The Sigma 50mm f/1.4: almost the IQ of the Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 for ¼ of the price!
In an interview at posted on youtube by fotografia.it, (transcript at Sigma Rumors) a Sigma manager was asked if they plan to release lenses for Fuji X-mount.
In the past, when asked about lenses for Fujifilm, Sigma always said clearly “NO PLANS”. But this time it’s different. Sure, no confirmation, but also no denial of upcoming Sigma lenses for Fuji X-mount… and that’s already a good sign, if you ask me.
Q: The most important part of your production is designed for digital SLR cameras. What is wrong with mirrorless?I see you are supporting and Sony E MFT cameras, but what about Fuji, Nikon 1, Canon M? Do you plan to keep these cameras?
A: First of all, I think, mirrorless cameras are very promising future products. We always plan to expand our product line for mirrorless cameras. If possible, we would like to support as many systems as possible. But our engineering resources are limited. We have many opportunities and new projects to make the products even more high-quality. Support for new systems is given quite a lot of time and spent a lot of technical resources. Based on this, we must carefully choose our clients.
We believe that we define our core customers, as amateurs who want to get serious photography. Most likely we will expand the product line for those people who use the mirrorless camera premium. I think they are our main customers.
Also, a new source contacted me and said that Sigma is indeed looking at the X-system. But they still have to decide which lenses produce and when to launch them.
Sure, also this time, take it with a grain of salt. I don’t know anything about it from trusted sources. But, if the new source is right, maybe Sigma finally understood the importance of the X-mount market, and we will get more autofocus lenses at affordable prices.
The whole Video Interview on youtube
15 Responses
Finally! Let’s hope some new and nice prime lenses will arrive for Fujifim as well. Why not some zoom lenses, too!
I’m not for Fuji to go FF right now (no personal need, some might I’m not arguing about it, just stating my need), but if they did, I’m sure Sigma would follow that train.
I’m planing to upgrade to X-T1 + 18-55 + 56 (won’t have the money for the 16-55 f/2.8 anyway) in December (thanks to the cashback for the X-T1 and lenses we have in France until 15th January, I’ll save 200€!) from my current X-E1 + 35, and I hope the X-T1 and the lenses will last me as long, or longer than my X-E1 did. I am the core customer for Sigma, “an amateur who wants to get very serious about photography”, and if they release X-Mount, I’m sure I’ll pick one up in the future, if not too pricey as Fuji’s are but still close to the same quality.
Honestly, I don’t think Fuji should be much of a priority for them. Fuji already makes great lenses and the sales numbers aren’t so high compared to Sony E mount cameras. And Sony makes terrible E mount lenses, so this is the avenue they should spend the most resources on.
I wonder if the lens market might be better for Fuji than Sony E mount? Fuji seems more popular with pros, who buy more lenses in my experience. I often see people at weddings with a decent camera, but only the kit lens.
About time, but they are right to be careful, Fuji lineup is filling up quickly and Sigma should not waste time creating slightly cheaper lenses, they need to fill gabs with innovative lenses, and that takes time and resources.
It they produced an 85mm 1.4 for X, that would be a great option that Fuji has no plans to offer. And how about a nice affordable fisheye.
Their roadmap states a 90mm f2.0 is planned.
I think that is close enough 😉
Try a Rokinon 85mm F1.4 for X-mount. Heavy but good quality for no money.
If Sigma jumped into the Fuji waters, I don’t think they would create and sell new for Fuji X lenses. More, they would simply put Fuji X mounts on lenses that they currently produce and see how they are accepted. I’d expect to see Fuji X mounts on their APS-C line of lenses for sure and possibly a few of their full frame offerings. If anything but for them to engineer lenses specifically for Fuji X is not even close to good business sense.
If they can fill up gaps between 10-400mm, why not ? Nowadays Sigma make terrific high quality lenses i.e. the Art lenses.
Actually I’m waiting for a fast focussing 35 F1.4, the Fuji one hunts a lot.
Because it takes time and money to invest in design for Fuji X specific lenses. If there is no 100-400mm in the works then that would be a huge investment and undertaking. All for a questionable return of dollars. If they have such a lens then its just a matter of engineering amount and adapting firmware and Fuji has always been open with their firmware which makes it it faster to market.
Sigma has a bunch of Art lenses I would love to see with Fuji mounts. I own several in Nikon mounts. But I really wouldn’t use a 120-300 2.8 on my X-T1….I put it on using a lens adapter and its a bit unbalanced. I’m not sure I want to try the new 50-140mm because i bought the Fuji for its smaller foot print.
I think releasing the 18-35mm 1.8 would be simple for them to do as it exists for APS-C dslrs.
Maybe the 19mm, 30mm 60mm trio?
If Fujifilm will release the XF 16-55mm F2.8 without OIS, would be great for Sigma, to do the same zoom lens with OIS. Also, the Art series from Sigma with X Mount, would be a great addition to the X system.
If Fuji discloses its specs to Sigma, that would be a very welcome market entry.
I’m afraid though, that they will need to do reverse engineering, as they need to do for Canon – and there it’s quite often a matter of luck to find a lens that performs flawlessly straight out of the box.
I want a 90mm for my X-T1, but it should be a small and light one, not like the big thing Fuji is planning.