Sigma has announced the 50mm f/1.4 CL DG Contemporary, which it describes as a “new lineage” for premium compact prime lenses that emphasizes old-school aesthetics over optical perfection. But beyond that, it pushes the boundaries of lens design in new, exciting ways.

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 CL DG Contemporary Buy new on B&H Sigma 50mm f/1.4 CL DG Contemporary Buy used on KEH.com

The lens is part of Sigma’s I Series line that already emphasizes retro aesthetics on the outside, but this new CL lens will bring that to the way images are captured, too.

Sigma says that at f/1.4, the lens provides its “richest” bokeh, with “superb subject separation while offering beautiful, gradual transitions of its background.” Sigma promises smooth, organic falloff rather than the harsh, sharp transitions that have become common.

“Housed in a small, lightweight, and premium metal body finished with distance markers akin to those found in vintage optics, this 50mm offers rich, textured rendering and beautiful tonal gradation that…