Watched 2 video reviews from Chris at PP and Chris Frost, 2 reviewers who generally tell it like it is. Both mentioned softness in the corners at all F/L's, more so with a 40MP sensor than a 26MP one, and softness at 120mm in the center at f2.8, flaring, and the lack of a aperture lock, as the aperture ring moves quite easily. Also no OS switch, must be turned on/off in camera, or a AF/MF switch. Basically an all plastic build with a rear sealing gasket. Seems Sigma made these compromises to keep the lens small and with the same 55mm filter thread as the 18-50 f2.8 and 56mm f1.4 DC DN, which I own.
Positives are the $799 pricing, the small size and under 400g, f2.8 at all apertures, good bokeh, close focusing (but not macro) a linear motor with fast focusing, optical stabilization and the matching 55mm filter size with other Sigma lenses. I feel this will be a good lens for many XF users.
A couple of months ago I may have jumped at this new zoom, but I purchased the Viltrox 75mm f1.8 recently. That lens is just great, only cost $296 and being pretty darn sharp I will use it for my short tele portrait lens. Don't need the new lens for just the 115-180mm range, I will use my XF 90mm f2 for that when needed. I am going to pass on this new lens for now.
Seems like it doesn't approach the IQ of the original Fuji 50-140 where the mkII will probably be similar. For me its likely to come down to weight. I currently carry the 70-300 as a lightweight telephoto in my backpack and other than the size and weight, I don't love it. Its a little inconsistent for me in certain lighting/FL combos that I've struggled to define. I've been thinking I would take less reach for better IQ if the weight penalty wasn't too high (like the original 50-140). But I do want a lens that will take a 1.4TC which the mkII Fuji almost certainly will. Anyway, its great to have options and the Sigma certainly looks good for the size/weight. But I'm hoping the mkII Fuji will get better IQ in the vicinity of 600g weight.
SpecFoto wrote:
Watched 2 video reviews from Chris at PP and Chris Frost, 2 reviewers who generally tell it like it is. Both mentioned softness in the corners at all F/L's, more so with a 40MP sensor than a 26MP one, and softness at 120mm in the center at f2.8
Haven't watched the reviews yet, but Sigma's MTF charts also suggest some corner softness due to astigmatism at the long end.. actually one of the aberrations I dislike most, imo it looks worse than just plain softness where both lines on the MTF diagram dip.. I don't mind the other points though
Will be interesting to see where Fuji's new 50-140mm II will land in terms of size and weight. My full-frame Nikon/Tamron 70-180mm f2.8 weighs 800g, compared to 1kg for the original Fuji 50-140mm. Imo they need to bring it down to <700g, ideally 600g or less.
Really wish Sigma just prioritized the refresh of the 50-100 Art. Saw the Petapixel review, heard about soft corners until 5.6 and kind of being middling wide open even at the center and lost interest in this.
It is really an f4 lens cause that's where it gains contrast and sharpness. Anyhow, I am not convinced by the initial test reports. Rather use Sony's 18-135 on the a6500 and stay with primes on Fuji.
This would've been a perfect travel lens next to the Fuji 16-55 II and I got excited for a moment, until I realized that the zoom ring turns the other way. If Sigma can build a zoom lens that can zoom the same direction as Fuji/Nikon, I bet they would sell a lot more. It sucks that they always kowtow to Canon.
Fingers crossed that the Fuji 50-140 MII will be announced next month (Nov 2026) - I’m expecting it to be larger, but not too large, much more expensive, but worth it for Red Badge build and optical quality. So, though tempting, I won’t jump on the Sigma until I have seen the Fuji.
