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Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

ChrisMak
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p.2 #1 · p.2 #1 · Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

j4nu wrote:
I don't understand one thing, 500PF seemed to be extremely popular but so many people here are saying a mid-aperture 500mm prime makes little sense. So, was Nikon 200-500 so bad (optics, size/weight, AF, ...) that it made 500PF great?

As I remember, the reactions to the intitial Nikon 500PF launch were pretty much lukewarm.
But when people started to use it and experienced prime image quality at 500mm with the size and weight of a 70-200 lens, slowly the lens achieved legendary status.

I don't think the Sigma will achieve this, lens options are a lot wider now, and it is not a native lens. Had Sony made such a lens, FE500mm f5.6GM, it could have repeated the Nikon 500PF success, but Sony has launched the 300mm f2.8GM.

Feb 21, 2024 at 03:19 AM

ChrisMak
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p.2 #2 · p.2 #2 · Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

arbitrage wrote:
I know it doesn't affect anything but man that is one ugly lens.

I guess you never used the Sigma 500mm f4S?

That was one ugly lens as well.

B.t.w. having owned the Sigma 500mm f4S, this new lens is no worse, and as we all know, you have to dress up a wildlife lens a bit. The Sony 200-600G is one ugly lens as well, but that is in part a personal opinion.
The 300GM though is a handsome lens.

Feb 21, 2024 at 03:25 AM

adcimagery
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p.2 #3 · p.2 #3 · Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

j4nu wrote:
I don't understand one thing, 500PF seemed to be extremely popular but so many people here are saying a mid-aperture 500mm prime makes little sense. So, was Nikon 200-500 so bad (optics, size/weight, AF, ...) that it made 500PF great?

I think a 500 f/5.6 is divisive. Either you love it, because you wanted super tele prime IQ (or at least want to feel like you have it) at a sub $5K price point; or you are meh on it, because you still recognize that there's ways to get near enough to 500 f/5.6 in a zoom at a lower price and with more flexibility, albeit at more weight.

Specifically for the 200-500, it was just OK and had issues with sample variation. The 500PF impressed people because of the size and IQ. Just like with midrange focal lengths, some people are fine with primes but others couldn't live without zooms.

Feb 21, 2024 at 03:35 AM

johnvanr
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p.2 #4 · p.2 #4 · Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

j4nu wrote:
I don't understand one thing, 500PF seemed to be extremely popular but so many people here are saying a mid-aperture 500mm prime makes little sense. So, was Nikon 200-500 so bad (optics, size/weight, AF, ...) that it made 500PF great?

I loved the 500PF, but only ever used it on the D500, so it was effectively much longer. I had a 500mm for my Canon and replaced it with a 600mm, because 500mm feels a bit short for birds (and because Canon never matched the D500 camera).

Feb 21, 2024 at 03:55 AM

ChrisMak
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p.2 #5 · p.2 #5 · Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

from the petapixel review:

Similarly, the Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 is an exceptionally good lens with more versatility than a fixed lens, but it still can’t compete with the excellent image quality of the Sigma 500mm

Auto focus speed and accuracy also get's high ratings in the reviews I saw so far, allegedly (so with some reservations) Sigma's best so far and on par with GM lenses, as does the lens OS.
No chromatic abberations or flare, so then all there is to wonder about: does it have the pixie dust from accomplished super tele primes?

Feb 21, 2024 at 05:44 AM

Stephen G
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p.2 #6 · p.2 #6 · Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

adcimagery wrote:
I second the "why not a 200-600" comment. The 500mm isn't small enough to really make a difference in carrying IMO - either way you're dedicating a lot of bag space, and at the end of the day, there's so much more flexibility to the zoom.

Maybe when I see some more reviews out, the image quality will make enough of a difference, but that price still feels steep when good zooms around that FL are below $2K.

As for the 15mm, my preorder is in. Looks like the performance on stars is incredible, and I'm excited to try this lens out...Show more →

Not much of a tele guy, but I seasonally dabble in them some years for birding ..

That said, I'd agree on the Sony 200-600 compare.
VS the Sony 200-600, Sigma500 is 33% lighter, 25% shorter, but 50% more expensive and 50% longer MFD.
It's what.. maybe a 1/2 to 2/3 stop faster at 500mm?
I don't really get it.

Similar vs Sigma's own 150-600
Sigma500 is ~33% lighter, ~10% shorter, but 2x the price and 5x longer MFD?
And I guess similary 1/2 to 2/3 stop faster at 500mm?

Are they claiming its going to be optically dramatically better or the AF/OIS is greatly improved?

Feb 21, 2024 at 07:21 AM

Alan Parker
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p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

Images seem really clean to me! Great result from Sigma I'd say. Certainly an option for birders that don't want to break the bank entirely.

Same goes for the 15mm fish-eye. Really impressive optics in this as well; the sharpness in the corners even at f/1.4 is fantastic in my opinion.

Edited on Feb 21, 2024 at 07:30 AM · View previous versions

Feb 21, 2024 at 07:23 AM

j4nu
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p.2 #8 · p.2 #8 · Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

Alan Parker wrote:

Images seem really clean to me! Great result from Sigma I'd say. Certainly an option for birders that don't want to break the bank entirely.

Yes, it was a gap in e-mount lineup.

Feb 21, 2024 at 07:30 AM

Choderboy
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p.2 #9 · p.2 #9 · Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

stuuke wrote:
I know you get a little more light but why would someone choose this over the 200-600? The Sony gives you native glass benefits, the option to zoom and it's quite a bit cheaper. Not saying anyone is wrong for choosing this lens just curious on the thought process. I don't photograph birds so I'm clueless to the needs of that market.

With time, it may become clear that the Sigma:

Is significantly lighter. The weight is known now, but after actually using a lens, the experience matters much more than the known spec. The weight of the Nikon 500 PF won sales and buyers often said the lower weight benefit proved to be greater than they imagined.

Despite being shorter focal length than the 200-600, has enough increased sharpness to still provide an advantage over the longer zoom.

Is sharper at f5.6 than the 200-600 is at f7.1, the aperture many report is optimal for the 200-600.
2/3rd stop advantage regarding both light and DOF. Not a massive difference but something to add to the pro list.

Is sharper across the frame.

Is not prone to a loosening front element.

Has a sturdier hood.

Has custom functions. Another known feature and some may not see any benefit, others may.

Has a clicking tripod collar, I hope it has a switch to turn off.

Has a better collar / foot. 4 screw attachment of the removable foot vs thumb screw.
It may be too small to again, have a bolt pattern that matches EF 400 2.8, providing multiple options for replacement foot.

Has bokeh more to the user's taste.

Has an aperture ring.

Some known information, some speculation of course, but plausible.

Feb 21, 2024 at 07:33 AM

MedicineMan404
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p.2 #10 · p.2 #10 · Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

For now the 600/4 will continue to live on the A1.
I pre-ordered the Sig500/5.6 for the A7iv.
Still want the 300GM

A big influence was owning/loving the 500PF back in the day.

Edited on Feb 21, 2024 at 08:33 AM · View previous versions

Feb 21, 2024 at 08:27 AM

40Driggs
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p.2 #11 · p.2 #11 · Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

j4nu wrote:
I don't understand one thing, 500PF seemed to be extremely popular but so many people here are saying a mid-aperture 500mm prime makes little sense. So, was Nikon 200-500 so bad (optics, size/weight, AF, ...) that it made 500PF great?

People were hard on the 500 PF in the forums also until they used it... After that it has basically received universal praise. All the same arguments were made. I'll concede that the 200-500 isn't as solid as the 200-600 Sony. The only real weakness of the 200-600 Sony is the size and weight. The Nikon 200-500 was even heavier, slow to zoom and had external zoom that was difficult. It was also slightly worse optically then the newest mirrorless 200-600 zooms.

Feb 21, 2024 at 08:33 AM

lightskyland
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p.2 #12 · p.2 #12 · Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

ChrisMak wrote:
I used the 500PF for two years on the D500. In honesty, it was a great lens but always felt 100mm short. I am amazed that Sigma managed to make the lens just as small and light without Nikon's PF element.

I am still weighing my options, there have been so many new releases for a lightweight 500/600mm lens option lately, that I guess I need some time to figure out the best choice for me.

-300GM with both converters
-Sigma 500
-Nikon Z8 + 600PF

Obviously, the Sigma is by far the least expensive option, and not neccessarily the worst optically or performance wise....Show more →

There is absolutely no comparison between a 300mm with a 2x converter on it and a 500mm lens.

If it were not for Sony's 15FPS limit this would be a super BIF lens for the Sony. As is, it can't really be recommended for that, versus 120FPS available in Sony's next generation sports / wildlife body and cameras to come.

Feb 21, 2024 at 08:56 AM

lightskyland
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p.2 #13 · p.2 #13 · Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

Choderboy wrote:
With time, it may become clear that the Sigma:

Is significantly lighter. The weight is known now, but after actually using a lens, the experience matters much more than the known spec. The weight of the Nikon 500 PF won sales and buyers often said the lower weight benefit proved to be greater than they imagined.

Despite being shorter focal length than the 200-600, has enough increased sharpness to still provide an advantage over the longer zoom.

Is sharper at f5.6 than the 200-600 is at f7.1, the aperture many report is optimal for the 200-600.
2/3rd stop advantage regarding both light and DOF....Show more →

All very true, but 15FPS is the nail in the coffin here.

Feb 21, 2024 at 08:58 AM

DWOfPaul
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p.2 #14 · p.2 #14 · Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

The 500 sounds like an awesome lens. I really wish Sony would allow teleconverters and higher then 15 fps for third party lenses. Especially with a lens like this I feel like Sony is severely limiting the potential this lens has to help make the E mount ecosystem attractive to wildlife photographers.

Feb 21, 2024 at 11:44 AM

kaldur
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p.2 #15 · p.2 #15 · Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

Stephen G wrote:
Not much of a tele guy, but I seasonally dabble in them some years for birding ..

That said, I'd agree on the Sony 200-600 compare.
VS the Sony 200-600, Sigma500 is 33% lighter, 25% shorter, but 50% more expensive and 50% longer MFD.
It's what.. maybe a 1/2 to 2/3 stop faster at 500mm?

I think it seems like an appealing lens, a bit depending on how a blackrapid strap would connect to it, because that's the only feasible way I see of carrying it around on walks. The 200-600's foot can be removed and in its place a connector for the strap, works well. It would be easier to handhold for longer. And I wouldn't have much use for a tc (light levels usually) or 15+ fps.

However..
"50% more expensive" there and here..well, from one of the biggest stores (Cyberphoto), the 200-600 is 17490 SEK, and the Sigma has been introduced at 38090 SEK in every store, including from Sigma. 2 x 200-600 are 34980 SEK, so this new Sigma is more than 100% more expensive than the 200-600, literally more than twice the price. Which makes me A happy the 200-600 was released before the SEK tanked and B I shan't have to worry about potentially replacing it : )

Feb 21, 2024 at 12:06 PM

Jman13
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p.2 #16 · p.2 #16 · Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

Is the 15mm f/1.4 the most niche lens of all time?

Like, I'm sure it's optically incredible - and it's cool that it's offered, but I have to imagine the target market is pretty tiny (I know they know that too).

I like fisheyes, and have generally had one in my kit at all times, but I have a hard time spending more than $500 on one, and it only occasionally makes it into my bag (especially with such incredible extreme rectilinear lenses available now, like 9mm) - but at 3 lbs+ and $2k, I'd definitely pass.

For those who do a lot of astro work, though, I could see this being pretty awesome for specific shots. But again, pretty niche.

I'm not dissing the lens - as I said earlier, it's really cool that Sigma is making lenses like this, to have options for those who need it.

Feb 21, 2024 at 01:31 PM

Justin Stone
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p.2 #17 · p.2 #17 · Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

DWOfPaul wrote:
The 500 sounds like an awesome lens. I really wish Sony would allow teleconverters and higher then 15 fps for third party lenses. Especially with a lens like this I feel like Sony is severely limiting the potential this lens has to help make the E mount ecosystem attractive to wildlife photographers.

Maybe changes are coming. After all Sony never delivered a 500 5.6 or 600 6.3 prime lens. If Sony sees robust sales of the Sigma they will be forced to rethink their strat. This Sigma could be a system seller especially if Sony gets out of the way.

Feb 21, 2024 at 01:48 PM

adcimagery
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p.2 #18 · p.2 #18 · Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

Jman13 wrote:
Is the 15mm f/1.4 the most niche lens of all time?

Like, I'm sure it's optically incredible - and it's cool that it's offered, but I have to imagine the target market is pretty tiny (I know they know that too).

I like fisheyes, and have generally had one in my kit at all times, but I have a hard time spending more than $500 on one, and it only occasionally makes it into my bag (especially with such incredible extreme rectilinear lenses available now, like 9mm) - but at 3 lbs+ and $2k, I'd definitely pass.

For those who...Show more →

The 15mm is very niche, but not unreasonably so. TBH, I'd rather see an announcement like it that enables new compositions, rather than the 24-50 f/2.8, for example, which just rehashes the 20-40 and 20-70 but worse.

For astro, I'd argue the fisheye part isn't really that niche. So much of wide angle astro work requires shooting panoramas to capture the arch of the Milky Way, or to create compelling compositions that include foreground elements, that having a lens capable of single capture images is actually helpful.

Looking at early reviews, this is way different optically from anything like the other extreme UWA lenses which have terrible corners (or even point light performance in the midframe). Stars are looking crisp throughout the frame, all with low vignetting.

Feb 22, 2024 at 12:52 AM

Fred Miranda
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p.2 #19 · p.2 #19 · Pre-order: Sigma 15mm f/1.4 Fisheye and Sigma 500mm f/5.6

Jman13 wrote:
Is the 15mm f/1.4 the most niche lens of all time?

Like, I'm sure it's optically incredible - and it's cool that it's offered, but I have to imagine the target market is pretty tiny (I know they know that too).

I like fisheyes, and have generally had one in my kit at all times, but I have a hard time spending more than $500 on one, and it only occasionally makes it into my bag (especially with such incredible extreme rectilinear lenses available now, like 9mm) - but at 3 lbs+ and $2k, I'd definitely pass.

For those who...Show more →

The market is flooded with lots of lens options from both Sony and third-party manufacturers. We've pretty much covered the most popular focal lengths and apertures repeatedly, so what's left are more specialized and uncommon lenses. Laowa was the pioneer in offering these alternative types of lenses, and I'm pleased that Sigma is now also providing this high-performance fisheye option. Could be a really cool option for nightscapes.

Feb 27, 2024 at 11:30 PM

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