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Sigma 'Bokeh Master' 105mm f/1.4 Discontinued

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Blind Bill

Blind Bill

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Yup, thats true. Very limited stock at most supply stores.

Those who used the lens and could overlook its size, weight and cost...love it!

Those who couldn't often didn't like it.

With its being discontinued in its current form (DG HSM ART) the hope is that Sigma resizes it and packages it in a smaller, lighter, and hopefully less expensive body such as their 'I Series' lenses (hopefully keeping the minimum f/1.4 aperture).

Time will tell...
 
Blind Bill said:
Yup, thats true. Very limited stock at most supply stores.
Click to expand...
Too bad. It's amongst the very best portrait lenses.
Blind Bill said:
Those who used the lens and could overlook its size, weight and cost...love it!
Click to expand...
I'm on holliday and it's in my bag today.
Blind Bill said:
Those who couldn't often didn't like it.

With its being discontinued in its current form (DG HSM ART) the hope is that Sigma resizes it and packages it in a smaller, lighter,
Click to expand...
No, in some cases bigger is better, and in this case it is. It's that large front element creating that lovely rendering.
Blind Bill said:
and hopefully less expensive body such as their 'I Series' lenses (hopefully keeping the minimum f/1.4 aperture).

Time will tell...
Click to expand...
 
thunder storm said:
No, in some cases bigger is better, and in this case it is. It's that large front element creating that lovely rendering.
Click to expand...
Not really, the Nikon 105mm is significantly smaller and has the same rendering (I used to own both)

But yes, Sigma will remake it in their mirrorless formats and it will be smaller and lighter
 
lonewolf1983 said:
thunder storm said:
No, in some cases bigger is better, and in this case it is. It's that large front element creating that lovely rendering.
Click to expand...
Not really, the Nikon 105mm is significantly smaller and has the same rendering (I used to own both)
But yes, Sigma will remake it in their mirrorless formats and it will be smaller and lighter
Click to expand...
I hope they retain that magical touch that characterizes the original.
 
I purchased one this week for my EF mount Canon line ie 1dxmk3,5DSr,etc..

I took some pictures and amazed at the rendering. It is a big lens as heavy as the 1dxmk3 but I am fine with it since I shoot with the big white which weigh quite a bit anyhow.



I am glad Sigma stepped up to the plate and was willing to put this beast out.
 
eb20ba7831994b84af32bb4137cbc0cf.jpg

When the lens arrived yesterday I immediately attached to the 1dx and took a random shot.

this lens even resolves the fine dust on the UPS. Sharp and contrasty at 1.4. No lens corrections done. This using iso 5000.

Cant wait to put it to work.
 
I finally gave in to the temptation (4+ years!) and bought a 'Like New' from MPB. It should arrive tomorrow and I'm excited to finally have it in my hands.
 
Blind Bill said:
I finally gave in to the temptation (4+ years!) and bought a 'Like New' from MPB. It should arrive tomorrow and I'm excited to finally have it in my hands.
Click to expand...
This one-off lens (I doubt they will release a new one when gone its gone) was definitely a labor of love challenge lens for Sigma. I do not see how much profit they made on this. Very complex design with lots of elements and it was like the designers were given carte blanche to do what is needed. I wonder how much time it takes to produce one of these lenses.

It stands amongst the best, ie Zeiss. Sharpness,micro-contrast,coma,etc…

This is a lens designed to operate at 1.4 no compromise. Lots of companies will throw in impressive wide open aperture specs but you get lots of image compromise wide open so many step down a bit. Its more of a spec checkmark, not this lens.

It belongs in any serious photography toolbox.
 
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Been shooting the air tankers taking off over my home with 4 cameras and four lenses over the past few years. Here are some with the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 that to my eyes are as good as it gets. Lots of wildfires in Oregon now, these aircraft are refueling and loading retardant here in Redmond

GS



e543f99cc2a442fb8a58e21548ea7478.jpg



4ebd85bee92e44f9b1dce827086fea93.jpg



4758cf1973814c96ba280f06d4c68db1.jpg



bd24e242d4f94bc8ab8efca7b835d915.jpg

Not the 105mm

Sigma 150-600mm | C
Sigma 150-600mm | C
 
Magnumdarkstar said:
Blind Bill said:
I finally gave in to the temptation (4+ years!) and bought a 'Like New' from MPB. It should arrive tomorrow and I'm excited to finally have it in my hands.
Click to expand...
This one-off lens (I doubt they will release a new one when gone its gone) was definitely a labor of love challenge lens for Sigma. I do not see how much profit they made on this. Very complex design with lots of elements and it was like the designers were given carte blanche to do what is needed. I wonder how much time it takes to produce one of these lenses.

It stands amongst the best, ie Zeiss. Sharpness,micro-contrast,coma,etc…

This is a lens designed to operate at 1.4 no compromise. Lots of companies will throw in impressive wide open aperture specs but you get lots of image compromise wide open so many step down a bit. Its more of a spec checkmark, not this lens.

It belongs in any serious photography toolbox.
Click to expand...
I can't count the number of times I have had this lens in my cart but never pulled the trigger and bought it.

I've purchased used before from MPB and feel comfortable that this will be another good one. I haven't picked it up at the FedEx store yet but am excited to finally have that big boy in my hands!
 
Gary Skirvin said:
Been shooting the air tankers taking off over my home with 4 cameras and four lenses over the past few years. Here are some with the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 that to my eyes are as good as it gets. Lots of wildfires in Oregon now, these aircraft are refueling and loading retardant here in Redmond

GS

Not the 105mm
Click to expand...
These are nice. Most reviewers have placed this lens into the portrait corner but I'm certain there are people out there who use it for more than pretty people pictures.
 
Blind Bill said:
Gary Skirvin said:
Been shooting the air tankers taking off over my home with 4 cameras and four lenses over the past few years. Here are some with the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 that to my eyes are as good as it gets. Lots of wildfires in Oregon now, these aircraft are refueling and loading retardant here in Redmond

GS

Not the 105mm
Click to expand...
These are nice. Most reviewers have placed this lens into the portrait corner but I'm certain there are people out there who use it for more than pretty people pictures.
Click to expand...
Yeah i used it for some sports and it was capable - allows you to crop in a fair bit and still have a smoother background than something like a 70-200

2e61487eb1a7492dafd5715ab82cf3b8.jpg


These days i prefer the 135mm 1.8 for a similar look, but faster AF and more compact
 
I'm using it for sports as well. AF is fast enough, f/1.4 allows for 4x faster shutter speeds than a 70-200, and 105mm is still more flexible than a 135mm.

.
 
Man, I LOVE this lens- Not only for my studio work, but for street photography with a different style.
Freaking scary story: I DROPPED mine last week during a shoot.
It landed on it’s removable (and replaceable) tripod socket, which bent 10 degrees or so, but the lens tests fine.
I didn’t even know the lens had been discontinued until then, and now I’m afraid to take it out unless it’s strapped to my body!
 
7 of 9 said:
Man, I LOVE this lens- Not only for my studio work, but for street photography with a different style.
Freaking scary story: I DROPPED mine last week during a shoot.
It landed on it’s removable (and replaceable) tripod socket, which bent 10 degrees or so, but the lens tests fine.
I didn’t even know the lens had been discontinued until then, and now I’m afraid to take it out unless it’s strapped to my body!
Click to expand...
Happy ending I suppose! I would seriously cry if I broke mine. I wonder whether Sigma will come out with and updated lens?
 
Blind Bill said:
7 of 9 said:
Man, I LOVE this lens- Not only for my studio work, but for street photography with a different style.
Freaking scary story: I DROPPED mine last week during a shoot.
It landed on it’s removable (and replaceable) tripod socket, which bent 10 degrees or so, but the lens tests fine.
I didn’t even know the lens had been discontinued until then, and now I’m afraid to take it out unless it’s strapped to my body!
Click to expand...
Happy ending I suppose! I would seriously cry if I broke mine. I wonder whether Sigma will come out with and updated lens?
Click to expand...
These days it seams to be all about weight reduction. The rendering magic of this lens is based on a huge weight. I think the 40mm and 105mm Art lenses where great value for money options, but it probably didn't generate a whole lot of profit for Sigma, as most customers simply want lenses weighting less, and that might be even more true for pro event shooters.
 
thunder storm said:
Blind Bill said:
7 of 9 said:
Man, I LOVE this lens- Not only for my studio work, but for street photography with a different style.
Freaking scary story: I DROPPED mine last week during a shoot.
It landed on it’s removable (and replaceable) tripod socket, which bent 10 degrees or so, but the lens tests fine.
I didn’t even know the lens had been discontinued until then, and now I’m afraid to take it out unless it’s strapped to my body!
Click to expand...
Happy ending I suppose! I would seriously cry if I broke mine. I wonder whether Sigma will come out with and updated lens?
Click to expand...
These days it seams to be all about weight reduction. The rendering magic of this lens is based on a huge weight. I think the 40mm and 105mm Art lenses where great value for money options, but it probably didn't generate a whole lot of profit for Sigma, as most customers simply want lenses weighting less, and that might be even more true for pro event shooters.
Click to expand...
You are absolutely right as to what customers want but there are still those of us who can overlook such things if the end result is spectacular!
 
I recently jumped into the L mount ecosystem and became fascinated with the online results I was seeing from this lens. I was able to find a like new demo with warranty for a very good price, it arrived last week - I hope to get it out this weekend, I’m recovering from carpal tunnel surgery and need my hand strength!

This 105 and the similar concept Sigma 40/1.4 make up my “no holds barred” lens kit for L mount on a Leica SL2. I call them my “Sumo Sigmas.”
 
Is this really discontinued? We are talking about the Art lens?

lf so Sigma UK are still selling them on their website, £1,299.

Problem with the Art lenses is the size and weight. l was going to buy the 50mm, until saw size and weight, soon went off that idea. The DN range is about 1/3 of the weight and almost as good optically, unless you really need fast apertures, why buy the Art range, probably why many consumers are not buying them.
Even pros are using the DNs.
 
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