3rd Party Lenses Dilemma

I've been interested in getting myself the New Sigma 35 1.4 Art. I was talking to this guy and said that the life of 3rd party lenses is less and they tend to go soft after some time + less resale value.

What's your take on this?

Sigma 35mm looks like a solid performer.

What I don't like about Canon 35mm, is that it's getting pretty old (released in '98) and the price.
But after latest Canon released, I bet the next 35mm L will be even more expensive.

Moin wrote in post #15789433
the life of 3rd party lenses is less and they tend to go soft after some time + less resale value.

What's your take on this?

No idea what he is talking about for the first 2 "problems". Its not like the glass goes soggy and deforms or anything. Plus, even if it was true (which it isn't), the Sigma 35 has some leeway to go soft since it is sharper than the 35L to start off with

Resale value is debatable. It is definitely true for older 3rd party lenses when they were just alternatives for the budget-minded. I don't think it is so true for modern ones; the modern 3rd party lenses can be just as good as OEM lenses, and the resale value of those lenses seems to reflect that.

Can't argue with lesser retail value. That is a good thing, though. I have 40 year old lenses that are still better than a lot of newer stuff. If age makes good glass inexpensive that is really good for the buyer. Seller, not so much. Lenses are tools, though, not investments.

The only thing I've found to worry about with 3rd party lenses is that they're not guaranteed to be compatible with future camera releases. A great example of this is some of the EF mount Sigma lenses from the 90's. I've got a couple of those collecting dust.

Sirrith wrote in post #15789747
Its not like the glass goes soggy and deforms or anything. Plus, even if it was true (which it isn't), the Sigma 35 has some leeway to go soft since it is sharper than the 35L to start off with

Sirrith, I hate to be a stick in the mud here, but glass is technically a liquid, and as such, it does flow. Set your best lens on its side and leave it for 1,000 years. The glass WILL be distorted. Please refer to stained glass windows in old European churches. If the OP is worried about his third party glass acquiring an infinitesimal increase in distortion over the next 1,000 years, he does have a point. How that affects resale value for him escapes me, though.

TSchrief wrote in post #15789817
Sirrith, I hate to be a stick in the mud here, but glass is technically a liquid, and as such, it does flow. Set you best lens on its side and leave it for 1,000 years. The glass WILL be distorted. Please refer to stained glass windows in old European churches. If the OP is worried about his third party glass acquiring an infinitesimal increase in distortion over the next 1,000 years, he does have a point. How that affects resale value for him escapes me, though.

Yes I have actually read about that property of glass. I was considering putting a time-frame and/or note regarding that in my post, but decided I was too lazy!

OK. I make some OTW comments when I am just sitting here killing time.

Regarding point #1, (which is absolute rubbish btw), third party manufacturers have warranties that put Canon to shame. Tamron is six years I believe, and Sigma's EX (and Art) have four. Compare to Canon's single year. At least in the US, and I believe Canada's are even better. So even if your glass melts into a puddle in a couple years, you're covered.

If you don't care resell value, go for it, or maybe it is gonna be a exception for this lens.
Sigma 35mm is very sharp, but bokeh is not as superb as other aspects from what I've seen. I guess lens design is a trade off, it's sometimes so hard to design a sharp lens with smooth bokeh.

I was glad that Canon lenses have a better resale after getting my Sigma 35 and selling my Canon 35L.... Don't need to worry about the resale on the Sigma, as I don't see myself selling it.

Mavgirl wrote in post #15789778
The only thing I've found to worry about with 3rd party lenses is that they're not guaranteed to be compatible with future camera releases. A great example of this is some of the EF mount Sigma lenses from the 90's. I've got a couple of those collecting dust.

Which; conveniently enough; Sigma addressed with the Art series with the USB dongle for upgrading it as needed (as long as the mount lasts and sigma is around at least)

w0m wrote in post #15790448
Which; conveniently enough; Sigma addressed with the Art series with the USB dongle for upgrading it as needed (as long as the mount lasts and sigma is around at least)

Firmware updates would be a cool use of that thing if it ever shows up. It's not just the Art line that will benefit either.

TSchrief wrote in post #15789817
Sirrith, I hate to be a stick in the mud here, but glass is technically a liquid, and as such, it does flow. ...

This is an urban myth.