Review: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art Receives Highest DXOMark Score Ever

[Canon Rumors]

DXOMark has completed their review of the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art series lens, and apparently they like it!</p>
<p><strong>From DXOMark:</strong></p>
<blockquote><p>With its Art series, Sigma has done much to improve its standing as a high-end lens maker. Until only recently, Canon and Nikon were on safe ground with their high-speed primes, but makers such as Sigma and Tamron (and Zeiss) are beginning to make inroads. While all the full-frame Art series lenses are excellent performers optically, the latest model in the range is also its best. It also happens to be the most expensive to date, but the $1,199 asking price seems reasonable. That it outperforms the Zeiss Milvus and outrageously expensive Otus equivalents probably says enough for most people — and that’s even before discussing the merits of autofocus versus manual on high-speed lenses like this. <a href="https://www.dxomark.com/Reviews/Sigma-85mm-F1.4-Art-lens-review-New-benchmark">Read the full review</a></p></blockquote>
<p>That’s definitely some amazing praise bestowed on the new king from Sigma. I love the Tamron 85mm f/1.8 VC, but this may have piqued my interest in trying out this Sigma 85mm lens.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://bhpho.to/2ky91Cj">Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG Art at B&H Photo</a></strong></p>
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[goldenhusky]

Congratulations!!! Sigma. Hope DXO mark would do the test on Canon version as well. Not that I am great fan of their scores...

 

[captainkanji]

I will rent the Sigma and the Zeiss Planar to see which one I will buy later this year.

 

[JonAustin]

I don't expect to ever be in the market for a 3rd party lens, but it's great to see Sigma upping their game, and getting recognized for it.

 

[Talley]

When I got my 85 Art I tested it vs the 200 F2 and I was amazed how similar in sharpness they are. Very powerful lenses both of them.

 

[YuengLinger]

Now if they could only revisit their 50mm Art and tweak it so it AF's reliably on the 5DIII...

Yes, this IS a comment on the 85mm, because if the 50 Art didn't work, why would I try the 85? Just for fun?

 

[Luds34]

Now if they could only revisit their 50mm Art and tweak it so it AF's reliably on the 5DIII...

Yes, this IS a comment on the 85mm, because if the 50 Art didn't work, why would I try the 85? Just for fun?

Wasn't there a rumor, speculation, or something that Sigma had used an underpowered motor in the 50mm and that was a culprit in some of the inconsistent focusing... furthermore that Sigma recognized that and put in a beefy motor for the 85mm to correct that shortcoming.

 

[poias]

Congratulations!!! Sigma. Hope DXO mark would do the test on Canon version as well. Not that I am great fan of their scores...

Dxo scores are paid to show low Canon scores.

 

[Alex_M]

there is a new AF motor in Sigma 85 Art indeed. it has been in the official lens announcement and also picked up by reviewer:

https://www.slrlounge.com/sigma-85mm-f1-4-art-review-the-beauty-of-this-beast/

"... Auto-Focus – With a new AF motor, this lens is the star-performer of the Art lineup and is engineered to be unparalleled to its predecessor, and rivals top-of-the-line competitors..."

Now if they could only revisit their 50mm Art and tweak it so it AF's reliably on the 5DIII...

Yes, this IS a comment on the 85mm, because if the 50 Art didn't work, why would I try the 85? Just for fun?

Wasn't there a rumor, speculation, or something that Sigma had used an underpowered motor in the 50mm and that was a culprit in some of the inconsistent focusing... furthermore that Sigma recognized that and put in a beefy motor for the 85mm to correct that shortcoming.

 

[Alex_M]

It is a false logic.. excuse me being direct. That would be a case of Looking at the Future in the Rear View Mirror..
I am going to sell my first generation 35 and 50 mm Art lenses the moment the second generation with better AF motor in them was announced.

Now if they could only revisit their 50mm Art and tweak it so it AF's reliably on the 5DIII...

Yes, this IS a comment on the 85mm, because if the 50 Art didn't work, why would I try the 85? Just for fun?

 

[mb66energy]

While optics are getting stellar on a regular base with new lenses I miss one feature which makes lenses attractiv for me:
A compact design.

I really like the 2,0 100 for it's tinyness compared to current lenses. While having some optical flaws and a very moderate MFD it is a very useful lens (at least for me).l

Hopefully Canon addresses compactness and optical quality with their 1.4 85 and the maybe in the far future updated 1.4 50 lenses!

 

[sanj]

Congratulations!!! Sigma. Hope DXO mark would do the test on Canon version as well. Not that I am great fan of their scores...

Dxo scores are paid to show low Canon scores.

Would love to see proof to this statement.

 

[ahsanford]

As posted elsewhere, PB, DPR and others had an advanced scoop on this before it was published. PB actually got a screenshot from DXO, see attached.

(Link here, pic below)
http://www.thephoblographer.com/2017/02/02/sigma-85mm-f1-4-beats-zeiss-otus-dxo-tests/

It's a little fuzzy, but if my eyes do not deceive me:

Nikon D800E + 85mm Art:

Sharpness: 36
Distortion: 0
Vignetting: -1.4
Transmission: 1.7
Chromatic Aberrations: 6

Canon 5DS R + 85mm Art:

Sharpness: 40
Distortion: 0
Vignetting: -0.5 (must be a typo)
Transmission: 1.8 (a hair worse)
Chromatic Aberrations: 2


And then DXO just does what it does:

Overall Score - Nikon: 51
Overall Score - Canon: 48

#dxo #fairandbalanced

- A

 

[Maximilian]

Although I give a **** on DXO and their scores this makes me listen.

I was impressed by what Sigma was delivering throughout their latest releases.
But I wasn't in the market for such big primes like the 35 and 50 mm.

The 85 mm FL is one of my most liked and as Canon still needs time to introduce a successor of the 85/1.8 this lens starts to become interesting.
If I had the real choice I would take a small size with f1.8 over such a really big chunk of glass.
But if the performance and consistency of the new AF proves to be much better than what I heard and read from the other "Arts" I'll be tempted.

Right now here in Germany there a no rebates on this lens as it is absolutely new, but with some 25 - 30 % like the other "Arts" it is worth considering.

 

[Maximilian]

...
And then DXO just does what it does:

Overall Score - Nikon: 51
Overall Score - Canon: 48

#dxo #fairandbalanced

- A

??? : :-X

 

[hubie]

If only the zoom ring would turn in the right direction ... :

 

[Nininini]

Now if they could only revisit their 50mm Art and tweak it so it AF's reliably on the 5DIII...

Yes, this IS a comment on the 85mm, because if the 50 Art didn't work, why would I try the 85? Just for fun?

THIS, I have already read AF issues with this 85mm. I am NOT buying ANY Sigma lens until the AF problem is 100% solved.

A $100 Yongnuo with some AF issues? uh, sure

A $1200 Sigma lens with AF issues? uhm, get real, I expect no AF issues whatsoever at that price

It is always the same old story, right after launch there are a bunch of paid shills getting free Sigma lenses doing reviews,they can't stop talking how awesome the lens is, how well AF works.

"OMG Becky, this lens is half the price of Canon's L lens and it's just as shap!"

Wait 2 months and the reviews of actual consumers with AF problems start popping up left and right. And you found out why this Sigma is so much cheaper.

UNTIL, Sigma fixes the AF problems, they're no longer getting my money.

 

[Hflm]

As posted elsewhere, PB, DPR and others had an advanced scoop on this before it was published. PB actually got a screenshot from DXO, see attached.

(Link here, pic below)
http://www.thephoblographer.com/2017/02/02/sigma-85mm-f1-4-beats-zeiss-otus-dxo-tests/

It's a little fuzzy, but if my eyes do not deceive me:

Nikon D800E + 85mm Art:

Sharpness: 36
Distortion: 0
Vignetting: -1.4
Transmission: 1.7
Chromatic Aberrations: 6

Canon 5DS R + 85mm Art:

Sharpness: 40
Distortion: 0
Vignetting: -0.5 (must be a typo)
Transmission: 1.8 (a hair worse)
Chromatic Aberrations: 2


And then DXO just does what it does:

Overall Score - Nikon: 51
Overall Score - Canon: 48

#dxo #fairandbalanced

- A

How can the transmission change? Does a mount change involve additional elements?
I find a T-stop of 1.8 to be really bad for an f1.4 lens. The Sony/Zeiss primes often have no transmission loss according to dxo at all.

Overall I find this lens too large and heavy. What if Canon or Nikon would have introduced such a large lens? Then the complaints regarding large and heavy dinosaur technology would have been deafening. Already the Sony 85GM (our main portrait lens) is criticised for its size. But transmission seems to be much better as well as rendering (to my taste).

 

[Jopa]

Now if they could only revisit their 50mm Art and tweak it so it AF's reliably on the 5DIII...

Yes, this IS a comment on the 85mm, because if the 50 Art didn't work, why would I try the 85? Just for fun?

THIS, I have already read AF issues with this 85mm. I am NOT buying ANY Sigma lens until the AF problem is 100% solved.

A $100 Yongnuo with some AF issues? uh, sure

A $1200 Sigma lens with AF issues? uhm, get real, I expect no AF issues whatsoever at that price

It is always the same old story, right after launch there are a bunch of paid shills getting free Sigma lenses doing reviews,they can't stop talking how awesome the lens is, how well AF works.

"OMG Becky, this lens is half the price of Canon's L lens and it's just as shap!"

Wait 2 months and the reviews of actual consumers with AF problems start popping up left and right. And you found out why this Sigma is so much cheaper.

UNTIL, Sigma fixes the AF problems, they're no longer getting my money.

They're doing just fine without your money The 85 doesn't have any AF consistency issues, and the AF is faster than the 85 L II.

 

[heretikeen]

Congratulations!!! Sigma. Hope DXO mark would do the test on Canon version as well. Not that I am great fan of their scores...

Dxo scores are paid to show low Canon scores.

Of course they are.
Never believe the facts, always listen to your heart.