Sigma 24-105 f/4 DG OS ART Production on Hold?

[Canon Rumors]

<p>We’re told by a Canon Rumors reader that Sigma has stated that production of the 24-105 f/4 DG OS ART series lens is on indefinite hold for all mounts.</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Good afternoon,</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Unfortunately, production of the 24-105mm has been halted in all mounts.  It was originally supposed to be released for Sony this month, but now production is on an indefinite hold.  I will save your e-mail address and get back to you when we know more.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Please let me know if you have any questions.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Have a great day!</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1">Best regards,

</span>*Name Removed*

*Position Removed*

Sigma Corp of America</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="p3">We hope to hear why production has been put on hold in the coming hours.</p>
<p class="p3"><em>Thanks Keith</em></p>
<p class="p3"><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

Probably Sigma 24-105 does not sell as well as expected. They should concentrate on the manufacture of 35 and 50 Art, which seem to disappear from the shelves quickly.

 

[infared]

I think if it was a high-spec f/2.8 with OS and priced right it would sell really well...REALLY well!

 

[Sporgon]

If it is true that production of this lens has been put on indefinite hold then it fits well with the comments that many of us here on CR made when the rumour of its imminent existence was first reported.

If they thought the time was right for them to meet the major dslr manufacturers 'run of the mill zoom lenses' head on with a more expensive but similarly performing product they were wrong.

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

While Sigma 24-105 is a good lens, it does nothing beyond what other manufacturers already did. Unlike other lenses Art series, which brought high quality, like 35mm and 50mm, and unprecedented maximum aperture in 18-35mm F1.8.

 

[Ripley]

They need to stop doing whatever it is that's keeping the 85mm f1.4A from hitting the shelves... and the release of a firmware update for the 50mm f1.4A

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

If its true, it could mean a production issue, or a shift of internal resources. With Japan spiraling into a depression, the cost of raw materials and employees demands for higher wages may force low profit products out of production.

Its also very possible that production facilities are needed for the new 150-600mm zooms that are expected to sell well. Sigma is not likely going to be investing large sums of money into new facilities in a falling market.

 

[Berowne]

The Beginning of the End?

 

[TeT]

If its true, it could mean a production issue, or a shift of internal resources. With Japan spiraling into a depression, the cost of raw materials and employees demands for higher wages may force low profit products out of production.

Its also very possible that production facilities are needed for the new 150-600mm zooms that are expected to sell well. Sigma is not likely going to be investing large sums of money into new facilities in a falling market.

If they are putting the kabosh on the Alpha mount release as well, indicating that production was halted before any Sony A mount inventories were built up, then could this have been in the works for awhile? Very curious as to the why on this one...

 

[catfish252]

They haven't gotten the 150-600mm Contemporary model out yet either, considering the Sport version been out a couple of months now I wonder if they discovered someone forgot to carry the one in solving the lens grinding characteristics. As a matter of fact I signed up for a notification email for when the 150-600 C was in stock -- today I received an email from B&H stating the lens was discontinued. I see nothing about it on Sigma's website so maybe it is a problem over at B&H

 

[jhanken]

They need to stop doing whatever it is that's keeping the 85mm f1.4A from hitting the shelves...

Can I get an "Amen" from anyone on this comment?

 

[jdramirez]

Even though i do not own a single sigma product, I respect what they have done recently. I personally want the 24-70 mm f2. But I never thought the 24-105mm would be a winner. .. not for Canon. .. Sony & NIKON maybe.

Huh. ..

 

[slclick]

I love mine, far nicer than the Canon variant. Most reviewers say marginally, I think FAR.

 

[candc]

they need to shut down production in order for a retooling process to replace the "A" badge with a "C". I am not sure how this slipped by but they are now aware of the misnomer.

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

Probably Sigma 24-105 does not sell as well as expected. They should concentrate on the manufacture of 35 and 50 Art, which seem to disappear from the shelves quickly.

Possibly. At least for the Canon mount it never really made any sense.
It came out right when:

Canon 24-105L were being let go for a fire sale, plus the Canon was lighter, by a lot.

The Canon 24-70 f/4 IS came out and had better IQ and was vastly smaller and lighter and had much better macro too.

Now the Canon 24-105 variable non-L is coming out and it should also be less expensive, better and lighter (if variable aperture).

Heck, if weight and size matter, the Tamron 24-70 VC 2.8 and Canon 24-70 II 2.8 are the same size and weight as the Sigma but offer f/2.8 and much better IQ (although cost more and way more).

Maybe it made some sense for Nikon, but perhaps that was not enough?

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

[
Sony was the other target. But it would be interesting to know if the 24-105 IS STM is the other nail in the coffin of this lens which would mean that buyers of 3rd party lenses for Canon mount significantly outweigh projections for Nikon/SOny.

Actually, I thought Nikon was the main reason for this lens to exist. The Nikon 24-120 is expensive and a middle of the road performer. They should be mopping up the floor with sales to Nikon users.

 

[Gardnerdw5]

The answer may be on imaging resource today

http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2014/11/26/sigma-qa-kazuto-yamaki-micro-four-thirds-lenses-full-frame-foveon-feasible

This is an older interview posted today taking about limitation in resources at sigma
David Gardner

 

[Gardnerdw5]

The answer may be on imaging resource today

http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2014/11/26/sigma-qa-kazuto-yamaki-micro-four-thirds-lenses-full-frame-foveon-feasible

This is an older interview posted today talking about limitation in resources at sigma
David Gardner

 

[sanj]

Probably making the 2.8 IS version instead.

 

[Antono Refa]

The answer may be on imaging resource today

http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2014/11/26/sigma-qa-kazuto-yamaki-micro-four-thirds-lenses-full-frame-foveon-feasible

This is an older interview posted today taking about limitation in resources at sigma

That does not exclude the other explanation: given Sigma's limited resources, management has to prioritize some lenses over others.

From what I've read, the Sigma 24-105 does not have an IQ or price advantage over the Canon 24-105, and Sigma's reputation for having AF problems, I can see why people would rather buy their kit lens from Canon, hurting sales & profit of the Sigma.

I'm not sure how the Sigma compares to the Nikon 24-120mm, then it's 15mm shorter & suffers from Sigma's reputation for having AF problems, so I wouldn't be surprised if the Sigma w/ F mount didn't sell well either.