AGeoJO wrote:
My last Canon body was the 5D Mark III. So, definitely I am not "comparing" the current Canon 5D IV with the A7r II. At any rate, with the Lock-On AF and Eye-AF, my most used AF modes, I would say that the number of images that are OOF using the A7r II is quite a bit less compared to that generated by the 5D Mark III. I didn't do any direct comparison but just more a general impression. Maybe we are talking about the same thing but my point is, the AF system of the A7r II is more accurate and more convenient to use, especially using the two AF modes mentioned above. The speed may not be up to Canon's AF system, such hunting, etc. however and the accuracy is not lagging behind, IMHO. ...Show more →
The AF on the Sigma Art lenses can be divided into three areas from my recent experience.
(1) Accuracy
(2) Speed
(3) Consistency
The (1) accuracy and (2) speed has not been an issue, just the percentage (3) consistency that the algorithm will lock on AF. Of course with DSLR the USB hub will address any AF fine tuning needed.
With the A7rII the accuracy will not be an issue with PDAF, nor will the speed normally. The consistency or percentage misses I have seen in batch samples. It is easily confused with accuracy or speed, as the AF will hunt to lock on the AF point.
If the AF is hunting or missing out of norm replace your copy. The USB hub will not help here.
My experience so far:
20 Art - 4 copies. First three did not lock AF consistently about 50 to 75% of the time. The last copy 95%.
24 Art - 1 copy. Fine
35 Art - 3 copies. First two also did not lock AF consistently. The last copy is excellent
50 Art - 1 copy. Superb copy and probably one of the best 50's I have owned.
The Art series are great lens and do render differently but are superb value. I know many people think I should not waste my time, but like with any excellent lens I will now test in store, unless I am buying used and even then I will try and test before.
I picked up the 35 Art and at first I thought it was great. And then outside I was only getting about 50% consistency of the AF locking on. I tested everything as I put it to human error. I took the lens back and finally found a copy of the lens that was fast, accurate and consistent in AF.
I have discussed this issue with Sigma Australia with no real answer. My solution is if I opt for the Art lenses I will now fully test the lens on my camera with the option to return the lens to store if needed.
Guy --
I shot it mostly wide-open, and also stopped down a bit (f4 to f5.6-ish) for a few shots, but not any further than that. Tried it on two A7R2 bodies, both of which were running firmware 3.30 (the latest). Hunts/misses in AF-S as well as AF-C. Instagrammer and Sony-sponsored (?) photog, Manny Ortiz, also alluded to AF inconsistencies in his latest IG post; he also just acquired a 135A/MC11 to use with his A7R2. Looking forward to hearing your report once it gets in your hands, Guy. Cheers!
drewle wrote:
Guy --
I shot it mostly wide-open, and also stopped down a bit (f4 to f5.6-ish) for a few shots, but not any further than that. Tried it on two A7R2 bodies, both of which were running firmware 3.30 (the latest). Hunts/misses in AF-S as well as AF-C. Instagrammer and Sony-sponsored (?) photog, Manny Ortiz, also alluded to AF inconsistencies in his latest IG post; he also just acquired a 135A/MC11 to use with his A7R2. Looking forward to hearing your report once it gets in your hands, Guy. Cheers!
I think Manny Ortiz had these same issues at times with the Sigma 85 Art. All in all when the adapter and len is working correctly, you will get amazing results but this is the flaw of dealing with adapted lenses at times.
HiredArm wrote:
I think Manny Ortiz had these same issues at times with the Sigma 85 Art. All in all when the adapter and len is working correctly, you will get amazing results but this is the flaw of dealing with adapted lenses at times.
Yup, and when Sony comes out with a fast 135mm I will pre-order and buy despite having both the Sony Zeiss A-mount and Sigma 135mm 1.8's. Because adapters...
GMPhotography wrote:
Darn I missed your post. Glad you tried the firmware. I should be getting mine by next Monday I believe but we should start documenting what's going on so we can get this data to Sigma to start looking at working on future firmware. Let me ask did problems happen stopped down or where you more wide open when issues are happening. I ran into pulsating hunting at F11 with the Sony 85 1.8 and depending how these lenses operate as far as opening up to focus than close down actual capture F stop. F8 up I was fine in AFC mode and no problems at all in AFS mode. Which sort of makes sense as in AFC it continually try's to focus.
Agree this is a stop gap until we get a native lens from Sony with this speed or F2
Ken_Cravillion wrote:
Yup, and when Sony comes out with a fast 135mm I will pre-order and buy despite having both the Sony Zeiss A-mount and Sigma 135mm 1.8's. Because adapters...
If you want to do a side by side with the Sony 135mm 1.8 let me know, I've got a copy and live in the north Phoenix area!
What I have found shooting both the Sigma and Sony 1.8's is the Sony with LA-EA4 with reliably AF in lower light than the Sigma with MC11. I used it for first dance stuff in shitty lit receptions last fall. That said because we get native options with the Sigma focusing on sensor I find it more accurate. With the Sony I gave up using it on paid jobs because depending on the distance to the subject the focus micro adjustment is different. I love it to death but can't trust it will nail AF.
I keep thinking about getting an A99II just for the 135mm but then talk myself out of it.
p.5 #10 · Sigma 135 1.8 thoughts? AF functionality
Ken_Cravillion wrote:
What I have found shooting both the Sigma and Sony 1.8's is the Sony with LA-EA4 with reliably AF in lower light than the Sigma with MC11. I used it for first dance stuff in shitty lit receptions last fall. That said because we get native options with the Sigma focusing on sensor I find it more accurate. With the Sony I gave up using it on paid jobs because depending on the distance to the subject the focus micro adjustment is different. I love it to death but can't trust it will nail AF.
I keep thinking about getting an A99II just for the 135mm but then talk myself out of it. ...Show more →
Thanks for sharing the excellent shots Ken.
The ZA135 to my knowledge has one of the best color and OOF (bokeh) renderings coupled with good pop (though not as much as ZE 100MP). In your opinion how do you think the sigma compares in these aspects?
p.5 #11 · Sigma 135 1.8 thoughts? AF functionality
bbvaj wrote:
Thanks for sharing the excellent shots Ken.
The ZA135 to my knowledge has one of the best color and OOF (bokeh) renderings coupled with good pop (though not as much as ZE 100MP). In your opinion how do you think the sigma compares in these aspects?
My initial impressions of the Sigma is the bokeh is pretty damn good. Depending on the weather tomorrow I can do a shootout between the two. I've got two A7RII's so I can shoot with both lenses back to back. Colorwise, the Sigma seems cooler than the Sony Zeiss. I'll let you guys know tomorrow hopefully.
p.5 #13 · Sigma 135 1.8 thoughts? AF functionality
Ken_Cravillion wrote:
What I have found shooting both the Sigma and Sony 1.8's is the Sony with LA-EA4 with reliably AF in lower light than the Sigma with MC11. I used it for first dance stuff in shitty lit receptions last fall. That said because we get native options with the Sigma focusing on sensor I find it more accurate. With the Sony I gave up using it on paid jobs because depending on the distance to the subject the focus micro adjustment is different. I love it to death but can't trust it will nail AF.
I keep thinking about getting an A99II just for the 135mm but then talk myself out of it. ...Show more →
Same here I simply gave up and actually sold the Sony 135 and received the Sigma 135 a week ago. I used it Saturday during low light and it actually focused faster with my a7rII than the Sigma 85mm 1.4......
p.5 #16 · Sigma 135 1.8 thoughts? AF functionality
Ken_Cravillion wrote:
My initial impressions of the Sigma is the bokeh is pretty damn good. Depending on the weather tomorrow I can do a shootout between the two. I've got two A7RII's so I can shoot with both lenses back to back. Colorwise, the Sigma seems cooler than the Sony Zeiss. I'll let you guys know tomorrow hopefully.
p.5 #19 · Sigma 135 1.8 thoughts? AF functionality
GMPhotography wrote:
Question on the Sigma software.
Obviously download the software to start.
Than any updates to the dock itself if any
Now do I update the MC-11 by itself and lens by itself or do I connect them both at the same time.
I would think separately. Any tips would be helpful
You update the lens by itself and the MC-11 by itself.. you connect the MC-11 to the computer via the USB port on the MC-11 and do the update. (The MC-11 can't be used as a USB dock for updating. ) You connect the lens to the computer via the USB dock and check for updates to the lens, or to adjust it.
p.5 #20 · Sigma 135 1.8 thoughts? AF functionality
Thanks what I thought just wanted to be sure
bjornthun wrote:
You update the lens by itself and the MC-11 by itself.. you connect the MC-11 to the computer via the USB port on the MC-11 and do the update. (The MC-11 can't be used as a USB dock for updating. ) You connect the lens to the computer via the USB dock and check for updates to the lens, or to adjust it.
