Who will purchase the Sigma 85mm 1.4 Art and when?

But even then, the 85 VC is heavier than the Nikon 85/1.4G and about as heavy as the Sigma 85/1.4 EX. It's double the weight of the Nikon 1.8G and almost double the weight of the Canon 85/1.8

Anyone have tips for ordering from like Canada? I asked my local Camera store Henrys about exchanging the lens if it was found with "bad AF" and they said managerial discretion... theyd rather not; who should I buy from if I want to return lemons with ease

Sir_Loin wrote in post #18159924
86mm filter thread?!?! What the **** is that all about? Even the behemoth of glass that is the EF 85mm f/1.2L has just a 72mm filter thread and it's a faster lens! Is it just me or is the ever increasing size of lenses (and cameras) by all manufacturers getting out of hand? In the 70's and 80's it was all about lightness and compactness, easy to carry around etc etc. When I put my old AE-1 Program next to my 5D3 (both with 24mm f/1.4 attached) it looks like a toy!

Larger front element should lead to lower vignetting wide open, which is what everyone wants to shoot this thing at anyways.

vengence wrote in post #18160133
Larger front element should lead to lower vignetting wide open, which is what everyone wants to shoot this thing at anyways.

Which can be removed in PP, it's a non issue. I even think my lens arsenal is far too big and heavy, I couldn't take all of my gear out on trip even if I needed to and newer lenses are getting even bigger and heavier.

Sir_Loin wrote in post #18160144
Which can be removed in PP, it's a non issue. I even think my lens arsenal is far too big and heavy, I couldn't take all of my gear out on trip even if I needed to and newer lenses are getting even bigger and heavier.

Since insuring my equipment I take two bags. I can always run back to the vehicle to swap. Doesn't work out all the time but it's an option. Honestly you only really "need" two lenses.... something wide and something long... whatever mm that is.

I've hauled all sorts of glass and most gets unused. I'm switching to primes now and will only take a trinity at a time and I doubt I'll miss much.

But for me it's a hobby. So not everyone fits into this category.

vengence wrote in post #18160133
Larger front element should lead to lower vignetting wide open, which is what everyone wants to shoot this thing at anyways.

it should, however I see some football bokeh in the bokeh sample, which may be an indication of vignetting.

The size should be a huge concern, it looks like 50% more volume than the 85L... it's also much longer, combined with that front element, it should feel much heavier in practice.

I was disappointed when I saw the Sony 85 f1.4 (massive in size, but the sigma has it beat by far), however that level of optics is absolutely droolworthy. If the sigma can match/beat that, then it will be a very nice lens. After you shoot a very high quality 85, you find that the 85L is quite flawed.

Charlie wrote in post #18160195
it should, however I see some football bokeh in the bokeh sample, which may be an indication of vignetting.

The size should be a huge concern, it looks like 50% more volume than the 85L... it's also much longer, combined with that front element, it should feel much heavier in practice.

I was disappointed when I saw the Sony 85 f1.4 (massive in size, but the sigma has it beat by far), however that level of optics is absolutely droolworthy. If the sigma can match/beat that, then it will be a very nice lens. After you shoot a very high quality 85, you find that the 85L is quite flawed.

Agreed. I'm very curious to see lens rentals results of the Sigma.


My conclusion/theory/pred​iction will be the Sigma is a smidge higher across the board on the lens rentals olaf mtf test vs the nikon 1.4 or sony G master lens. I'm really feeling that the Sigma will be the top performer. It'll all come down to copy variance which they haven't been known to be rock solid with slightly lacking behind nikon/canon on that matter and AF accuracy....

BUT... you'll get OTUS performance with an AF lens... and supposedly it has a smooth very wide turning range MF ring on it and I think that is going to be another key point to the VS otus thing... it'll manual focus just like the otus AND autofocus too.

Talley wrote in post #18160246
Agreed. I'm very curious to see lens rentals results of the Sigma.

My conclusion/theory/pred​iction will be the Sigma is a smidge higher across the board on the lens rentals olaf mtf test vs the nikon 1.4 or sony G master lens. I'm really feeling that the Sigma will be the top performer. It'll all come down to copy variance which they haven't been known to be rock solid with slightly lacking behind nikon/canon on that matter and AF accuracy....

BUT... you'll get OTUS performance with an AF lens... and supposedly it has a smooth very wide turning range MF ring on it and I think that is going to be another key point to the VS otus thing... it'll manual focus just like the otus AND autofocus too.

I have that feeling as well. Never tried the nikon 1.4, but the Sony 85 GM was absolutely stunning. Super sharp, super creamy bokeh. Sometimes with newer optics, bokeh can go backwards (tamron/canon 24-70's have somewhat poor bokeh). Not the case with the 85 GM. That's what I like, modern lenses that can preserve both bokeh quality and sharp/contrast.

I'de like a company to focus on varieties of 1.8 and smaller size, doesnt seem many exist...

sony 50mm f1.8
nikon 85mm f1.8 g
nikon 105mm f2.5 AIS
canon 100mm f2
canon 135mm f2 L (big)

I'm comfortable with these levels of optics and their relative sizes

all sharp lenses
all great bokeh
all great values (nicety)

I really wish someone could focus on making very good lenses of those nature, but with updated coatings/high end elements, and general refinement rather than gigantic monsters. Of course there's a place for gigantic monsters as well for those that desire, it just feels like in this day and age, gigantic monsters take precedence. Sorry for the rant.

Sir_Loin wrote in post #18160144
Which can be removed in PP, it's a non issue.

which ignores the fact that you are increasing exposure on parts of the image, which admittedly is not a significant issue when shooting at low ISO (it is still an issue nonetheless) but when shooting at high sensitivities can lead to unnecessary increased noise.

Charlie wrote in post #18160195
The size should be a huge concern, it looks like 50% more volume than the 85L... it's also much longer, combined with that front element, it should feel much heavier in practice.

Yet, for Canon shooters it won't actually be much heavier than the 1kg 85L. For Nikon shooters this will be a big increase in actual weight combined with the perceived weight you bring up

smythie wrote in post #18160415
Yet, for Canon shooters it won't actually be much heavier than the 1kg 85L. For Nikon shooters this will be a big increase in actual weight combined with the perceived weight you bring up

Roughly 5.5oz heavier than the canon will be noticeable by many but like you said it's alot heavier than the Nikon.

I think it will be more the size and balance difference between the L and Art that people with both lenses will notice than the weight. That will probably end up being perceived as a significant increase in weight

I was also thinking too... any of the sigma ART primes are 100% always nail focus when in live view with the 5D4. Never misses ever under any situation.

I haven't calibrated any of my arts yet but my dock arrives with my 85 and plan on going through them. The funny thing is I've already run tests at the distances where Sigma recommends on all my lenses and they do need some minor adjustments and just like my first art lens the 35 my first copy once I did it that thing was my most rock solid auto focusing lens I owned. Never missed. Can't wait to run all mine through and get them to that same 99% area.

BlazingSkies wrote in post #18160077
Anyone have tips for ordering from like Canada? I asked my local Camera store Henrys about exchanging the lens if it was found with "bad AF" and they said managerial discretion... theyd rather not; who should I buy from if I want to return lemons with ease

Vistek? Camera Canada? Check this website to get the best deal: photoprice.ca

Talley wrote in post #18160739
Never misses ever under any situation.

Welcome to my world

live view has its flaws of course, it's not 100% fast like optical, there's a very slight delay, and being 60fps on top of read delay, it could be 30ms total? Could be a dealbreaker to some folks (real fast action, although, practice and prediction can overcome the issue somewhat).