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

[jdramirez]

Companies can engage in loss leaders. What better way to introduce sigma to a new demographic and re introduce themselves to a demographic that has since moved on from sigma die to their past issues.

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

 

[preppyak]

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?

Companies can engage in loss leaders. What better way to introduce sigma to a new demographic and re introduce themselves to a demographic that has since moved on from sigma die to their past issues.

I think Sigma sold the 35mm as a loss-leader, or close to it, because they wanted the good press of being 60-70% the price of the Canon and Nikon lenses while being sharper, etc. Kind of the same way Tamron priced their 150-600 pretty low relative to what they could have charged.


But remember, Sigma doesnt have a massive point and shoot segment that they put a lot of R&D into that is now hemorrhaging sales. They don't have a mirrorless market that they put R&D into and then abandoned. And as far as I know, they weren't set back a whole year in lens production by the floods. Canon was on all those fronts. So Canon has to recoup money to maintain profitability, and they do it by jacking up lens prices, cause they know the lenses will sell. Sigma doesnt have to do that, they can charge a price they think will sustain for 2-3yrs, unlike Canon who has charged a 30-50% premium and then dropped it off in 6 months

 

[wickidwombat]

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?

Companies can engage in loss leaders. What better way to introduce sigma to a new demographic and re introduce themselves to a demographic that has since moved on from sigma die to their past issues.

I think Sigma sold the 35mm as a loss-leader, or close to it, because they wanted the good press of being 60-70% the price of the Canon and Nikon lenses while being sharper, etc. Kind of the same way Tamron priced their 150-600 pretty low relative to what they could have charged.


But remember, Sigma doesnt have a massive point and shoot segment that they put a lot of R&D into that is now hemorrhaging sales. They don't have a mirrorless market that they put R&D into and then abandoned. And as far as I know, they weren't set back a whole year in lens production by the floods. Canon was on all those fronts. So Canon has to recoup money to maintain profitability, and they do it by jacking up lens prices, cause they know the lenses will sell. Sigma doesnt have to do that, they can charge a price they think will sustain for 2-3yrs, unlike Canon who has charged a 30-50% premium and then dropped it off in 6 months

I think you are right both companies had bad reps that were going to prove very hard to overcome, the approach they have taken is quite smart make these stunning new generation lenses at amazing prices. it really draws a line under all that went before and gets the new lenses into circulation to rebuild new reputations. of coarse there will always be people who cant get over he past... I for one swore black and blue i would never buy a tamron lens again but i'm super happy with the 150-600... :-[

 

[PVS]

I was working as a designer for clothing company and we send most of our final designs to China.. At one point my boss, the company owner, asked me if I'd like to move to China for QC reasons. So I didn't and I moved to another job.
If you really think Sigma would move their production lines to China for this Magical 50mm you should read the interview with Sigma representative at DPR. No way, Hose.
My Smegma 35/1.4 was built in Japan and so was my 24/1.8. The progression is quite noticeable. I could've bought the 35L, but I didn't after I tried the new 35Art from Sigma. The last cultural frontier in optical industry, that Sigma.

 

[infared]

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?

Well now you know that your 35mm is soft, has tons of CA and a whole world of vignetting compared to the Sigma...you do have that plastic & a red ring that you paid an extra $500 for, tho.

 

[infared]

...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]
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.
[/quote]

Thanks for the input about the focusing. I have the 35mm Art and if I get the 50mm I think I will pick up the Sigma lens module, (USB Lens Dock I think it is called).

 

[jdramirez]

...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.
[/quote]

Thanks for the input about the focusing. I have the 35mm Art and if I get the 50mm I think I will pick up the Sigma lens module.
[/quote]

I wish that was the type of thing we could share. Have one communal module. Mail it like it was inter library loan.

 

[Phenix205]

I sold my Canon 50 1.4 immediately after Sigma announced the 50 Art. Before this, I had never thought about buying a third party lens. Can't wait for it to arrive in the US market.

 

[CarlTN]

If this is true and Sigma actually don't sell the lens for more than $790, then it won't matter how good it is optically, or if it autofocuses adequately. It will be slammed by all the Canonnites on here. If they would charge $1200 or more, it would be taken more seriously (assuming it actually is optically good). Plain and simple, to appeal to a Cannonite, you have to evoke enough snob appeal. Certainly the 35 Art is still slammed for its autofocus performance.

I have to agree with you. I own the new Sigma 35mm Art and it is a lens that just WOWS me every time I upload images from a card that has been in the same camera that the lens is attached to. (I own the original Sigma 50mm and although I like the lens a lot, especially compared to its competition it is not a WOW lens). I also own some incredible "L" glass and Zeiss, so I am in no way attached to one manufacturer, but I do look for the what I consider to be the best I can buy when I purchase a lens that covers a certain range of needs.
Now we are all in here talking about a lens that we know very little about, but that some of us have great expectations for (with good reason as all preliminary indicators are very positive), and this pricing info has me very excited about this upcoming lens offering...heck... this is a 50mm with 13 elements in it riding a wave of new lenses from a company that clearly has had a turnaround in its business ethic, but there will be those few in here that will vehemently deny this reality...I have to admit that somehow this fact will cause me great glee each time I snap the bayonet of my new art 50mm onto my 5DIII! . If this pricing info is correct, it will be like icing on the cake. This is the one lens that I am excited about this year and it is about time that FF has a reasonable priced, great performing "normal" lens. Why has this taken so long? You will not see this possibility from Canon..... and Nikon just offered their own overpriced embarrassment (the new 58mm f/1.4), in this basic lens segment (?????), rendering...smendering LOL! It costs too much money and it is mediocre at best for a 2014 lens. So, if Sigma delivers in this price range I believe there will be a lot of smiling image makers in the upcoming months. This is getting exciting!

Are you also a Nikon boy? Sounds like you might have used the new Nikon lens...

 

[CarlTN]

If this is true and Sigma actually don't sell the lens for more than $790, then it won't matter how good it is optically, or if it autofocuses adequately. It will be slammed by all the Canonnites on here. If they would charge $1200 or more, it would be taken more seriously (assuming it actually is optically good). Plain and simple, to appeal to a Cannonite, you have to evoke enough snob appeal. Certainly the 35 Art is still slammed for its autofocus performance.

No, even if it cost $2000 and was half the price of the Zeiss Otus it would still be shunned because Sigma have a history of making bad lenses and everyone has a bad story to tell and thus nobody should go back. That people have bad experiences with Canon and Canon gear is irrelevant because there's that word "Canon" on it.

Haha, perhaps. However, the only technically bad experiences I've heard of Sigma lenses that aren't painted with black paint (i.e. a decade or more old)...is with their current 50mm f/1.4.

I really like my Voigtlander, even though it's a Nikon mount lens, and it's all manual. It just does not have beautiful bokeh at the background transition zone.

 

[infared]

@jdramirez
[/quote]

I wish that was the type of thing we could share. Have one communal module. Mail it like it was inter library loan.
[/quote]

Good idea! Well..the dock costs only $59 @ B&H...so it makes sense to own if you have a couple of lenses that it can be useful on.

 

[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?

Well now you know that your 35mm is soft, has tons of CA and a whole world of vignetting compared to the Sigma...you do have that plastic & a red ring that you paid an extra $500 for, tho.

Do you see any 35mm in my signature?

Wonder how many "Wow" Sigma lenses out there? : 1 maybe 2

 

[Viggo]

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?

Well now you know that your 35mm is soft, has tons of CA and a whole world of vignetting compared to the Sigma...you do have that plastic & a red ring that you paid an extra $500 for, tho.

Since when did the 35 Art have LESS vignetting than the 35 L ??

 

[jdramirez]

@jdramirez

I wish that was the type of thing we could share. Have one communal module. Mail it like it was inter library loan.
[/quote]

Good idea! Well..the dock costs only $59 @ B&H...so it makes sense to own if you have a couple of lenses that it can be useful on.
[/quote]

I'm going to do it. I'll buy one and offer a rental option for $20 where people give me 60 as a deposit and get 40 upon its return.

 

[infared]

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?

Well now you know that your 35mm is soft, has tons of CA and a whole world of vignetting compared to the Sigma...you do have that plastic & a red ring that you paid an extra $500 for, tho.

Since when did the 35 Art have LESS vignetting than the 35 L ??

Since the Sigma 35mm Art Lens arrived on the market?

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3OuN1ywuufg

 

[infared]

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?

Well now you know that your 35mm is soft, has tons of CA and a whole world of vignetting compared to the Sigma...you do have that plastic & a red ring that you paid an extra $500 for, tho.

Do you see any 35mm in my signature?

Wonder how many "Wow" Sigma lenses out there? : 1 maybe 2

You have a point! ...but they are moving in the right direction. Perhaps they will have two WOW after the new 50mm is released.

 

[Viggo]

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?

Well now you know that your 35mm is soft, has tons of CA and a whole world of vignetting compared to the Sigma...you do have that plastic & a red ring that you paid an extra $500 for, tho.

Since when did the 35 Art have LESS vignetting than the 35 L ??

Since the Sigma 35mm Art Lens arrived on the market?

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3OuN1ywuufg

That's funny.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Lens-Vignetting-Test-Results.aspx?FLI=0&API=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0&Lens=121&Camera=9&LensComp=829

 

[lintoni]

sigma-rumors has an image from the Byelorussian site that now shows the price will be announced after 11th April, and an announcement from Sigma that the $790 price is incorrect. Sorry, I can't give the link, I've not worked out how to use the clipboard on this tablet, yet. :-[

 

[jdramirez]

sigma-rumors has an image from the Byelorussian site that now shows the price will be announced after 11th April, and an announcement from Sigma that the $790 price is incorrect. Sorry, I can't give the link, I've not worked out how to use the clipboard on this tablet, yet. :-[

Wow... so it could be even less.

 

[infared]

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?

Well now you know that your 35mm is soft, has tons of CA and a whole world of vignetting compared to the Sigma...you do have that plastic & a red ring that you paid an extra $500 for, tho.

Since when did the 35 Art have LESS vignetting than the 35 L ??

Since the Sigma 35mm Art Lens arrived on the market?

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3OuN1ywuufg

That's funny.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Lens-Vignetting-Test-Results.aspx?FLI=0&API=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0&Lens=121&Camera=9&LensComp=829

Viggo...I think that there is something wrong with that comparison at The Digital Picture (which I regard as a very reliable source)....so..when you click over on the sigma arrow..notice that the WHOLE frame gets a least a stop darker...not just the edges. There is something amiss there. If the centers do not stay at the same brightness for each lens the comparison in no good. Clearly there is a problem there. I only have the sigma or I would compare them myself...but I am only noticing (slight) vignetting when the lens is wide open...not really bothersome..certainly nothing like the portrayal there. hmmmm....this warrants further investigation...I will look for a third source.
Mathew at Light & Matter (the U-Tube video I referenced) seems like a very responsible guy), he is slightly Sigma biased (maybe) or he is just reporting the facts fairly.