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Sigma USA gives details of 60mm F2.8 DN Art for mirrorless cameras

May 2, 2013 at 05:00:00 GMT

LENS NEWS E-MOUNT MICRO-FOUR-THIRDS MIRRORLESS SONY

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Sigma USA has given the price and introduction date of the 60mm F2.8 DN Art lens for mirrorless systems, originally announced at CP+. The 60mm DN will be available in the US for both Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-mount from mid-May at a cost of around $239. It will offer a 90mm equivalent field-of-view when mounted on Sony NEX bodies or 120mm equivalent on Micro Four Thirds cameras. This third lens for mirrorless cameras from Sigma (joining the affordable 19mm F2.8 DN Art and 30mm F2.8 DN Art), will also be available in a choice of black or silver finishes.

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Press Release
Specifications

Press Release:

Sigma Corporation announces pricing and availability for new 60mm F2.8 DN

Newest lens for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras to arrive in U.S. mid-May

RONKONKOMA, N.Y., — May 2, 2013— Sigma Corporation of America, a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, today announced that its new 60mm F2.8 DN Art lens for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras (MILCs) will hit shelves in the United States mid-May for the street price of $239.

First revealed at the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show in Japan earlier this year, the 60mm F2.8 is a new focal length in the Sigma lineup for both Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-Mount camera systems. It joins Sigma’s other DN lenses for MILCs: the 19mm F2.8 DN and the 30mm F2.8 DN.

“We’re constantly working to add new focal lengths to our lineup so photographers can have as many options as possible,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “This mid-range telephoto lens and its shallow depth of field will produce some very pleasing bokeh effects.”

As part of the company’s Global Vision category restructuring, the new 60mm F2.8 DN Art category lens has an angle of view equivalent to 120mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 90mm on the E-mount system (35mm equivalent focal length). The minimum focusing distance is 19.7 inches; the maximum magnification is 1:7.2. This lens also contains Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass, which helps minimize axial and transverse chromatic aberration.

This lens incorporates telecentric optical designs and a linear, auto focusing motor that ensures accurate and quiet focusing for video recording. Featuring a metal exterior and a simply-shaped focus ring, it has varying textures to distinguish each part of the lens. Under its new manufacturing process, Sigma’s DN users can also choose between a black or silver finish to match their favorite equipment.

For information about Sigma Corporation of America, visit www.sigmaphoto.com.

Sigma 60mm F2.8 DN specifications

Principal specifications
Lens type	Prime lens
Max Format size	APS-C / DX
Focal length	60 mm
Image stabilisation	No
Lens mount	Micro Four Thirds, Sony E (NEX)
Aperture
Maximum aperture	F2.8
Minimum aperture	F22.0
Aperture ring	No
Number of diaphragm blades	7
Aperture notes	Rounded blades
Optics
Special elements / coatings	SLD glass
Focus
Minimum focus	0.50 m (19.69″)
Maximum magnification	0.14 x
Autofocus	Yes
Motor type	Stepper motor
Full time manual	Unknown
Distance scale	No
DoF scale	No
Physical
Diameter	61 mm (2.39″)
Length	56 mm (2.19″)
Sealing	No
Filter thread	46 mm
Hood supplied	No
Tripod collar	No

Sigma 60mm F2.8 DN

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Comments

Total comments: 134

I would really love if Sigma releases this lens also in Fuji X-Mount!
It would be the affordable alternative to the Fuji XF 56mm!

0 upvotes

and with better quality of course.

0 upvotes

Every one of these bloody lenses is designed with the NEX in mind. How about some M43 optimized lenses sigma? We should be able to squeeze a 19mm f2 for a M43 and no bigger than the current offering. These lenses are so aimed towards the NEX it's not funny, not even worth considering compared to the OLY/PANA offerings.

0 upvotes

a 20/1.4 should be a
cheap (< 150 USD),
compact (< 150 g), and
good resolution (> 4000) lens for m4/3"
but NEX is the best place to start.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 4 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

What's the problem? 19mm (38mm) is very useful for shooting indoors or groups shots (3-6 persons). 30mm (60mm) works brilliantly for general outdoor shooting and half body portraits. I don't think they're too big at all and my copies are sharp as hell.

0 upvotes

should wait for Tamron 60/2 macro, maybe 60/1.8.

0 upvotes

Give us a 24mm 1.4 Please,,,,,,,,,,,,NEX mount

0 upvotes

Wouldn't mind having this lens option for Fuji X mount? You can drop them a message at [1] to make sure they know of possible market they are missing.

[1] http://www.sigmaphoto.com/about-sigma/contact-us

Comment edited 4 times, last edit 5 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

I do love it when sigma bring out a new lens for m43. There is such a massive struggle for so many users with the concept that people would want to buy a cheap lens when they can just get a better lens for lots more money.
No macro. I mean really really mega slow at f2.8, no distance scale, no DOF indicator - it just makes you shudder with the horror of it.

0 upvotes

Back in film days, rangefinders often came with a 90mm f/2.8 or f/4 lenses. This lens is technically an APS-C solution for the same effect. That it is available for M43 is merely a case of the option being thrown in.

On APS-C (Sony NEX), this lens, in terms of FoV and DoF, would compare to 45mm f/1.8 lens on M43 which isn't too shabby.

And no point really for distance scale or DOF indicator.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

0 upvotes

Yes exactly, in fact I've got an f/2.8 on my rangefinder. This is analogous. If people don't like it they don't have to buy it, and I agree that a DOF scale is pointless.

Off topic: I wonder this: are there third-party lens makes that produce lensed in Sigma mount? That'd be ironic.

0 upvotes

...

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

Its not the same i know but i had Canon's 60mm macro for my crop body, found the focal length really awkward to work with and sold it quite quickly.

1 upvote

agree, I prefer 100mm macro. If sigma 100mm f/2.8, I'll be interested

0 upvotes

Well, this lens will have FOV of 90mm lens on APSc and 120 on m4/3 - what is wrong about that? Just wondering ...

0 upvotes

Excellent news for both systems. m4/3 has a new entry level prime at a useful FL and NEX has a new prestige lens (since the usual few will pay the usual, huge, premium for a Zeiss lens).

0 upvotes

no distance scale? no DoF scale? why? who will use a lens without a distance scale? I'd pay more to have a distance scale. Also, an aperture ring (in addition to electronic aperture control) would be very welcome even at higher price. Also, a lens hood is a must.

0 upvotes

" I'd pay more to have a distance scale. " .. "even at higher price."

That's the point! It's not a high priced lens. Buy a high priced lens all you want. This lens is made for people with low budget. Just leave it at that.

Comment edited 39 seconds after posting

6 upvotes

A distance scale would certainly set it apart from every other AF lens for either of these systems.

Comment edited 18 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Neither is of much use (or accurate enough) in real world, and more so since Sony NEX system allows live DOF.

0 upvotes

Wow really? I have very few lenses with distance scales and NEVER use them. It's going on a mirrorless camera, ie live view, wysiwyg.

0 upvotes

No macro ability at this focal range? Making it to 0.5x wouldn't really hurt, right?

3 upvotes

I'd rather see a 105mm macro than a 60mm. This is simply a completion of the traditional rangefinder trio, like Contax G (which was 28, 45 and 90mm). If a 90mm lens on film made sense back in the day, the 60mm on APS-C is that lens today.

0 upvotes

Yes. This is a traditional approach, and not a bad one. I still have the Contax G2 and lenses. As for distance scale? What's all the whining about?

0 upvotes

I like the utilitarian look of the lens, and the length is comfortable to control and balance in hand. I can see this as a portrait on the go lens outdoors. 60mm should have a more attractive "compression" effect than the Olympus 45. I wonder what the OOF backgrounds will look like. I like how sigma is shaking things up a bit.

1 upvote

On m43rds, 45mm open to f1.8 at 10 feet has a dof of .76 feet. 60mm open to f2.8 @ 10 feet has a dof of .70 feet. 60mm at 12 feet is 1.02 feet. Marginal difference.

0 upvotes

...Says right in the specs: Hood --no
30 2.8 e-mount doesn't either.

0 upvotes

The specs are wrong. All three Sigma "Art" lenses for m43 and E-mount come with lenshoods, caps, case, and warranty.

From B&H's website, Sigma 60 2.8 DN includes:

Front Lens Cap
Rear Lens Cap
LH520-03 Lens Hood
Carrying Case
Limited 1-year Warranty

3 upvotes

I managed to put a custom hood on my Sigma 30/2.8 by using a generic rubber hood that attaches to the filter thread.

1 upvote

From B&H :
Sigma 30mm f/2.8 EX DN Lens for Sony E Mount Cameras
Lens Case
Front and Rear Lens Caps
1-Year Limited Warranty

I just bought one, Marike NO HOOD

*Edit* I see...they have a new version of the 30 --with the same model number and it's 80 bucks more, but it comes with a hood.
I feel so deprived ;)

Comment edited 7 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

A near pure AF lens. No aperture scale, no knurled focus ring. Add $30 (I'd guess) for a hood. Wondering though. If Nikon and Canon can make a 50mm f/1.8 lens and sell them for $140, why is a slower 60mm lens $100 or so more? I'd guess it's the metal outer skin versus the all-plastic construction of the Nikon and Canon lenses?

1 upvote

It comes with a hood. And since when did Canon and Nikon have any 50/1.8 lenses for mirrorless APS-C cameras?

Comment edited 11 seconds after posting

2 upvotes

Why would you expect Sigma to stop their so far unbroken habit of including a lens hood? The Canon 50mm f/1.8 is cheap because it is plastic and they make a shedload of them because of the large market. Metal 60mm for CSCs with newer AF motor? Will not be as cheap.

3 upvotes

I didn't get a hood with my E-mount 30 2.8...

0 upvotes

Keep it mind this is launch price. Sigma lenses tend to have lower street prices than the launch price.

0 upvotes

The 50mm/1.8 design was perfected in Europe when Edithh Piaf was still releasing singles. The only cost in making one of those is adapting the lens mount, designing a pretty shell and finding the cheapest available AF motor to mount on it. A 60mm/2.8 actually takes some optical development work by Sigma.

1 upvote

I am very selective in the lenses I pick. This is one I undoubtedly would buy.

1 upvote

Hm, not sure what is this lens for. On m4/3, it's equivalent to 120mm/5.6, hard to think of a useful application. On APS-C, it's equivalent to 90mm/4.2 --good FL for portraits, but too slow for that; the existing SEL 50mm/1.8 though slightly short is much better in the other respect. Sigma for some reason releasing lenses, which add little to existing native lenses, how are they going to sell them?

0 upvotes

I could see some applications for landscapes that would stitch images together.. the long FL would give good prime lens close ups... 6-12 shots of the scene stitched together would give me images with great dof and clarity... but I am not sure I would want 120mm on m4/3 for this use... still a bit long. otherwise, I agree - not sure I see the application for it.

0 upvotes

I would say, pretty useless on MFT. On APS-C, not so much. 60mm f/2.8 on APS-C will create a good separation and if this Sigma is like the other two DNs (19mm and 30mm), or Sigma 70mm f/2.8 macro that I have, it will not need to be stopped down. Doing so will allow acceptable sharpness to co-exist with just enough DOF. Even if the lens were an f/2, chances are, most will stop it down to f/2.8.

1 upvote

135 f/5.6 is right in the sweet spot of headshots where the whole head is in focus.

4 upvotes

This lens is for taking pictures:).
Well, it's equal to 120/2.8 on FF (regarding light gathering abilities and shutter speed NOT DOF) which is an interesting prime for landscapes and such. Would go well as a compact companion to my 12-35/2.8 Panasonic on my GH-2. Plus f/5.6 at 120mm FF equiv. for portraits is still very useable, especially if you want the whole head in focus.

3 upvotes

Where is the weight in the physical specifications?? 1kg???
Why 2.8, it's equivalent of 5.6 in dof on m43, that's too much.

0 upvotes

M43 equivalent for this lens will be 45mm f/2.

I suspect the Sigma 60mm to be about 200g.

Comment edited 4 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

You could just shoot OOF.

2 upvotes

Too much only if you want low DOF - others don't need low DOF.

1 upvote

10mm or 12 mm prime for the E is still deep in the woods.
So a macro in a useful focal lenght .... :-(

Comment edited 48 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Sony 10-18 f/4 is pretty good for UW lens. And for a prime, Zeiss is covering it with 12 f/2.8. Samyang is expected to announce its own line of AF lenses for E-mount this year (the decision to do so was put forth last year) and they have 10mm f/2.8 UW too. It won't surprise me if they develop an exclusively E-mount version of that lens as well (as they did for the 8mm fisheye).

2 upvotes

Pricing is the issue. A $850 zoom is not for a street photographer.
Zeiss? I think the NASA is the only serious client for them.

1 upvote

That begs the question, which 10mm or 12mm lens do you carry for your street photography, at budget prices?

0 upvotes

Do you thnk it is impossible to design an E-mount 12mm prime lens in the range of $400?
Sigma's not much needed 19mm F2.8 is below $200 now ...

0 upvotes

When we see inexpensive ultra wide primes, it will be time to raise our expectations. Until then, no. The best bet comes from Samyang, but it might not be a sub-$400 lens if you want quality (and they are pretty good).

1 upvote

12mm?????

I would be happy w/a fast 16-18mm. Something in the f/1.4-2 range.

0 upvotes

AF in a Samyang lens? Almost sounds like a heresy :)

My Canon-mount 14mm Samyang has manual focus and aperture, and that is OK by me. More challenge to do (at least nearly) everything manual.

0 upvotes

The Samyang AF possibility:
http://www.techradar.com/us/news/photography-video-capture/cameras/samyang-to-produce-sony-e-mount-af-lenses-1069889

1 upvote

@sportyaccordy
Pls remember about 1.5 multiplier when comparing the E lenses to FF.
So 12mm E -lens has angle of view comparable to 18mm FF.
\:-))

0 upvotes

Looks like it will be a great m43 landscape lens - MTF looks flat across the m43 image circle. Might be a great addition to my 12-35/2.8 Pany on my GH-2.
No weight data, but it looks fairly compact.

Comment edited 22 seconds after posting

1 upvote

At last. A true portrait length for my NEX. Bravo, Sigma.

1 upvote

Will there be a Fuji X mount in future?

1 upvote

Sigma should seriously consider X-mount as Fuji's lenses are priced high and offering low cost solution will be excellent marketing in the brand. OTOH, with Sony, this 60/2.8 will meet 50/1.8 OSS which is only about $50 more, has OSS, and is 1+ stop faster for low light photography, and is an excellent lens.

2 upvotes

Drop them a note http://www.sigmaphoto.com/about-sigma/contact-us

They might need some pushing to release the lens for XF mount.

0 upvotes

What on Earth is DN Art?

0 upvotes

DN: Sigma designation for mirror-less lenses.
Art: Sigma lenses type ("Contemporary", "Art" and "Sports")

2 upvotes

Thanks.

0 upvotes

Other Sigma designations are DG for full-frame and DC for crop.

And Tamron: Di for full frame, Di II for crop, Di III for CSC.

0 upvotes

They will sell tons of these. Nothing else like it close to this price range. Hoping it goes down just a bit in price when it actually hits the street. If it's as good optically as the other two they'll have a hit. For many of us 60mm on micro four thirds is a focal length that doesn't get a ton of use so paying hefty prices for one doesn't make sense. Hoping it makes a fine portrait lens.

I love the depth of field and subject isolation I can get on my oly 45mm. How would this lens compare? I know it doesn't open as wide but would the focal length make up the difference?

2 upvotes

Better focal length for portrait than 45mm. 45mm is a bit too short, needs to get really close to get head-shoulder. 60mm will be better.

0 upvotes

DOF on APS-C with 60/2.8 will be practically the same as 45/1.8 on MFT (within an inch at about 8 ft).

2 upvotes

@Jun2, but most of the "best" FF portrait lenses are 85-90mm, which is exactly the same equivalent focal length as the Oly 45mm.

2 upvotes

135mm is also a very popular FF portrait lens length. Lens such as the Minolta STF are 135mm.

3 upvotes

That is a good point Wally.

0 upvotes

Another optical master piece. The chart looks better than 30mm 2.8. It will be nice if they decide to change the case next year, selling this one for $139, lol.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 3 minutes after posting

2 upvotes

It's a shame these Sigma lenses are unnecessarily large on a m43 body as the image circle will cover the larger APS-C sensor of Sony's NEX.

On the plus side, I assume this translates into better corner sharpness for m43 as the corners of the image circle will be further from the edge of the frame.

5 upvotes

It mainly translates into cheap prices because they can use economy of scale on the optics and main body.

3 upvotes

That is probably not a problem for lenses like this, or any at focal lengths about 30mm and up, because at such focal lengths, lens designs naturally cover the 22mm image circle diameter of 4/3" format and there is little room form downsizing through designing for a smaller image circle. Instead, focal length and maximum aperture are the main factors in the size of normal to telephoto lenses.

It is wide angle lenses that suffer from being used on a smaller format than they are designed for.

1 upvote

But they are designed for APS-C sensor, so they have to be necessarily larger. For smaller sensor (MFT), the same FOV and DOF would require a 45mm f/2 design.

1 upvote

I find it comical when a camera system has a slew of amazing zooms, people complain "where are the primes? All I want are prime lenses." So them a camera system comes out with a bunch of nice primes and people bitch "We want zooms" lol

6 upvotes

As I grow into photography, I'm appreciating primes more. As a novice, I did favor zoom lenses more although they also make more sense to those with limited budget. However, this trio (19, 30 and 60) from Sigma is very impressive, more so for the relatively low price tag on all of them.

2 upvotes

Some people will complain about a bicycle without a seat. Others will whine about one that's missing pedals.

Go figure!

8 upvotes

For NEX system, primes is more important for me. I don't want to carry a heavy 2.8 zoom. A small prime and NEX is perfect combo.

0 upvotes

While I won't mind f/2.8 zoom, I think faster primes are a better option, especially at 35mm and 50mm. So, instead of a 16-50/2.8 (which I have and can use on NEX, I would rather carry 20/2.8 (pancake), 35/1.8 (tiny) and 50mm/1.8 (could be smaller) and have a 1+ stop advantage at Focal Lengths where it matters.

2 upvotes

What camera system do you mean? Maybe m43? This is a two system lens and just what is needed for NEX which has no amazing zooms. Complaining about people is better?

0 upvotes

With the redesigned 30mm being $199 I think most people were expecting this one to be around $299, so this is way cheaper than I thought it was going to be.

As Markus says, if this is as sharp as the 30mm, this lens will be a big seller at this price.

A 12mm next please Sigma!

10 upvotes

SONY 50mm 1.8 OSS sells for less than $300. I guess Sigma wants to be more competitive.

1 upvote

I understand that the optical design (apart from the mount) will be identical for both APS-C and m4/3rd, for obvious reasons. Given that and regarding the larger picture circle APS-C and the desire for a telecentrical design for m4/3rd, I doubt wether the design can be optimal for m4/3rd. Not to mention that there already exists an excellent dedicated m4/3rd 60 mm lense (or two).

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

1 upvote

The (near) telecentricity requirement was purely a 4/3 thing, It's dropped from m4/3rd.

0 upvotes

It's a compromise, but it will be great optically and sell for cheap. Those that demand perfection can pay for the 60mm macro or 75mm and those building budget kits have some nice options from Sigma.

1 upvote

Olympus, Fuji and Samsung already have slow 60 mm primes, all macro to add. A product manager of Sigma who decided to make the FL for mirrorless should be fired.
All the systems lack cheap f/2.8 and faster ZOOMs though. m43 has a pair, but they are too expensive, others have nothing.

0 upvotes

Fired? Please. Both m43 macro lenses are over $500 (the Panasonic 45 2.8 over $700) which is more expensive than superb FF macro lenses like the Nikon 60 2.8, Tamron 90 2.8 and Tokina 100 2.8.

The Sigma 60 2.8 will sell for $239, less than half the price of the current two m43 macro lenses. And if optically it's as good as the excellent 30 2.8, it will be a huge seller.

As far as the max aperture being "slow", most 1:1 Macro lenses have modest f2.8 max apertures as such lenses are optimized for flatness of field which is why you don't see f1.8 or f1.4 Macro lenses.

18 upvotes

Right but Sony doesn't for the Nex system. And on that list Fuji and Samsung are obscure.

3 upvotes

I would buy this in a heartbeat for my Samsung, as mentioned my NX 60mm f/2.8 Macro was around $600, and I don't actually shoot macro very much. this would suit my needs better. Not to mention, the macros tend not to be as good at infinity, this will probably be better.

I do wish they made it f/2 instead, as a 60mm f/2 would be awesome, but for the price I bet it will be great. Too bad Sigma isn't making this for Samsung NX.

3 upvotes

@viking79

Yes, I don't understand how other mirrorless crop sensor vendors like Samsung, Fujifilm and m43 are pricing some of their lenses like the NX 60 2.8 macro you mentioned, higher than the FF equivalents.

In contrast, the Canon EF-S 60 2.8 is $399, Nikon DX 40 2.8 is $275, which is more like it.

I suppose f2 could be useful for shallow DOF portraits but for macro subjects, it's really not needed. I'd rather have the lower price in a macro at least. For a standard lens, I'll take the large aperture.

2 upvotes

I picked up Sigma 70mm f/2.8 macro for $350. It is an excellent lens, however, for more serious macro, I would rather get 90mm+ focal length.

In that regard, this Sigma 60/2.8 is appealing as a portrait lens. For NEX, it will have to compete with a very good 50mm/1.8, however. The price on the Sigma is great. And if the optical qualities match the 19mm and 30mm lenses, we're looking at perhaps the best trio for value and quality.

0 upvotes

"Fired? Please. Both m43 macro lenses are over $500 (the Panasonic 45 2.8 over $700) which is more expensive than superb FF macro lenses like the Nikon 60 2.8, Tamron 90 2.8 and Tokina 100 2.8.
The Sigma 60 2.8 will sell for $239, less than half the price of the current two m43 macro lenses."

Except the Sigma is not macro, so the price difference makes sense.

0 upvotes

"Right but Sony doesn't for the Nex system."

Sony has 50/1.8 OSS, far better combination with speed and stabilization. This effective FL, especially as slow as f/2.8, does not make sense without stabilization. If you are going to shoot in bright sunlight, you can use a kit zoom just as well (yeah, and it will be stabilized).

0 upvotes

@Marike6

Edit: was thinking of a different lens, the EF-S (APS-C only) 60mm macro is about the same as the Samsung 60mm, except the Samsung has OIS. Both are ring USM with internal focus. Prices are comparable since Samsung has OIS and you can often get deals on it too, I paid $400 for mine which is the same as the Canon. Both seem to have similar build. The Samsung comes with a hood at least :)

The Nikon is too different of a focal length to compare and has no VR. As for f/2? That was what I wanted for the Sigma, specifically because it is not a macro lens :)

Comment edited 4 times, last edit 7 minutes after posting

1 upvote

"As far as the max aperture being "slow", most 1:1 Macro lenses have modest f2.8 max apertures as such lenses are optimized for flatness of field which is why you don't see f1.8 or f1.4 Macro lenses."

You don't know what are you talking about - macro lenses don't have f/1.8 because even at f/2.8 DoF is too short on macro distances, they simply don't need to be faster. But this Sigma IS NOT macro. It could have been useful as a portrait or short sports prime gad it be faster, but it is not either. Hence it is basically useless and superfluous for everybody who has one of the mentioned 60mm macros or a cheap portrait prime like Oly 45mm/1.8 or Sony 50/1.8, or, because it is only good in good light, even a kit tele zoom like Oly 40-150 or Fuji 55-200.
Cont...

0 upvotes

...cont.

So, the market for the lens is only the people who don't have one of the above and want to spent $239 on a prime, which is very narrow, and margin on this lens (see the price) is also small, so the profits will be small also (if sales even cover the fixed costs), while there are huge gaps/opportunities for Sigma in almost every mirrorless system (except m43, but even there there are some, like fast affordable zooms or UWA rectilinear prime - 10/2.8 would be appreciated on EVERY system) - hence the product manager should be fired.

0 upvotes

"Sony has 50/1.8 OSS, far better combination with speed and stabilization. This effective FL, especially as slow as f/2.8, does not make sense without stabilization. If you are going to shoot in bright sunlight, you can use a kit zoom just as well (yeah, and it will be stabilized)."

75mm vs 90mm, the Sigma will be better for portraits. Use the kit zoom? It's f/5.6 compared to f/2.8, I don't think so.

0 upvotes

@peevee1

Don't know why I thought this was a Macro lens, but on m43 120mm focal length with f2.8 is fine, even in low light.

The three Sigma lenses, if they are anything like the two previous versions, are going to be great for someone on a budget who cares more about high quality images than having the fanciest gear. m43 lenses are pricey so I love what Sigma is doing. f2.8 is not great for shallow DOF on m43, for low-light it's fine especially on Olympus bodies.

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

2 upvotes

Should've been at least a stop faster...

3 upvotes

They've gone for a stop or two less price instead.

6 upvotes

Sigma are the real maverick.

They make some stunning glass, especially under this new Art series banner. The announced 18-35/1.8 could be a transformation lens for APS-C.

But they've made some real dogs too!

I just hope the 'A' isn't just for show when it comes to the M4/3 versions and that they deliver the performance to back it up.

With both Zeiss and Sigma targeting the NEX (and Zeiss backing Fuji's X mount too) m4/3 is in danger of losing a key advantage over other mirror-less systems, it's range of lenses.

Still, things are hardly standing still in m.4/3 land, so I'm not losing sleep just yet. The OM-D and a selection of excellent glass is serving me very well.

But for the future, with Sony holding a pile of Oly shares, the excellent sensors, ridiculously compact bodies for the features, and now a growing range of compelling glass, it doesn't take a hugely warped imagination to think of a wall with some writing on it.

-Najinsky

0 upvotes

for m4/3, sigma is as much a maverick as Sarah Palin and John McCain were.

a real maverick would try to give Panasonic some competition. how about f2.8-5.6 zooms, if constant f2.8 is too much? or how about stabilized primes?

1 upvote

@Najinsky

Eh?
Where d'ya get all that doom and gloom from?
For lenses mFT has Oly, Panny, Panny Leica, Voigtlander, Schneider (announced but not released yet), Sigma, Tamron and not to mention the other stuff from the likes of SLR Magic and similar.

Added to which you have that excellent video cam by Black Magic which uses a mFT mount.

I really don't see what there is to worry about on the lens availability front.

Regards,
plevyadophy

3 upvotes

They're not mavericks but they are smart enough to at least notice what other manufacturers are not doing. Of course, sometimes there is a very good reason why other manufacturers aren't making something.

0 upvotes

Maverick - "An unorthodox or indépendant-minded person".

Sigma is a family owned business and the largest independent lens maker.

But unpredictable; you never know what you are going to get. A stunning optic at half the price of a competitor or a bit of a turkey.

A compact camera with Medium Format IQ, taking an hour or two to focus.

And don't mention sample variation.

Last year they made a commitment to customers and quality. Not just with words, but with a new quality verification system and a revamp of their product line.

So far they've delivered.

So I'm hoping it's all for real and they take m43 seriously and deliver a high quality optic at a competitive price.

But currently, their m43 line up / announcements suggests they see m4/3 as the low end of the scale. Reserving their higher quality offerings for APS-C and FF bodies.

I don't see that as in m4/3's favour. NEX is already outselling m4/3 despite its lens offerings. These high quality lenses can only help NEX further.

2 upvotes

"NEX is already outselling m4/3 despite its lens offerings."

I haven't seen any statistics supporting that claim. On the contrary, both Olympus and Panasonic still have larger market shares in the mirrorless ILC market than Sony.
Sales rankings on sites like Amazon don't necessarily say much about global market share.

0 upvotes

Strange they don't release E-mount M43 versions of their DP3M lens...

0 upvotes

Sigma needs to basically release a full set of lenses for the NEX line... just because Sony isn't.

1 upvote

Of course there are two other APSC mirrorless systems. Oh wait, both have good lenses.

0 upvotes

Well, Sony has:
16/2.8
20/2.8
24/1.8
30/3.5
35/1.8
50/1.8
And an 85mm prime scheduled for launch this year. That would practically cover a FF equivalent 24mm to 135mm.

Then add Zeiss (12/2.8, 32/1.8 and 50/2.8), Sigma (19/2.8, 30/2.8 and 60/2.8) and Samyang lenses (which is also expected to announce AF lenses for E-mount this year).

Zooms: 10-18, 16-50, 18-55, 55-200, 18-200.

2 upvotes

From the list I see Sony has (lenses I would buy):
24/1.8, 35/1.8, 50/1.8 and 10-18mm.

When I left Sony they only had 24/1.8 and 50/1.8.

I have no worries about their future, they will have tons of good lenses in another year as you say, but the Sony lenses still need to step it up a little.

0 upvotes

For MFT the only positive is the price. I have Olympus 60mm Macro and it's one of the best lenses I ever had.

3 upvotes

The Sigma is more compact too. This matters to a lot of M43 users.

6 upvotes

Considering the prices of the Oly and Panny macros, the price of the Sigma is not an "only". It's a significant advantage.

The Sigma also includes a dedicated lens hood which sadly, Olympus sells as an optional accessory.

(If you search long enough, you can find the $50 lens hood for the Olympus 60 2.8. It should be included in the first place).

But you can buy the Sigma 60 and 30 A lenses for the price of the Olympus, and unlike any of the Olympus lenses, both Sigma lenses will include dedicated lens hoods.

9 upvotes

@marike6

An excellent analysis; you've put things in the correct perspective.

1 upvote

IMO price is the only negative thing about MFT. the 60mm Macro is a bargain among MFT lenses, but for $500, a plastic made body, it should be optically satisfying as a macro lens. It is also a smaller lens compared to APS-C lenses, meaning less cost to make. A bargain in MFT is only fair in APS-C standard, so lots of MFT lenses are over priced unless you get them on sale.

0 upvotes

"It is also a smaller lens compared to APS-C lenses, meaning less cost to make."

Not necessarily. The materials needed for a smaller lens should indeed cost less, but otoh the smaller the lens is, the harder it is to make it optically a good performer. At least that's my understanding; maybe someone knowledgeable in optical engineering would like to comment on this?

0 upvotes

Everyone has 'if it had this or that'... Man I have been EAGERLY awaiting the new 60mm (admittedly for m43) as a much cheaper fast mid tele prime than either the 60mm if you don't need the macro or 75mm 1.8 - I already have the 45mm which is cool, but wanted something longer... At least while I hold myself back from the 75mm ;)

3 upvotes

Now if this just would be a macro ..., then yes.

1 upvote

Awful pricing for the E-mount version since for a little more you can get the SEL50 which is 1.3 stops faster and also has OSS.

3 upvotes

There's a pretty big difference between 50mm and 60mm on a crop sensor body like the NEX. 50mm is an almost but not quite long enough make-do portrait length where 60mm is a just right portrait length. What remains to be seen is whether Sigma has designed it as a portrait lens, though by specifically mentioning bokeh in the PR I'm guessing they've built it with portraiture in mind. If so there will be a lot of NEX owners just like me with room on the shelf for both the SEL50 and Sigma60.

0 upvotes

In 9 months when it's selling for $149, I'd buy one.

0 upvotes

too bad I sold my nex... if it performs as good as the 30mm, it might be one of the best lenses for the system. For good light conditions though.

0 upvotes

A very VERY ugly looking lens, to bad the olympus 60mm already exists, now maybe if sigma made lenses that do NOT exist yet, 100mm prime maybe or 200mm?

2 upvotes

I didn't realize we bought lenses to look at, I thought we were supposed to look "through" them?

Comment edited 13 seconds after posting

16 upvotes

We are photographers, people who care most about the "looks" - so yes, I'd say that a design of gear we use also should be decent. If you are a chemist and use your gear only for documentation than you can ignore how the gear looks like.

3 upvotes

Pretty lame FL. For a little more you can get a 50mm f1.8 lens for Sony and a 45mm f1.8 lens for Olympus.

If Sigma made a 70mm or 80mm f2.8 it would have gathered much more attention as neither system has a proper low priced lens at around 70mm/80mm.

0 upvotes

not good, price is very close to SEL50F1.8, which is way brighter lens with great OSS....i never choose that lens over sel50 with this price,,,,

1 upvote

Good price

6 upvotes

not at all.

1 upvote

Can you find one at a better quality and price?

4 upvotes

Sony's 50 f/1.8 OSS.

2 upvotes

Total comments: 134


Sigma US to ship 19mm f/2.8, 30mm f/2.8 and 30mm f/1.4 this month Mar 8, 2013	Sigma announces 60mm F2.8 for mirrorless and redesigned 30mm F1.4 DC Jan 29, 2013	Zeiss names and defines new lenses for Sony NEX and Fujifilm X cameras Apr 30, 2013	Sony announces NEX-3N 16MP entry-level mirrorless camera Feb 20, 2013

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