I have been thinking about this lens for some time now. My concerns are: bokeh, weight, no stabilization and no weather sealing. Been thinking about the Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 VC. Obviously the Sigma is a zoom so keep thinking about the flexibility of having such a fast zoom especially for indoors. My daughter is doing a lot of ballet of late and another advantage would be for video. I've seen some posts saying the Sigma is parfocal but others who say it is not. For those of you with the lens how do you find it's performance for video?
Bokeh: I know, it is very subjective but some of the bokeh in the shots here look really nice and creamy and others look a little harsh. For example, the shot above with the little cutie on the scooter, the background bokeh is not as pleasing and was hoping it would be smoother like Trenchmonkey's shot of the base violin (?) top. Could this be variances within different lenses or just a matter of focal length and focus distance?
Weight: About as much as a pro 70-200 f/2.8 which I've carried during all day events, somewhat heavy but usable.
Stabilization: Sure wish Sigma would have added stabilization but that would increase weight and price so understandable why they did not.
Weather sealing: Really Sigma? Why any manufacturer would not apply weather sealing to any upper end lens is surprising, most of the time not an issue but something to be wary of if weather comes in fast while working outside.
wjmeyer wrote:
Bokeh: I know, it is very subjective but some of the bokeh in the shots here look really nice and creamy and others look a little harsh. For example, the shot above with the little cutie on the scooter, the background bokeh is not as pleasing and was hoping it would be smoother like Trenchmonkey's shot of the base violin (?) top. Could this be variances within different lenses or just a matter of focal length and focus distance?
The look of the bokeh is really dependent on what's being blurred. In my daughter's photo, I can't imagine it would be made smoother by any lens simply because it's sunshine through a tree, so you get lots of small points of light shining through at varying levels, so it's going to be pretty messy with such high contrast.
At least, that sounds right to me. I could be wrong.
Bokeh: I know, it is very subjective but some of the bokeh in the shots here look really nice and creamy and others look a little harsh. For example, the shot above with the little cutie on the scooter, the background bokeh is not as pleasing and was hoping it would be smoother like Trenchmonkey's shot of the base violin (?) top. Could this be variances within different lenses or just a matter of focal length and focus distance?
Robert Dull wrote:
to answer the question on focus speed it will not disappoint,accuracy?,the lens is, the rest is up to you!! :-) Here is another sample for you.
That is a really great sample you have provided there.
The lens is chunky but does not feel like a 70-200VR or Sigma 70-200 OS that I have shot before. I found the weight of those discouraged me from buying them(in the case of the 70-200VR) or using them often(in the case of the Sigma). In the end I sold the Sigma and have not considered an FF lens in that range since. Perhaps the Art lens feels better balanced because it seems shorter?
Other people are possibly best placed to comment on bokeh character. It is not something I consider highly when I use a lens but just looking at that dog picture above.
I can see why OS will matter if the lens is being used for video. In still shooting, the wide open shutter speeds one can obtain from using the lens in combination with the high ISO image qualities of today's sensors make me not miss OS.
Focus is fast and accurate. Way more accurate than the Art 18-35 f/1.8.
Love that shot CJMiller, it shows the bokeh off nicely and also shows the lens is capable of taking great shots at slower shutter speeds. I'm sure technique has a lot to do with it but still impressive.
This is my only DX lens that I couldn't part with when selling off all my other DX gear, I still use it in crop mode 1.2 or 1.5. I just love the way this lens renders. I think it's a hidden gem, an underrated and misunderstood lens. My only complaint is the lack of OS, otherwise perfect!
wjmeyer wrote:
Love that shot CJMiller, it shows the bokeh off nicely and also shows the lens is capable of taking great shots at slower shutter speeds. I'm sure technique has a lot to do with it but still impressive.
Thank you wjmeyer. I have owned the lens for about fifteen months and just love it.
Robert Dull wrote:
to answer the question on focus speed it will not disappoint,accuracy?,the lens is, the rest is up to you!! :-) Here is another sample for you.
Awesome sample - thanks for sharing. I was more interested specifically in moving subjects. I asked based on an experience I had with a copy of the tamron 70-200 vc (version 1) really missing on my running 1.5 year old, then trying the nikkor under similar conditions a month later and getting plenty more keepers.
Dan, no worries...the AF on the Sigma Art etc. lenses in insane. I've yet to "dock" one
with 8 different bodies. We're talkin' the 24-105/35 f1.4/50 f1.4/50-100 f1.8's and
I previously had the 18-35 f1.8 DX, the 120-300 f2.8/150-600 Sports. Add'l samples
are yours for the asking...everything I shoot moves.
will these work The misses I encounter are in no way the lens nor the camera it rests on my shoulders,yes it's more then "fast" enough to keep up with the D500,not sure about me sometimes. And that goes for the newest 135mm prime also,great combo.
I'm about to find out for myself, just ordered one from Adorama. Trench, encouraging to hear about your experience without the dock as I did not order a dock with mine and hoping focus will be spot on with my D500
CJMiller wrote:
I sold my Nikon 70-200VR to finance the purchase of this lens and have no regrets.
That is good to know, I have the 70-200 f/4 right now and love it, lightweight and maneuverable but doesn't quite cut it in low light situations. I used the 70-200 f/2.8 VR when I shot professionally and loved that lens too, but the thought of a 50-100 f/1.8 is just too enticing to pass up for it's flexibility. My kids are wanting to do more video as well so the lens will play a dual role of low light and large aperture shooting as well as for artistic videography.
The misses I encounter are in no way the lens nor the camera it rests on my shoulders,yes it's more then "fast" enough to keep up with the D500,not sure about me sometimes. And that goes for the newest 135mm prime also,great combo.
