The Sigma (R)Evolution - PLUS 4 new lenses!

[Markw]

Sigma has announced that they'll be splitting their line into three sections, and will likely redesign alot of their lenses to suit. They announced a 17-70/2.8-4 Macro, a 35/1.4(!), and a 120-300/2.8 OS redesign(!) today, as well as hinted at a 50/1.4 redesign on their US site. The new designs look quite sexy, if I do say so myself.

New lenses

(R)Evolution Details

Mark

 

[orb9220]

Yep just saw upgraded Tamron 90mm f2.8 1:1 macro with VC and USD. And upgraded their 70-200f2.8 also with VC & USD.
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[Markw]

Yep just saw upgraded Tamron 90mm f2.8 1:1 macro with VC and USD. And upgraded their 70-200f2.8 also with VC & USD.
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I'll have to look into those. I'm still pulling for Tokina to release their 70-200/4 at Photokina as well. Not too sure if it'll happen, though.

Mark

 

[Overread19 7]

Well the categorizing is mostly them just shifting their marketing focusing around - it sounds a bit iffy to me though with the way that each line is "high performance". I mean why can't I use my 120-300mm for art? I get the idea I just think its a bit missguided to take generalist tools and give them very specific market concepts by the manufacturer (even if those concepts are what sells the lens the majority of the time)


Also - any firm details as to what they are changing in the 120-300mm OS? Cause I just felt a little ill reading that they are making a new one!!!!

‘It has new weather sealing and is compatible with the new USB Dock so users can customise features such as micro AF adjustments, focusing speed and focus limiter,' said a UK spokesman

I'll have to read more about this AF micro adjust dock and the like, sounds neat but not much if I've already got a 7D which does all those things (Barring the focus limiter) itself. The new weather sealing - eh - they'd have to seriously seriously make it bombproof to warrent an upgrade over just getting an all weather cover.

 

[Derrel]

Diz-actly...think of ALL the newbie questions on the various web forums!!! "Can I use the 17-50 for Sports? I mean, it says it's Contemporary!" and , "Can I use my 180 Macro for sports shots, since it's an Art lens?" ad nauseum. All kidding aside, I have no idea if this new marketing ploy will work or not...it seems on one hand, a dangerous and utterly misguided effort, destined to fail, and to fail in an embarrassing, horrible, dismal manner. And of course, that is exactly what people told bicycle makers Orville and Wilbur Wright, but they went ahead against all that good advice, and had a little bit of luck and a wee bit o' success. So...who knows.

One thing I DO KNOW--these lenses in photos at least, have the sexy, sleek look of Contax 645 system lenses...they look gorgeous!!! Again, at least in photos. Sigma has had some weird barrel finishes over the years; their "sparkly black nail polish" "EX" finish (or whatever they called it!) was an incredible stinker...when it wore off the lenses looked like utter rubbish...and it wore off fairly easily. Thank goodness that finish style is gone. This new black, all-business, sleek, jaguar-like look is....VERY nice! VERY modern. Tres chic!

 

[2WheelPhoto]

If the 120-300 can produce the same or better image quality as my 70-200 VRII I'll buy one and sell my Nikkor!

 

[Markw]

Also - any firm details as to what they are changing in the 120-300mm OS? Cause I just felt a little ill reading that they are making a new one!!!!

As you may have guessed, I've been bouncing around the idea of picking up the OS version for a few months now. This will really put a fire under my netherregions to scrounge up some more change for a new one.

Thank goodness that finish style is gone. This new black, all-business, sleek, jaguar-like look is....VERY nice! VERY modern. Tres chic!

+10000. The designs are indeed incredible. They look incredible. The 120-300 and 35 in particular. I'd love to see a photo of the new 50/1.4. I hope they took some inspiration from the 35/1.4 design here, as I'm sure they have.

If the 120-300 can produce the same or better image quality as my 70-200 VRII I'll buy one and sell my Nikkor!

I've heard the current 120-300 is very similar to that as we speak. The new one holds promise.

That being said, I've also been looking forward to picking up a 50/1.4 Sigma (just put off by the 50/1.8 Nikon). Once that one's announced, if the price is right, I'll own that too!

If they're updating their 50/1.4, the 85/1.4 is probably next. If they fix the CA problem, it will be an incredible lens (I own the current model, and it's already incredible).

Mark

 

[Overread19 7]

Derrel - I'm too glad that sigma dropped their old finish, it was kinda off and would show up odd scuff marks in seconds. A lens could look worn without even being a week old. Their new finish (on my 120-300mm) is great - smooth and sleek.

From what I can tell this new firmwire update for lenses is basically doing what AF micro adjust did for DSLRs. It's bringing the regular corrections that normally get done under warranty into the domain of the average user. The firmwire update is very interesting too as it means Sigma can, we assume, simply release new firmwire so that future lenses will continue to perform with future updates to DSLR lines without them having to rechip the lens (which has a limited shelf life before they stop issuing new chips).

From what I can tell the 120-300mm isn't getting a new optical formula - its mostly a cosmetic change to the new marketing denotion; the new USB port and some new sealing changes (and I wonder if some of these might just be to seal the new USB port rather than wholesale changes to the weathersealing on the rest of the lens itself). In short I'd expect it to perform as well as the current OS edition (unless they release further details stating a change in the optics).

 

[Derrel]

If the 120-300 can produce the same or better image quality as my 70-200 VRII I'll buy one and sell my Nikkor!

The 120-300 is a relatively bigger, and MUCH heavier lens than a 70-200; still, it "seems to me that" the new 120-300, the current one, is just a bit smaller than the 300/2.8 AF-S mark II Nikkor prime. I know M.R., owner of the LL website LOVES the 120-300 Sigma...he's a very high-end lens kinda guy, and he says this current one is a superb lens on a high-MP d-slr, so...apparently if you get a good sample, it's a pretty decent lens. The thing is though--the 6- to 7-pound lenses are an incredible PITA for anything except "serious" uses on "serious" shooting assignments...whereas a 70-200 is actually quite carry-able in a lens pouch, on a camera body slung over the shoulder, or even in a photo vest...which is NOT the case for the 120-300...

A short time back, Sigma DROPPED their EX HSM 100-300 f/4...a big mistake! I hope that one is brought back....now THAT, that is the 70-200 VR substitute!!! And, a wonderful outdoor portrait/candid/daylight travel lens.

 

[Overread19 7]

If the 120-300 can produce the same or better image quality as my 70-200 VRII I'll buy one and sell my Nikkor!

The 120-300mm is much bigger and much heavier than a 70-200mm f2.8. I've got both (canon line) and honestly. The 120-300mm f2.8 OS is good through its whole range and is one of the few zooms that can take a 2*TC well. However the Canon 70-200mm IS II does beat it somewhat - but then again its covering a shorter focal length range at its long end so its somewhat to be expected.
Also the physical size difference and weight make them very different lenses from a functional perspective - there are times when the 120-300mm is just too darned big and bulky and heavy to be of much use - whereas the smaller and lighter 70-200mm is far more ideal. Whilst they do cover a lot of the same focal lengths they are very different lenses from a practical standpoint.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Yeah but my 70-200 is razor edge sharp throughout for portraiture and VRII incredible in low light/shutter for outdoor portraiture, I can't imagine such from the Sigma

 

[Markw]

I can't imagine such from the Sigma

What are you basing that assessment off of?

Mark

 

[2WheelPhoto]

I can't imagine such from the Sigma

What are you basing that assessment off of?

Mark

I own Sigma and Nikkor now I'm not really biased, but looking at tests and stats of existing lenses back to back (such as 70-200) the Nikkor blows it away. Maybe that'll change in the future.

 

[KmH]

I can't imagine such from the Sigma

What are you basing that assessment off of?

Mark

Broader manufacturing tolerances, lower grade raw materials, and less QA during assembly.

 

[Overread19 7]

*would just like to mention that sigma makes the only 500mm f2.8 lens on the market - plus that their 50mm f1.4 beats Canon's - plus their macro lens range from 70mm to 180mm is - well barring the AF speeds - stella).*

Heck I think my 70mm macro is a hair sharper than my 65mm!