p.26 #1 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Photosbydlee wrote:
Everyone has a different purpose for each lens. Most people consider a 90mm macro as a macro lens but I shoot 0 macro with mine, it’s only used for product/still life photography. I find both 35mm and 85mm as somewhat general purpose lenses. An 85mm lens can be great for portraits, street, still life and landscapes.
For me I would never be able to use the 90mm Macro only as the specular highlights are the weirdest and ugliest shape (IMO) wide open and even stopped down slightly. If I had to own one it would probably be the 85mm. If Sony had an 85mm that can focus close like the new RF 85mm f/2 then I think that would be my ideal lens. ...Show more →
The 100STF! If, of course, you could live with the 4 stops of light loss haha. In all seriousness, I think we may view short telephotos similarly...I tend to use mine as general purpose, walk about lenses and I like to get close (but not macro) so MFD is something I'm always bumping up against. A slower max aperture is something I'd be willing to sacrifice even slightly higher magnification. Actually, it is something I sacrificed as I am a 100STF owner...
p.26 #2 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Dave Sanders wrote:
The 100STF! If, of course, you could live with the 4 stops of light loss haha. In all seriousness, I think we may view short telephotos similarly...I tend to use mine as general purpose, walk about lenses and I like to get close (but not macro) so MFD is something I'm always bumping up against. A slower max aperture is something I'd be willing to sacrifice even slightly higher magnification. Actually, it is something I sacrificed as I am a 100STF owner...
Although that lens looks nice, too pricey for me and close to the 135GM which is a dream lens haha. Yeah certain focal lengths work well for general purpose, 35mm being mine on the wide end. I could easily get by with the 35/85 combo with what I shoot.
I’m the same, if I could trade the f/1.4 aperture for something maybe f/1.8 that could focus much closer with higher magnification then I happily would. This 85mm Art can focus a tiny bit closer compared to the Samyang which is good too.
p.26 #4 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
If anyone is interested, I just did a quick test between my Sigma 85mm, Samyang 85mm, Samyang 75mm and the CV 65mm f2 thrown in for good measure (all on my A7RIV). Only testing centre and corner sharpness at this stage but my initial impressions are:
Samyang 75mm - very sharp in the centre from f1.8, soft in the corners but acceptable from f5.6.
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Samyang 85mm - ok at f1.4 in the centre but gets very sharp by f2. Corners better than the 75mm, useable at f1.4/f2 and sharpish from f2.8. Very sharp at f5.6.
Sigma 85 - Literally razor sharp across the frame from f1.4. I would say it's definitely in the league of the 135mm GM and CV 65mm. Lack of noticeable CA is also a big positive for me.
Eye AF also worked really well at f1.4 onwards, and build quality is really very nice. I haven't shot enough with any of the lenses to make a comparison with rendering, but I am pleased with the output of the Sigma. All in all, for me I consider it a worthy upgrade over the SY85. It's smaller and denser than the Samyang and balances very well on the A7RIV.
p.26 #5 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
i went with the gm over this new sigma..i think i would have been satisfied with either of them and i’m not sure i made the best choice, but i am quite happy anyway and won’t be changing..although i remain interested in comparisons between the two lenses.
i chose the gm for the rendering wide open..where i will take its look over the extra sharpness of the sigma..mostly due to bokeh shape i think but this only matters in some shots. however i want to see more comparisons between the two lenses stopped down slightly at f1.6 f1.8 and f2.0 and also more comparisons between them in regards to flare where i feel like the reports have been mixed.
p.26 #6 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Photosbydlee wrote:
Although that lens looks nice, too pricey for me and close to the 135GM which is a dream lens haha. Yeah certain focal lengths work well for general purpose, 35mm being mine on the wide end. I could easily get by with the 35/85 combo with what I shoot.
I’m the same, if I could trade the f/1.4 aperture for something maybe f/1.8 that could focus much closer with higher magnification then I happily would. This 85mm Art can focus a tiny bit closer compared to the Samyang which is good too.
Yes, the 100STF isn't cheap and it is a very specialized lens. It's quite uniquely different from the 85GM and the 135GM...or any other lens made, for that matter. The bokeh can't really be compared to something like the 135GM. On the flip side, the 135GM has a lot shallower DOF and thus will blow out backgrounds a lot more. My goal is to own both hahaha...the 135GM is a dream lens for me too.
p.26 #7 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
So a big consideration of mine when buying a lens that's supposed to be this sharp is if I can forego extra sharpening in post that typically brings out more noise. How do the files from the 85 DG DN look when they're exported from RAW with no added sharpening? Do you guys think they're comparable to shots from other lenses like the Samyang or the GM when those images have sharpening added?
I ask because when I see things like people saying "literally tack sharp" and that it's in 135 GM class when it comes to sharpness it makes me think I should be absolutely blown away by the sharpness of the files. The images I've shot with my copy are nice, but when shooting portraits at full body distance for example I still feel like I need a good amount of sharpening to get acceptable results. Am I just expecting too much, or does it sound like I have a bad copy?
p.26 #8 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Teo Rey wrote:
So a big consideration of mine when buying a lens that's supposed to be this sharp is if I can forego extra sharpening in post that typically brings out more noise. How do the files from the 85 DG DN look when they're exported from RAW with no added sharpening? Do you guys think they're comparable to shots from other lenses like the Samyang or the GM when those images have sharpening added?
I ask because when I see things like people saying "literally tack sharp" and that it's in 135 GM class when it comes to sharpness it makes me think I should be absolutely blown away by the sharpness of the files. The images I've shot with my copy are nice, but when shooting portraits at full body distance for example I still feel like I need a good amount of sharpening to get acceptable results. Am I just expecting too much, or does it sound like I have a bad copy?...Show more →
Shoot the same image at roughly the same mag ratio with the 85DG and the 135GM, eg. a portrait. Basically, get the same number of pixels resolving the same amount of detail. See how it looks then.
p.26 #9 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Teo Rey wrote:
So a big consideration of mine when buying a lens that's supposed to be this sharp is if I can forego extra sharpening in post that typically brings out more noise. How do the files from the 85 DG DN look when they're exported from RAW with no added sharpening? Do you guys think they're comparable to shots from other lenses like the Samyang or the GM when those images have sharpening added?
I ask because when I see things like people saying "literally tack sharp" and that it's in 135 GM class when it comes to sharpness it makes me think I should be absolutely blown away by the sharpness of the files. The images I've shot with my copy are nice, but when shooting portraits at full body distance for example I still feel like I need a good amount of sharpening to get acceptable results. Am I just expecting too much, or does it sound like I have a bad copy?...Show more →
You maybe expecting too much but every sensor made needs to at least get to a base level. You really have too be careful on how you do things. No question most folks overcook everything and don’t have too . What many don’t realize is your files from the 24/42/61 are quite big to begin with. It’s not just a sharpness slider but controlling your settings . Typically this would not look like your adding noise if your getting your post correctly. Basic problem , not necessarily you but folks go buy expensive gear and not put a thought into anything post and how to work it. You need to make your magic. I can’t imagine this lens not doing great things from what I seen so far. But at 1.4 at 20 feet is not your best test shot to go by either.
p.26 #10 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Teo Rey wrote:
So a big consideration of mine when buying a lens that's supposed to be this sharp is if I can forego extra sharpening in post that typically brings out more noise. How do the files from the 85 DG DN look when they're exported from RAW with no added sharpening? Do you guys think they're comparable to shots from other lenses like the Samyang or the GM when those images have sharpening added?
I ask because when I see things like people saying "literally tack sharp" and that it's in 135 GM class when it comes to sharpness it makes me think I should be absolutely blown away by the sharpness of the files. The images I've shot with my copy are nice, but when shooting portraits at full body distance for example I still feel like I need a good amount of sharpening to get acceptable results. Am I just expecting too much, or does it sound like I have a bad copy?...Show more →
I'm happy to share some unsharpened full size images if you like. I'm guilty of generally just loading them into C1 and leaving sharpening at default levels unless I'm planning on printing. Most of my comparisons are made that way so at least should be consistent between lenses.
I haven't got the 85GM, but certainly I would say that the Sigma is slightly sharper at f1.4 unsharpened than the Samyang is with sharpening in the centre, and no contest at the corners.
p.26 #11 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Dave Sanders wrote:
Shoot the same image at roughly the same mag ratio with the 85DG and the 135GM, eg. a portrait. Basically, get the same number of pixels resolving the same amount of detail. See how it looks then.
I would love to, but unfortunately I don't have access to the 135 haha
p.26 #12 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
GMPhotography wrote:
You maybe expecting too much but every sensor made needs to at least get to a base level. You really have too be careful on how you do things. No question most folks overcook everything and don’t have too . What many don’t realize is your files from the 24/42/61 are quite big to begin with. It’s not just a sharpness slider but controlling your settings . Typically this would not look like your adding noise if your getting your post correctly. Basic problem , not necessarily you but folks go buy expensive gear and not put a thought into anything post and how to work it. You need to make your magic. I can’t imagine this lens not doing great things from what I seen so far. But at 1.4 at 20 feet is not your best test shot to go by either....Show more →
Fair enough! I'll try and figure out how to upload a few to Flickr and get them to display here and see what everyone thinks
p.26 #13 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
dave unwin wrote:
I'm happy to share some unsharpened full size images if you like. I'm guilty of generally just loading them into C1 and leaving sharpening at default levels unless I'm planning on printing. Most of my comparisons are made that way so at least should be consistent between lenses.
I haven't got the 85GM, but certainly I would say that the Sigma is slightly sharper at f1.4 unsharpened than the Samyang is with sharpening in the centre, and no contest at the corners.
I would love to see some, however many you're happy to share! Especially if you have portraits, as that's my main use case
p.26 #14 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
GMPhotography wrote:
You maybe expecting too much but every sensor made needs to at least get to a base level. You really have too be careful on how you do things. No question most folks overcook everything and don’t have too . What many don’t realize is your files from the 24/42/61 are quite big to begin with. It’s not just a sharpness slider but controlling your settings . Typically this would not look like your adding noise if your getting your post correctly. Basic problem , not necessarily you but folks go buy expensive gear and not put a thought into anything post and how to work it. You need to make your magic. I can’t imagine this lens not doing great things from what I seen so far. But at 1.4 at 20 feet is not your best test shot to go by either....Show more →
What are good conditions to test a lens like this when shooting wide open?
p.26 #15 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Teo Rey wrote:
I would love to see some, however many you're happy to share! Especially if you have portraits, as that's my main use case
That's very helpful information, thank you!
Hopefully this link will work ok, let me know if not. Where I've turned off all sharpening, I've added a suffix *_unsharp, everything else has default C1 sharpening turned on. They're fairly low quality jpegs but should give you a bit of an idea.
p.26 #16 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Teo Rey wrote:
What are good conditions to test a lens like this when shooting wide open?
For testing purpose try a wall of wood or sign with high detail. Get on a tripod and run the Apertures from 1.4 to at least 5.6 see how they compare. First see if you got a good lens copy than go from there. A lot of these 1.4 lenses don’t get great to even 1.8 it may start. For instance the GM 85 big difference between 1.4 and 1.8 or the 50 1.4 same thing. Eve than they where great copies .
p.26 #17 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
Been keen to get the 85mm out but we've had a lock down which limited portrait shoots. Finally got it out today although I need to process the images properly.
p.26 #18 · In Stock: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art ($1,199)
I was pretty convinced I was keeping my 85GM until today. We finally got a good shipment of the Sigma so that gave me the ability to try one a little better and print some large silver halide prints to get a better look at its rendering etc. Seeing a 30 x 20 or 45 x 30 inch print in the flesh is better than pixel peeping on screen.
The Sigma may have swayed my thinking. Im going to test it a lot more over the coming days but it is a very special lens in the sharpness department, it also renders skin tones with a nice smoothness and Ive found the bokeh to be a 50/50 call whilst testing against the GM which I didn't expect. (some shots were better, some were worse)
Sure there is a little more contrast in the bokeh but a very quick and easy radial selection can deal with that whereas there is no way of upping the missing factors on the GM.
I also have a 105mm DG DN with me to test also.
