Their current superb 50mm f/1.4 ART lens may come in a more compact FE version!
Good news folks! For the very first time Sigma said that the development of lenses for the Sony FE system is now one of their priorities. Kazuto Yamaki, CEO of Sigma said this in an interview with Dpreview. In detail those are the interesting points related to Sony:
1) Question: Is it difficult to correct for certain formats like Sony’s full-frame Alpha series which have very short flange-back distances? Is that one of the reasons why we’re not seeing Sigma lenses for those systems?
Answer: No – we want to increase our lineup for mirrorless cameras, but it’s just a matter of priorities.
2) Question: Can you give us an idea of your current priorities?
Answer: DSLRs first, particularly Canon and Nikon, since most of our customers use those systems. And after that mirrorless. Sony FE-mount.
3) Question: A lens like Sony’s Zeiss 55mm F1.8 for the FE mount is optically superb but quite small and light. If you were to design ‘Art’ lenses for that system, would you try to strike a different balance between quality and size, and try to make the lenses smaller?
Answer: Yes – that’s also one of the segments we’re interested in. Another motivation for us to make new lenses is to differentiate between other manufacturers. Sony already has a 55mm F1.8 which is nicely sized and reasonably priced, so why make another? But F1.4 compared to F1.8 is a huge difference, so we’d either make a F1.4, or something different.
That’s great news! We really need a lot more FE lenses and Sigma has proven it can do high quality lenses without to charge too much for them. Sigma also said their ART lenses can resolve 50MP+ FF sensors. Can’t wait to see their FE Art lenses!
P.S:: Superb Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART lens is now in Stock in USA via Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
116 Responses
I wouldn’t mind a cheaper 55mm 1.8 from Sigma… but I’d rather prefer a 85/90mm 1.8 or 2.0 from Sigma because waiting for Sony/Zeiss can be a very long time.
The 55 is excellent, so it would be hard to compete with; and it sounds like they wouldn’t want to make another 50 f1.8, rather they’d want to do something different, fill a product gap.
My wishlist: compact and corner-to-corner sharp 85 f2, 35 f2, 18~20 f2.8, 135 f2.8, 200 f4 primes and a 24 f3.5 with TS; and a 24-120 or 24-135 f3.5-5.6 zoom (unless the 24-240 turns out to be quite good).
i think for a ts they would be idiots to make it natively short flange, theres a big potential market for those in dslrs too
There’s already the modestly priced (for a TS) Samyang 24 f3.5 TS for dSLRs. Sigma said they want to fill market gaps. Well, a 20 f4 TS would be nice, too…
I hope that they don’t wait too long for release otherwise mopping up the floor at best.
Timing is everything.
Good job, Sigma. **** off, Tamron
Tamron are in league with Sony ….. and Sony don’t want Tamron to interfere with Sony’s sales of stupidly priced lenses. Sony wants money…not competition.
Rumors is that Tamron is Sony’s OEM…so if Tamron is going to makes a lens, might as well put on a Sony logo on it and sell it for more.
Really excited about this. Hope they will aim for a 85 or a 135…
Yes!! Art lenses in FE mount of 85 1.8 and 135 1.8 would be a dream to come true!
The sigma 30mm 2.8 e-mount very nearly covers full-frame, so perhaps with a small redesign that could make a good lower-priced alternative to the 35mm 2.8 Zony.
Why not get the 28/2? 2mm wider and one stop faster, and not big at all, nice performance from the previews.
I probably will get the FE28 actually, but my point was just that with a little re-working Sigma could presumably quite easily produce autofocus 19/30/60mm primes at a good price, which I’d certainly welcome as options, especially as they’d presumably be much cheaper than the Sony ones that are currently the only native AF options.
Even if they weren’t optically outstanding (though they were all pretty sharp on APS-C), a small size and autofocus would set them apart from the classic film lenses people go to for lower priced lenses on the FE cameras. Personally I’d buy a 19mm 2.8 for 300eur immediately.
Hmm, to me the 28 is already very decently priced and I don’t need additional options at this focal length and speed, but then again I’m in a different market where everything’s more decently priced than Europe lol
yeeehaaa!!
Sigma never stated that they will make lenses for Sony FE. Truth, is, their CEO said that they will probably enter the market for mirrorless lenses in general.
They already make lenses for the m4/3 system and Sony E-mount (APS-C), so they have already entered that market.
If Sigma designs a new set of ART lenses (smaller – not just change in mount) for the A7 series, it would become an attractive system. At the moment, the system is pretty weak, unless one prefers using manual focus all the time.
That 35mm f/1.4 is far too big, overpriced, and isn’t optically great. Despite Steve Huff’s statements – “may be the best….” If you believe that, I guess you would believe any salesman. Every new product tends to be “the best blah blah blah…” in his reviews nowadays. I don’t blame him, as he seems to be doing fairly well from that site – but I definitely don’t believe everything he says, though some seem too.
A high-quality set of Sigma lenses designed specifically for this system would be the best thing that could happen for the A7 Series, as the ART lenses are exceptional and reasonably priced.
wow you already praise the sigma lenses and diss the sony lens without real knowledge and information 😀
To be fair the 35/1.4 is great value for money, but it’s overhyped. I went from the 35/1.4 on my a77 to a 55/1.8 on my a7 any the Sony wins hands down…
The pixel density is a big factor there, you need to try the Art again on the A7, 24MP crop is like 54MP FF… not easy to please.
You can’t compare a 35mm to a 55mm!!! You need to compare the Sony 55/1.8 to the Sigma ART 50/1.4.
A77! Yes you can! 🙂
Of course you can compare!!!! 35 on 1.5 crop of the a77 is about as close as you can get to 55 on the FF sensor of the a7. My opinion trumps yours because I used 4 exclamation marks to your paltry 3. 😉
Steve Huff always works himself up when he gets something nice, he talks in superlatives about almost everything he likes. He just seems to be such a person. Look at other, calmer, less hyped-up reviews as well (here’s a link below), and you’ll see that while it has excellent centre sharpness and a unique character, it also has it’s flaws (vignetting, corner softness, CA, etc).
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/reviews/lenses/sony-zeiss-distagon-t-35mm-f1-4-za-review
On the other hand, Sigma’s 50 and 35 f1.4 lenses have really been superb and are priced lower. Unfortunately, that line-up also lacks an 85 as of yet.
It seems to vignette a full 2 stops? That seems to be a little more than even the ZM 35/1.4, which is much smaller…
IMHO the big problem of Sigma Art lenses is the huge size and weight! That’ll be an even worse problem for FE lenses, since the idea of the Ax bodies is “small and light”!
*optionally
WONT BUY A LENS MORE THAN 400G WEIGHT ANYWAY
I prefer to travel light, but I’m making an exception for the 90/2.8… A 135/2.8 could be interesting
just my thoughts!
This could be interesting – if Sigma targets the gaps in Sony’s lineup, they could be quids in. A 25mm (or wider) and an 85mm would definitely go down well. We don’t need another 35mm though…
Exactly. I remember Sigma saying they won’t make FE E-mount lenses unless Sony itself is serious about it. Apparently releasing 4 lenses is considered serious. It’s very exciting for me, as a Sony shooter, to see Sigma on board.
Sigma say a lot of things, but whether they come to fruition promptly (if at all) is another thing entirely.
Let’s just say I wouldn’t get too excited; after all, it would seem that Sony themselves are finding it a struggle releasing their lenses as quick as they would like. Sigma have an even worse record in that regard and I see no reason why that should change.
“it would seem that Sony themselves are finding it a struggle releasing their lenses as quick as they would like.”
How quickly would Sony like to release lenses? It has kept up with its promises so far.
Perhaps my phrasing was not ideal, but given that the 90mm macro, for example, was already well leaked by May last year, to only see it appearing in July is not, I would suggest, as quick as might be hoped.
If not Sony themselves, certainly their customers, and I would think that should be mirrored by Sony. After all, why wouldn’t Sony want to have a full and fantastic range of lenses now?
A mount is toast
how does it make you feel? To produce such a “breathtaking” comment…
You feel better about your self now? Somehow stronger? Did your photography skill got a level up by this?
That rant was completely uncalled for. Please apologize!
It’s okay officer lol I was just stating an opinion that will soon become obvious fact. Didn’t mean to get poor peppe so emotional and worked up
I’ll let him off with a warning this time, but don’t hesitate to call me if you have trouble with this hooligan in the future.
Indeed. Sad but true.
Well, nobody’s buying A mount.
No customer, no product.
Didn’t they already say a couple of months back that they are reversing their previous decision and are going to make FE mount lenses. Why is this news now?
“DSLRs first, particularly Canon and Nikon, since most of our customers
use those systems. And after that mirrorless. Sony FE-mount.”
I don’t interpret that to mean that FE lenses is one of their priorities, at all. That’s a very optimistic reading of his statement.
At the risk of reading too much into the statement; if you take it literally it means that FE is a higher priority than 4/3 which is a market they are already in. I would say that is optimistic for e-mount users.
I wouldn’t hold my breath for anything soon. Like he said, first priority is DSLR and the 85/1.4 is in need of a refresh. The Art lenses are also top end optics and very fast lenses, they will be as big as the FE 35 and their DSLR counterparts. It’s great to see Sigma say it’s going to make FE lenses, until they release something just get the laea4 and adapt the awesome Art A mount lenses.
It will be interesting to see if any of these lenses will just be existing DSLR lenses with what amounts to extension tubes on the back and the appropriate electronic interface. It would certainly be the quickest way to market, but would be sub-optimal as far as bulk and, most importantly, hybrid AF support is concerned.
On the subject of interfaces, it’s to be hope that the Sony E-Mount licence provides all the information required to engineer properly working lenses, including all the complex stuff required to make new AF systems work properly. The reverse engineering exercise on A-Mount lead to all sorts of compatibility issues, and modern mirrorless interfaces are far more complex. Besides things like hybrid AF there are in-camera lens correction issues and much else involved.
Unfortunately the Sony E-mount licence is not public domain, and is wrapped up with all sorts of non-disclosure agreements, so we won’t know what’s included. But Sony need third-party allies, so I would hope that they don’t hold things back. (What might help is if Sigma didn’t compete head-on with Sony products so the former could be considered complementary).
You know Sigma already make E-Mount lenses right?
Yes, they make APS-C lenses. They are essentially the M43 lenses with a different mount. However, they’ve been around a long time and before Sony had hybrid AF. I would expect FE lenses to be very different and to support some of the latest developments. After all, Sony have had to update the firmware on some of their lenses so it’s continually under development.
If they had been essentially M43 lenses, there would have been bad vignetting when used on APS-C.
If you look at the three Sigma E-Mount and M43 lenses they have exactly the same focal length and aperture. The sensor diagonal of an M43 sensor is 22.3mm whilst that of the APS-C sensor is 28.4mm. It makes sense to design a lens to cover the slightly larger APS-C sensor and then it will work on M43 as well.
However, if you doubt even this, then you might ask yourself how Sigma can offer a mount conversion service for their DN (mirrorless) lenses between M43 and E-Mount if these lenses aren’t optically identical.
http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/mount-conversion-service
I didn’t suggest they aren’t optically identical, I know that they are.
You implied that the lenses were designed for M43, with APS-C as an afterthought. Maybe that isn’t what you meant…
You are now quibbling.
LOL what?
I think it basically will be an adapter with electronics. Why invent the wheel again?
To optimise it? For instance, the rear elements on an E-Mount can be placed closer to the sensor which might enable the whole lens to be a little more compact. (That doesn’t mean the exit pupil has to be any closer, so it won’t, in itself, cause angle of incidence issues; it just opens up design options).
Another issue is focusing. Hybrid PAF/CAF systems require optimised mechanisms to perform at their best (hence the Sony direct drive motors).
So yes, it’s possible to take the short cut, but it might not produce a lens which performs acceptably, especially if high-speed AF is required.
Excellent point on licensing and competition. I have been hoping that in addition to the moderate focal length primes, that Sigma will provide a 100-600mm for FE. Have been avoiding the A-mount version for my A7R, and now that I’ve got the A7RM2 I’m crying for a native 100-600.
I would think it unlikely that Sony will attempt this focal length range any time soon.
This is GREAT news! Sigma now makes some of the best autofocus lenses in the world under their ART brand, including the 50mm f1.4 and 35mm f1.4. Their ART lenses are now so good I wouldn’t consider buying a camera that couldn’t use them.
I have been somewhat wondering if that new 14mm f4 lens is actually full frame? It seems likely a variant of this lens will be coming to E-mount in the not too distant future.
This is great news. I hope they find out a way to make their lense future proof as far as the AF technics are concerned.
Their 19mm and 30mm lenses were great but they couldn’t benefit from PDAF introduced with Nex 6. I’d hate to see this happen again after spending good money on a possible 85mm Sigma ART lens.
They can use the PDAF after the last Sony update I believe, but Sony do limit the points available. The Touit’s didn’t use the PDAF either but Zeiss are now finally offering a (mail in) update.
A firmware update was released for the NEX-6 that enabled PDAF with the Sigmas. Can confirm this personally.
Didn’t know that, cool!
Will there be an E-Mount version of the new Sigma dp0 21mm equivalent, something like a Sigma Art 14mm F4.0 DN?
Very likely.
Very unlikely that it would be coming soon. That lens is designed for that specific, and very special sensor. It should need more than a tweak to become universal.
Besides that lens is huge for its aperture and focal length, going universal would probably make it even bigger.
YaY! Something like the Contax G 45/2, 90/2 and some wide angle, in Zeiss quality with Sigma pricing would be perfect, like they did with the APS-C E mount.
Will Sigma still make lens for A-mount?
150-600 contemporary ?
150-600 sport ?
120-300 2.8 ??
I wish to see the 18-35/1.8 Art on E-Mount. Just a dream anyway.
Yours and mine, buddy. Yours and mine…
They said “Yes” once in there, and that was related to doing something different.
They said “DSLR First” which puts E mount even behind A-mount which they usually release a YEAR after Canon and Nikon, if they release at all.
IMHO, there’s nothing in here to get excited at all about.
“DSLRs first, particularly Canon and Nikon, since most of our customers use those systems. And after that mirrorless. Sony FE-mount.”
That says to me Sigma might be skipping A-mount altogether i.e. FE is higher priority than A-mount. Depends on your interpretation I guess.
I agree
Wrong. A-mount isn’t mentioned while FE is mentioned in their priority list.
A-mount is included in DSLRs, and he said DSLRs have priority. The statement “particularly Canon and Nikon” doesn’t necessarily exclude other DSLR mounts.
He did not say that FE comes after Canon and Nikon.
I cite: “And after that mirrorless. Sony FE-mount.”
Yes true that they said DSLR. But we have to look at their current stratgey. A-mount versions often are not coming or coming a year after the Nikon/Canon versions… 🙁
SIGMA:
make a compact 35/2
That and a compact and sharp 85 f2 😉
i use the 35/2.0 Leitz from 1969 and its soooooooooo sharp and compact with a simple novo adapter.
Granted no AutoFocus, but that just means you have to work for your pictures and think about them before clicking. I struggle to shoot 2 rolls of M6, and I make it rain on accident on digital.
Admin, are you sure you can read????
Sigma said they’re “interested”, they did NOT say that are currently designing or making FE lenses.
Canon & Nikon DSLR’s are their number 1 priority, not mirrorless.
Post = FAIL
Sorry that you cannot read! Here are the points:
1) For the first time they say FE is a priority after Canon/Nikon DSLR lens design
2) This means it’s more improtant than A-mount. K-mount DSLR design and mroe important than APS-C mirrorless lens design
3) Who said they are currently designin or making FE lenses? I wrote “they will make” those lenses i future. “Cant read”…well your name says it all 🙂
they don’t say anything about making FE lenses, all they say is that canikon are first. The rest will follow..
priorities.
Well if they say FE is a priority after Nikon/Canon lenses well…that means they will make those lenses.
But they didn’t say that. You misread the statement.
Citing: “And after that mirrorless. Sony FE-mount.”. Why would they say that if they do nto plan to make such lenses?
That means after dslr’s (including A mount), then after mirrorless, THEN FE. It’s the last one they’re planning on making. Lowest priority.
No, he didn’t say FE is a priority after CaNikon DSLRs. He said “DSLRs first, particularly Canon and Nikon”. That doesn’t exclude Pentax K or Sony A, because they are included in DSLRs too, just not as important as CaNikon.
Looks like everyone is pointing out you can’t read and by interpreting Sigma ‘s message as your own doesn’t make it true.
time will tell : )
From what I read, he said, “Please stop asking me this question over and over again. When Canon and Nikon stop making DSLRs, we will consider making FE mount. Of course we can do it .. No problem .. We are really smart.”
Well said
Yeah Sony users, get in the line behind canon and nikon. That would be a year down the street and around the corner another six months. I guess by this posting, there are no good rumors regarding the a7rII.
Some people really can annoy me sometimes 🙂
1) This is the first time Sony says FE is a priority. Actually it’s mroe important than making A-mount, K-mount DSLR lenses and more improtant than making APS-C mirrorless lenses. So rationally speaking FE lens design climbed the priority list
2) Don’t worry about rumors. A7rII is coming.
1) I think you mean Sigma, not Sony 😉
2) I don’t worry about the rumors, because you keep doing an awesome job with this site. This is very exciting news coming out from Sigma.
To be honest, he said that Sigma “would like” to make FE lenses and that “if” they did, they “would” do this and that.
He didn’t say they ever will. In fact he quite clearly stated that they have other priorities. And how to blame them? The target market is kind of small to justify spending resources on tailor-made lenses for the FE system.
It’s the first time that Sigma openly declares an interest in the FE system and that’s good, but I wouldn’t open my best bottle just yet.
What I wonder instead is: why don’t they do AF adapters? They obviously have the knowledge to work with the AF systems from most brands.
Please post another a7rII rumour. I feel it is right around the corner but I want to buy a camera now
just buy used a7r for half price 🙂 and use it for years.
Sigma if you are reading SAR, please make:
FE 12-24
FE 24f18
FE 35f14 or 18 (Size priority)
FE 85f14
+1!!!!!!!!!
Answer: No – we want to increase our lineup for mirrorless cameras, but it’s just a matter of priorities
Answer: DSLRs first, particularly Canon and Nikon, since most of our customers use those systems. And after that mirrorless. Sony FE-mount.
LLLLLLLOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLL
Sigma should cancel the 150-600 sport for A mount and make it for E mount.
It would be usefull too if they added a manual variable extension to the barrel to allow close focusing while still providing AF within the range…it could be called a macro mode and could possibly extend the barrel up to 100mm in click stop increments.
Then we’d loose the better AF system by adapting Amount with LAEA-4.
Just another observation:
“Sony already has a 55mm F1.8 which is nicely sized and reasonably priced, so why make another?”
Well wouldn’t that apply to their entire lens line up if compared with those by Canon and Nikon?
I suppose it depends upon your idea of ‘reasonably priced’, though, as I’ve heard quite a few complaints that the Sony 55mm is actually quite expensive for the focal length (of course, quality is another thing entirely…).
Priority
1. DSLR:
1.1 Canon
1.2 Nikon
1.3 Pentax
1.4 Sony A
1.5 blahblah….
,then……
2. Mirrorless Sony FE
This might be the Japanese art of speaking…..
i don’t believe in Sigma. A lot of blah blah. there isn’t only fe mount but A mount still live and no Tele from sigma (150-600 sport ecc.) because they says there are not enough number to produce it in A mount (but are more than sigma mount). and sony forgot long lens A mount (a new 400 f4,5) e new 300 f4 and the rumors about an Olympus 400? nothing only FE mount
of course sigma prioritize canon and nikon
they had an agrement to produce lenses for their mounts in exchange of non open information and license deals
thas why not only sony A, but all other mounts get the inferior look from sigma
BUT sigma had noted DSLRs sales (canikons) are falling of the cliff while mirrorles keep growing, sigma is a company, that had to make money like any other, when mirrorless (in wich sony rules the world) begin to sell more than DSLRs dont doubt sigma will change priorities
since companies make plans in years advance, they in fact may already made the switch, because when a7 line up show up, sigma words were “we wont make lenses for FE, it cannot be done, theres not market, etc” now they speak other words, in 2 years what they will speak, maybe give reasons why they wont make DSLRS lenses anymore
Sigma can finally produce lenses to bring FE to the big leagues.
Sony seemingly can’t make their mind, either putting out an A-Mount roadmap or announcing big lenses for FE. Instead, they keep bullshitting people about the non-existent “alpha system with 60 lenses”.
If Sigma start off with Sigma FE 24-70 f/2.8, that would be a kick in the butt that Sony need to wake up.
Sony doesn’t have to wake up at all, since they are in a path of progress no question to ask … Good lenses don’t grow like tomatoes. Developing cameras is another tedious and very competitive business.
I agree, that SIGMA with line of ART lenses will be very appreciated. It could create pretty strong selection together with Zeiss and Sony lenses them self.
It won’t help if they aim for another small-but-not-really primes.
Their S lenses will be far more interesting. Sigma FE 70-200 f/2.8… that could bring the half-baked FE system closer to being a true Alpha replacement.
24 1.8 / 35 1.8 / 50 1.8 / 85 1.8 / 135 1.8
16-35 2.8 / 24-70 2.8 / 70 -200 2.8 /
Best news I have seen on this website since 1 month. Please give US UWA lens, 35 1.4 / 50 1.4 / 85 1.4
50 f/1.0 or 35 f/1.2 please. I like the Mitakon and Voigtlander’s smallish size but would be willing to trade for AF.
Hmm… did Amazon.com get ahead of themselves?
http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-401205-Cameras-Wide-Angle-Prime-Fixed/dp/B00THPMQEC/ref=sr_1_cc_8?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1432815286&sr=1-8-catcorr&keywords=sony+FE+lens
Still waiting for some Art lenses!