In news that I'm sure everyone here knows I'll not like (but we won't get into that today). Sigma seems to have stated that the plans for further RF development are quite a bit away.
Sigma's CEO, Mr Yamaki was talking to Mynavi News at CP+ and shared some information about the question that is on all our minds. When are we getting our dirty hands on some Sigma RF mount lenses?
Mr Yamaki was vague in his response, as are most Japanese executives, in stating that there has been a lot of feedback from users requesting both RF and Z mount lenses and that they are aware of it. But he also stated, which in my mind makes this very non-committal on any plans right now;
I want to think about what I can do, but I can't say if there is anything I can do right now.
Let's be real here, Sony has been producing full-frame mirrorless cameras since 2008, even if Canon narrowly held a mirrorless market share for the last few years on the RF mount, Sony has a massive installed user base as compared to Canon. From a business perspective, it does make far more sense for Sigma to go with Sony and even Fuji for that matter – especially if the third-party usage of the mount is well documented and less friction on both mounts. By all accounts, Sigma has its hands full just meeting the demands of those two mounts.
On another publication, Sigma CEO Mr Yamaki spoke to Phototrend France and stated something with a little more information, but still sounded very much like the CEO-speak we have heard for 4 years now about the RF mount and said “You get the same answer as last year.”
Unfortunately, I cannot give you any further information on this subject. As I told you last year, we are aware of customer demand in this regard. In fact, this demand is growing stronger and stronger. At Sigma, we all believe that we must respond to this request, but for the moment we do not have an answer to provide.
I don't have a roadmap to announce for the Canon RF mount.
We had a fairly good source tell us that RF/RF-S lenses from Sigma were supposed to start coming out this month, so this is a disappointing turn of events. While this was an employee of a distributor of Sigma and not from the Sigma Corporation themselves, they did have active knowledge that it was the plan to release some for the RF mount. For no word to come out of Sigma at this time is a disappointing omission that counters that, but that's the way rumors go at times.
Also to show a little more optimism for the future, these plans can change in an instant if Canon and Sigma put their mind to it. It's simply firmware and Sigma already has a significant amount of experience with the Canon EF mount. It could also be that Canon is working with Sigma, and that's a closely held secret covered by NDA and we'll never hear about it until suddenly we're hit with 10 Sigma RF lenses. We can always hope because that 15mm 1.4 looks like a doozy, not to mention that 500mm. (Edit: Given a more recent conversation with Mr Tokura, Canon's chief imaging division executive, it seems that either Sigma is under NDA and cannot discuss any details, or they simply aren't interested in working with Canon at this time)
In other news, I seriously loved my Foveon Merrill cameras – except for their laughingly extreme slowness and voracious appetite for batteries. They have taken some of my favorite landscape images over the years. So all these years I have been waiting for my Foveon holy grail – a full-frame sensor. However according to CEO Mr Yamaki that is a long way off, as they are still working on it, but still having a ton of difficulties. Given how much R&D, costs, etc they have put into this. I'm almost fearful of what the exorbitant cost of the first camera is going to be and how many kidneys I'll need to sell to buy it.
Source: MyNavi
Source: Phototrends
The RF mount news really doesn't surprise me. the Foveon news was disappointing. I can't change the forum thread to fix the spelling error. Don't beat me up.
So I don\'t take the lack of comment to really mean anything. It\'s just not their way to openly tease something.
"our near-term strategic plan involves the possibility of introducing new lens mounts for imaging systems such as the Nikon Z or Canon EOS R."
While that's some fancy doublespeak - they did say it was in the plan prior, so they have said more in the past and given how candid they were about other subjects such as their sensor fab, it's an interesting lack of details. But like I said, they could be all blanketed by an NDA, we don't know.
Also keep in mind that according to rumor and from a distributor that leaked to Craig last year, Sigma was supposed to be announcing and releasing at least 2 RF/RF-S lenses this month.
I'm just continuing in investing in EF lenses (just traded the Sigma 85 1.4 for the 105 1.4 ; was looking for a used one at the right price since the day it was announced) while the prices are pretty low atm, ans swapped the backup RP for an R (so I have both cameras with the same battery), but I'm maxing out my options of making my gear the best possible I can afford.
Hope there will be news soon.
Hah! and my views are certainly well documented.
I'm hoping for better news soon from sigma for both sensor and lenses.
If they release RF lens, Canon cameras will be selling more. It would hurt the L mount selling.
"there is a dearth of evidence"
I reckon that they had a lot more Experience than a dearth
Canon has wide range selection lens now.
They are not worry so much.
Not enough people to dump Canon..... Canon actually does well and has competitive product. Who would have thought.
I thought CaNoN iS dOoMmMmMmMmEeEeEeDdDdD
“When I asked these questions to Mr. Tokura, he immediately replied, ``Canon is in a lot of communication with third-party manufacturers regarding RF mount lenses,'' and ``There are no restrictions.'' He quickly denied the speculations that were circulating among photography fans.
"This year marks the 6th year since we introduced the RF system to the world (in September 2018). Our lineup has grown to over 40 lenses. We are thinking about strategies based on our own situation and environment. "I'm working on it," says Mr. Togura. He also said, ``Communication with third-party manufacturers is deeper than it was in the early days,'' and revealed that they are proceeding with more active interactions than before.
When asked when RF mount products will be released from third parties, he declined to give a clear answer, but answered, ``The depth of communication is probably more than half way (toward commercialization).'' ” was the answer. He indicated that negotiations are progressing smoothly.“
Link to google translated interview.
I'm not sure what Tokura is saying there, but some of that is contrary to what he said a year ago.
but is sounds like Sigma is probably under NDA and can't say anything, would be my guess. it could also be that Sigma told Canon go to stuff themselves and won't work under a restrictive licensing umbrella.
And bugs in the firmware may cause more problems today eg with IBIS.
The interview may give a hint Canon may sell some kind of firmware basics. Maybe!