p.22 #1 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
TORP wrote:
Not sure what they are complaining about, it's a spectacular lens based on my short term experiences with it.
Most of the people I have seen to date seem to be more interested in justifying their current purchase of the GM. It's the same outcome as when the Tamron 28-75 came out (and people will trying to justify why the GM was so much better), and then when the Sigma 24-70 (both the GM and Tamron users were trying to justify their purchases.
People feel threatened that there may be a better lens out there, and in an attempt to make themselves feel comfortable, they pull it down seeking anything that may be a problem. The irony of which is that the Sigma being good doesn't make their old lens any less capable of producing amazing photos.
If someone has an existing GM lens and wants to actively participate in a Sigma thread, that should be the first indication of it. Why would they actively go to a Sigma thread if they have no interest in purchasing the lens, other than to try pull it down. What they fail to realise is that these types of things are better for all of us. Competition is good....Show more →
People do often try to justify their purchases, but not everyone saying that there are things about then GM that are preferable are doing that.
If. For example, have neither and will probably get the Sigma to replace my Batis. I prefer it over the GM because it’s more compact and probably, before distortion correction which you won’t always have to use, a touch sharper. But from what I’ve seen at medium distances and complex backgrounds the GM renders more attractively. I think the same is true about the GM 24-70 versus the Tamron (where I have neither, in fact I currently have no zooms). Of course more attractive rendering of Complex backgrounds at certain distances does not make a lens overall better. Each of us has to decide the weightings on the package of features that we care about.
p.22 #2 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
DavidBM wrote:
People do often try to justify their purchases, but not everyone saying that there are things about then GM that are preferable are doing that.
If. For example, have neither and will probably get the Sigma to replace my Batis. I prefer it over the GM because it’s more compact and probably, before distortion correction which you won’t always have to use, a touch sharper. But from what I’ve seen at medium distances and complex backgrounds the GM renders more attractively. I think the same is true about the GM 24-70 versus the Tamron (where I have neither, in fact I currently have no zooms). Of course more attractive rendering of Complex backgrounds at certain distances does not make a lens overall better. Each of us has to decide the weightings on the package of features that we care about....Show more →
The other thing to consider is the quality of the photos when the lens first comes out. You have a limited selection of photos because only a small volume of people have had them for a short period of time. We're not really seeing the top professional shots yet. The GM having been out for a lot longer has given far more people the opportunity to take photos under better conditions so of course there will be thousandsof better photos out there.
Anyway, sidetracking the discussion. Here are some of my other daughter from today. I can't do any model shoots due to lock down and a 5km limitation so family is all I have access to.
p.22 #5 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
The rendering is really pleasing for sure! Damm if only b&h throws a one day sale. Still recovering from sony 12-24 gm + 100-400 gm purchase but the price is pretty great for the performance as i always wanted the 85 gm but never went for it thinking sigma might remake the 85 which they did. Might pull the trigger bit later! Lately been actually happy with the samyang performance (af accuracy has been my complaint about it), still I have sigma GAS coming back again!
p.22 #6 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
DavidBM wrote:
People do often try to justify their purchases, but not everyone saying that there are things about then GM that are preferable are doing that.
If. For example, have neither and will probably get the Sigma to replace my Batis. I prefer it over the GM because it’s more compact and probably, before distortion correction which you won’t always have to use, a touch sharper. But from what I’ve seen at medium distances and complex backgrounds the GM renders more attractively. I think the same is true about the GM 24-70 versus the Tamron (where I have neither, in fact I currently have no zooms). Of course more attractive rendering of Complex backgrounds at certain distances does not make a lens overall better. Each of us has to decide the weightings on the package of features that we care about....Show more →
All it comes down to David is that you may have to be a little bit more aware/careful with your backgrounds when shooting portraits with the Sigma vs the GM: bread and butter stuff for any pro.
Also, from the samples I have seen online, the Sigma's sharper, apo performance at 1.4, gives faces more tonality and 3D quality to my eye...
p.22 #7 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Petegh wrote:
All it comes down to David is that you may have to be a little bit more aware/careful with your backgrounds when shooting portraits with the Sigma vs the GM: bread and butter stuff for any pro.
Also, from the samples I have seen online, the Sigma's sharper, apo performance at 1.4, gives faces more tonality and 3D quality to my eye...
Sure you can mitigate many disadvantages with a bit of care! But despite thinking that in some circs where I might not want to change background the GM will look a bit nicer, I've ordered the Sigma, precisely because of the slight sharpness advantage wide open and its size. I think the worse colour correction of the GM probably contributes to the good aspects of the bokeh as well as the bad aspects (the bad aspect being colour fringing). Slight under correction of spherical aberration makes for nicer bokeh, but it also makes it likely that there will be frequency dependent spherical aberration - ie spherochromatism - which gives you colour fringing on highlights and if there is far too much (more than GM) starts to make the bokeh a bit ugly. I may do a three way review with Sigma and Batis and GM on Phillipreeve.net
p.22 #8 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
photomadnz wrote:
As much as I love what Im seeing with this lens I cant help but agree with Fred at this point. Id probably live without the last ounce of sharpness in favour of the GM's bokeh. Im a bit torn on this one.....
I don't have either, so no dog in the fight. But I tend to agree from what I'm seeing.
p.22 #11 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
DavidBM wrote:
Sure you can mitigate many disadvantages with a bit of care! But despite thinking that in some circs where I might not want to change background the GM will look a bit nicer, I've ordered the Sigma, precisely because of the slight sharpness advantage wide open and its size. I think the worse colour correction of the GM probably contributes to the good aspects of the bokeh as well as the bad aspects (the bad aspect being colour fringing). Slight under correction of spherical aberration makes for nicer bokeh, but it also makes it likely that there will be frequency dependent spherical aberration - ie spherochromatism - which gives you colour fringing on highlights and if there is far too much (more than GM) starts to make the bokeh a bit ugly. I may do a three way review with Sigma and Batis and GM on Phillipreeve.net ...Show more →
Yes, that's the double-edged sword: once your brain is tuned to look for spherochromatism, its impossible to unsee it. Dustin Abbott's comparison showed the bokeh to be very close between the two: the GM was a bit smoother, but 'dirtier' in colour in bokeh highlights, whilst you have to avoid bokeh highlights towards the edge of the frame with the Sigma, as the lemon-shape can be distracting.
I think they are close enough that it just comes down to personal preference on this one: I prioritize the subject and prefer the way the Sigma renders it; each to his own...
p.22 #17 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Thinking about buying this lens. With primes I currently have a gap in focal length. I go from the 40mm Batis to to my favorite the 135mm GM. I tried the FE 85mm 1.8 and while a great lens for the money there was just something uninspiring to me. The rendering, micro contrast? Not sure but just did not do it for me. Maybe because I am so use to my 135mm. Maybe this new 85mm 1.4 might be the answer.
p.22 #18 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
I've only used this lens a few times, and nothing outdoors or int the direction of dappled light or string lights, yet, but I love the look and feel of it. Smooth transition to OOF and it just sort of turns to butter. I'm certainly no lens expert, this lens focuses fairly quickly, and the eye focus works great with it. I like that the aperture ring can be locked, and the lens balanced nicely on my A7R4.
p.22 #19 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Mystik wrote:
Yeah for a fast aperture 85MM....rendering and bokeh > absolute sharpness. Not that the 85GM isn't a sharp lens
From what I have seen, the GM is a very sharp lens when and where you need it to be. Is it as sharp as the Sigma? Looks like it isn't, but to my eyes that's only truly evident on a downloaded file displayed at 100% on screen. I think, as you point out, I'm going to focus more on rendering of a portrait lens, probably even more so than bokeh. The 85GM does a very nice (and kind) job of people in terms of contrast and sharpness. As a 100STF owner, every lens is a decided and noticeable step down in terms of bokeh, full stop. From my perspective I don't see the point in arguing about the difference in bokeh between the GM and the Sigma; they're awfully close and still quite a ways away from the STF.
I also own the Loxia 85 which is, IMO, unmatched as a sharp mid tele landscape lens so my lust for a fast 85 is more or less from a DOF and light gathering perspective...I'm not sure I'd be too worried about cross field sharpness or distortion. Throw in a dash of rendering...it's a bit of a toss up. I think I prefer the GM, but it's costly even used, at least here in Canada. The Sigma looks great and it is indeed smaller. Then I guess I could throw in the Batis 85 if I was really serious about size and weight savings...spoiled for choice, I guess. I've decided that I really like having an aperture ring so I think that would eliminate the B85 from consideration for me, unless I got a fantastic deal.
Anyways, keep the samples coming. I'll continue to waffle back and forth for another year
p.22 #20 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Dave Sanders wrote:
From what I have seen, the GM is a very sharp lens when and where you need it to be. Is it as sharp as the Sigma? Looks like it isn't, but to my eyes that's only truly evident on a downloaded file displayed at 100% on screen. I think, as you point out, I'm going to focus more on rendering of a portrait lens, probably even more so than bokeh. The 85GM does a very nice (and kind) job of people in terms of contrast and sharpness. As a 100STF owner, every lens is a decided and noticeable step down in terms of bokeh, full stop. From my perspective I don't see the point in arguing about the difference in bokeh between the GM and the Sigma; they're awfully close and still quite a ways away from the STF.
I also own the Loxia 85 which is, IMO, unmatched as a sharp mid tele landscape lens so my lust for a fast 85 is more or less from a DOF and light gathering perspective...I'm not sure I'd be too worried about cross field sharpness or distortion. Throw in a dash of rendering...it's a bit of a toss up. I think I prefer the GM, but it's costly even used, at least here in Canada. The Sigma looks great and it is indeed smaller. Then I guess I could throw in the Batis 85 if I was really serious about size and weight savings...spoiled for choice, I guess. I've decided that I really like having an aperture ring so I think that would eliminate the B85 from consideration for me, unless I got a fantastic deal.
Anyways, keep the samples coming. I'll continue to waffle back and forth for another year ...Show more →
Yeah its an interesting debate this one. I too had the Loxia 85 which is an incredible lens for what it is designed for. But Ive determined through some lens selling etc that I now want a 85mm that can do double duty and for that I need AF. I love the rendering of the GM and find the bokeh and look hard to go past. Ive looked at every comparison online that I can find and the Sigma seems to run close in various scenarios and doesn't look anywhere near as good in others.
I am yet to have a copy of the Sigma in hand to try so I guess my tests for my uses will be the tell tale. I have a 60x40 inch print hanging in our retail space which is a client's file from a GM, wide open, jpeg only, @800 iso on an R3 and it is phenomenal. So the 'worst' aperture and nothing favourable in the shooting and customers want to rub their nose's close to it, tip their glasses, and after that they are simply in awe of the quality. I think sometimes, we as photographers need to keep the absolute sharpness thing in perspective just a little.
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Might pull the trigger bit later! Lately been actually happy with the samyang performance (af accuracy has been my complaint about it), still I have sigma GAS coming back again!
