Where to buy front element?

Hello.
I just had a misfortune with my beloved 85 1.4 sig and the front filter broke and made some small marks on my front element. Does anyone know how much a front element would cost itself and where could I order it from?

First off, chances are that small marks on your front element will have negligible effects upon image quality as long as you use a lens hood to keep sunlight from shining directly on the element. Besides which, a hood will provide much more protection than a filter.

Second, if you really feel it needs to be replaced, send the lens to the Sigma repair center. They're relatively fast and have very fair prices.

Like Roger said, although you might want to contact Sigma, they may have "parts", and you may be near a local repair shop...

A couple years ago I had to sell one of my expensive lenses, the Canon 85 f/1.2 "L". Someone came to my place in response to a Craig's list ad (I believe it was for another piece of gear), and he casually picked up and glanced at the 85, and pointed out that the case was damaged!

Well, I looked at it and yeah, at least one part was damaged. I found out here in POTN a link to a parts list, and printed it and took it into a very helpful (and reasonable) shop, he ordered actually at least a couple parts that had damage, fixed the lens, and I was able to pick it up in, I believe, a week, and at a much better price than I would have gotten from Canon, and the lens sold to a happy "customer"!

Take some shots at various apertures and see if you are able to notice the damage in the images. Most of the time, the damage is to the coatings on the lens element and not the element itself.

Just a note here. The is specifically why I recommend not using a "protective filter" except in a few isolated occasions like sandy beaches. The only time I've ever damaged my front element has been from a filter. A lens hood is plenty of protection.

it was a strange incident, as I was putting away the lens on the body into a bag and it slipped from my hand onto the hardwood. the lens had a filter and a cap on it. I managed to get the filter housing off and Ill test it out today and see how it goes... so far I received quotes from $250-350.

Spots and scratches on your front element isn't really anything to worry about - you could just leave it the way it is and not have any problems at all.

If for some reason you really do want to replace the element, why not just send it in to Sigma and have them do it?

so just an update...
I went to Gentec in Markham, which is the Sigma dealer here in Ontario. the focusing seemed to be ok in my opinion and the tech thought so as well. I left the lens with them and they will replace the front ring and element, and recalibrate it just in case. I was quoted $150ish so this was a no brainer to me.. might as well have the lens work and look like new again.

Good for you!

You'll get most of that back if you sell it..!!