Sigma 85mm F/1.4 DG HSM is the new DxOMark reference benchmark, beats Zeiss lenses

Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG HSM
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Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

At a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to 16
  • Two Low Dispersion Elements
  • One Aspherical Element
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • TSC Material, Brass Bayonet Mount
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

DxOMark analysed the Sigma 85mm F/1.4 DG HSM lens, and the lens got DxOMark best score ever, whooping 50.

In the conclusion DxOMark writes:

With its Art series, Sigma has done much to improve its standing as a high-end lens maker. Until only recently, Canon and Nikon were on safe ground with their high-speed primes, but makers such as Sigma and Tamron (and Zeiss) are beginning to make inroads. While all the full-frame Art series lenses are excellent performers optically, the latest model in the range is also its best. It also happens to be the most expensive to date, but the $1,199 asking price seems reasonable. That it outperforms the Zeiss Milvus and outrageously expensive Otus equivalents probably says enough for most people — and that’s even before discussing the merits of autofocus versus manual on high-speed lenses like this. Read the review at DxOMark.

Not bad for a lens that sells at $1,199. Kudos Sigma, keep on the good work!

Sigma 85mm

Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens deal – $839 (reg. $1,089, today only)

Sigma 150-600mm
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At a glance:

  • Canon EF Lens/Full Frame
  • Aperture Range: f/5-6.3 to 22
  • One FLD and Three SLD Elements
  • Hyper Sonic Motor AF System
  • Optical Stabilizer with Accelerometer
  • Zoom Lock & Manual Override Switches
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 110.2″
  • Splash and Dust Proof Mount
  • Lens Hood & Tripod Collar
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Another B&H Photo DealZone deal. The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens (Canon EF mount) on sale at $839. Compare at $1,089. Free shipping. Today only!

Sigma 12-24mm f/4 ART Review (D. Abbott)

Sigma 12-24mm F/4 Art Deal DG HSM
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Sigma 12-24mm f/4 Art: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

At a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/4 to 22
  • FLD and Aspherical Elements
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • TSC Material, Brass Bayonet Mount
  • Dust- and Splash-Proof Construction
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Photographer and reviewer Dustin Abbott posted his final review of the Sigma 12-24mm f/4 Art lens.

From the conclusion:

Overall the Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM ART is a very competent lens. It has few major flaws. Chromatic aberrations are well controlled, distortion is low, and vignette, while clearly present at f/4, isn’t quite as bad as some of the recent releases from other major companies.  It does a very credible job when shooting the night sky, though having a relatively small maximum aperture puts it at a bit of disadvantage […]

It falls a little short of a true 24mm, but that isn’t unusual, and I would argue that the true 12mm on the wide end is ultimately more important. […] One thing to note, […] is that the 12-24 ART is optimized for f/4-5.6 performance (at least on the wide end of the focal range) and I actually saw a trend where the image quality tended to be a bit worse rather than better as the lens was stopped down.

You can go for the written review, or watch the two videos below to learn about the Sigma 12-24mm f/4 Art.

 

Below: Image quality examination:

 

Sigma Art lenses discounts at Adorama (18-35mm, 50mm, 35mm, with USB dock)

Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8
Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 Art

Authorised Sigma retailer Adorama has coupon discounts on three Sigma Art lenses. Use coupon code LENSFRIDAY on checkout. Please Note: All Sigma lenses include 4% Adorama Rewards and the Sigma USB Dock. Free overnight shipping through 12/22, promotion expires 1/1/17.

  • Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 DC HSM ART Lens $699 after coupon
  • Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART Lens $799 after coupon
  • Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART Lens $849 after coupon

Interview with Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki Suggests Sigma May Build Video Cameras in Future

yamaki

Johnnie Behiri of Cinema5D interviewed Kazuto Yamaki, CEO of Sigma, during his last visit to Japan.

Behiri had a clear list of questions for Mr. Kazuto Yamaki. You can see the list below, and use the list as index for the video.

  • 00:17 – How was it to grow-up in a house with an enthusiastic father? (Mr. Michihiro Yamaki established the company in 1961 and passed away in 2012, at the age of 78).
  • 01:29 – Can you please share with our audience your daily routine?
  • 03:14 – How do you prioritise which mount and lenses to make?
  • 04:01 – How easy was the decision to start making the Art line of high-quality lenses?
  • 05:27 – In the past, Sigma lenses were considered affordable. Then you decided to hit the upper end of the market. What was the reason?
  • 06:53 – In such a crowded market, Sigma is producing a high-quality stills camera that does not offer any video functionality. Why is that?
  • 07:51 – Are you able to keep good sales is a declining market?
  • 09:07 – Why did you decide to produce cine lenses?
  • 09:57 – Where did people go? Why aren’t they buying lenses anymore?
  • 10:26 – What would be your dream zoom lens?

Johnnie Behiri sums up the interview:

In such a competitive business, I wouldn’t be AT ALL surprised if a Sigma mirrorless camera with high-quality video capabilities were to be announced. Although their current line of photo cameras is aimed at a certain niche, the obvious thing to do would be to step out and explore a market which Sigma can shine at as they have no upper market to protect. When it comes to cine lenses and the likelihood of Sigma expending their new line, a lot will depend on “how well the cine lenses be received by our industry”.

Personally, I hope Sigma will make many more outstanding lenses as in the ART line-up.

[via Cinema5D]

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART lens image quality and sharpness analysis (video)

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

At a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to 16
  • Two Low Dispersion Elements
  • One Aspherical Element
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • TSC Material, Brass Bayonet Mount
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Photographer and reviewer Dustin Abbott takes a detailed look at the overall sharpness, resolution, and image quality from the new Sigma 85mm f/1.4 ART lens. He also compares the Sigma 85mm with the Tamron 85mm f/1.8 VC and the pro-grade and expensive Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4. A gallery with sample shots can be seen here,

[via Dustin Abbott]