From Mars to the Stars: Atacama with Sigma
CONTEMPORARY
15mm F1.4 DC
By Pato Oses
When Sigma contacted me to test their new lens and I reviewed its specifications (15mm F1.4 DC | Contemporary), I immediately thought it would be an ideal choice for low-light photography and astrophotography. Right away, I imagined that the best place to carry out this test would be the Cordillera de la Sal, an iconic landscape of the Atacama Desert, known for its resemblance to the landscapes of planet Mars, its fascinating rock formations, a beautiful warm light at sunset, and one of the most pristine night skies in the world. Without a doubt, this environment was the perfect setting to put this new lens to the test.
Once I had the lens in my hands, the first thing that impressed me was its compact size and lightweight design, especially considering how fast this lens is. This makes it an ideal option for travel, hiking, and outdoor activities in general. Owning its “big brother,” the Sigma 14mm F1.4 DG | Art, the difference in size and weight is immediately noticeable and quite significant.
Thanks to its F1.4 aperture, it delivers a very pleasing bokeh when capturing foreground elements, while also allowing handheld shooting without the need for very slow shutter speeds. In terms of optical quality, it performs at a very high level, offering excellent sharpness even in low-light scenes and when working with high ISO values.
It is in low-light conditions where this lens truly shines. Its wide aperture allows you to capture a large amount of light even when shooting handheld, clearly outperforming other lenses that, under similar conditions, would definitely require a tripod to achieve decent results.
For astrophotography, this lens is simply a must-have for anyone who loves this genre. Its compact size, light weight, and wide aperture make it perfect for capturing the night sky, especially when traveling to remote locations with dark skies and hiking under the stars.
The wide aperture allows for short exposure times and relatively low ISO values, capturing both the beauty of the night sky and the details and light of the surrounding landscape. This greatly simplifies post-processing, making it possible to enhance all those details and achieve single-exposure images that, not long ago, were almost impossible without stacking or blending techniques.
In summary, this is a high-quality lens with a compact size, lightweight build, wide aperture, and excellent sharpness. An ideal choice for those who enjoy outdoor activities and travel, and also a great ally for street photography.
BEHIND THE SCENES
ABOUT
ABOUT
Photographers
Pato oses
PHOTOGRAPHER
Photographers
Pato Oses is a professional photographer and tour guide based in the Atacama Desert, Chile. He specializes in landscape photography, both daytime and nighttime, and in guiding photographers and travelers from all over the world through one of the most photogenic regions in South America and likely the world.
His work naturally combines photography and tourism, offering personalized experiences where each client not only receives professional guidance and in-depth knowledge of the environment, but also high-quality photographic material as a lasting memory of their journey. His approach focuses on single-shot photography, prioritizing composition, natural light, and a clean, subtle editing style that preserves the true essence of the landscape.