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

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.

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.

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.

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

You could just shoot OOF.

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.

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).

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

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).

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

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

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.

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

Go figure!

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.

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

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.

@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.

@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 :)

@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

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.

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.

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.

@marike6

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