Running from January 11 until February 17, 2026, the Power of F1.2 Photo Contest launched by Sigma wants participants to demonstrate technical skill and subjective artistic merit using the company’s lenses.

Two more notes before we continue: entries must be safe for work. Violence and sexual content are not permitted, and eligible participants must be 18+ and a legal resident of the 50 United States. Additional terms and conditions apply, and participants should see the contest page for more information.

Sigma will award a combined total of $4,300 USD credit toward the purchase of Sigma products, redeemable at sigmaphoto.com or through Sigma America directly. The first-place winner will receive $3,000 Sigma credit in addition to having their winning photo featured at a forthcoming pop-up event (location and details to be announced). Second place and third place winners will receive $1,000 and $300 Sigma credit respectively.

In addition to being photographed with a Sigma F1.2 lens, all entry submissions must be shot wide open at f/1.2. Entries will be judged subjectively based on the application of these lens’s optical characteristics, such as shallow depth of field, sharpness, and low-light performance, as well as composition and general creativity. Exif data is required and must be embedded in the photos. Entries created or edited using generative AI tools are not permissible.

Up to five images may be included for judging, with one winning image to be chosen per individual per prize. Judging will be conducted by a select panel of Sigma experts and ambassadors.

This contest comes after Sigma’s September release of the 35mm F1.2 DG II | Art lens, an evolution to 2019’s 35mm F1.2 DG DN | Art lens. This updated version of the lens features improved autofocus performance, a substantially reduced form factor comparable to Sigma’s 35mm F1.4 DG DN | Art, and an improved optical formula designed to deliver exceptional subject separation and bokeh.

Since 2019 with the release of the 35mm F1.2 DG DN | Art, Sigma has been committed to developing ground-breaking lenses that feature an ultra-bright aperture without sacrificing image quality, such as 2025’s 135mm F1.4 DG | Art, the world’s first 135mm lens with an aperture of F1.4.

Follow the link for more info about the Power of F1.2 Photo Contest from Sigma.