Sigma 50mm F/1.4 Art listed in Belarus for $790

[wickidwombat]

Why is it soo difficult for the 35 Art fanboys to accept that people can like the 35 L better?

Dunno I'm a fan of the sigma 35 and 85 the current 50 not so much
My personal feeling when testing the sigma 85 vs 85L side by side was while i felt the 85 was marginally better
in sharpness and had a little nicer bokeh was it worth TRIPLE the money to me? HELL NO so i got the sigma and have been super happy with it.

I almost bought the 35L the day sigma announced the 35 Art so i held off until i could try both, again in Australia the 35L was $1800 the Sigma on release was $900, I bought the Sigma and with the change bought a 2 year old used 135L for $700 still had $200 change... I felt there was absolutely nothing wrong with the L it was fantastic but for such a massive difference in cost it was no way worth it to me.

I think when people compare absolutes or just optical sharpness and neglect other factors such as cost or how the lens relates to their situation you know its more about the gear or the image they present of themselves using the gear than the images they make with the gear then you have people who just need to buy the most expensive of everything....

But I don't honestly know too any people that money is really no object for. I am certainly not one.

The Simple fact that these new sigmas are being compared to such fine L glass or the otus is great news for us consumers. But if someone has owned some of this great L glass for years and has been producing great images with that lens Just because the competition releases something which will equal or exceed it in a particular metric does that make that lens suddenly unable to produce the fine images its been producing for so long? I don't think so. Generally people on the internet do get a little hung up on specs, scores, etc... we all do i guess to one degree or another hence we all congregate here. Just have to keep it all in perspective

 

[Dylan777]

If you take $790 and consider what that must pay for, it becomes a bit difficult to believe that this lens can compete with the Otus in any way.

(If memory serves me right) 10 lens elements, of which 3 are SLD and one aspherical, a fast reliable AF system, housing, hoods and caps and casing and profit ... I fail to see how it is possible to produce a high quality product, with tolerances to compete with L-series, Otus and others, for that money, no matter how efficient you are or how cheap your labor is.

I'd be delighted if they prove me wrong. That would make this lens a significant game changer!

I doubt this lens be made in Japan. It's more likely be made in China.

We all know the labor cost in China

 

[kaihp]

I doubt this lens be made in Japan. It's more likely be made in China.

We all know the labor cost in China

Yup, skyrocketing with 10%+ salary increases per year.

There's a reason why an increasing number of companies are looking to move out of China. Heck, there are even Chinese companies will take your order and outsource the manufacturing to lower cost countries in South East Asia.

 

[jdramirez]

I doubt this lens be made in Japan. It's more likely be made in China.

We all know the labor cost in China

Yup, skyrocketing with 10%+ salary increases per year.

There's a reason why an increasing number of companies are looking to move out of China. Heck, there are even Chinese companies will take your order and outsource the manufacturing to lower cost countries in South East Asia.

I know we are just kidding... but it seems as though Americans are constantly sucking at the teet of slave labor. While the Chinese wouldn't exactly qualify... they are pretty close. It is a touch depressing, although I don't ever think about it when I'm shooting.

 

[Hjalmarg1]

Why is it soo difficult for the 35 Art fanboys to accept that people can like the 35 L better?

Because I am not professional but hobbyist, money matters sometimes. I tried the 35 f1.4L, 35 f2IS and 35 Art and I ellected the 35 f2IS because I got at a very good price below $500, while the 35L and 35 Art offer faster aperture to stop action, I rather preffered how the 'IS' works for low light situations with sharp pictures at 1/5 sec handhold.

In regards to the new 50mm Art, if the results are like these tests I will probably get one. I owned the 50L and I was very pleased, however I needed some cash and sold it. I was never satisfied with the Canon 50mm f1.4 and I also sold it.

I will be waiting for the results of the actual prefessional reviews and user reviews of the 50 'Art' to decide if I get a new 'fifty' at half cost of the 50L. Also, I hope Canon release a 'stabilized' 50mm this year.

 

[cliffwang]

If you take $790 and consider what that must pay for, it becomes a bit difficult to believe that this lens can compete with the Otus in any way.

(If memory serves me right) 10 lens elements, of which 3 are SLD and one aspherical, a fast reliable AF system, housing, hoods and caps and casing and profit ... I fail to see how it is possible to produce a high quality product, with tolerances to compete with L-series, Otus and others, for that money, no matter how efficient you are or how cheap your labor is.

I'd be delighted if they prove me wrong. That would make this lens a significant game changer!

I doubt this lens be made in Japan. It's more likely be made in China.

We all know the labor cost in China

The current $400 50mm F/1.4 is made in Japan. I don't see why Sigma moves its art production line to China.

 

[Viggo]

That's yet another thing I don't get, buying brand new lenses. I always compare used prices when it comes to price differences. So a used 5 year old 35 L isn't much more money than a brand new used 35 Art, which makes the money argument less valid, although it is still more money for the 35 L. And I'm not going to beat the very dead horse and say the 35 Art AF is the reason I don't own one, I actually tried a third 35 art the other day and the AF was stable and okay, NOTHING like the one I bought, so it is possible.

I can't wait to try the Sigma 50 Art, that's for sure.

 

[wickidwombat]

That's yet another thing I don't get, buying brand new lenses. I always compare used prices when it comes to price differences. So a used 5 year old 35 L isn't much more money than a brand new used 35 Art, which makes the money argument less valid, although it is still more money for the 35 L. And I'm not going to beat the very dead horse and say the 35 Art AF is the reason I don't own one, I actually tried a third 35 art the other day and the AF was stable and okay, NOTHING like the one I bought, so it is possible.

I can't wait to try the Sigma 50 Art, that's for sure.

My 35 Art AF is perfect, can't fault it, I couldn't really notice much in it when i tested side by side with the 35L
the 85 Siggy AF is good but its not so great in servo wide open tracking moving subjects but then neither is the slower AF of the 85L

 

[Viggo]

That's yet another thing I don't get, buying brand new lenses. I always compare used prices when it comes to price differences. So a used 5 year old 35 L isn't much more money than a brand new used 35 Art, which makes the money argument less valid, although it is still more money for the 35 L. And I'm not going to beat the very dead horse and say the 35 Art AF is the reason I don't own one, I actually tried a third 35 art the other day and the AF was stable and okay, NOTHING like the one I bought, so it is possible.

I can't wait to try the Sigma 50 Art, that's for sure.

My 35 Art AF is perfect, can't fault it, I couldn't really notice much in it when i tested side by side with the 35L
the 85 Siggy AF is good but its not so great in servo wide open tracking moving subjects but then neither is the slower AF of the 85L

Always had some problems with the 85 L AF, but it has always been VERY consistent. And on a 1-series it's much faster than on a 5d and I find the new 1dx firmware to do great things with the 85, it's highly useable for tracking my running kids indoors now. To me I would much rather have a AF lens being consistent but slow than impossible to get ten shots In a row equally sharp.

 

[distant.star]

I doubt this lens be made in Japan. It's more likely be made in China.

We all know the labor cost in China

If you really think that, you don't know Sigma!

 

[infared]

[/quote]

Please watch this...I feel the same way as this very responsible reviewer. He pretty much covers everything.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OuN1ywuufg

"my own needs revolve more around the overall "look and feel" and color than sheer sharpness." Can you elaborate on this statement....it is kind of nebulous.
[/quote]

I also saw that video, and while I'd prefer the 35A to the 35L, the video looks biased from the beginning.
The minute he talks about liberal use of plastic in the Canon and how that still didn't help keep the price down it was clear which one he preferred.
Reviews should be objective, leaving the viewer to draw his conclusions based on the data provided.
[/quote]


Well...I think that the reviewer brings up a lot of valid points. No lens is prefect...but the reviewer was very detail oriented, but not outright "scientific" (thank God). It's possible that he was biased but some of what he presents is difficult to ignore, I think....anyway...I have been extremely happy with my 35mm Art as most are who own it and I have not had any issues with the focus and it seems that just guys with red-line fever (not that there is anything wrong with "L" glass in general), have some imaginary data on this "drifting focus" problem that I have not experienced. Has anyone that owns the lens had an issue with focusing?????? Its certainly possible.
At any rate I think that SOON we should see some real tests on the new 50mm and really know what the price is. (I wish that Sigma had not said that they are aiming at the Otus...it just sets them up for target practice....LOL!).

 

[Dylan777]

I doubt this lens be made in Japan. It's more likely be made in China.

We all know the labor cost in China

If you really think that, you don't know Sigma!

Indeed I don't...do I really need to know Sigma when my lenses are L?

 

[Dylan777]

If you take $790 and consider what that must pay for, it becomes a bit difficult to believe that this lens can compete with the Otus in any way.

(If memory serves me right) 10 lens elements, of which 3 are SLD and one aspherical, a fast reliable AF system, housing, hoods and caps and casing and profit ... I fail to see how it is possible to produce a high quality product, with tolerances to compete with L-series, Otus and others, for that money, no matter how efficient you are or how cheap your labor is.

I'd be delighted if they prove me wrong. That would make this lens a significant game changer!

I doubt this lens be made in Japan. It's more likely be made in China.

We all know the labor cost in China

The current $400 50mm F/1.4 is made in Japan. I don't see why Sigma moves its art production line to China.

Lots of things are made in China - from iPhones to Gucci sunglasses. So what?

Have you ever work with CM in China before?

 

[sagittariansrock]

Please watch this...I feel the same way as this very responsible reviewer. He pretty much covers everything.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OuN1ywuufg

"my own needs revolve more around the overall "look and feel" and color than sheer sharpness." Can you elaborate on this statement....it is kind of nebulous.
[/quote]

I also saw that video, and while I'd prefer the 35A to the 35L, the video looks biased from the beginning.
The minute he talks about liberal use of plastic in the Canon and how that still didn't help keep the price down it was clear which one he preferred.
Reviews should be objective, leaving the viewer to draw his conclusions based on the data provided.
[/quote]


Well...I think that the reviewer brings up a lot of valid points. No lens is prefect...but the reviewer was very detail oriented, but not outright "scientific" (thank God). It's possible that he was biased but some of what he presents is difficult to ignore, I think....anyway...I have been extremely happy with my 35mm Art as most are who own it and I have not had any issues with the focus and it seems that just guys with red-line fever (not that there is anything wrong with "L" glass in general), have some imaginary data on this "drifting focus" problem that I have not experienced. Has anyone that owns the lens had an issue with focusing?????? Its certainly possible.
At any rate I think that SOON we should see some real tests on the new 50mm and really know what the price is. (I wish that Sigma had not said that they are aiming at the Otus...it just sets them up for target practice....LOL!).
[/quote]

I think Eldar mentioned it in his post, maybe he can elaborate? Not that Canon lenses don't have issues, of course.
The proof is in the pudding, if Sigma comes up with something really good, they will sell them well. Who cares what people say, it's where they put their money.

 

[Eldar]

...I have been extremely happy with my 35mm Art as most are who own it and I have not had any issues with the focus and it seems that just guys with red-line fever (not that there is anything wrong with "L" glass in general), have some imaginary data on this "drifting focus" problem that I have not experienced. Has anyone that owns the lens had an issue with focusing?????? Its certainly possible.
At any rate I think that SOON we should see some real tests on the new 50mm and really know what the price is. (I wish that Sigma had not said that they are aiming at the Otus...it just sets them up for target practice....LOL!).

I think Eldar mentioned it in his post, maybe he can elaborate? Not that Canon lenses don't have issues, of course.
The proof is in the pudding, if Sigma comes up with something really good, they will sell them well. Who cares what people say, it's where they put their money.
[/quote]
[/quote]
I bought the 35A just a few weeks after it was released. I did an AFMA through Focal, which gave just a couple of steps adjustment on both 1DX and 5DIII. I was very impressed with the lens´sharpness, contrast, CA and color. Bokeh is not its strong side and it has some vignetting, but probably not more than should be expected.

After a couple of months I started to get more and more images out of focus and around Christmas it was useless shot wide open. I did another AFMA and I had to adjust 7 steps compared to the old setting on both bodies. I have used it a little less since then, but it seems to have stayed stable since AFMA no.2.

The Otus is a phenomenal lens and I am really enjoying it. But as soon as things start to move I miss AF. So as I have said before, this Sigma 50A is something I am really looking forward to try. But I doubt we will see it for $790, at least not for a while. Sigma is not unlike any other company. They´re only in it for the money.

 

[sagittariansrock]

Well...I think that the reviewer brings up a lot of valid points. No lens is prefect...but the reviewer was very detail oriented, but not outright "scientific" (thank God). It's possible that he was biased but some of what he presents is difficult to ignore, I think....anyway...I have been extremely happy with my 35mm Art as most are who own it and I have not had any issues with the focus and it seems that just guys with red-line fever (not that there is anything wrong with "L" glass in general), have some imaginary data on this "drifting focus" problem that I have not experienced. Has anyone that owns the lens had an issue with focusing?????? Its certainly possible.
At any rate I think that SOON we should see some real tests on the new 50mm and really know what the price is. (I wish that Sigma had not said that they are aiming at the Otus...it just sets them up for target practice....LOL!).

I think Eldar mentioned it in his post, maybe he can elaborate? Not that Canon lenses don't have issues, of course.
The proof is in the pudding, if Sigma comes up with something really good, they will sell them well. Who cares what people say, it's where they put their money.

I bought the 35A just a few weeks after it was released. I did an AFMA through Focal, which gave just a couple of steps adjustment on both 1DX and 5DIII. I was very impressed with the lens´sharpness, contrast, CA and color. Bokeh is not its strong side and it has some vignetting, but probably not more than should be expected.

After a couple of months I started to get more and more images out of focus and around Christmas it was useless shot wide open. I did another AFMA and I had to adjust 7 steps compared to the old setting on both bodies. I have used it a little less since then, but it seems to have stayed stable since AFMA no.2.

The Otus is a phenomenal lens and I am really enjoying it. But as soon as things start to move I miss AF. So as I have said before, this Sigma 50A is something I am really looking forward to try. But I doubt we will see it for $790, at least not for a while. Sigma is not unlike any other company. They´re only in it for the money.

Plus, I think bringing out a great lens for marginal or no profits will keep Sigma pegged as the bargain option. Bringing it out for its true market value will set them up as long-time competitors to Nikon and Canon. Remember, they cannot thrive on marginal profits forever. They also need to answer their shareholders.

 

[distant.star]

Plus, I think bringing out a great lens for marginal or no profits will keep Sigma pegged as the bargain option. Bringing it out for its true market value will set them up as long-time competitors to Nikon and Canon. Remember, they cannot thrive on marginal profits forever. They also need to answer their shareholders.

Sigma is a privately owned company -- no shareholders to satisfy, only the family.

 

[Eldar]

Plus, I think bringing out a great lens for marginal or no profits will keep Sigma pegged as the bargain option. Bringing it out for its true market value will set them up as long-time competitors to Nikon and Canon. Remember, they cannot thrive on marginal profits forever. They also need to answer their shareholders.

Sigma is a privately owned company -- no shareholders to satisfy, only the family.

True, but still a profit organization, not a charity organization

 

[dcm]

Many privately held companies still have shares, the shares just aren't publicly traded. So there are still shareholders.

 

[sagittariansrock]

Plus, I think bringing out a great lens for marginal or no profits will keep Sigma pegged as the bargain option. Bringing it out for its true market value will set them up as long-time competitors to Nikon and Canon. Remember, they cannot thrive on marginal profits forever. They also need to answer their shareholders.

Sigma is a privately owned company -- no shareholders to satisfy, only the family.

Many privately held companies still have shares, the shares just aren't publicly traded. So there are still shareholders.

+1

Where are you going with this? Are you implying Sigma is going to under-price the 50/1.4 Art because they are filled with the milk of human kindness and don't care for profit?
Let's see how it is priced, and then let's see how it performs. Meanwhile, you can fill pages and pages with speculation, but that won't affect the eventual sales. It will be a good pastime for your coffee breaks, though