These are the best primes and zooms for the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, according to DxOMark

Eos-1dx Mark Ii
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DxOmark posted a list of what they consider the best prime and zoom lenses to be used with the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II.

Surprisingly (or maybe not), the zoom lenses ranked first and second are not Canon.

  1. Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM ART
  2. Tamron SP 15-30 mm F2.8 Di VC USD.
  3. Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM

The three best ranked prime lenses (recommended for photojournalists):

  1. Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM
  2. Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM
  3. Canon EF 24mm F1.4L II

What does it mean that third party manufacturers build lenses that are considered the best for Canon’s flagship, the EOS-1D X Mark II? It means that both Sigma ad Tamron made some significant advances in the last years and are now able to build lenses with outstanding optical performance and to sell them at a price that’s usually lower as the Canon counterparts.

eos-1d x mark ii

[via DxOMark: prime lenses | zoom lenses]

Sigma Announces Cine High Speed Zoom Lens Pricing and Availability

 

Sigma press release:

Sigma Announces Cine High Speed Zoom Lens Pricing and Availability

Cine High Speed Zoom 18-35mm T2 and 50-100mm T2 lenses begin shipping on December 9 for a retail price of $3999.00 USD

New York, NY – October 20, 2016 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading DSLR lens, camera, flash and accessory manufacturer, announced today that the Cine High Speed Zoom 18-35mm T2 and 50-100mm T2 lenses will begin shipping on December 9, 2016 for a retail price of $3999.00 USD. Born from the new Sigma Cine family of products, the High Speed Zoom lenses leverage the outstanding optical design of the company’s world-renowned Global Vision still photography lenses. Combined with the 100% new mechanical lens body design, the Cine lenses meet needs of advanced 6k and 8k cinema production with the core optical quality DNA that has defined the Sigma benchmark of imaging excellence.

See the Sigma Cine Family of Products at PDN/PPE 2016 Expo
Demonstrated for the first time to the public in the United States, attendees to the 2016 PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo (PPE), held at the Javits Convention Center in New York City from October 20-22, 2016, can see first-hand the new Sigma Cine family of lenses:

Cine High Speed Zoom Line – 18-35mm T2 and 50-100mm T2
The high speed zoom line, which is compatible with the Super35 image size standard, offers the constant aperture of T2 throughout the zoom range with superior optical performance that is capable of high-resolution 6K-8K shooting. Delivering the highest image quality in its class, the High Speed Zoom is ergonomically compact and designed for E, EF and PL camera system mounts. 

Cine FF Zoom Line – 24-35mm T2.2 FF
Compatible with a full-frame image sensor, the FF Zoom’s outstanding optical performance also supports 6K-8K shooting. Because so few lenses cater to the requirements of the latest digital cinema cameras’ image sensors, this line provides a rare option for cinematographers. The FF Zoom is designed for E and EF camera system mounts. 

Cine FF High Speed Prime Line – 20mm T1.5 FF, 24mm T1.5 FF, 35mm T1.5 FF, 50mm T1.5 FF and 85mm T1.5 FF
The Cine High Speed Prime lineup features lenses ranging from 20mm to 85mm, with all five touting an aperture of T1.5. Highly compact and compatible with full-frame sensors, these lenses offer superior resolution. They bring a consistent level of light to the production, offering greater consistency to any film’s color, contrast and overall look before it enters post-production. The FF High Speed Prime line is designed for E, EF and PL camera system mounts.

For more information on the Sigma Cine Lenses, please visit https://www.sigmaphoto.com/cinema-lenses/?link=Sept-M-cine.

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Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art review (Camera Labs)

Sigma 24-35mm F/2
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Camera Labs reviewed the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art lens. One of Sigma’s latest addition to their highly regarded “Art” line-up. Once more, a review that praises the virtues of this lens. Please note: the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 was tested on a Nikon D810.

If you’re looking for a wide-angle lens on a full-frame body you may consider the Sigma 24-35/2.0 DG HSM Art the ideal candidate: It covers three customary focal lengths (24/28/35mm) in one bright f2.0 zoom that performs as you would expect from a member of Sigma’s highly acclaimed “Art” series: It’s sharp at all focal lengths, has relatively little vignetting for such a wide-angle lens and shows only little longitudinal CAs and moderate coma. The build-quality supports Sigma’s claim to have developed and manufactured a lens to professional standards although there’s no weather sealing at the lens-mount. But other than that the Sigma 24-35mm f2.0 DG HSM Art plays on a very high level and as such earns our Highly Recommended rating. Read the review…

Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM ART key features:

  • EF Mount Lens/Full Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2 to 16
  • FLD & Special Low Dispersion Elements
  • Two Aspherical Elements
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor
  • Internal Focus; Manual Focus Override
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Thermally Stable Composite Material
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM ART review

Sigma 24-35mm F/2
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Wedding photographer and CW reader Chris Giles shared another review with us (after having felt the pulse of the EOS 5Ds R). This time Chris posted his impression and thoughts on Sigma’s new 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM “Art” lens, the world’s first zoom lens for full-frame DSLRs with a constant aperture. And a lens that sells at a very competitive price ($999).

I like Chris’ reviews because they are truly “real-world”. I am much more interested to know how a given camera or lens performs for a professional photographer than to know how it scores at purely engineering-oriented benchmarks. What makes this review even more interesting is that it was done using a Canon EOS 5Ds R, Canon’s new full-frame megapixel champion.

As we all expected, the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM ART lens is another masterpiece by Sigma:

At f/2 this is a sexy lens, I am totally made up with the micro contrast, colour rendition and lens falloff I’m getting. Some of the Canon glass does suffer a little on the 50.6 mp sensor of the 5DSr. Even the 24-70mkii tends to get a kicking (albeit slight) at the outer edges of the frame but this isn’t so apparent on the Sigma 24-35 Art.

About the Canon EOS 5Ds R coupled with Sigma 24-35mm f/2 Chris says:

[the Sigma] just renders so beautifully and I love love love the colours. The Canon 5DSr has a beautiful way of representing colour but that sensor is also totally unforgiving to poor glass when you put an image under scrutiny.

Finally:

I’ve not been so impressed with a lens since the Canon 24-70 mkII and that statement alone says a lot. Even if Canon were to release something with a similar range I’d find it hard to justify the purchase because I can’t see how a lens can be better. Not right now anyway.

If you are on the fence for this lens, you’ll find a lot of helpful information. To some people the Sigma 24-35mm f/2 may look strange. It has a very reduced zoom range and might be better seen as a “bag of primes”. However, you may also say that the “bag of primes” paradigm doesn’t really work since you can get excellent primes that have f/1.4. Chris’ experience turned out to be different:

I didn’t think this lens would suit me. Yet, for medium to close combat scenarios (weddings are a battlefield, soldier), then absolutely this is a lens to use. Looking back I’ve found it hard to accept I was using it just as much as I did.

Chris made all sample pics he shot for his review available for download (64 files, 400MB, a donation is required), just scroll to the end of part 2 of the review. You’ll find many sample pics, shadow recovery examples, and more.

Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM ART is in stock in the USA at $999: Amazon | Adorama | B&H Photo

Sigma 24-35mm f/2

  • EF Mount Lens/Full Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2 to 16
  • FLD & Special Low Dispersion Elements
  • Two Aspherical Elements
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor
  • Internal Focus; Manual Focus Override
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • Thermally Stable Composite Material
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Sigma 24-35mm DG HSM ART price check for your country: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

[via Chris Giles Photography]