Ultra Wide Angle Sigma Art Coming? [CR1]

[Canon Rumors]

<p>We’re told that Sigma is working on an Art series ultra wide angle lens. It’s unknown if this would be a replacement to the Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 DG, or an addition to the lineup. With the cost of Canon’s latest EF 11-24mm f/4L, I think it’s safe to assume there would be a market for less expensive version from Sigma with the optical performance of previous Art series lenses.</p>
<p>If true, I wouldn’t expect it to be coming in the near future.</p>
<p>On a side note, we’re told Sigma will restart production of the 24-105mm f/4 DG OS later in 2015.</p>

 

[pedro]

ok. there is joy in the waiting. 8)

 

[lintoni]

Could be interesting! Wasn't there a remark in a recent interview at DPReview saying something about them wanting to reclaim their 'title' for having the widest zoom?

*Edit*
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/8641477642/cp-2015-sigma-interview

Yes, we need to [get involved]. We're a pioneer of wide-angle zoom lenses. In the 70's we developed a 21-35mm manual lens, which I believe was the first real wide-angle zoom lens. Then we developed an 18-35mm, then a 17-35mm, then a 15-35mm, and a 12-24mm. We've always developed wide-angle zoom lenses. Canon has broken our record! We need to refresh this product line.

 

[andrewflo]

Weren't there a few rumors several months back about a Sigma 14-24mm f/4 OSS that could potentially have filter threads?

That could be a very exciting lens as well to give a huge range of option between the Canon 16-35mm f/4 IS, Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 VC, and a Sigma 14-24mm f/4 OSS (with filter threads).

 

[lintoni]

Weren't there a few rumors several months back about a Sigma 14-24mm f/4 OSS that could potentially have filter threads?

That could be a very exciting lens as well to give a huge range of option between the Canon 16-35mm f/4 IS, Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 VC, and a Sigma 14-24mm f/4 OSS (with filter threads).

In the interview I linked to, they do stress filter threads and specifically mention a 14-24...

 

[ahsanford]

The ultrawide FLs have become a much more difficult battleground for Sigma in the last 12 months alone. Between the Canon 16-35 f/4L IS and the 11-24 f/4L, as well as Tamron's 15-30 f/2.8, Sigma is relatively late to the party. Consider: people who really needed a landscape, interiors or event wide angle probably plunked down their money very recently already.

I agree with some comments that a front-filterable UWA wider than 16mm would do well if Sigma could reasonably pull it off -- i.e. do what the 16-35 F/4L IS did to thin everything up on the front end to temper or limit mechanical/filter-related vignetting when using a Lee setup. There's opportunity there: until someone makes an outrigger and dinner plate sized filters for the the 11-24 or Tamron 15-30, good luck with ND grads or a CPL for those lenses. I'm not saying each UWA lens should be expressly made for landscapers, but a filter ring dramatically expands the potential and appeal of UWA lenses.

- A

 

[M_S]

Some fast lens (2.8 or faster) without or at least dramatically reduced coma and a good portion of sharpness, I am in.

 

[PhotographyFirst]

You guys are only thinking full frame? Sigma's 8-16 is already in the "Art" class of optics and build quality. I have one on my T1i and it is an outrageously superb lens even at 8mm. The sharpness and microcontrast are amazing, and for focus stacking landscapes, it has nearly zero focus breathing. The FOV is around 12-13mm equivalent for full frame.

Sigma already conquered the UUWA zoom lens segment for crop cameras long before anyone else.

It would be interesting to see if they make the 12mm full frame version better to match the 8-16. The 8-16 is way better even for a crop lens.

Here's a TPD comparison. Although his 8-16 looks like the lower right corner is decentered to be softer than a good copy, which I have. Even then, beats the noodles out of the 12-24.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=710&Camera=474&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=954&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

 

[GuyF]

Ah, just when I've got a bout of upgrade fever and about to p/x my 17-40mm for the 16-35mm f4.... :-\

At least the Canon is weather sealed and won't suffer the inevitable Sigma focus inconsistancies!

 

[mackguyver]

You guys are only thinking full frame? Sigma's 8-16 is already in the "Art" class of optics and build quality. I have one on my T1i and it is an outrageously superb lens even at 8mm. The sharpness and microcontrast are amazing, and for focus stacking landscapes, it has nearly zero focus breathing. The FOV is around 12-13mm equivalent for full frame.

Sigma already conquered the UUWA zoom lens segment for crop cameras long before anyone else.

It would be interesting to see if they make the 12mm full frame version better to match the 8-16. The 8-16 is way better even for a crop lens.

Here's a TPD comparison. Although his 8-16 looks like the lower right corner is decentered to be softer than a good copy, which I have. Even then, beats the noodles out of the 12-24.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=710&Camera=474&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=954&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

You guys are only thinking full frame? Sigma's 8-16 is already in the "Art" class of optics and build quality. I have one on my T1i and it is an outrageously superb lens even at 8mm. The sharpness and microcontrast are amazing, and for focus stacking landscapes, it has nearly zero focus breathing. The FOV is around 12-13mm equivalent for full frame.

Sigma already conquered the UUWA zoom lens segment for crop cameras long before anyone else.

It would be interesting to see if they make the 12mm full frame version better to match the 8-16. The 8-16 is way better even for a crop lens.

Here's a TPD comparison. Although his 8-16 looks like the lower right corner is decentered to be softer than a good copy, which I have. Even then, beats the noodles out of the 12-24.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=710&Camera=474&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=954&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

If I still had a crop body, I'd get that lens in a heartbeat. It's excellent. Also, you're right, Sigma pioneered the whole ultrawide zoom segment, and I imagine they're feeling a bit encroached by the new 11-24 f/4. The 12-24 f/4 compares pretty favorably when stopped down and is way cheaper. I still think it's a pretty niche product, though, so I'd be surprised if they gave it the Art treatment, but maybe, like Canon, they will make it a statement piece. In other industries, there's lots of evidence that it works - Dodge sold a ton of Neons and minivans when they rolled out the Viper, and Ford is even planning to produce a $400k (really) Ford GT successor. Getting people excited about a brand (or in the showroom) can really pay off if done well. I think Sigma could definitely pull off something unique as they've done before in this segment.

 

[ahsanford]

You guys are only thinking full frame? (truncated)

If I still had a crop body, I'd get that lens in a heartbeat.... (truncated)

I am not discounting that it might be a crop Art lens, but there's sooooo much more money to be made in the FF segment, i.e. if you have the money for a FF rig, you are far more likely to be able/willing to pay ~ $1k for an Art lens.

- A

 

[LOALTD]

If they could give us something like:


14mm f/2.0
10mm f/2.8


It would be a GAME CHANGER for one of my favorite types of photography (night sky).


I'd personally much rather have something wider than a 24mm in an f/2.0 or wider than 14mm in an f/2.8 than any sort of zoom.


I'm sure I'm the minority though :'(

 

[BeenThere]

Some fast lens (2.8 or faster) without or at least dramatically reduced coma and a good portion of sharpness, I am in.

The Tamron SP 15-30 f/2.8 has what you are looking for.

 

[ahsanford]

Some fast lens (2.8 or faster) without or at least dramatically reduced coma and a good portion of sharpness, I am in.

The Tamron SP 15-30 f/2.8 has what you are looking for.

Yep. LensTip just tested that lens.

Resolution data here:
http://www.lenstip.com/432.4-Lens_review-Tamron_15-30_mm_f_2.8_Di_VC_USD_Rozdzielczo%C5%9B%C4%87.html

See the coma samples here:
http://www.lenstip.com/432.7-Lens_review-Tamron_15-30_mm_f_2.8_Di_VC_USD_Coma__astigmatism_and_bokeh.html

- A

 

[jabbott]

If so, I'm in this minority as well... I would love to have an ultra wide fast-aperture prime with low coma for night sky photography. I'm not sure if it's possible to design such a lens though. For now I will keep dreaming...

If they could give us something like:

14mm f/2.0
10mm f/2.8

It would be a GAME CHANGER for one of my favorite types of photography (night sky).

I'd personally much rather have something wider than a 24mm in an f/2.0 or wider than 14mm in an f/2.8 than any sort of zoom.

I'm sure I'm the minority though :'(

 

[pwp]

The Series-1 Sigma 12-24 is a lens I pull out two or three times a year when I find myself in a tight corner. It's only useful aperture is f/11, and then it's just what you would describe as adequate. You hope to goodness the client doesn't totally love the shot and want to run a national campaign with it. If used small, the output is perfectly fine.

The Series-II Sigma 12-24 is by all accounts a significant improvement over the original, but wide open shooting remains a no-go zone. An Art-Series Sigma 12-24 sounds like it could deliver the goods. The competition in this sector is highly viable yet highly expensive. If an Art-Series Sigma 12-24 continues the phenomenal IQ turnaround we've seen recently from Sigma, then it will be worth waiting for.

-pw

 

[Hjalmarg1]

<p>We’re told that Sigma is working on an Art series ultra wide angle lens. It’s unknown if this would be a replacement to the Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 DG, or an addition to the lineup. With the cost of Canon’s latest EF 11-24mm f/4L, I think it’s safe to assume there would be a market for less expensive version from Sigma with the optical performance of previous Art series lenses.</p>
<p>If true, I wouldn’t expect it to be coming in the near future.</p>
<p>On a side note, we’re told Sigma will restart production of the 24-105mm f/4 DG OS later in 2015.</p>

Wish it is a Sigma 14-24mm f/4 OSS (A) and can accept filters.

 

[Antono Refa]

There's a Nikon patent for a 10mm f/4 full frame lens.

If Sigma wants to reclaim the widest-lens-crown (and the 12-24mm was wider than the out of production 13mm Nikon prime), it might have to go as wide as 9mm.

 

[lintoni]

I wonder what it will take for Sigma to start making all of its Art series lenses with native mount for Sony A/E mount cameras? Being able to put these guys on the A7RII would be cool!

The obvious answer would be for there to be enough demand to make it profitable for Sigma. As it is...

DSLRs first, particularly Canon and Nikon, since most of our customers use those systems. And after that mirrorless. Sony FE-mount.

 

[PhotographyFirst]

There's a Nikon patent for a 10mm f/4 full frame lens.

If Sigma wants to reclaim the widest-lens-crown (and the 12-24mm was wider than the out of production 13mm Nikon prime), it might have to go as wide as 9mm.

Going lower than 12mm is beyond where a lens is useful. I have yet to see a single 11mm Canon shot that looks good in 3:2 format. Going that wide only looks good in panoramic formats, IMO.

Sigma just needs a 14(or12)-24 F2.8 that is cheaper and better than the Nikon and it will outsell many other lenses especially if coma is well corrected.