Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG Sets New Benchmark for Excellence

[Stuart]

Canon version didn't do as well...Is the D800 making the difference here?
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Lenses/Compare-Camera-Lenses/Compare-lenses/(lens1)/1056/(brand)/Sigma/(camera1)/483/(lens2)/797/(brand2)/Canon/(camera2)/436

Thank goodness someone else (and another after you) actually went and read the article, its not just the lens and unfortuantly its not as good on a canon body

[Albi86]

Canon version didn't do as well...Is the D800 making the difference here?
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Lenses/Compare-Camera-Lenses/Compare-lenses/(lens1)/1056/(brand)/Sigma/(camera1)/483/(lens2)/797/(brand2)/Canon/(camera2)/436

Thank goodness someone else (and another after you) actually went and read the article, its not just the lens and unfortuantly its not as good on a canon body

I think we can assume that the Canon version is optically identical. Take this information as a confirm that this lens is a good investment for the future, when all FF bodies will likely be in the 30-40 MP range

[captainkanji]

Would the Sigma be noticeably better than the 24-105 on a 6D?  Most of my photos of cosplay are between 24 and 35mm.  I'm very happy with the 105 so far.  I already have a 40 2.8 and a 50 1.4 so maybe I'm getting too redundant.  Something about primes intrigues me though.  I think I have this desire to take the sharpest photo ever  . I'll consider renting one for my next event.

[Albi86]

Would the Sigma be noticeably better than the 24-105 on a 6D?  Most of my photos of cosplay are between 24 and 35mm.  I'm very happy with the 105 so far.  I already have a 40 2.8 and a 50 1.4 so maybe I'm getting too redundant.  Something about primes intrigues me though.  I think I have this desire to take the sharpest photo ever  . I'll consider renting one for my next event.

Yes, I think the Sigma would be noticeably sharper especially in the borders and at large apertures.

[Malte_P]

Canon version didn't do as well...Is the D800 making the difference here?
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Lenses/Compare-Camera-Lenses/Compare-lenses/(lens1)/1056/(brand)/Sigma/(camera1)/483/(lens2)/797/(brand2)/Canon/(camera2)/436

logic tells me so.

would be bad for the D800 if it would not achive a better result.

[dilbert]

Would the Sigma be noticeably better than the 24-105 on a 6D?

Yes.

[Malte_P]

Canon version didn't do as well...Is the D800 making the difference here?
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Lenses/Compare-Camera-Lenses/Compare-lenses/(lens1)/1056/(brand)/Sigma/(camera1)/483/(lens2)/797/(brand2)/Canon/(camera2)/436

Thank goodness someone else (and another after you) actually went and read the article, its not just the lens and unfortuantly its not as good on a canon body

of course a higher MP body will achive better resolution results then a lower MP body.
are you really suprised about this? 

the sigma for canon cameras is as good as the nikon model.
but the combination of canon camera and sigma lens is not that good.
no wonder, as canon has no 36MP body yet.

[dstppy]

For me, the lack of weather sealing by Sigma is the lost opportunity here.

Yes, I know the Canon 35mm f/1.4 L is not weather-sealed. But the lens is old enough where it makes sense to me to wait and see if they release a weather-sealed update any time soon. If the Sigma had been, I'd not hesitate for a second to pick up a lens with better IQ at a significantly lower cost regardless of what Canon has up its sleeve.

So if Canon comes out with a new version that costs $2000 but with weather sealing, you're ready to pay more than double? Good job.

Canon has a LONG history of making $2000 lenses that don't out-resolve their predecessors by a long shot and only carry weather-sealing.    Good job.

[ddashti]

How sure can one be that the performance for the Canon mount is very similar to the Nikon mount?

[RS2021]

How sure can one be that the performance for the Canon mount is very similar to the Nikon mount?

Optical design is identical...only the tail end, the mount, is different.
But clearly the camera system including sensor resolution will alter what comes out of the lens' native IQ.

[brad-man]

Canon version didn't do as well...Is the D800 making the difference here?
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Lenses/Compare-Camera-Lenses/Compare-lenses/(lens1)/1056/(brand)/Sigma/(camera1)/483/(lens2)/797/(brand2)/Canon/(camera2)/436

Thank goodness someone else (and another after you) actually went and read the article, its not just the lens and unfortuantly its not as good on a canon body

Don't know why this is so confusing. The Sigma is by a fair amount the better lens in most, if not all, measurable categories. It is simply more evident on a higher resolving camera. It has nothing to do with the brand of camera or the mount or anything other than the resolution of the camera...

[Nishi Drew]

For me, the lack of weather sealing by Sigma is the lost opportunity here.

Yes, I know the Canon 35mm f/1.4 L is not weather-sealed. But the lens is old enough where it makes sense to me to wait and see if they release a weather-sealed update any time soon. If the Sigma had been, I'd not hesitate for a second to pick up a lens with better IQ at a significantly lower cost regardless of what Canon has up its sleeve.

So if Canon comes out with a new version that costs $2000 but with weather sealing, you're ready to pay more than double? Good job.

Actually, yes. I won't mind paying if it follows the trends with their recent L lenses. The IQ will certainly leap-frog the Sigma and if it is weather-sealed I don't mind paying extra.

If the updated Canon has better IQ than the Sigma but is not weather-sealed, then I'll get the Sigma.

Better IQ and weather sealing is worth it to me. Why is that hard for you to understand?

Why are you assuming I am not understanding what you wrote? It's your money, go ahead and waste it. I said good job. Why is it so hard for you to read?

Canon going to leapfrog the sigma in IQ... how much wishful thinking is this, how much "better" do you think Canon's will be?.... oh, right... the "colors" and "bokeh" will all be $1000 better like all the other L lenses compared to the competition.  And will probably be sharper at F/1.4 than the siggy is at F/2.8 right? As for the recent trend of L lenses... what, more like the 24-70 F4L or F2.8LII? Because the F4L is trash and costs a fortune.
As for weather sealing, yeah, that's about it, that can be the deciding factor for a purchase based on your environment and I do wish my siggy was safe from everything but no, it just has to survive on my equally sealed 5DII

[infared]

"Canon going to leapfrog the sigma in IQ... how much wishful thinking is this, how much "better" do you think Canon's will be?.... oh, right... the "colors" and "bokeh" will all be $1000 better like all the other L lenses compared to the competition.  And will probably be sharper at F/1.4 than the siggy is at F/2.8 right? As for the recent trend of L lenses... what, more like the 24-70 F4L or F2.8LII? Because the F4L is trash and costs a fortune.
As for weather sealing, yeah, that's about it, that can be the deciding factor for a purchase based on your environment and I do wish my siggy was safe from everything but no, it just has to survive on my equally sealed 5DII"

Yeah I agree...decided to order a Sigma today...Sigma...keep using that can of Canon Whupass! We like it.

[that1guyy]

Regarding the weather sealing issue, you guys should google "dust donut." It is a kickstarter project that is manufacturing a rubber o-ring designed to fit Canon lenses, serving as a "seal" for dust and moisture. Might be handy to order a couple for your non sealed lenses when it is available. Just make sure the lens is supported.

[Shane1.4]

I picked up this lens a couple months ago. It is on par or perhaps better than my 135l in sharpness, color and contrast. It truly is a phenomenal lens. It makes my canon 50 1.4 look like a joke. The bokeh is superb. I have enjoyed it so much I wrote Sigma asking for a 50 in the same line. This was their response:


Hello Shane,
                The new Art, Sports and Contemporary line are the way of our lenses to come, when and if the 50mm 1.4 is updated it will be in the same vain as the 35mm 1.4.
Yours Truly,
Paul Pizzano
Sigma Corp. of America