Big Sigma Primes [CR2]

[qwerty]

Why Sport? I believe Art signifies 2.8 or larger aperture. It would be a Sport if it was a zoom with a variable aperture.

What??? What kind of a crazy name scheme is that? Sports are where constant aperture is more of a big deal ANYWHERE else.

Quick, someone tell Sigma that they listed their 120-300mm f/2.8 lens improperly on their website.
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/120-300mm-f28-dg-os-hsm-s
Oh, and on their press release when they announced their Sports line.
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/article/sigma-corporation-announces-reorganization-of-lens-lineup-new-products-and-quality-control

(Their existing 300 f/2.8, etc. are also listed as sports lenses, though those predate their A/S/C designations)
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/120-300mm-f28-dg-os-hsm-s

My guess is that the 35 f/1.4 (which is an art lens) got a lot of good press, so they (the rumor submitter) are piggybacking (likely inadvertently) on that fame.

Anyways, enough semantics. I am in the market for a 300 or 400 f/2.8, but good quality (Canon Mark 1 with IS) used versions are selling for $3k and up on eBay, which is a bit more than its worth to me. (The existing Sigma 300mm f/2.8 without OS/IS is a bit over 3k new.) I don't imagine the new and improved Sigmas will be any cheaper than that, so I am probably out as far as the new market it concerned. But, I am sure there will be plenty of people on this thread excited about the possibility of Sigma announcing a bargain. Still exciting though - I like to see competition.

 

[scottkinfw]

I would love a 500mm f 2.8 is that performs as well as or better than the Canon V2 f4L, is smaller, weighs a lot less, and costs <= say 4K.

I would also love a winning lotto ticket.

We will see what Sigma brings, it is for sure great news. I may just start saving now. I agree with another poster that a zoom of say 200 or 300 to about 500 or so with a f 2.8 (fixed aperture) would be awesome.

 

[mrsfotografie]

Doesn't it seem to anyone else that these should be branded under their SPORT line? I'm personally not a huge fan of the new nomenclature, but it would still be interesting if these can rival the mark II great whites (especially when it comes to AF and image quality with TC's).

+1 I like the 'new' quality (and will probably get the 35 mm this year), but I think the nomenclature is just plain silly, and amateuristic too. Just like a car manufacturer printing 'Off Road" on a 4x4, 'Street' on a passenger car, 'Town' on something small and compact, just so you wouldn't get the wrong model by mistake :

 

[Gareth]

I agree with another poster that a zoom of say 200 or 300 to about 500 or so with a f 2.8 (fixed aperture) would be awesome.

You might be surprised to learn that Sigma already makes a 200-500 f/2.8 zoom (and has for a while). Of course it costs 26k and weighs over 30 lbs...
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/200-500mm-f28-apo-ex-dg

 

[Eimajm]

Very interesting as I'm currently saving for Canon's offering. If they can match the optical and build quality of Canon's 500 MK I at £5-6K then I'll seriously consider one. I like the way Sigma is going.

 

[xps]

It does not matter, which name they give those primes.
What "counts" for me are an good IQ ( low CA, high resolution,...) and an fast AF.

+1 on the lower prices. It is good, that there will be a bit of price war. I know, that some of the guys here think, that only high-priced lenses are good lenses. But I believe that Canon adds an very big plus on the prices to optimize their profits. Nikon does it too... Now Sigma has the chance to increase their market share in these class of lenses.

And if these Sigma lenses are just a little bit lower in IQ than their Canon counterparts, one of the 500mm lenses will be mine.....

 

[Einstein333]

Re: We want high quality zooms!!

IMHO zoom lenses (like the new Canon 200-400) have become so good that I prefer them over fixed focals! I prefer having the flexibility of a zoom over 2% of additional sharpness with a prime! How about a new high quality 200-600 f5.6 OS?

 

[Hillsilly]

As a previous sigma 400/5.6 APO owner (which is no longer compatable with Canon AF), I've been a little wary of buying new Sigma lenses. But the recent announcement of the lens mount change service and updates via computer suggest that they are working hard to win me back. A quality, reasonably priced 300/2.8 or 500/4 would certainly get my attention.

 

[vlim]

Should be interesting to how these compare to Canon offerings

sharpness : might be a tie
build quality, weather sealed : Canon
weight : Canon
Price : Sigma

A 400 or 500 5.6 OS might be a great option for Sigma... Cheaper and lighter lenses.

 

[Apop]

Good news!, if the 120-300 OS S sharpness and quality (TDP review) is any indication, I am sure that their primes will be winners if they can keep the price reasonable!

Adding a 500 or 600 to my 300 would be lovely, but canon's @ 10k and 11k is too much.
If sigma can pull it off do deliver sharp images and good build quality for 5-7k it might be an interesting alternative.

 

[GuyF]

Considering I'm still ( :) about to pull the trigger on a 500mm f4 II, this news is a bit of a concern.

Mind you, will the Sigma have the same level of quality control as Canon? No.

Will the Sigma have 4-stops of IS? Maybe.

Will the Sigma be weather-sealed like the Canon? Can't see that happening.

Is the Canon more expensive just 'cos it's white and has "Canon" on the side? No...wait, yes....no, uh....

Without boring you with the details, the universe has thwarted me at every turn in my quest to get the 500mm. Perhaps fate is trying to tell me to wait for the Sigma 500mm f4 or even a 600mm if they do one.

(to be said in a tone of reverence and wonder) Oh great and powerful internet, what 500mm shall I ever own?

 

[sandymandy]

Canon teles are fucking beast, just get them

 

[AdamJ]

To those hoping that these superteles will be half the price of Canon, I doubt that: cheaper, undoubtedly, but my guess would be about 75% of the price of the Canon equivalent. Sigma currently has a 500mm f/4.5 which B&H sells for $5,000, slightly below half the price of the faster, lighter, optically superior, IS-equipped 500mm f/4 IS II. You can be sure that the new Sigma 500mm f/4 OS will not be $5,000 - more like $7,500 would be my guess.

So, to the guy about to pull the trigger on a Canon 400mm f/5.6, asking if the new Sigma 400mm f/2.8 is likely to be in his price range, well if your price range doesn't stretch to about $8,000 then probably not.

Regarding weather-sealing, if ever there were products for which Sigma should commit to proper weather-sealing, these new superteles are the ones. Honestly, I'd be amazed if they didn't get that part right.

 

[RGF]

depending upon timing, I will look at sigma carefully. Would like to get a 600 II Jan 2014 though I doubt sigma will be out before then.

 

[RayValdez360]

I have 5 of them and I love them. I can just set them up anywhere on a stand or with a modifier and snap away. I can control the power from the camera flash or transmitter. It is just too convenient to put like 4 or 5 flashes in a bag and be able to place them anywhere at an event. I never tried to overpower the sun or anything but I know it isn't great for that.

 

[Plainsman]

Mr Sigma - go for a 400/4.
All the other lens fl/apertures combinations are covered by the big boys.

 

[Loswr]

Mr Sigma - go for a 400/4.
All the other lens fl/apertures combinations are covered by the big boys.

Canon doesn't make a 400mm f/4 lens?

 

[florianbieler.de]

Mr Sigma - go for a 400/4.
All the other lens fl/apertures combinations are covered by the big boys.

EF 400mm 4.0 DO IS

 

[Plainsman]

Mr Sigma - go for a 400/4.
All the other lens fl/apertures combinations are covered by the big boys.

EF 400mm 4.0 DO IS

The Canon 400/4 DO is very expensive and is slightly mediocre optically.
I was thinking that Sigma could wisely ignore the 10 year old DO concept and give us a conventional sharp wide open 400/4.

 

[Stone]

I've been hoping for a Sigma 400 2.8 for quite a while. I have a fund to buy the Canon 400 2.8 but I'm not sure as a hobbyist I'll ever actually pull the trigger. ~$11K is a ton of money for something I wouldn't use very often, I'm sure the Siggy street price would be several thousand cheaper which would be much easier to swallow.