Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

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Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

jason9101
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p.27 #1 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

I agree with Invertalon's comment. Sigma makes quality lens and if Canon makes a similar lens it would be double the price. I believe the name-tag and entry-level photographers are skeptical about purchasing anything else but Canon.

Edited on Dec 27, 2012 at 07:43 AM · View previous versions

Dec 27, 2012 at 02:26 AM

Ernie Aubert
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p.27 #2 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

Some truth to that, methinks... I was myself for some time. But I eventually gave Sigma a try, with mixed results - I just got the new 35 f1.4, and so far it's great. And now I also have a Tamron (24-70 f2.8 VC) and a Tokina (16-28 f2.8). Oh, and two Zeisses (35 f2 & 100 f2), with a third (50 f2) just ordered.

Dec 27, 2012 at 03:19 AM

galenapass
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p.27 #3 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

joeisayo wrote:
Wow the company that has been manufacturing Yugo's for decades suddenly has built a Porsche 911. My problem is the Yugo maker needs to prove them self over a few cycles before giving up a proven product, like Canon L lenses.

From the reports rolling in it looks like they have proven themselves. I have had a number of Sigma lenses that were VERY sharp and built well. The 150mm macro comes to mind.

Dec 27, 2012 at 03:26 AM

Invertalon
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p.27 #4 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

RobDickinson wrote:
Invertalon wrote:
Sigma will honestly hit a HOME-RUN if they can produce a 14-24 f/2.8 for Canon mount at around $900-1200... No doubt. I would be all over that. Even if Canon released one, as it would be over double the price.

Sigma already make a 12-24mmf4-5.6 mkII that is $950

You expect a 2 stop faster lens for the same money?

Totally forgot about that lens... Hell, if they could make a 14-24 f/4 for the same price with their new quality standards, build/finish and optical performance I would be all over it. I don't need f/2.8, myself!

Dec 27, 2012 at 03:42 AM

galenapass
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p.27 #5 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

Invertalon wrote:
RobDickinson wrote:
Invertalon wrote:
Sigma will honestly hit a HOME-RUN if they can produce a 14-24 f/2.8 for Canon mount at around $900-1200... No doubt. I would be all over that. Even if Canon released one, as it would be over double the price.

Sigma already make a 12-24mmf4-5.6 mkII that is $950

You expect a 2 stop faster lens for the same money?

Totally forgot about that lens... Hell, if they could make a 14-24 f/4 for the same price with their new quality standards, build/finish and optical performance I would be all over it. I don't need f/2.8, myself!

Amen!

Dec 27, 2012 at 04:22 AM

Tom K.
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p.27 #6 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

Wow what a great lens.

Dec 30, 2012 at 07:43 AM

Dextermutt
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p.27 #7 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

Well after much reading and pondering, I bought my very first Sigma and non Canon lens. Very impressive!! The build quality and IQ are outstanding but this is my first really fast short prime. It's new territory for me but a welcome addition to my next closest lens (17-55 EFS 2.8) Really wanted a fast lens that could be shot wide open with a 4 month old. I have no regrets and am hoping Sigma does the same with their 85.... Then I could complete my family lenses

Dec 30, 2012 at 07:11 PM

curious80
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p.27 #8 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

RobDickinson wrote:
Invertalon wrote:
Sigma will honestly hit a HOME-RUN if they can produce a 14-24 f/2.8 for Canon mount at around $900-1200... No doubt. I would be all over that. Even if Canon released one, as it would be over double the price.

Sigma already make a 12-24mmf4-5.6 mkII that is $950

You expect a 2 stop faster lens for the same money?

To be fair 12-24mm lens is a very extreme design and is wider than any other rectilinear ultra-wide zooms out there so it is not possible to directly compare its price to a (slightly) less extreme 14-28.

Dec 30, 2012 at 07:18 PM

Snopchenko
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p.27 #9 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

So, just to keep this interesting thread alive... any new owners of this lens?

Jan 06, 2013 at 08:14 AM

snapsy
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p.27 #10 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

Snopchenko wrote:
So, just to keep this interesting thread alive... any new owners of this lens?

I just got mine yesterday. Here are some quick snaps, all at f/1.4 on the 5DM3:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Jan 06, 2013 at 09:11 AM

MaximeTrepreau
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p.27 #11 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

I got mine too.
Build quality is very good. It's like 70% of Zeiss build quality.

It's sharp and focus perfectly, even in the dark.

Jan 06, 2013 at 12:08 PM

Snopchenko
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p.27 #12 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

MaximeTrepreau wrote:
Build quality is very good. It's like 70% of Zeiss build quality.

Interesting that you mentioned it because upon first look at the Sigma 35/1.4 pictures I thought "Is that the long lost twin to the Zeiss 24mm f/2?"

This image is copyrighted by the owner

(one is rotated but you get the drift...)

Jan 06, 2013 at 12:47 PM

Shield
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p.27 #13 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

I found that I need to do a +17 MFA on my Siggy 35. On some shots that I miss it's still front focusing badly. I'm going to try to exchange it for another one.

Jan 06, 2013 at 09:09 PM

Lasse Eriksson
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p.27 #14 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

Snopchenko wrote:
MaximeTrepreau wrote:
Build quality is very good. It's like 70% of Zeiss build quality.

Interesting that you mentioned it because upon first look at the Sigma 35/1.4 pictures I thought "Is that the long lost twin to the Zeiss 24mm f/2?"

This image is copyrighted by the owner

(one is rotated but you get the drift...)

I did think the same when I did see the new sigma

Jan 07, 2013 at 03:19 AM

pubtime
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p.27 #15 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

The only issue I have with my Sigma after much testing now is for video, which is what I mainly do now. The focus travel is less than the 35L so it's a tad harder to get in focus and keep in focus.

Jan 07, 2013 at 05:39 PM

Shield
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p.27 #16 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

I'll tell you what, this lens, at least this copy, is frustrating me to no end.

A 2-3 feet away it needs no micro AF adjustment. In fact it's probably backfocusing a tad.

At 8-10 feet away I get 0 hits @ AF=0, but about 60% @ AF +17. Front focusing pretty badly.

Shot a slew of test shots today outdoors. Think I'll have better luck with a 2nd copy? My Canon glass (85 1.8, 135 F/2 and other F/4 lenses) do not do this. Using center point AF only.

Jan 07, 2013 at 09:37 PM

snapsy
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p.27 #17 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

Shield wrote:
I'll tell you what, this lens, at least this copy, is frustrating me to no end.

A 2-3 feet away it needs no micro AF adjustment. In fact it's probably backfocusing a tad.

At 8-10 feet away I get 0 hits @ AF=0, but about 60% @ AF +17. Front focusing pretty badly.

Shot a slew of test shots today outdoors. Think I'll have better luck with a 2nd copy? My Canon glass (85 1.8, 135 F/2 and other F/4 lenses) do not do this. Using center point AF only.

Try setting it to AF+17 and see if the 2-3 feet is still ok. My experience is that body+lens combos which need adjustment are ok at close distances but show their need for adjustment at mid-to-far distances, and that if I dial in the adjustment for mid-to-far distances the near distances still work ok even with the adjustment value tuned for mid-to-far distances.

Jan 07, 2013 at 09:41 PM

Shield
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p.27 #18 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

I tried that - I shot a slew of photos at 2 focal distances; first was 2-3 feet with both 0 AF adjustment (was fine) and +17 AF (consistently backfocused).

At 8-10 feet all the 0 AF adjustment shots were front focused and the +17 were about 60% hits.

I give up. I've spent every day I've owned it trying to fine tune it in. I've probably fired off 500 test shots or more. At some point with a week old $900 lens I just want another copy.

Jan 07, 2013 at 10:11 PM

Shield
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p.27 #19 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

I did a series of F/1.4, F/2, and F/2.8 as well. So it's not like I'm just having trouble wide open.

Jan 07, 2013 at 10:14 PM

badlydrawnboy
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p.27 #20 · Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM first impressions

Shield: I feel your pain, and I may be in the same boat. I sent my 5D3 into Canon to rule out any AF issues with the body, but my first copy of the S35 front-focused way beyond what MA could handle, and the second copy required a +15 adjustment. I didn't have the chance to try it out with that adjustment enough before I sent it to Canon, but in one AF consistency test I did with FocusTune and the LensAlign target, it was going back and forth between focusing accurately, back-focusing and front-focusing. Extremely frustrating.

I should have my 5D3 back by the end of this week, and will do more testing.

Jan 07, 2013 at 10:48 PM

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