Update: more pre-order options at Adorama (click here).

Ladies and gentleman here it is: the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM “Art” lens is waiting for your pre-orders at B&H Photo, and the Sigma has the very killer price we all were hoping it would have: $949! That’s a fourth of the manual-focusing Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4, a $4,000 lens the Sigma can easily hold up to (and the Sigma has auto-focus). Expected shipping date: April 29th.

Let me explain this better. Sigma always claimed their 50mm f/1.4 Art lens would compete with the Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4. It was a bold claim then, but now we know the Sigma can absolutely match the optical performance of the Zeiss. And that’s awesome given that the Sigma’s price is below $1,000.

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art for other mount types: Nikon, Sigma, Sony.

See also the in-depth article by B&H Explora (with sample pics). B&H ships internationally.

Product description and specifications after the break.

I have anticipated that we would soon have an official Sigma statement about the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens, and her it is. The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 for Canon mount will ship by the end of the month (April 24th), the price in Japan should be around 127,000 Yen. Price in US$ has not been announced so far, most rumours point to a $1,000 price tag. If this will be the price of a lens that is substantially on pair with the Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4, then Sigma will land a bestseller.

Sigma press release:

Sigma Corporation is pleased to release the new SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG HSM, the large aperture, standard prime lens from our “Art” line.In 2008, Sigma released a large diameter standard lens designed for digital SLRs, “SIGMA 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM”. At that time, products for film cameras were prevalent, yet we spent enormous effort to set a new benchmark for the 50mm lens that optimizes the characteristics of digital cameras, such as compensating peripheral brightness, controlling the point images in the corners, and improving the image drawing, not only around the focusing point, but also other areas in the image.
In recent years, as the DSLR evolves, development of image sensors for higher pixel size has created the photographers’ desire for the lenses with superior performance. In 2012, Sigma has announced the “Art” line that achieves unsurpassed expressive performance to fulfill the higher requirement of photographers. The first lens from the “Art” line “SIGMA 35mm F1.4 DG HSM [A 012]” sought for uncompromising performance, and it resulted in great reviews as well as a lot of awards from all over the world. Based on the accumulated wisdom and know-how to establish the standard for our “Art” line series, we are proud to announce the development of the new high performance standard lens with a large diameter for this new era of superb image quality.

SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG HSM F/CANON fittings are scheduled to start the shipment towards the end of this month.
Launching date of Sigma, Sony and Nikon mount is not determined yet.
Corresponding AF Mounts: SIGMA, Canon, Sony and Nikon
Accessory: Case, Petal-Type Hood (LH830-02) supplied.
* The Appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice.