New Sigma 18-50 2.8

MAC wrote:

charisgratia wrote:

MAC wrote:

nnowak wrote:

Lately, multiple manufacturers have chosen not to release their most recent crop sensor AF lenses in EF-M mount.

• Rokinon/Samyang 12mm f/2.0 - XF
• Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 - E, XF, L
• TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 - XF
• Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 - E, XF
• Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 - E, XF
• Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 - E, XF (compatible with full frame)
• Tokina 23mm f/1.4 - E, XF
• Tokina 33mm f/1.4 - E, XF
• Tokina 56mm f/1.4 - E, XF
• Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 - E, XF, Z
• Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 - E, XF, Z (compatible with full frame)

Besides Sigma, both Tamron and Viltrox have previously released AF lenses for the M system and would already have the engineering work of defining AF protocols finished.

on the contrary to your thesis

for $1042, being able to get the trio sigma primes

Sigma 16mm, 30mm, and 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lenses Kit (bhphotovideo.com)

and now for $549 being able to get the small f2.8 sigma zoom

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens for FUJIFILM X (bhphotovideo.com)

will imo opinion CRUSH fuji lens sales - my prediction is that they will be in dire straits financially by the end of next year

Totally disagree, as most Fuji users refuse to buy those lenses because they lack an aperture ring, which is a defining and desired feature of most Fuji lenses.

some forum users say this but

the world is filled with digital motivation that have no need for analogue nostalgia - most users want value proposition -- just for the analogous 3 primes we're talking about $1500+ in savings

Also, most Fuji users already have (or had and sold) the XF 18-55 f/2.8-4 which comes as a kit lens and includes an aperture ring and image stabilization, whereas the Sigma does not.

future depends on new sales - not existing ownership

With respect to the Sigma primes, the 30mm has to be the least popular because Fuji already has very popular prime options in that focal range. Sigma's 16mm, as excellent as it may be, really is too big and heavy for a lot of Fuji users with the smaller bodies.

Fuji is not known for small

Outside of the X-H line, most of Fuji's bodies were small until the X-T4. The X-T5 is being hyped as a return to the compact X-T form factor, which admittedly is relative up against the EF-M cameras. I mean... some of the higher-end Fuji lenses are huge, but there are plenty compact weather-sealed primes under $400. I got a couple of mine refurbished for under $300 even.

Fuji is behind in AF

No argument there though each generation continues to improve, and for my type of shooting, I've been fine with Fuji's AF.

Fuji's pricing is over the top FF pricing

Disagree. I own RF too and really tapped out after buying three budget RF lenses. Fuji is much cheaper.

I speak from experience on all of these fronts,

then why 3 days ago did you place a pre order for the siggy zoom -- first time ever you said you placed a pre-order

GAS for sure. Yes, I canceled, but I reserve the right to purchase down the line. I'm giving the XF 18-55mm another try. Did you see Chris and Jordan's review of the two offerings? The Sigma didn't blow me away up against the Fuji lens. The corner softness wide open is troublesome as is the chromatic aberration at the long end... which all reviewers mention. Supposedly, this is a type of chromatic aberration that is hard to get rid of in post. Disappointed.

though Sigma's 56mm (which if I had to guess is most popular of the prime trio)

it is

as well as their tiny zoom are tempting.

so tempting - you said you pre-ordered it

Yes.. temptation is real. As mentioned above, I canceled the preorder but may get it down the road. I may also get the 56mm, which was also tempting in EF-M mount but I resisted then because I already owned the EF 50mm f/1.8 and that seemed fine enough since I mostly shoot on the wide end and don't reach for a telephoto often. Still, I was close to getting Sigma's 56mm but then Fuji has its original 56mm f/1.2 offered at a reasonable price refurbished and used it's competitive with Sigma's brand new.

Initially enthusiastic for the latter, I'm now leaning back on the kit lens as the better option because of its metal construction and image stabilization.

did you cancel your siggy zoom pre-order?

Indeed. Impulse preorder, but had enough time to give it additional thought. I am excited it's an option. It's good to have options.

And it costs way less used or purchased as part of a kit than Sigma's new offering. Still, I think the Sigma zoom will do well, but from the feedback I've seen thus far in the Fuji forum not many are super excited about it because of Fuji's existing offerings.

older crowd

future depends on gaining new business

Yes, that's for sure, which may explain Fuji's introduction of PSAM dials on a few models. Coming from Canon, I didn't get the hype for the manual dials. But they're growing on me. My first Fuji was the X-T200 which had PSAM. I picked it up on a whim and then after a couple of years upgraded to the X-T4. I wasn't on DPReview when I owned the X-T200 and didn't know Fuji was known for its dials. I didn't get super psyched by the aperture ring on lenses either then. I really wasn't paying attention. But then things changed.

Yes, there is a group who do not mind third party lenses and welcome Sigma and other manufacturers into the fold. Heck, I'm one of them... but I do think that the first choice of Fuji users will be Fuji lenses, just as Canon users prefer Canon lenses.

$1500 + more for the trio -- not easy to swallow

On EF-M mount, I only use(d) Canon lenses. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Canon lenses were not $1500 + more costly

Fuji faces headwinds

1) One can get terrific FF for the price of Fuji

Well, once you're in the X-H territory, price and size advantages of crop aren't evident...though the lenses are still plenty smaller than full frame lenses.

2) Fuji has fallen behind latest Canon releases on AF

That is true. I still own some Canon and the AF advantages are obvious. But each generation continues to improve for Fuji. I was shooting on Canon 6D for 8 years with 11 autofocus points.

3) Fuji's size is big for APSC standards

Are you aware of lines other than X-H? I have had two tiny Fuji cams. Next to my M6 II, my X-T20 is just as tiny. It weighs less too. The X-T200 I owned was also very small/light. Yes, X-T4 was a departure from the X-T line... but there's a whole history there and it's now been downsized in its latest iteration.

4) The $1500+ savings discussed above is a no brainer

Those who know the Sigma trio from other lines will be more open to them when moving to Fuji, especially as there is a mount conversion service offered by Sigma if they want to keep their existing lenses. But when I'm deciding whether to get a Fuji lens or a third party one, I'm considering much more than price...build, aesthetics, size, weather sealing.

5) The analogue argument is losing ground in a modern digital world

Fuji has always appealed to those desiring retro. They're trying to expand their reach by offering models that may be more palatable to those coming from different brands. No idea how that will go.

6) Fuji needs to capture new buyers - you're talking about a portion of existing owners in the fuji forum - which doesn't represent folks who will buy new stuff to keep Fuji afloat

That's certainly true, but I was a new buyer not so long ago and Fuji appealed to me after owning Canon for eight years. I'm still building my Fuji collection.

good try though

I don't always give my best, but there are certainly times that I try. 😁