’d received the lens about an hour before the gig, so didn’t have time to try it out beforehand. I was delighted that it performed faultlessly and being able to shoot at F1.2 allowed me to use low ISOs at a gig for the first time. In my experience, the main act always keeps the best lighting for themselves, so photographing the support act can always be a bit trickier, but the lens took all of that in its stride.Â
The photos in this article are some of my favourite images from the night. I’ve converted a couple to mono as it emphasises the handling of the shadow detail beautifully. The lens felt balanced on the camera whilst the experience was of a solid and well-built piece of equipment that was intuitive to use. The low light capability is second to none, the images are sharp and colour and shadow detail render beautifully. Is the SIGMA F1.2 DG DN | Art the GOAT?Â
Shooting weddings are an excellent way to hone essential photography skills; portrait, macro, landscape, some architecture, storytelling, emotion and of course light and composition. Even though I stepped back from shooting weddings several years ago, my husband and I (sorry no pun intended) were asked to witness our friend’s wedding at the Civic Centre in Newcastle. The centre has a wonderland unchanged 1960s vibe – think ‘Mad Men’. So much has changed in photography, but one constant has remained, which is, of course, the ubiquitous 50mm lens. A short official ceremony and fifteen-minute window before heading for the wedding breakfast meant lens changing or setting up a flash wasn’t an option.
I popped my camera in my bag with the SIGMA 50mm F1.2. The lens allowed me to work fast, change locations quickly, all whilst having fun with the couple. This couple’s happiness and joy was infectious and uplifting – I think the images captured this beautifully. The lighting conditions threw everything at me, bright sun, high contrast, mixed indoor lighting you name it but the lens performed faultlessly once again. I no longer shoot weddings but if I did, I think I’d do it with only this lens.
Michaela is a commercial and fine art photographer who runs her own photography business. One of her many passions is gig photography, and recently travelled to Glasgow Barrowlands, along with her husband Richard, to photograph singer-songwriter Hamish Hawk on his latest tour.
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