Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG Sets New Benchmark for Excellence

[Canon Rumors]

<div name="googleone_share_1" style="position:relative;z-index:5;float: right; /*margin: 70px 0 0 0;*/ top:70px; right:120px; width:0;"><g:plusone size="tall" count="1" href="http://www.canonrumors.com/2013/03/sigma-35mm-f1-4-dg-sets-new-benchmark-for-excellence/"></g:plusone></div><div style="float: right; margin:0 0 70px 70px;"><a href="https://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-count="vertical" data-url="http://www.canonrumors.com/2013/03/sigma-35mm-f1-4-dg-sets-new-benchmark-for-excellence/">Tweet</a></div>
<strong>From DXOMark</strong>
I know you may be getting tired of hearing it, but the <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/898831-REG/Sigma_340_101_35mm_f_1_4_DG_HSM.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG lens</a> is an astounding accomplishment by Sigma, or any manufacturer for that matter.</p>
<p>DXOMark has reviewed the lens and has found it to be a new benchmark for excellence, and the fact that it’s under $1000 is icing on the cake.</p>
<p><strong>From DXOMark:</strong>

<em>“Sigma has stated previously that it was upping its game with new pro-level lens designs and the new 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM is not only on a par with OEM lenses optically it surpasses them in most areas, especially in both acutance and resolution.”<strong>

</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>*Note:</strong> The review is for the Nikon mount version, but it should be identical to the Canon mount version as far as performance goes.</em></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Publications/DxOMark-Reviews/Sigma-35mm-f1.4-DG-HSM-Nikon-Mount-the-definitive-high-speed-35mm-wide-angle-lens-for-DSLRs" target="_blank">Read the entire review</a> | <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/898831-REG/Sigma_340_101_35mm_f_1_4_DG_HSM.html/bi/2466/kbid/3296" target="_blank">Buy the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG for Canon $899</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r</strong></p>

 

[pierceography]

I'm really thinking about picking one of these up. As far as primes go, the 35mm range would be a pretty attractive addition to my prime kit (currently have the Sigma 50mm, Canon 85mm and 135mm). I was going to go with the Canon 35mm f/1.4L, but after reading a bunch of these reviews that praise Sigma's 35mm, for a 50% cost savings and performance boost it almost seems stupid to not go for the Sigma.

Perhaps I can get some hobby paint and put a red ring on it. ;-)

 

[RLPhoto]

Tamron 24-70 VC
Tamron 70-200 VC
Sigma 35mm 1.4

These lenses are giving canon a serious run for my monies.

 

[jonjt]

Any commentary on the auto-focus performance?

 

[preppyak]

Any commentary on the auto-focus performance?

dpreview liked it

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/sigma-35mm-f1-4-dg-hsm/5

There's nothing to complain about with regards to handling either. Focusing is fast, silent and positive, and we've found our Canon-mount test sample to be very accurate too (although this being an F1.4 prime, you've got to take great care over where you place your focus point). The manual focus ring is smooth and precise, and allows the focus position to be adjusted after autofocus. Several small-but-useful touches, such as a ridged grip on the underside of the barrel, and even a redesigned, unusually-positive centre-pinch front cap, all add to the usability. Sigma has clearly put a lot of thought into every aspect of the lens's design.

If you dont need weather sealing, this seems to be the way to go

 

[e-d0uble]

I've certainly done some complaining about Sigma lenses in the past, but I rented this sucker for a week and it's quite good. I had Sigma's 30mm f/1.4 lens for APS-C and it was hit and miss in terms of focus reliability. Not so for the 35mm f/1.4 on full frame. The week was up too quickly for me to get a variety of situations shot, but the 35mm was ideal for shooting a band in crummy lighting. The lens also has a great finish, size and weight to it. I deliberately shot the band wide open the entire time and was impressed by the results. I'll likely grab this lens sometime this year.

http://stinkfoot.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=2935
http://stinkfoot.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=2932

 

[CANONisOK]

For me, the lack of weather sealing by Sigma is the lost opportunity here.

Yes, I know the Canon 35mm f/1.4 L is not weather-sealed. But the lens is old enough where it makes sense to me to wait and see if they release a weather-sealed update any time soon. If the Sigma had been, I'd not hesitate for a second to pick up a lens with better IQ at a significantly lower cost regardless of what Canon has up its sleeve.

 

[rdalrt]

Any commentary on the auto-focus performance?

Exactly. I am a sports shooter. Fantastic optics are of no use to me if the thing can't focus quickly and accurately. And based on my previous experiments with Sigma lenses, they are very much lacking in that dept. So, its only Canon USM for me.

 

[Ellen Schmidtee]

Anyone here used it for stills and can comment on it?

Employees of a local store, which I generally respect for their knowledge, say the shop got two copies, and every time they sell one, the buyer dislikes it & returns it to the shop. One did say videographers like it.

This sounds to me like a hint the optics are good, but there's something wrong with the electronics, like maybe it can't autofocus well.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Having been burned by Sigma a few times, I'm still a skeptic. If you have a problem, you are caught between them and Canon, since they may just say that their product meets specs while the two put together don't work.

Still, I hope that they do have there act together. Obviously, there is currently a lot of profit in high end camera lenses, and Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina are going after it.

Resale value is a different story, in 10 years, what will the value be? Pretty low, if you look at 10 year old 3rd party lenses.

Competition is a good thing.

 

[jeffabbyben]

Autofocus is fast even in poor light. I used it at a poorly lit high school basketball game with excellent results. I have no complaints at all about this lens. It is stellar. I think the resale argument doesn't hold water. Solid build, superior optics, accurate and fast autofocus etc. I think the people who own the current canon 35mm 1.4 will have the problem with resale. Why pay near new price when you can get a new higher quality product for much less. This is my only non canon lens and I love it.

 

[MK5GTI]

Tamron 24-70 VC
Tamron 70-200 VC
Sigma 35mm 1.4

These lenses are giving canon a serious run for my monies.

L lens are overrated

 

[Craig Richardson]

I am waiting for an in-depth analysis of focus shift before I plunk down any money. Once bitten, twice shy.

 

[CarlTN]

Regarding weather sealing...do any 35mm primes offer it? I didn't think they did. The Canon 35mm f/1.4L doesn't appear to offer weather sealing.

I am heavily considering buying a full frame body soon, and am torn between buying a zoom and buying this Sigma 35mm prime. The IQ of this Sigma, along with its aperture speed...absolutely blow away all zooms other than perhaps the Canon 24-70 f/2.8 version 2...where the resolution might either be equal, or not much different (at various apertures from f/2.8 and smaller).

Ideally I wanted to wait until a true deal was offered with a body plus 24-105 kit, because that lens is a world beater, given its IQ at its price. But obviously it would be very inferior to the Sigma 35mm prime (at that focal length), for not much less money (especially absent a true deal on the kit). The advantage is the zoom ability, obviously...and to a lesser extent, the IS.

I don't recall the 24-105 I used, having weather sealing of its own, but I could be wrong. Certainly some dust will enter the internal elements via the telescoping zoom...but I think it might have had a small amount of foam or felt at that joint as well (might be wrong on that too). However, even if it did, it wouldn't be 100% effective.

Regarding resale value, I happen to think this particular Sigma lens will hold its value very well for many years to come (especially considering the price when new, is a true value, as opposed to Canon's aging offering.) It looks like I'm not alone.

I have owned, and currently own, several Sigma lenses of various types, and have only had autofocus issues with one of them. I've had no other issues at all. I also own, and have rented, top quality L glass, including supertelephotos. All of the Sigma lenses I've owned or used, have been either the equal of comparable Canon lenses (including L lenses), or else offer 97% of the image quality for anywhere from 75%, down to 50% of the price. Snobbishness towards the Sigma brand is becoming less relevant all the time nowadays. The redheaded stepchild of Japanese camera and lens companies, is rapidly rising to prominence.

There can surely be no serious doubt, that this Sigma 35mm f/1.4, is superior to Canon's current 35mm f/1.4L. Perhaps Canon will be forced to finally bring their updated version to market. Or perhaps not, they seem to be more interested in making cheaper, smaller, less useful rebel-like bodies for the masses.

 

[TW]

I had thought that Canon would have released a 35mm f/1.4 L MkII by now, but I wonder if they had to go back to the drawing board when Sigma released this lens? Canon would look pretty silly releasing a new MkII L lens that does not even meet, much less beat a current Sigma lens available for well less than half the (likely) price! :-\ :-[ :-[

 

[brad-man]

I picked up this lens in the middle of December and can't find anything that needs improvement. People keep complaining about weather sealing. The only Canon L prime I have is the 100 macro and it is sealed. Are the others? In any event, I don't care. This Siggy is sharp in all circumstances, focuses very quickly, is built like a tank and is most beautiful to look at. I am more than satisfied with the bokeh. 'Nuff said.

 

[brad-man]

Regarding weather sealing...do any 35mm primes offer it? I didn't think they did. The Canon 35mm f/1.4L doesn't appear to offer weather sealing.

I am heavily considering buying a full frame body soon, and am torn between buying a zoom and buying this Sigma 35mm prime. The IQ of this Sigma, along with its aperture speed...absolutely blow away all zooms other than perhaps the Canon 24-70 f/2.8 version 2...where the resolution might either be equal, or not much different (at various apertures from f/2.8 and smaller).

Ideally I wanted to wait until a true deal was offered with a body plus 24-105 kit, because that lens is a world beater, given its IQ at its price. But obviously it would be very inferior to the Sigma 35mm prime (at that focal length), for not much less money (especially absent a true deal on the kit). The advantage is the zoom ability, obviously...and to a lesser extent, the IS.

I don't recall the 24-105 I used, having weather sealing of its own, but I could be wrong. Certainly some dust will enter the internal elements via the telescoping zoom...but I think it might have had a small amount of foam or felt at that joint as well (might be wrong on that too). However, even if it did, it wouldn't be 100% effective.

Regarding resale value, I happen to think this particular Sigma lens will hold its value very well for many years to come (especially considering the price when new, is a true value, as opposed to Canon's aging offering.) It looks like I'm not alone.

I have owned, and currently own, several Sigma lenses of various types, and have only had autofocus issues with one of them. I've had no other issues at all. I also own, and have rented, top quality L glass, including supertelephotos. All of the Sigma lenses I've owned or used, have been either the equal of comparable Canon lenses (including L lenses), or else offer 97% of the image quality for anywhere from 75%, down to 50% of the price. Snobbishness towards the Sigma brand is becoming less relevant all the time nowadays. The redheaded stepchild of Japanese camera and lens companies, is rapidly rising to prominence.

There can surely be no serious doubt, that this Sigma 35mm f/1.4, is superior to Canon's current 35mm f/1.4L. Perhaps Canon will be forced to finally bring their updated version to market. Or perhaps not, they seem to be more interested in making cheaper, smaller, less useful rebel-like bodies for the masses.

The 24-105 is weather sealed. Mine sits in my bag though, since I picked up the SP24-70VC. It was my first L and I don't know if I can part with it...

 

[RS2021]

I had thought that Canon would have released a 35mm f/1.4 L MkII by now, but I wonder if they had to go back to the drawing board when Sigma released this lens? Canon would look pretty silly releasing a new MkII L lens that does not even meet, much less beat a current Sigma lens available for well less than half the (likely) price! :-\ :-[ :-[

I think Canon will come back with a strong upgrade...not just because of the Sigma's entry, but also because it is a key focal length for photojournalists.

The arrival of the sharp Sigma does not make the old workhorse 35L suddenly any less useful. The 35L is no less sharper than it was the day before the Sigma release. In fact, when the 35L was first released 15 years ago...yes...that long... it was on top of the pile, ages ahead in its category by every measure. Even today, the 35L is no dog...it still continues to perform well. I will not deny, however, it is a bit dated today and could stand an update.

I am sure the upgrade from Canon will be equally stellar as the original ground breaking 35L was at its release ...of course it will also carry a bloated price

 

[callmeasyoulike]

I tried two copies and on both autofocus was accurate and pretty fast (5D II / 7D) - nothing to complain about.
Optical the lens is perfect to me, never saw such a great performance at 1,4.
The first copy had a squeaking HSM so I returned it. The second one ist much better in terms of squeaking )
I heard that HSM sometimes can be "squeaky".
Some samples if you like: http://www.flickr.com/photos/62909363@N02/sets/72157632986987422/

 

[Apop]

I really want this land for 'street' photography when i am at home

The price is very attractive but, I wonder if the 24-105 would be a better choice for me as it can also serve a purpose on safaris.

Maybe the 35 mm can also..., It must be lovely on a 5dIII or d800