p.17 #2 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
A 100mm f/1.4 GM sounds exciting. However, in my opinion, while other similar GM lenses, like the 85 and 135, have really nice bokeh, they look a little flat. I kinda wish they have that unique 3D character that Zeiss lenses have.
My dream lens would be an 85mm version of the Zony 50mm f/1.4 ZA - heck, maybe I should just get this lens.
p.17 #3 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Fred Miranda wrote:
I still prefer the FE 85/1.4 GM's rendering as a dedicated portrait lens. It's slight under-corrected for SA wide open and at mid distance, transition zone rendition is always smooth and pleasant. Lenses like the FE 135/1.8 GM and new Sigma 85/1.4 are technically better corrected for CA and SA but I don't see the same pleasant rendering, even though they are still capably of neutral and well balanced bokeh.
Also, specular highlights are rounder towards the edges which is rare for a telephoto, making this lens unique.
If they were the same price, I would still take the GM. AF is slower but for portraits it is accurate.
But despite that I might get the Simga; I've never got the GM because it's just a bit big for the amount and style I would use it, and have made do with the Batis.
I think the GM is nicer rendering than the Batis for the reasons you suggest, and I think the Sigma is similar in rendering to the Batis. But it's also not much bigger and heavier, so I am sorely tempted, even though the GM is a bit nicer (the tack sharpness wide open of the Sigma may be a touch better than either too, not that that matters much.
p.17 #4 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
From what I’ve used of the 135 it is anything but flat, it absolutely pops and that desired 3D effect is easily achievable.
Imo it’s THE best portrait lens for the Sony
Paniolo wrote:
A 100mm f/1.4 GM sounds exciting. However, in my opinion, while other similar GM lenses, like the 85 and 135, have really nice bokeh, they look a little flat. I kinda wish they have that unique 3D character that Zeiss lenses have.
My dream lens would be an 85mm version of the Zony 50mm f/1.4 ZA - heck, maybe I should just get this lens.
p.17 #5 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Finally had a free evening to try the lens outside the house for a bit. With COVID, no real opportunity for any portraits, but here are some samples in pleasing as well as harsh light. Hopefully they might help some on the fence evaluate its rendering, but overall I'm pleased with it. Very well managed LoCA, extremely fast auto-focus, no white balance issues, pleasing DOF transition.
I'll agree the bokeh is busier and less clean that the GM, but as someone who mostly just wanted a better fast 85 for night and event shooting vs. the absolute best portrait lens, I think it's a keeper at $1,000 less than the Sony GM.
p.17 #6 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
TBH, the 85 GM was the first Sony GM prime, and it's not quite as exciting as the two most recent ones: the 24 GM and the 135 GM. Kind of like the 35mm Art was Sigma's first Art prime, and didn't really measure up to its successors.
So yes, I'm interested. I like the 85mm focal length. I tried the Batis (didn't like it), and I have the FE 85 f/1.8 and the GM 85 f/1.4. The idea of a Sigma Art that is smaller and lighter than the GM is intriguing.
I have used Art Primes on DSLRs (both Nikon and Canon), and used them extensively, but I had no interest in them on E mount because they were DSLR designs with built-in mount converters. This is different - a real mirrorless lens.
I'm not going to buy one sight unseen, though, so I'll have to wait a while.
p.17 #7 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
I was intrigued with the excellent video reviews of the Sigma and just wanted to see for myself how well it performed, despite being a very happy owner of the 85mm GM...so I took a punt :-)
I have owned the 85mm GM for 3 years now and the Sigma about a week (I'm not currently intending on selling either one).
This is just my own personal unbiased quick take (not a test with supporting images like Fred's) from my both well centred copies....YMMV with your own copy.
Price, size and weight is a win for Sigma, however the Sigma is now just a 1/8" shorter once the the hood is attached in forward position (both attach to the lens reversed for travel)...The Sigma is notably shorter without Sigma's (longer than Sony's) hood attached. The Sigma's front element is set back further within the lens than the GM's...hopefully it is more resistant to flare (for those that don't like carrying hoods attached).
Handling - I personally prefer the balance of the lighter Sigma, however the gap between the grip and lens attached on A7R4 is narrower on the Sigma...If you have large hands/chubby fingers you might find the back of your fingers rubbing on the sharpish edge of the lens after prolonged carrying about...I would say try the Sigma before you buy via FM links if in doubt.
The 85mm GM has a very noisy AF motor in comparison to the much quieter Sigma...The GM might be a problem for those who shoot videos!
As Fred's earlier comment - "It's slightly under-corrected for SA wide open which I find a more pleasant look for portraits. There is also with less cat-eye shaped specular highlights towards the edges. "...Totally agree, the GM has notably rounder bokeh balls in the corners.
OOF rendering - I do very slightly prefer the GM's...However I think part of the smallish differences that we are seeing between the two are more to do with the lower contrast of the GM when it's shot WO...bump the contrast of the GM in post processing and the rendering differences become less far apart IMHO (likewise reverse contrast of the Sigma to get closer to the GM).
I see some of the differences between these two lenses as being not so dissimilar as in comparison between the 135mm GM and the Sigma 135mm...I very slightly prefer the softer Sigma's rendering WO but prefer the GM's sharper, contrastier, lighter lens.
Resolution at f1.4 (WO)
Centre - Both are excellent (Edit....After further repeated tests the Sigma is again the winner here in the centre of the frame)
Mid-Frame - Winner Sigma
Corners - Winner Sigma
Edit...Off central axis resolution...Subject matter is sharper on the Sigma 85mm (needless to say)
Distortion - Winner Sony GM....The Sigma suffers really badly here with pronounced pin-cushioning (it needs a raw lens profile, otherwise you need to manually correct)....jpegs can be fixed in camera via settings if you so wish.
CA - Winner Sigma, it does a much better job of handling WO images....This goes away on stopping down the GM or can be mostly fixed in post.
AF Speed and Tracking - Winner Sigma (and for low light it appears to lock on target slightly better).
Weight (Acaia calibrated scales) - No Caps/Hood/Filters....Sony GM 818.5g Sigma 623.8g (A difference of 194.7g)
Edit...Despite the official specs of both lenses....Re: Manual Focusing minimum distance the Sigma focuses very slightly closer than the Sony (just under 10 inches across the frame in landscape orientation on a A7R4).
Edit...The Sigma 85mm is very slightly more telephoto than the Sony 85mm.
Vignetting, Coma and Flare I have not tested for.
The heavier GM Is well suited for taking family and friend's portraits with it's softer rendering, although I would now personally choose the lighter Sigma for walkabout/travel over the GM (As for example shooting a chromed Harley D on a sunny day the CA is much better controlled WO).
Hope that helps...These are just my own personal observations, go with or stick with whatever suits you best :-)
Cheers Barry
Edit (After further testing today 12/09/20)...If I was forced to own only one lens (Between the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DN DG and the Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM) and they were both priced the same - It would be a very hard choice to make....but for me the Sigma ticks just a few more boxes than what the Sony does...neither are perfect but both are great lenses for sure :-)
p.17 #8 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Fred Miranda wrote:
I still prefer the FE 85/1.4 GM's rendering as a dedicated portrait lens. It's slight under-corrected for SA wide open and at mid distance, transition zone rendition is always smooth and pleasant. Lenses like the FE 135/1.8 GM and new Sigma 85/1.4 are technically better corrected for CA and SA but I don't see the same pleasant rendering, even though they are still capably of neutral and well balanced bokeh.
Also, specular highlights are rounder towards the edges which is rare for a telephoto, making this lens unique.
If they were the same price, I would still take the GM. AF is slower but for portraits it is accurate.
I am with you. I also think the bokeh and the rendering at GM is much nicer.
I had also considered buying the Sigma 85 DN, but after the test photos here on the net I have to say that the Sony 85 GM is much nicer. Especially the round bokeh (less cat-eye) towards the edge is much nicer and that's why I buy GM lenses.
p.17 #15 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
I should have my copy of this new Sigma later today.
Hopefully it can replace my Sony 85/1.8, something the GM and Samyang never really could because of poor AF. We'll see how the Sigma performs.
p.17 #16 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Jochenb wrote:
I should have my copy of this new Sigma later today.
Hopefully it can replace my Sony 85/1.8, something the GM and Samyang never really could because of poor AF. We'll see how the Sigma performs.
My impression is that Sony 85/1.8 is still the fastest of the three, with Sigma and Samyang being very similar.
The more I shoot, the more I'm inclined to say that Sigma is a bit more reliable than SY in challenging conditions (I am/was generally happy with SY AF performance for most of the time, it's just that it had its worse days when the number of misses went up, maybe due to some specific lightning). I shot a small family birthday with rather bad lightning this weekend and Sigma seemed to perform marginally better.
p.17 #17 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Well as usual for me I got a decentered copy. Not that my 85/1.8 is perfect, at least it’s not as bad as this copy of the Sigma. Always so frustrating.
p.17 #18 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
FWIW, I returned my new 85 Art today. It may be a common issue with this new version but hadn’t heard too many talk about it; however, my deal breaker was horrific glare if the sun (or other strong light source) is anywhere in front of the sensor. The lens hood was no help. Mine was centered properly and I thoroughly enjoyed the lens otherwise.
p.17 #19 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Huh. That’s unfortunate. Meaning in the frame or literally anywhere in front of the sensor?
T_Gordon wrote:
FWIW, I returned my new 85 Art today. It may be a common issue with this new version but hadn’t heard too many talk about it; however, my deal breaker was horrific glare if the sun (or other strong light source) is anywhere in front of the sensor. The lens hood was no help. Mine was centered properly and I thoroughly enjoyed the lens otherwise.
p.17 #20 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
It states the same as on Kickstarter
✔️ UNIVERSAL FIT - ULHgo is the medium sized and most popular ULH lens hood and will fit any lens with a diameter of 50mm or more. Fitting lenses with filter threads of 49/52mm, up to 82mm and any make including all the most popular brands Cannon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Nikkon.
✔️ ANTI REFLECTIONS - The ULHgo is the perfect alternative to a polarising lens filter helping to make perfect clear crisp glare free images through windows without having to photoshop images after the event. The versatile size of the ULHgo means it can replace multiple sizes of lens filter.
✔️ TIMELAPSE ACCESSORY - When setting up a hands free timelapse shoot the ULHgo is perfect for capturing incredibly clear photos through glass when you’re travelling and is ideal for DSLR, Mirrorless, Bridge and Cinelenses equipment.
✔️ INCLUDES CASE - As well as a soft touch anti-static coating that gives the ULH a silky smooth finish and helps to stop bits of fluff, dirt and grit from getting stuck to it, we also include a soft microfibre carry bag perfect for traveling and keeping your ULHgo clean.
✔️ AS SEEN ON KICKSTARTER - ULHgo is a UK brand and is proud to be one of the most successful camera accessories funded by Kickstarter, following its success the Ultimate Lens Hood is in use by thousands of photographers and enthusiasts all over the world. Please BEWARE poor quality FAKE counterfeit copies on Amazon. This is the only official listing.
j4nu wrote:
Hmm, is it really the same one? Makes little sense for the kickstarter then...
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