Sigma 50mm F/1.4 Art price to be announced on April 11th...

[ahsanford]

It's sad, but all I have to look forward to is a future date for a price announcement for a lens that isn't even available yet:

http://www.slrlounge.com/official-sigma-50mm-f1-4-price-announced-around-april-11th

- A

 

[brad-man]

I don't think that's as sad as the fact that lately the most anticipated lenses on a Canon rumor site aren't Canon lenses

 

[bchernicoff]

"If it performs anywhere near the Zeiss and comes in at around $1000 and has autofocus, Sigma will definitely have another winner."

I love the way you subtly try to influence the decision makers regarding price. You've got a large podium, so good on you for using it.

I feel like they could charge $1500 and it would sell the same as if it cost $1000.

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

I feel like they could charge $1500 and it would sell the same as if it cost $1000.

I feel like you need to shhhhhhh .

 

[RGomezPhotos]

I've heard $800 will be the price.

You really can't compare this lens to the Zeiss. The Sigma will be good for 90% - 95% of those who need/want a 50mm for their DSLR. The Zeiss is for those pros that needs the best DSLR AND video lens. Videographers are drooling over the Zeiss. They won't be for the Sigma.

I tried the Sigma 24-70mm and was very impressed. If the 50mm is equal or better than their 24-70mm, they certainly got a winner.

 

[tianxiaozhang]

If it's under 800 I'll probably order on introduction..

If above I'll resist until I give up...

 

[slclick]

http://sigma-rumors.com/2014/03/sigma-50mm-f1-4-art-final-price-australia-1099/

 

[ahsanford]

http://sigma-rumors.com/2014/03/sigma-50mm-f1-4-art-final-price-australia-1099/

Oh snap. Hotcakes, I say. It will sell like hotcakes.

- A

 

[pdirestajr]

As someone who has not shot any video on my DSLRs, can someone explain to me the value in spending 4k on a 50mm zeiss lens to mount on a DSLR that is going to down sample the image to 2 mega pixels?

 

[raptor3x]

As someone who has not shot any video on my DSLRs, can someone explain to me the value in spending 4k on a 50mm zeiss lens to mount on a DSLR that is going to down sample the image to 2 mega pixels?

This is something I've never understood either. I understand that cine lenses are expensive because their designs need to minimize focus breathing and zooms are usually parfocal, but it seems like they should have relatively low sharpness requirements.

 

[ahsanford]

As someone who has not shot any video on my DSLRs, can someone explain to me the value in spending 4k on a 50mm zeiss lens to mount on a DSLR that is going to down sample the image to 2 mega pixels?

This is something I've never understood either. I understand that cine lenses are expensive because their designs need to minimize focus breathing and zooms are usually parafocal, but it seems like they should have relatively low sharpness requirements.

I don't shoot video either, but I've heard the same. Parfocal zooms, in particular, are costly.

But I'd like to hear how the non-resolution upsides of the Otus might benefit video -- after all, it's not $4k just because of resolution and build quality. I hear it manages chromatic aberrations well, has low distortion, great bokeh, etc. -- are those especially desirable for video?

- A

 

[infared]

I am not going to pretend that I know anything about the cost of manufacturing a lens...but my layman's observation is that the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 is similar in size and both lenses have f/1.4 with 13 glass elements...That is pretty similar in my book. I think the new 50mm lens should come in sub $1000...just like the 35mm.

 

[derek.wong]

As someone who has not shot any video on my DSLRs, can someone explain to me the value in spending 4k on a 50mm zeiss lens to mount on a DSLR that is going to down sample the image to 2 mega pixels?

This is something I've never understood either. I understand that cine lenses are expensive because their designs need to minimize focus breathing and zooms are usually parafocal, but it seems like they should have relatively low sharpness requirements.

I don't shoot video either, but I've heard the same. Parfocal zooms, in particular, are costly.

But I'd like to hear how the non-resolution upsides of the Otus might benefit video -- after all, it's not $4k just because of resolution and build quality. I hear it manages chromatic aberrations well, has low distortion, great bokeh, etc. -- are those especially desirable for video?

- A

The Otus has a long focus throw which helps for video work. And no doubt that good CA and distortion control is beneficial.

Also, now video is pushing towards 4k (Ie. 1D C) and higher so it's no longer only 2MP (4k = 8.8MP & RED Dragon 6k = 19.4MP). So for something like a 60D or even 5D the sharpness probably won't be that noticeable. But then, I don't think someone who is willing to spend $4k on a lens, for video work specifically, would shoot on a something like a 60D.

The other thing is that cinema lenses is way above the $4k price, so having something come really close (or even surpass) the quality of the cinema lens, a $4k price tag is a steal.

 

[brad-man]

http://sigma-rumors.com/2014/03/sigma-50mm-f1-4-art-final-price-australia-1099/

Thanks for that link! I've been looking forward to someone starting such a site.

 

[sanj]

Is there any evidence to presume that it will have similar IQ as the Zeiss? Any reviews/data? Or charts? (which I do not understand anyways...)

 

[wickidwombat]

Is there any evidence to presume that it will have similar IQ as the Zeiss? Any reviews/data? Or charts? (which I do not understand anyways...)

there is a fairly dodgy one I saw that indicates its not far off at all but I cant remeber what thread it was in

 

[NormanBates]

As someone who has not shot any video on my DSLRs, can someone explain to me the value in spending 4k on a 50mm zeiss lens to mount on a DSLR that is going to down sample the image to 2 mega pixels?

I shot this quick test four years ago:
https://vimeo.com/16611175

It's a CZJ Pancolar 50mm f/1.8, which is not soft at all, and you can see how much sharper video is when you close it down than when it is wide open. And that's on a T2i, soft and crappy by today's standards. Anyone shooting with a BlackMagic, or with a C100, FS700, etc, needs a sharp lens just as much as a photographer does.

For a wider test with lots of different lenses, go here:
http://www.similaar.com/foto/lenstests/lenstestsv.html

What's different is the kind of sharpness that we videographers need: we need good acutance, and good resolution is less important. But you'll usually find them both in the same lenses.

So: if the Sigma 50mm Art is as good as the 35mm Art, it will sell very well to videographers.
The only thing keeping me from buying these is that they are electronic lenses: there's no way to control aperture from the lens itself, so it will only work as long as I'm using a camera with a compatible mount. I make a point of buying glass that will be with me for decades, not years (my lens set is vintage Leitz for the Leica-R mount: it works on nearly anything, including Nikon F, Canon EF and M, Sony A and E, Pentax K, m43... so whoever sells the best camera gets my money, I just need to buy a new set of adapters and I'm good to go).

 

[Lightmaster]

im sure this is a nice lens.
i love my 35mm f1.4 from sigma.

but i will not buy this one.

but i hope they add a 85mm f1.2 to the art lineup in the future.

 

[Badger]

This has been the most incredible and inexpensive marketing I have ever seen! One guy from Sigma makes a comment months ago, that the Otus is their target and for months, we have been drooling over this lens. They announce it but don't let anybody see any images from the lens?! It's a lens! No images? Then someone posts some charts with the lens but the comparison others are done with other bodies.

I know this is a rumors site, it says it right in the name but I don't like being manipulated. I am drooling and excited about this lens also and I'm doing the math on what I would be willing to pay for a lens THAT I HAVEN'T SEEN AN IMAGE FROM! Sigma better F'ing deliver on this lens. This hype better be worth the wait. And, they better not slap a $2,000 price tag on it! ;D

Seriously, has Sigma even spent a cent on marketing this thing? They don't need to at this point, we are doing it for them.

 

[deleteme]

I don't think that's as sad as the fact that lately the most anticipated lenses on a Canon rumor site aren't Canon lenses

Or even Canon Cameras.