By Michaela Simpson
Photographer
Heading off for a weekend city break can mean having to pack lightly, so taking one camera and one lens is a great option, especially if you want to take hand luggage only.
For my recent visit to Paris in late February I wanted to take something versatile, with good low light performance and equipment I was familiar with. The Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art was my first choice. There isn’t as much light bouncing around in a European winter so having an F1.4 aperture allowed me to shoot at any time and with such beautiful bokeh.
The lens’ wide field of view is perfect for capturing travel scenes and the energy of urban environments. The images tend to look more natural as it’s wide enough without being too wide while still having the ability to walk in to get closer to the details.
Do you have to work a bit harder when using a prime (fixed focal length) rather than a zoom lens? Perhaps, but with such a fast aperture and the quick focusing of the 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art, all you have to do is work more deliberately while zooming with your feet.
My camera strolls in the city felt like I was with an old friend, the 35mm F1.4 was my introduction to Sigma Art lenses over ten years ago. And Paris, well like this lens always delivers and never disappoints.
“If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough” Robert Capa.
ABOUT
MICHAELA SIMPSON
Photographer
Michaela Simpson, a Scottish photographer based in northeast England, finds something magical in creating images with Sigma lenses. With over a decade of experience, she transitioned from Canon to Sony mirrorless, now favouring the SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art for its prime-like quality. A member of the Royal Photographic Society and a SheClicks judge, her work has been exhibited globally and licensed by Getty Images. Notable achievements include winning BIPP Press & PR Photographer of the Year in 2015, a Sigma Art Photographer of the Year shortlist in 2024, and showcasing botanical images at FotoNostrum in Barcelona. Beyond accolades, Michaela is driven by collaboration, mentorship, and the inspiration she gains from working with talented creatives in stunning locations.
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