glowrider wrote:
I have the 135mm GM in hand, and after shooting a while with it, I am pretty convinced that the 105mm from Sigma is easier and more comfortable to handhold despite being 1.5x heavier. I know the Sigma is significantly larger, but I love using the foot in my hand with the rounded corners. It is comfortable and doesn't really fatigue my hands. Great leverage. With the 135GM on my A9 gripped, it is just a killer. Literally. If someone gets too close - this will not only be good for self protection, but will probably work even better because you worked it in a bit. My hands are aching.
The 135GM is a beast. The AF is on another level than the 105mm. Pairing with a 85FE is a beautiful combo (fast acquisition and tracking on both, can fit both in just about the same space as the 105). Or just run with the 105 Sigma and execute on technique properly, and not lazily. It is a much easier/more forgiving lens than the 135GM. Wanted to share that here....Show more →
That's an interesting perspective. What about the 135 makes it tiring to hold? The weight in addition to nowhere to put your hands to support the lens?
I have not used the 135 GM but have multiple 135s in the past and without doubt I prefer Sigma 105. I am currently using it on Z7 and even though it's a huge lens, it is not uncomfortable to use. The only drawback is the front element because it takes too much space in the bag.
Also, for me 105mm is a lot more useful FL as I can use it indoors and outside compared to 135 which was mostly an outdoor lens for me.
Having owned the 105, and now the 135GM, I can say that it would be easy to shoot with the latter, one handed, all day. The 105, not so much. YMMV of course.
And not dissing the 105. It is a gorgeous lens, but it was far bulkier and awkward to use for me.
With 2 handed shooting, it has to do with the lead hand's grip. Grabbing a big barrel means a more opened grip that would lead to quicker fatigue. At the same time, typically the tripod foot on the Sigma 105 is not exactly at the balance point either. It's a matter of finding the balance point for the set up to place your lead hand grip there.
chinoamigo wrote:
That's an interesting perspective. What about the 135 makes it tiring to hold? The weight in addition to nowhere to put your hands to support the lens?
I suppose it's the lack of leverage. It's in the hand as opposed to having a little assist. I'm a brute and do not mind heavy lenses like 105 1.4, 70-200gm 100-400 etc, but I am noticing the 135 for its weight.
This guy is only 5" long but it is heavy heavy heavy. Maybe chunky. Looks like a little cousin of the 105.
GMPhotography wrote:
Folks if your using a RRS ball head with lever clamp there is no adjustment for thickness of the Arca mount it’s why I asked. With the Arca Swiss Z1 lever ball head it is adjustable. Sooo if your sporting a RRS stuff lever clamp than you need to buy another ball head or add a plate that does fit. I’m thinking of getting one so I need to know this. A screw thread ball head won’t matter but a lever clamp depending on brand will. I’ve run into this many of times
I see it was a Kirk ball head so can anyone confirm the RRS lever clamp please...Show more →
A bit late here but RRS lever clamp works with the plate that comes with the Sigma 105 f1.4.
JohnDizzo15 wrote:
Looking good! How are you liking the S1 compared to the Sonys?
Thanks. Sony's implementation of eyeAF and AF is much better than Panasonic. It sticks more but Panasonic isn't as bad either. I prefer square box over the eye rather than the crosshair.
This is a personal preference but I prefer Panasonic S1 ergonomic, dial and menu, and fully touch screen LCD.
The build quality on this is superb. I think it's better than Sony A7III, A9, A7RIII, EOS R I've tried. Holding the S1 with 105 1.4 felt really balance.
There are alot of customization for serious photographers such the front switch to change from mechanical shutter to fully electronic with a flip, backlit buttons, 10 custom settings and save those setting to SD card/XQD card.
The IBIS on this is really effective. I heard people can handheld 2.5 seconds still shot. I have no problem with 1 seconds but I need more test. I tested some video and handholding and it's really steady.
While everyone is saying the 5.76 million dot EVF is amazing, it is good and better the Sony I've tried and EOS R, it is not mind blowing awesome. It's definitely good enough for me not to miss OVF.
The dynamic range, ISO performance, and video blow my 5D IV and similar level to Sony camera.
Thanks for the info. How is the AF and CAF? Does eye-AF work in CAF?
tbdinh wrote:
Thanks. Sony's implementation of eyeAF and AF is much better than Panasonic. It sticks more but Panasonic isn't as bad either. I prefer square box over the eye rather than the crosshair.
This is a personal preference but I prefer Panasonic S1 ergonomic, dial and menu, and fully touch screen LCD.
The build quality on this is superb. I think it's better than Sony A7III, A9, A7RIII, EOS R I've tried. Holding the S1 with 105 1.4 felt really balance.
There are alot of customization for serious photographers such the front switch to change from mechanical shutter to fully electronic with a flip, backlit buttons, 10 custom settings and save those setting to SD card/XQD card.
The IBIS on this is really effective. I heard people can handheld 2.5 seconds still shot. I have no problem with 1 seconds but I need more test. I tested some video and handholding and it's really steady.
While everyone is saying the 5.76 million dot EVF is amazing, it is good and better the Sony I've tried and EOS R, it is not mind blowing awesome. It's definitely good enough for me not to miss OVF.
The dynamic range, ISO performance, and video blow my 5D IV and similar level to Sony camera. ...Show more →
ajamils wrote:
Thanks for the info. How is the AF and CAF? Does eye-AF work in CAF?
No C-AF with the adapter. Eye AF works with S-AF. I heard the native lenses C-AF and eyeAF in C-AF all works. Sigma 105 1.4 L mount won't be release until later this year.
I think Sigma will update to support C-AF just like they did with MC-11 for Sony. MC-11 was released after 2 years of A7 with no AF-C and MC-21 was released within a month of S1. Sigma is busy with Foveon FF L mount camera, 11 L mount lenses so I don't know how much resources they can dedicate to making C-AF works.
bluloo wrote:
Having owned the 105, and now the 135GM, I can say that it would be easy to shoot with the latter, one handed, all day. The 105, not so much. YMMV of course.
What I find entertaining is people love the 135 1.4 Sigma. At 2.5 lbs they use it because it's really good. Yet people absolutely slam the Sigma 40 1.4 that's 2.6 lbs because it's apparently too heavy to use, yet it's still a full pound lighter than the 105 1.4.
stflbn wrote:
What I find entertaining is people love the 135 1.4 Sigma. At 2.5 lbs they use it because it's really good. Yet people absolutely slam the Sigma 40 1.4 that's 2.6 lbs because it's apparently too heavy to use, yet it's still a full pound lighter than the 105 1.4.
People are willing to carry around a 12lbs 400mm lens and not a 12lbs 24mm lens. What is surprising about that?
So I rented this lens and I have to say with regards to image quality it's absolutely phenomenal. Seriously. Anyone on the fence worried about that should pick this lens up right now, you won't regret it. I can't get over how sharp it already is at F1.4 Surprisingly, I actually found AF speed to be very fast and reliable, even at F1.4. It tracked eyes confidently on my A7III. It also had no issue with movement. In high movement bursts I got a great hitrate, amazing actually. I'd pit it against the native lenses any day.
Of course, the issue is it's massive size and weight. The weight is somewhat manageable although I definitely start feeling it after handholding it for a few hours, but the size is what makes it cumbersome. I think if I had some kind of studio or often on a shoot and absolutely needing to deliver (or if I went to the gym more often) then I'd get this lens in a heartbeat, but for my purposes the Sony 85GM and Samyang 85 F1.4 with their manageable size and weight are probably better suited.
Anyway, the samples speak for themselves. Let's get this lens in the enthusiast eye again.
As I've said, IQ is simply amazing. Bokeh is very smooth in most situations. Hay Fever #1 by DerKoekje, on Flickr
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But I had a few shots where bokeh is quite nervous. I think it happens at a certain background distance with a lot of objects. Here's an example. Snake Charmer by DerKoekje, on Flickr
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Action is no problem for the lens. I mean I'm not sure if I'd whip it out for sports but to be fair I didn't try it out on sports so maybe it's great, what do I know. Birds and cars come close. These birds were fighting like crazy by the way so I was shocked to see the lens keeping up. Trial By Cracker by DerKoekje, on Flickr
Todd wrote:
I used my Sony A7rIII and the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 Art last night for the eclipse. I shoes to go wide so I could get a star field behind it and the moon is to the right of the beehive open cluster (M44). The camera/lens setup was guided on my AstroTrac. I like the way it turned out.... Questions?
Extra ordinary capture! Shows the versatility of the "Bokeh Monster" under capable hands!
