Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki released an interview to the Taiwanese site Mobile01. And he also talks about Sony:
- “To us, it is very clear that Sony will be the major player in the photo industry. Because they have sensor technology. In order to differentiate the products. the sensor and lens are the most important. Other things can be shared by other companies. I think in the photo industry who has a good technology of making good sensor and lens could survive. That is why we acquired the Foveon company and try to retain the technology to us. “
- He also recognizes that there is a big request from many countries to make Sigma FE lenses. And when asked if he will do it he simply answered “Everything is possible“.
As a side note it’s also interesting to read what Sigma lenses are generating the highest revenue for Sigma:
1. Contemporary/Sports 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM (Store links: [shopcountry 43452]).
2. ART 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM (Store links: [shopcountry 43453]).
3. ART 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM (Store links: [shopcountry 43454]).
You see Sony? We need more f/1.4 lenses and a telezoom!
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Found via Mirrorlessrumors
114 Responses
“Everything is possible“… typically Japanese…
“Everything is possible with government intervention”….typically american
Nah, that’s the EU’s mantra!
Ain’t that the truth…….that’s why we’re stuck at 29:59 on the A7x’s.
everything is possible = anything can happen = who knows = i got no clue
Sony will be a major player, but we are not making lenses… for the time being… everything is possible. Typical, always late on the train, same as with the Foveon.
LOL… Sony will be the major player in camera market – so I ask you why you no make any Sony-Lenses? Neither new Sony A-Mount nor Sony FE-Mount?!
because they simply wait till sony has reached enough market share.
Which is silly since they could be making lenses for both E and SL-mount. The Art series can easily deliver the performance/built quality that Leica owners demands.
I don’t see a high demand for full plastic construction from Leica users.
their “huge” sensor is inside some iPhones. that makes them major player 🙂
DSLR market… they have no chance 🙂 they always be the third at best. with really small part of the market 🙂 they are just wrong oriented. no chance for a better position.
and they will facked up their mirrorless market too. just wait max 2 more years 🙂 Canikon are waking up and will blow them away (maybe with their own sensors)…
I hope it’s not true, but I feel a mirror less spanking for Sony is coming on. 2016?
Yep I feel the same way Sony should have made there mirror less A-mount from the start!
I honestly can’t see it. It seems like Nikon so far has been unwilling to develop a new mount, and if they don’t, all they offer is that existing Nikon users can keep using their F-mount lenses, and that’s it; whereas with Sony you can use lenses from virtually every lens manufacturer out there, including Nikon. Canon has developed a new mount, but they don’t seem to be interested in developing any native lenses, content to just force their users to use adapters and shoot with EF/EF-S lenses. That, plus the cameras are pretty lackluster in feature spec. So far, neither one of them seems to “get it.” If Sony gets spanked in mirrorless, it’s going to be by some other manufacturer already heavily in the mirrorless game (Fuji, Panny, etc.).
The problem with Canon doing that is they’re hesitant to develop any new products that might take share from their current products. They cripple features often in order to protect other assests. They give decent but not outstanding video features to the 5D mk3s in order to protect the Cinema line-up(C100, C300, C500 etc.) Panasonic and Sony have no such fears, so they have robust new codecs, slow motion, cine profiles etc. in their cameras.
If they drop a fantastic new mirrorless system I have no doubt there will be fears it’ll eat into their DSLR market, which is their bread and butter.
“Will be” being the answer here.
Why step in at a stage where e-mount share is still growing but comparatively small, when they can step in when it’s a matured and more used system.
“Everything is possible“ bummer…
If they only made the three primes for FF would be perfect to start…
If Sigma have that much faith in Sony, why will they not make the 150-600 available in Sony A mount?
Because the faith they have is in E-mount, specifically FE, not A-mount.
And their showing it (faith) by not producing any FE lenses?
Why can’t Tamron or Sigma give me a wide angle APSC prime? Canon and Nikon don’t offer it. It doesn’t exist! I’d take a 10mm or 12mm APSC only prime. I don’t care the mount. Thanks.
If you go E-mount, there’s the Zeiss Touit 12mm f/2.8…
I thought about that one. Hmm. It’s actually pretty affordable too.
I really like it. I bought it as part of a deal on the bundle with the 32mm last year, and they’re both really good lenses (the 32 stays mounted to my a6000 about 90% of the time – love that lens). Though if you don’t need the 2.8 aperture, you might consider the Sony 10-18 f/4. It’s pretty much just as sharp, and offers a little more flexibility (and I prefer the metal focus ring on it). I don’t own that one yet, but I’ve rented it and really liked it. It’s on my short list of next lenses to acquire.
Rokinon 12mm f/2 is a very decent option, if you don’t mind the MF.
Probably because they don’t think Sony will be making any more APS-C cameras. The entire industry is rolling, smoking and inhaling more FF hype every single day. They keep offering it to me and I keep saying no thanks.
“they don’t think Sony will be making any more APS-C cameras”
I doubt that, since they could be making lenses for other mirrorless systems.
It’s a pity they didn’t feel that way before.
They’ve given little support with regard to the A mount, so I’ll be interested to see how much they do from now on, for either A or E.
Sigma will always focus on Canon and Nikon. I cant see them making emount FE lenses for at least another few years, and only if Sony can outsell Canon or Nikon.
They already do make E-mount lenses in APS-C format. Can’t imagine E-mount outselling a CaNikon mount.
They should make them now. There’s according to my gut a huge market for compact prime lenses such as a 24 f2.8, 50 f2.8 and 85 f2.8.
As if Canikon took the market from Leica in less than a decade…
Disagree! I think you will see at least one and probably 3 FE lenses from Sigma in 2016.
Don’t hold your breath, not a likely scenario.
His estimation of the Foveon sensor may be a tad exaggerated. Sigma should stick to optics, which is what they do best. And if they’re smart, they need to jump on the FE bandwagon right now, while there are still so many gaps to take advantage of. Zeiss saw this coming, and look at how their Batis and Loxia lenses are selling faster than they can make them. The market is there, especially for more affordable lenses, and Sigma looks asleep at the wheel.
Nobody knows how many lenses Zeiss would sell, if the production capacity would be bigger. So you must consider the sales numbers of the Sony FE lenses, that are always in stock. And then compare this number to the Canikon lens sales and you know why Sigma is hesitating with FE lenses.
The interview video is actually kind of interesting. He stresses that they’re a family-owned company, not interested as much in maximizing profits as in satisfying the customers and growing slowly. Seems like he knows what he’s talking about and it’s worth giving him the benefit of the doubt with their product strategy, but still, seems like their failure to jump into the growing FE market is a mistake.
I think the only problem is that they doesn’t have experience with rangefinder lenses, unlike Voigtlander that is just natural for them to develop lenses for mirrorless.
Voightlander is just a name… Cosina design and manufacture the lenses.
I am quite sure Sigma will make FE lenses. And I guess they are already devloping them right now. But it takes some time to market. And then there must be free production capacities, and new machines have to be built before. For Canon and Nikon, the AF protocols are known, there are tools for the mount existing, they can use the same optic formula for both brands and they are very experienced in terms of technique and market and price. And they will sell more than for Sony FE.
I don’t think it’s failure from Sigma, waiting a bit longer. They are not losing anything. If there is in 5 years a marvelous Sigma FE lens, nobody will say: “Sigma?? I get a better Zeiss because their lineup is bigger!”
Yeah, those are all good points. Zeiss and Sony are in bed giving Zeiss the focus algorithms, whereas Sigma has to reverse-engineer them. In a perfect world, the consumer would have all the choices, right from the start. Guess I’m just being greedy.
Not greedy – I call it expectations. I want to see Sigma/Tamron FE lenses, too. But I have to be patient, because the good selling Canikon-mount product brings Sigma and Tamron in a comfortable position and they don’t have an urgent need to release FEs very soon.
This is wrong. Sigma already has AF in place for their APS-C lenses. They don’t have any excuse, they just don’t want to.
Bovine scatology at its best.
Foveon turned out to be a disappointment never living up to its original hype. I suspected Foveon type sensors would have quickly taken over the industry instead of being just a novelty.
I had a chance to play with one of Sigma’s foveon-sensored cameras. It was a total piece of crap. Good lens, but the dynamic range was awful, as were the electronics and ergonomics. Really, Sigma should forget about trying to make cameras, at least for now, and just focus on optics.
Zeiss made 5 Batis lenses total 😉 No wonder they are sold out.
And I got two of them! Seriously, it would be interesting to get the actual production numbers.
The way he runs his company is exemplary & therefore camera’s and lenses by Sigma shine with outstanding quality!
You should see his movies.
Trouble is his overly conservative business philosophy will keep his company from growing and achieving its true potential. Sigma will always be a bit player and never a leader.
Santa better give me an A7RII this year or he’s getting a beating. I plan on leaving scotch instead of milk this time.
Tried that last year hoping for an 85mm Otus, sadly it didn’t work .
I just want inexpensive primes and zooms from Sigma and Tamron for FE mount like they have on Canon. Sony’s lenses are often underperforming for a huge premium price.
Too much to ask?
Depends on what you mean by inexpensive; Sigma high quality primes retail for around $1000, zoom lenses $1200+. Sigma is moving up market to compete directly with the OEM’s, so if you’re expecting new design cheap lenses you’re out of luck.
A $1000 lens that can challenge a $4000 Otus. And it has Autofocus! 🙂
Challenge and lose horribly, but philistines will think it’s just as good.
Don’t worry – if I would be a snob I would write the same
Not a snob, a philistine.
hahaha
Try with the D810 or D800E and you will un-cripple the Otus
Pah – it’s almost 2016. Nobody cares about a low res sensor with pixels as big as a football field.
Joking aside: can’t find Sigma Art 50mm at DxO.
Hmmm… How about compact primes and cheap high quality primes for FE? That would be cool!
If they had a basic Art lens for FE, it would be selling as fast as Batis.
We don’t know how “fast” Batis is selling, only that production hardly keeps up with demand.
Enough of the “Compact Primes” and “Short Lenses” etc. etc for E mount. There’s way too many of them out there already, especially when E mount users have got adapters to use any lens from any manufacturer just as Sony intended.
Come on Sigma, if you really believe that Sony is a leader, give us the new 150-600 lens for the A mount, then EVERYONE can use it either with an adapter (E) or on their A mount cams.
Personally, because of Sigmas reluctance to give us these lenses, I think they are just paying lip service to Sony users.
Exactly what I was thinking.
I just love this guy! He was the best in “The Hangover”!!!
He also starred in Mothra vs. Godzilla, in fact had the same haircut and suit.
Exactly. Brilliant guy.
An FE mount 85mm f/1.4 would be nice, so would an FE mount 135mm f/2…we can always dream.
If you can forgo AF, the Rokinon/Samyang versions of each are great by any standard, and amazing for the price. My only complaint is that the MFD is a bit too long on the 85. But the IQ is fantastic … and of course, Sony mirrorless cameras make MF much easier than most DSLRs.
Wouldn’t be bad but they have many more focal lenght to explore
-fast/high IQ 50 or a nifty-fifty
-35mm 1.8
-fast zooms
This guy must be living in a time warp with his 70’s haircut and plaid suit, moreover he said nothing of any substance on the Sony lens topic. “Everything is possible“ = meaningless.
Let me interpret… by introducing the Art lenses to E-mount, they are solidifying Sony’s stranglehold on the mirrorless segment. They could easily do it, but, in the long term, they would be shooting themselves in the foot and stifling competition.
They understand perfectly the market by “withholding” such lenses. If they give everything to Sony, customers have no reason to buy a Foveon camera.
if they are going to keep making them in the first place, I haven’t heard a single foveon peep for months now.
Wouldn’t be all that surprised if they are just going to sit on the patent and make lenses now.
strangehold lol… intentional or misspessled?
btw almost nobody buys Foveon cameras, only a handful of f**ts…. they are slow as hell and 16 mp foveon doesn’t give more sharpness than 24 mp bayer, also if you are for more IQ you go to FF where foveon is absent…
also bad DR & high ISO…
Here’s the youtube video of the interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5vUXrWFzCM
I’d like to meet his tailor.
Or his barber. 🙂
Those are also good but big f/1.4 lenses…
How about a Sigma E-mount camera with Foveon.
RE: “the sensor and lens are the most important” … I am trying to pass this on people for years but seems like many of them are blind or completely un-knowledgeable in photography as far as equipment is in regards to.
Obvious … the quality of lens + quality of the film was always a key element. Rest? OK, some stuff did help rest of it just a gimmicks.
Speaking of SONY, it was clear from beginning, that SONY’s sensor chip is the best that is why PhaseOne, Hasselblad, NIKON use them. Since SONY have purchased in past MINOLTA technology and many of MINOLTA engineers is working for SONYs camera development, SONY is going for stardom in camera manufacturing.
you stole my attitude 🙂
In terms of sheer IQ, they already are the major player in the photo industry.
IQ is irrelevant s**t xD you can get detailed pictures just by stitching panoramas with any camera
Major player means $$$$ not IQ
Very nice guy, apparently with a nice attitude towards corporate style. I wish him and his company good luck. Sigma has transformed from a maker of cheap “so.. so..” lenses to one who makes stellar good lenses for incredible prices.
Of course, if they offer FE lenses in the future, that would be great, given I have become a Sony FF mirrorless shooter.
And I agree: Sony is likely to become even stronger in the photo world. Nikon and Canon have a huge heritage (also in form of lenses out there in the field) and a very large customer base, but the struggle to realize that DSLRs are on their way out. Both have not shown anything exciting for years now. They are just afraid to loose what they have attained and play safe. Play boring.
24-105 Art FE OSS, I beg 😀
I’m sick with Sigma talks full of hot air without any action since the beginning of a7xxx.
He said “To us, it is very clear that Sony will be the major player in the photo industry
…the sensor and lens are the most important.” Yet, he has done nothing.
The issue might be the lack of experience on making short flanged lenses, I don’t know if their mirrorless APS-C lenses can be scaled properly to FF.
And they gone full size compromise to achieve good IQ on the ART line up.
Sony must become the ONLY player in the photo industry. GO SONY!!!
NOOOOOOO!!!!
More competition is good
You wouldve loved the communism in eastern europe.
Fanboy level 1 detected.
How possible is it to convert the 19-30-60 for FF?
When Tamron releases their glass in the Sony FE mount, Sigma will be irrelevant.
Which glass?
They have two vaguely interesting primes and a few OK-ish zooms designed for DSLRs. I don’t think there is much to worry Sigma.
Maybe the 24-70 f/2? If they made before Sony it will sell like hot cakes.
LOL… Zeiss 35/2.8 is already developed by Tamron and I’m sure some other FE lenses as well.
I think he meant Tamron branded lenses.
Ditto
Looks like somebody in the open sea sees an island and refuses to schwim. Sorry, but that is just hot air – they still do not release all avaible lenses for a-mount for example the 20mm F1,4 DG HSM Art or the 24mm F1,4 DG HSM Art or the 150-600mm F5-6,3 DG OS HSM Sports…..
Did anybody notice the interviewer’s reaction, when Kazuto San mentioned the location of his company, the prefecture of Fukushima?
The distance to Daiichi nuclear power plant is only 100km (60 miles).
I’ll be checking my new Sigma lenses with a Geiger counter going forward…
Sony take notice…!!!!
While not on the list for best selling lenses..
The 150-600 conteporary and sport versions share the number one position for money earned for Sigma…!!!!
This entire class of lenses is entirly lacking from the Sony E mount lineup. ..!!!!
I think you need a new system. Sony doesn’t seem to wanna listen to you lol
Actually as we speak my 800mm Sigma f5.6 in Nikon mount, is walking in my door…I haven’t even opened the box yet…plus 1.4x, 2x, and extension tubes. That covers 800mm, 1120, and 1600mm focal lengths.
Hopefully these new Nikon to E mount adapters will work, and my A7Rii will provide image stabilization that is lacking on the lens.
I have the Tamron 150-600 fpr shorter focal lengths, and the new Sony 90mm macro FE lens.
Still think I should change to a new system?
Ohbmy thought u were using sonys that’s why I said that lol
Actually, this entire class of lenses (longer than 300 mm focal length) is entirely lacking from ALL mirrorless systems. It is no fault of Sony, there are technical reasons for this.
The On-chip PDAF and CDAF systems will only be able to lock AF PROVIDED the object already is near focus. But with long telelenses, most of the focus ring turning will present Out Of Focus image to the sensors, as you kjnow, and will only within a small angle present a sharp enough image for On-chip sensors to work. PDAF with dedicated separate AF plate on the other hand, will be able to detect which way to go and how much, even far out in the Out of Focus range (where On-chip AF systems accordingly will be lost).
However, the image stabilization provided by the A7 M2 series camera bodies should work satisfactorily with the Sigma 800 mm lens you are talking about below.
.
The 3d pd sensor Sony patented..2 pd layers on a 4 layer sensor…should resolve that issue.
I hope we see this or something comparable soon.
If you read the interview, he said actually 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3, 17-50mm f/2.8 and 70-300mm f/4-5.6 are the best selling ones. So everything cheap and super-zoomy. The other lenses are “based on the value”. What ever that means … (Chart of higher value lenses? Or lenses with the most profit for Sigma?)
However, those “value” lenses are quite unique ones. The 15-600 is a inexpensive super-tele and the two primes are also inexpensive high-end primes in a market where Canon and Nikon haven’t updated their offering for years. No surprise, Sigma could score with them.
I just wonder what takes Sigma (or likewise Tamron) to enter the E mount market. It’s not that they just know about it. They had test balloons already a couple of years ago. But they’re not going for more. If Zeiss can, those small and fast Japanese companies could do it too.
When Kazuto Yamaki is at work – he uses his jacket as an MTF chart.