Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM DxOMarked (a tempting lens)

Sigma 20mm F/1.4
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DxOMark posted the lab results of their Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM tests. Needless to say, the Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM performance is stellar, and the lens easily beats the Zeiss Distagon T 21mm f/2.8 ZE as well as the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM. Oh, and the Sigma costs much less than the lenses it beats.

From the conclusion:

Sigma continues to raise the bar with this new addition to their Art series primes. The new Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM compares very favorably with the Zeiss Distagon T* 2.8/21, even outperforming it when stopped down, and it looks very promising against the relatively new Nikon Nikkor 20mm f1.8G ED.

Canon has yet to upgrade its old EF 20mm f2.8 from the film days, but it offers some excellent zooms that cover 20mm; however, even when stopped down, they lack the edge-to-edge sharpness of the Sigma. Of course, the Sigma is an ultra-high-speed model that’s suited to a variety of subjects, including indoor scenes with low ambient light levels, as well as landscapes, and even architecture […]. At around $899, the Sigma is competitively priced and difficult to ignore. If you’re in the market for a 20mm, this model is definitely worth a closer look.

Sigma 20mm f/1.4

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM  Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

[via DxOMark]

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens in stock and ready to ship at $899

Sigma 20mm F/1.4
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The new Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM “Art” lens is in stock at major retailers at $899: Amazon | Adorama | B&H Photo

Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM key features:

  • EF Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
  • Two FLD Elements and Five SLD Elements
  • Two Aspherical Elements
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • TSC Material, Brass Bayonet Mount
  • Built-In Petal-Shaped Lens Hood
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM “Art” lens deal – $699.99 (US warranty, authorised Sigma dealer, compare at $849)

Sigma 50mm F/1.4
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This is a very good deal by authorised Sigma retailer Camera Land on eBay (99.6% positive ratings): the awesome Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM “Art” lens on sale at $699.99. Compare at $849.

Please note: this is not a grey import item, it’s a demo unit. It is an US market product and it comes with an US warranty. The seller says:

As one of the largest Sigma dealers in the USA we are happy to offer this great lens at a super price.   It comes with the USA Warranty.

We had an in store demo and these were shown and put back in the box. Because of this we won’t sell them as new never opened

If you are buying on eBay, you may be interested to know that Canon is suing grey import retailers. Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM “Art” lens overview after the break.

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Some fun to start the week with: Canon set to acquire Sigma? [CW1]

Sigma-Logo

Let’s start the week with another wishmor (wishful rumor), or whatever you want to name it. Just got this in my inbox:

Canon is interested in acquiring Sigma and has made two offers. Its first offer at 7x Sigma’s net value was rejected by Sigma but Canon quickly hit again with a 2nd offer of unknown valuation. There are long talks between the two companies. No idea what will happen with Sigma’s products if the buyout goes forward.

No comment :-)

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]