Sigma 35 f/1.4: strengths and weaknesses?

I have been following 2 threads with images and I have to say that I am surprised and impressed. There is something about images that I really like a lot. They are very emotional, very social and it looks like people feel very comfortable with this lens...not only use it to do bokeh tests while photographing static objects.

For those who use it for some time already....what are the biggest positives and what do you think are the issues with this lens? What is working and what is not?

Thanks for sharing your honest opinion.

I love the lens. Worked right out of the box. The images have a very unique color/contrast that I can't quite put my finger on. I find it sharp enough wide open and have no issues with focusing.

I've put some 1st day around the house shots here: http://stanc.net/sigma​35/ All were shot wide open.

The only negatives is I do a lot of portraits, and I have not been able to use it as much as I would like. But if I were to just go out for the day and take one lens, this would probably be it.

What about customer service for this lens? For those of you who are familiar with Sigma's customer service and repair services, would you consider this a strength of the lens, or a weakness of the lens, as compared to Canon's customer service?

Tom Reichner wrote in post #15960636
What about customer service for this lens? For those of you who are familiar with Sigma's customer service and repair services, would you consider this a strength of the lens, or a weakness of the lens, as compared to Canon's customer service?

sigma has a contract with third party, and it can be pretty horrible. TAT is too slow for my liking. On the flip side, their new docking station is relatively inexpensive and would probably save a lot of trips to the service center.

Charlie wrote in post #15960645
sigma has a contract with third party, and it can be pretty horrible. TAT is too slow for my liking. On the flip side, their new docking station is relatively inexpensive and would probably save a lot of trips to the service center.

What is TAT?

Also, what is a docking station? And how does it repair lenses? It sounds like this thing we used at my old job to plug out laptop computers into. It did not seem like something that would work with lenses.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #15961733
What is TAT?

Turn around time

Tom Reichner wrote in post #15961733
Also, what is a docking station? And how does it repair lenses? It sounds like this thing we used at my old job to plug out laptop computers into. It did not seem like something that would work with lenses.

It is a device you set the sigma lens in and it adjusts the electronics in the lens.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #15961733
What is TAT?

Also, what is a docking station? And how does it repair lenses? It sounds like this thing we used at my old job to plug out laptop computers into. It did not seem like something that would work with lenses.

The docking station appears to be device you can attach to certain Sigma lenses and then connect to your computer via USB port. From there, using special Sigma software you can download firmware updates to the lens for use in focus settings.

Got this lens a couple of weeks ago and shot 1 wedding with it

Cons: the hood doesn't attach properly, my Lightroom doesn't recognize it.. No big deal, I just pretend it's a canon 35

Pros: it's bloody awsome.. Sharpness and colour is great

I want to get another body so I can use this on one and my 85 1.8 on the other

During the ceremony I can't justify not using my 24-105 as it can do everything all at once, just not quite as good

ETS wrote in post #15961764
The docking station appears to be device you can attach to certain Sigma lenses and then connect to your computer via USB port. From there, using special Sigma software you can download firmware updates to the lens for use in focus settings.

I see.

In my original question, when I asked about Sigma's customer service, I wasn't really talking about how they are with stuff like software updates. I was more or less asking about how they are with repairs.

I am specifically interested in how they handle warranty-type work, or repairs necessary due to shortcomings in the build quality of the lens.

Are they prone to completely fix any problems, and not charge the customer for the repair (as CPS is known to do for pros)? Or, do they frequently try to say that the problem is some fault of the user, and charge for the repair?

If they handle things the way Canon does, via their CPS division, then I would more seriously consider a Sigma. The last thing I need is to buy a lens, have something go wrong with it, then have the company try to charge me for the repairs.

I hear their warranty division is awesome nowadays. Plus, you get like a 4-year warranty!

light_pilgrim wrote in post #15960412
I have been following 2 threads with images and I have to say that I am surprised and impressed. There is something about images that I really like a lot. They are very emotional, very social and it looks like people feel very comfortable with this lens...not only use it to do bokeh tests while photographing static objects.

For those who use it for some time already....what are the biggest positives and what do you think are the issues with this lens? What is working and what is not?

Thanks for sharing your honest opinion.

I haven't had mine very long, but I already feel it's fantastic and since you're a fellow Zeiss 1.4/35 owner I'll make some comparitive comments.

First the Sigma is impressively sharper than my Zeiss 35 f/1.4 wide open and, more importantly to me, has more microcontrast wide open. Zeiss-reviewer Lloyd Chambers even commented that the Sigma has a greater tendency to render a 3d look than the Zeiss. After a few short days I feel those comments are accurate.

Initially, after deciding to get the Sigma I was planning to sell the Zeiss, but you and I both know the Zeiss is best for gorgeous bokeh. The Sigma has a fine bokeh; I like it quite well...but it is just not the same quality as the Zeiss. So, I think I'll be keeping both! I've never deliberately decided to own two prime lenses in the same focal length before, so it's going to be interesting, but my experience with the Zeiss has taught me one thing: I love the 35mm focal length. Forget 50mm, 35mm seems "normal" to me. So, my appreciation for the focal length has provided the encouragement to enjoy the best of both worlds: Zeiss and Sigma.

I'm so impressed with the 35mm that I am making plans to buy another Sigma lens: the 120-300mm f/2.8 (the new "Sport" edition). And along with that I'll be getting the new Sigma USB dock, which will be great for fine-tuning both the 35 and 120-300 lenses. Some people may have experienced AF microadjustment issues with their 35mm, but the dock should make it easy for users to service their own lenses, which is really nice (hope it starts a trend).

LucasCK wrote in post #15961819
Cons: the hood doesn't attach properly, my Lightroom doesn't recognize it.. No big deal, I just pretend it's a canon 35

The hood is very tough to get on (for a hood) at first. You really have to turn it until it clicks and the white markings line up. It may even feel like you're going to break the hood the first time round. Grip the base of the hood where the rubber is, this makes it easier.

I love the quality of the images that the Sigma 35 produces. However, I am a bit disappointed at how large and heavy the lens is. Sure, the Canon 35L is also large and heavy so I suppose this is just par for the course.

I have an NEX 5N (APS-C sensor) and the Zeiss 24/1.8 lens (fairly equivalent perspective) and it can focus as close as 6". So sure, the Sigma is not bad compared to its full frame competitors from Canon and Nikon, but having used my NEX and also the RX1 (full frame 35 that also has very close focus) the weight and minimum focusing distance seem like negatives to me. I'd still rate the Sigma 5 stars just because of the image quality.

I have Zeiss, so Sigma is going to be light for me, I guess

seanlancaster wrote in post #15962749
I love the quality of the images that the Sigma 35 produces. However, I am a bit disappointed at how large and heavy the lens is. Sure, the Canon 35L is also large and heavy so I suppose this is just par for the course.

I have an NEX 5N (APS-C sensor) and the Zeiss 24/1.8 lens (fairly equivalent perspective) and it can focus as close as 6". So sure, the Sigma is not bad compared to its full frame competitors from Canon and Nikon, but having used my NEX and also the RX1 (full frame 35 that also has very close focus) the weight and minimum focusing distance seem like negatives to me. I'd still rate the Sigma 5 stars just because of the image quality.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #15961854
I see.

In my original question, when I asked about Sigma's customer service, I wasn't really talking about how they are with stuff like software updates. I was more or less asking about how they are with repairs.

I am specifically interested in how they handle warranty-type work, or repairs necessary due to shortcomings in the build quality of the lens.

Are they prone to completely fix any problems, and not charge the customer for the repair (as CPS is known to do for pros)? Or, do they frequently try to say that the problem is some fault of the user, and charge for the repair?

If they handle things the way Canon does, via their CPS division, then I would more seriously consider a Sigma. The last thing I need is to buy a lens, have something go wrong with it, then have the company try to charge me for the repairs.

A few months back, I bought a used Sigma 50mm. I had no receipt, but the 50 had focus issues on my 5Diii. Called Sigma service discussing focus problem. The Sigma customer personnel told me that it probably is a firmware issue so they told me to send to the NY branch even though I live in LA. Also they mentioned to send 5Diii as well if I really want them to look at it. Naturally I didn't send the camera. However, I spoke also able to speak with the technican working on my lens. (I never got Canon to do this) They tested out with their 5Dii (not iii) and updated the firmware. It seems like they did a bit more then a courtesy update and when I got it back, it worked great. No more focus issues and the MA is +0 too. Service is reasonably quick. 3 days sending the lens, 3 days to get it back. I got it back in 11 days. So with the weekends in between, I would say it took them 3 days to service the lens.
Happy with my experience with them, I just purchased the Sig35 and calibrator.