SIGMA is getting ready to announce three new lenses for the Leica SL and Sony FE full-frame lens mounts. There are rumours these lenses will also be announced for Canon's RF mount, but we haven't seen solid confirmation for that as of yet.
SIGMA will be announcing the following lenses shortly.
- SIGMA 35mm f/1.2 DG HSM (Shipping July 26, 2019)
- SIGMA 45mm f/2.8 DG HSM (Shipping July 26, 2019)
- SIGMA 12-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM (Shipping late August 2019)
Correction: The original post incorrectly listed four new lenses instead of three. We have updated this post to reflect that.
Some of our articles may include affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
The Addtion of DC (for crop) or DG (for FF) is the important part.
Why? I'm not being snarky; just curious.
Does the Leica mount still have a mechanical linkage: It looks like there is a flippy lever on the back of the lenses which would answer why the aperture rings for the Leica at least. Otherwise no real reason for them for canon at least as that is controlled by the camera or multifunction control ring.
Who knows.
I think it's a good thing. Coming from someone whose been using the Control Ring (CR) adaptor, I would be bummed to loose the ability to control part of the Exposure Triangle on the lens barrel. I currently have the CR set to control the ISO, but I could easily get used to mapping it to the rear thumb dial given that the Sigma lenses have dedicated aperture rings (small compromise). This makes the Sigma lens even more attractive to me!
Another observation: I wonder if all the Art series lenses will have the AFL button - just below the AF switch.
Look at the geared ridges on the focus and aperture rings. I'm honestly surprised there's no t rating on them.
Personally, I can't see too many Leica owners buying Sigma and the Panasonic FF won't sell in huge quantities either.
OK, so say the US MSRP is $550 or even less.
The exact price isn't the issue. If Canon took the EF 40mm f2.8 STM (currently available for $179), changed it to RF mount, added a control ring (in lieu of Sigma's aperture ring) and sold it for $499 people would lose their shit. Presumably Sigma's optical formula is better, but it's still a physically small lens with relatively small aperture.
The RF 35mm f1.8 IS Macro is only $499, and if history is any indication we should eventually see an RF 50mm 1.8 for a lot cheaper. I don't see how Sigma's lens fits into reality (possibly unless it's a Cine lens as I saw one person speculate, but I haven't heard any real evidence for that)
From all we know about the recent Sigma lenses, the build quality will be quite a bit higher than the RF 35mm. And from the pictures you can tell, that there is at least a rubber gasket around the lens mount.
Then there is the fact, that these lenses are announced for the E- and L-mount today. The RF version will most likely come next year. So you're better off just buying the Canon lens, if you need it right now.