pingflood wrote:
How have you guys found the focus shift "issue" in practice? I see some tests reported it but hard to say how--if at all--it affects real world shooting. Of course it's a non-issue on a Z body but for us dinosaurs using DSLRs it's al least theoretically something that might affect things.
I haven't seen focus shift with my 40 Art shooting on a D800E. But I've been shooting my 40 Art almost exclusively at f/1.4. It's so good wide-open I haven't felt the need to have to stop it down. For what it's worth, based on what I've read other places on the web, focus shift isn't ever an issue shooting wide open anyway though? It's mostly something you might find if you're shooting in the f/2 to f/2.8 range? Correct me if I'm wrong on this as I confess to be a newb re the focus shift phenom.
pingflood wrote:
How have you guys found the focus shift "issue" in practice? I see some tests reported it but hard to say how--if at all--it affects real world shooting. Of course it's a non-issue on a Z body but for us dinosaurs using DSLRs it's al least theoretically something that might affect things.
Using it on a 5D4, Canon board has no thread for this fantastic lens.
I’ve not noticed the focus shift at all in practice, on my copy. Accuracy with double-cross-type vs cross-type vs. standard autofocus points has been a much more relevant issue for me.
Using this lens wide open is good advice, if it’s dark or if the narrow DOF suits the subject. It also draws quite nicely (color, micro and macro contrast) stopped down to f/4 and f/5.6, and the sharpness at those apertures is even more impressive. Sunstars are nice by around f/5.6.
Probably one of the best overall wide or standard lenses ever. I love mine. Only nits (price and weight aside) are the slower-than-optimal AF speed for action, the slightly harsh foreground transition bokeh, and occasional harsh specular highlight circles at midrange distances (that last one may be largely due to physics).
Finally got mine. Looks like about a -10 on the autofocus adjustment but it's consistent regardless of subject distance (unless my old 50/1,4 HSM which you could only ever get to focus properly at a particular distance) so I am happy with it.
Congratulations. I always adjust my Sigma lenses with the usb dock. My first lens on the d810 was very inconsistent at distances over 5m despite adjustment. I had to adjust my second exemplar to -2. Now the focus sits reliably on all distances. Look forward to your pictures.
Photos to come later, but after a few weeks of shooting this lens on a D850, I am floored. Wide-open or stopped down, I have never seen such performance from any lens I have ever used. I thought the Nikon 70-200E was impressively sharp, but the 40 Art is in another class altogether. Yes, it's a large lens, particularly for the focal length, but it's not THAT big. If one is going to still shoot a full-frame DSLR these days, might as well lean into the larger size and leverage incredible optics like the ones Sigma is putting out lately.
Just picked up this lens and I'm amazed. I opened up the box, threw it on my D810 and aimed it at some pulleys in my garage for a quick snapshot. If I can get used to the size this one will be a keeper for sure.
PB_James wrote:
Photos to come later, but after a few weeks of shooting this lens on a D850, I am floored. Wide-open or stopped down, I have never seen such performance from any lens I have ever used. I thought the Nikon 70-200E was impressively sharp, but the 40 Art is in another class altogether. Yes, it's a large lens, particularly for the focal length, but it's not THAT big. If one is going to still shoot a full-frame DSLR these days, might as well lean into the larger size and leverage incredible optics like the ones Sigma is putting out lately....Show more →
You are absolutely right, even after one year of use my passion for the lens don't stop. A sharper lens in normal focal length range? Simply does not exist. Don't worry about the weight, the results are worth it.
.
