Sigma 35 f/1.4 DG HSM First Impressions

[jukka]

jukka,

Not sure if you saw my previous post, but do you know the answer to this question:

Since AFMA for a particular body/lens combo changes as a function of subject distance, it's not possible to have an AFMA value for all subject distances. Is this any different for a lens that appears to require 0 AFMA? I.e. will it also have 0 AFMA for all subject distances?

hmm My Finnish English do not understand what you're asking, can you simplify the question and I try to answer

 

[sarangiman]

jukka,

Not sure if you saw my previous post, but do you know the answer to this question:

Since AFMA for a particular body/lens combo changes as a function of subject distance, it's not possible to have an AFMA value for all subject distances. Is this any different for a lens that appears to require 0 AFMA? I.e. will it also have 0 AFMA for all subject distances?

hmm My Finnish English do not understand what you're asking, can you simplify the question and I try to answer

Ok, let me try to rephrase.

Let's say you get a 85/1.2 prime lens that needs no microadjustment for perfect focus. Will it focus perfectly for both close & far (infinity) subjects (at f/1.2)?

My 85/1.2 needs a microadjustment of +12 for a subject distance of 25x focal length (~85 inches distance). But now infinity is no longer perfectly in focus.

So what I'm asking is: since the AFMA value you enter into the camera is only really valid for the subject distance you used to determine that AFMA value, is it better to get a lens that appears to need no microadjustment whatsoever with your body?

Or will even those lenses show different back/front-focusing for subjects at various differences?

Of course, I'm only speaking of wide-aperture primes here... Above f/2.8 or f/4 you won't even notice these sorts of variations (unless your lens is really, really far off).

 

[Zv]

Maybe Urban Dictionary could add "brokeh" as a new term that means unsightly and nasty looking out of focus highlights. E.g - that lens gives nuthin but brokeh!

There are some signs of onion brokeh which isnt too pleasent.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1167718/5

However im not very knowledgeable about how often situations that create onion brokeh occur. All the other samples seem to have a very nice brokeh. Can anyone enlighten me as to whether this should be something to be concerned about?

What is Brokeh?

 

[aznable]

gold rings are gone on the new art series style they actually look more like zeiss lenses now

gold ring is for EX lenses...this one despite the good build quality hasnt an EX designation.

maybe signa dropped the EX deisgnation, but all my EX lenses have a gold ring, like the latest zooms released...120-300 and 50-150

 

[syder]

gold rings are gone on the new art series style they actually look more like zeiss lenses now

gold ring is for EX lenses...this one despite the good build quality hasnt an EX designation.

maybe signa dropped the EX deisgnation, but all my EX lenses have a gold ring, like the latest zooms released...120-300 and 50-150

Which part of this is the first lens in the new art series did you not understand? That would be new as in new - not as part of the old EX series

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I get the impression that, like Tamron and it's new 24-70mm VC or upcoming 70-200mm VC, Sigma is wanting to reinvent it's reputation. Tamrons typically (in my experience) had good to great optics while sporting subpar AF and build quality. The glass was definitely the best part of the lens. But with these new lens they are trying to move into a new level of overall quality (and price). I have the new Tamron, and I personally wish they had a new designation/look to set this lens apart from previous attempts that weren't nearly at this quality level. Sure it is called an "SP" lens, but so have any number of other lens that cost far less. This is the first weather sealed lens they have developed. I though that using some new designator would have been wise.

I think Sigma is going about this the right way. A Sigma "EX" lens has never quite meant a Canon "L". They had too many products with that designation that weren't premium products. Starting these new lines gives them a chance to visually distinguish their products and hopefully develop a new type of brand recognition. I personally think the cosmetic appearance of this new lens is gorgeous, and I've never been a huge Sigma fan.

 

[Quasimodo]

Looking forward to someone in here actually trying it. It looks very promesing

 

[infared]

Maybe Urban Dictionary could add "brokeh" as a new term that means unsightly and nasty looking out of focus highlights. E.g - that lens gives nuthin but brokeh!



LOL!

 

[aznable]

gold rings are gone on the new art series style they actually look more like zeiss lenses now

gold ring is for EX lenses...this one despite the good build quality hasnt an EX designation.

maybe sigma dropped the EX deisgnation, but all my EX lenses have a gold ring, like the latest zooms released...120-300 and 50-150

Which part of this is the first lens in the new art series did you not understand? That would be new as in new - not as part of the old EX series

... do they dropped the EX designation? i didnt know, but i hope you are wrong

@twi

sigma started to improve quality (and prices) of their lenses well before the new tamron lenses

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

sigma started to improve quality (and prices) of their lenses well before the new tamron lenses

That is debatable. Roger from LensRentals said clearly that this current lens is changing his mind regarding Sigmas. He had previously warned against them because of having so many issues with them (including the 85mm f/1.4). My point is that Sigma is clearly trying to reinvent itself and has overtly stated that their quality control side of the business is going to vastly improve. I think that is why they have come with new lens designations (and designs).

Tamron is also trying to upgrade their product line. I wish that they too had come up with a new designation for their premium lens than the old "SP" designation.

 

[wickidwombat]

gold rings are gone on the new art series style they actually look more like zeiss lenses now

gold ring is for EX lenses...this one despite the good build quality hasnt an EX designation.

maybe sigma dropped the EX deisgnation, but all my EX lenses have a gold ring, like the latest zooms released...120-300 and 50-150

Which part of this is the first lens in the new art series did you not understand? That would be new as in new - not as part of the old EX series

... do they dropped the EX designation? i didnt know, but i hope you are wrong

@twi

sigma started to improve quality (and prices) of their lenses well before the new tamron lenses

yep the new art series looks pretty sweet IMO I have the 85 and 50 1.4 EX which are not bad

only thing I utterly hate is how the AF /MF switch sticks out too far in is constantly getting bumped into MF
I was hoping they would recess it better

I'm looking forward to seeing what sigma do with a 24-70 f2.8 OS too should be better than the tamron and piles cheaper than the canon

 

[aznable]

the new art is minimal and elegant but i will miss the old dark grey EX

anyway the latest lenses from sigma are very good

the 70-200 OS, the revamped line of stabilized macros (105-150 and 180) and the new 120-300 are very good quality lenses both optically and costruction wise.

 

[drmikeinpdx]

First thing I did when I got the lens was cover up that cheap, unsightly gold ring with some model-makers pinstripping tape!!!!

LOL, that's a great idea. I'll have to get some for all of my lenses! Red tape of course. Much cheaper than buying L - lenses. I'll just tell my friends that they are the new lightweight L lenses.

 

[mrsfotografie]

I get the impression that, like Tamron and it's new 24-70mm VC or upcoming 70-200mm VC, Sigma is wanting to reinvent it's reputation. Tamrons typically (in my experience) had good to great optics while sporting subpar AF and build quality. The glass was definitely the best part of the lens. But with these new lens they are trying to move into a new level of overall quality (and price). I have the new Tamron, and I personally wish they had a new designation/look to set this lens apart from previous attempts that weren't nearly at this quality level. Sure it is called an "SP" lens, but so have any number of other lens that cost far less. This is the first weather sealed lens they have developed. I though that using some new designator would have been wise.

Actually I think this trend started with the Tamron SP 70-300mm VC USD; it was the first Tamron with IS and HSM equivalent technology. I was quite impressed with this lens when it came out and I now use it for travel photography where I need something compact and reasonably light to have a tele-option. Optically it roughly compares with Canon's 70-300 IS but the VC and USD and a non-rotating front element closed the deal for me.

The *new* Tamron lenses do have a subtly new design/look, what with the sloping line at the rear of the lens and a bit more 'slick' looking but true, it is not a big departure (I don't think they need a new design anyway - I like it the way it is).

 

[nomad85]

If there is such thing as a Sigma holy trinity, I have it .
The Sigma 35 1.4 , 50 1.4 and 85 1.4 are all in my bag. The 35mm I got yesterday and the 85mm not long before that as well. So both are new to me.

If there are any questions, my english is just fine, so ask away . I work with the 5d3.

 

[sandymandy]

How does it compare to Samyang 35mm 1.4 MTF?

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I get the impression that, like Tamron and it's new 24-70mm VC or upcoming 70-200mm VC, Sigma is wanting to reinvent it's reputation. Tamrons typically (in my experience) had good to great optics while sporting subpar AF and build quality. The glass was definitely the best part of the lens. But with these new lens they are trying to move into a new level of overall quality (and price). I have the new Tamron, and I personally wish they had a new designation/look to set this lens apart from previous attempts that weren't nearly at this quality level. Sure it is called an "SP" lens, but so have any number of other lens that cost far less. This is the first weather sealed lens they have developed. I though that using some new designator would have been wise.

Actually I think this trend started with the Tamron SP 70-300mm VC USD; it was the first Tamron with IS and HSM equivalent technology. I was quite impressed with this lens when it came out and I now use it for travel photography where I need something compact and reasonably light to have a tele-option. Optically it roughly compares with Canon's 70-300 IS but the VC and USD and a non-rotating front element closed the deal for me.

The *new* Tamron lenses do have a subtly new design/look, what with the sloping line at the rear of the lens and a bit more 'slick' looking but true, it is not a big departure (I don't think they need a new design anyway - I like it the way it is).

I agree with you regarding the 70-300. Still, that being said, the 24 to 70 mm is the first lens that Tamron has produced to really compete with a professional series lens. The 70 to 30 competed more with the 70 to 300 IS lens, not the 70 to 300 L

 

[Brand B]

I recall from the 5D III manual that third party lenses are not able to use as many of the focus points as Canon's. For lenses like this one, whose optical performance and focusing speed seem to be on par with Canon's, is that the only downside?

 

[nomad85]

I recall from the 5D III manual that third party lenses are not able to use as many of the focus points as Canon's. For lenses like this one, whose optical performance and focusing speed seem to be on par with Canon's, is that the only downside?

Have the 5d3 and 35mm 1.4 Sigma and can use all the AF points like my L 2.8 glass can on the camera. All 45 cross and 61 points are usable.

 

[aprotosimaki]

Have the 5d3 and 35mm 1.4 Sigma and can use all the AF points like my L 2.8 glass can on the camera. All 45 cross and 61 points are usable.

What are your impressions of it?