Considering Quattro H concerned about SA lenses

I owned at least one of every generation on DPX camera. My most sold landscape photo was taken on a DP1s. My Merrills are getting on and I am considering the Quattro H. I recently bought a Sony A7rii ($1600 new), Loxia 21mm, and Zeiss 55mm. However, I wasn't happy with the IQ compared to my Merrills and am considering returning it. My goal is to print A0 and even larger.

Now, the Quattro H is on my radar; but, I am concerned about the SA series lenses being discontinued. I don't want to invest in an already obsolete system. To those maybe more knowledgeable about this:

- Is SA dead?

- What lenses can be adapted to fit the SDQH?

dazzleships wrote:

I owned at least one of every generation on DPX camera. My most sold landscape photo was taken on a DP1s. My Merrills are getting on and I am considering the Quattro H. I recently bought a Sony A7rii ($1600 new), Loxia 21mm, and Zeiss 55mm. However, I wasn't happy with the IQ compared to my Merrills and am considering returning it. My goal is to print A0 and even larger.

Now, the Quattro H is on my radar; but, I am concerned about the SA series lenses being discontinued. I don't want to invest in an already obsolete system. To those maybe more knowledgeable about this:

- Is SA dead?

No, because there will be a Sigma adapter to use the lenses on L mount. There is already an adapter to Sony E mount.

- What lenses can be adapted to fit the SDQH?

Pentax and other fully manual M42 lenses, but the adapters are very difficult to remove once attached.

Nikon AI for macro work. Enlarger lenses on bellows for macro.

dazzleships wrote:

I owned at least one of every generation on DPX camera. My most sold landscape photo was taken on a DP1s. My Merrills are getting on and I am considering the Quattro H. I recently bought a Sony A7rii ($1600 new), Loxia 21mm, and Zeiss 55mm. However, I wasn't happy with the IQ compared to my Merrills and am considering returning it. My goal is to print A0 and even larger.

Now, the Quattro H is on my radar; but, I am concerned about the SA series lenses being discontinued. I don't want to invest in an already obsolete system. To those maybe more knowledgeable about this:

- Is SA dead?

From the horse's mouth:

As part of its move into L-mount cameras and lenses, Sigma will be turning its back on its own SA-mount cameras (though it will continue to produce SA-mount lenses).

“All future interchangeable-lens camera systems developed by SIGMA will feature the L-mount,” Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki says in a statement. “SIGMA does not plan to develop new cameras equipped with an SA-mount.”

Photographers who have already invested in SA-mount lenses will have the option of having them converted into the L mount. There will also be an SA-to-L adapter for non-converted lenses.

“SIGMA treats our continued support for SA-mount lenses as a top priority,” Yamaki states. “This commitment of ours will not be affected by our move to a new mount system, and SA-mount lenses will continue to be part of our production.

https://petapixel.com/2018/09/26/sigma-to-launch-full-frame-foveon-l-mount-mirrorless-camera/

- What lenses can be adapted to fit the SDQH?

Question is too broad for me to answer, sorry ...

In addition to the other responses noting that you can use an L-Mount converter to make use of L-Mount lenses, Sigma also has a lens conversion service where you can change the mount of your lens to some other supported mount (like Canon or Nikon).  You could always do that later if you switched systems, or just thought it would help resale (though I personally think SA mount resale should be pretty decent with some L-Mount cameras out that can use them, even if just via adaptor).

D Cox wrote:

dazzleships wrote:

I owned at least one of every generation on DPX camera. My most sold landscape photo was taken on a DP1s. My Merrills are getting on and I am considering the Quattro H. I recently bought a Sony A7rii ($1600 new), Loxia 21mm, and Zeiss 55mm. However, I wasn't happy with the IQ compared to my Merrills and am considering returning it. My goal is to print A0 and even larger.

Now, the Quattro H is on my radar; but, I am concerned about the SA series lenses being discontinued. I don't want to invest in an already obsolete system. To those maybe more knowledgeable about this:

- Is SA dead?

No, because there will be a Sigma adapter to use the lenses on L mount. There is already an adapter to Sony E mount.

- What lenses can be adapted to fit the SDQH?

Pentax and other fully manual M42 lenses, but the adapters are very difficult to remove once attached.

For that reason, I bought one Kipon M42-SA adapter for each M42 lens that I own. Screwed tightly by hand onto the lens, the assembly fits to an SA mount like any Sigma-SA lens. The adapters are quite cheap over here, so cost is not an issue for me.

xpatUSA wrote:

D Cox wrote:

dazzleships wrote:

I owned at least one of every generation on DPX camera. My most sold landscape photo was taken on a DP1s. My Merrills are getting on and I am considering the Quattro H. I recently bought a Sony A7rii ($1600 new), Loxia 21mm, and Zeiss 55mm. However, I wasn't happy with the IQ compared to my Merrills and am considering returning it. My goal is to print A0 and even larger.

Now, the Quattro H is on my radar; but, I am concerned about the SA series lenses being discontinued. I don't want to invest in an already obsolete system. To those maybe more knowledgeable about this:

- Is SA dead?

No, because there will be a Sigma adapter to use the lenses on L mount. There is already an adapter to Sony E mount.

- What lenses can be adapted to fit the SDQH?

Pentax and other fully manual M42 lenses, but the adapters are very difficult to remove once attached.

For that reason, I bought one Kipon M42-SA adapter for each M42 lens that I own. Screwed tightly by hand onto the lens, the assembly fits to an SA mount like any Sigma-SA lens. The adapters are quite cheap over here, so cost is not an issue for me.

It's the rubber ring in the sdQ mount that makes the adapter so hard to remove. I'm not sure your method would work for sdQ/H.

Might need Loctite.

Thanks for the help. I have enough info to decide that I will stay away from the SDQH. Not too excited about L mount either for future cameras.

dazzleships wrote:

Thanks for the help. I have enough info to decide that I will stay away from the SDQH. Not too excited about L mount either for future cameras.

Interesting conclusion!

I have a sd Quattro (non-H), and bought two Art lenses for it. The sensor resolution is good enough to clearly display all faults and shortcomings in my two Art lenses. Turns out there are only a very few Art primes that can resolve at this level edge-to-edge, one being the 135mm F1.8 DG HSM (not one of the lenses I have).

However, for 24"x36" prints (I've made fewer than 10) most of my sd Quattro images look fine, so long as you don't look too closely.

In my opinion, my dp0q does as well or better and weighs far less, if you can enjoy the 21mm equivalent focal length of the 14mm F4 lens and don't mind doing without an EVF.

nick webster wrote:

Kendall Helmstetter Gelner wrote:

In addition to the other responses noting that you can use an L-Mount converter to make use of L-Mount lenses,

I think you meant SA mount lenses to L-Mount cameras - you'll never be able to use L-Mount lenses on an SA mount camera

That is correct!  Thanks for the correction.

Sigma also has a lens conversion service where you can change the mount of your lens to some other supported mount (like Canon or Nikon).

Isn't that only for selected newer lenses ? - I could be wrong

True, only for newer lenses - that's what I was assuming he'd be buying anyway looking at a new camera.  But it's good to make that explicit.

danski0224 wrote:

dazzleships wrote:

Thanks for the help. I have enough info to decide that I will stay away from the SDQH. Not too excited about L mount either for future cameras.

The sdQ/H only work 100% with the latest Global Vision lenses.

I use my SDQH with a number of older lenses - the 8-16mm, and old 70mm for example.  They work really well.

Very few of the older lenses work 100% in auto focus mode.

The 8-16mm for example, did not work 100% in auto-focus mode even on older cameras... I've never really found AF to be an issue with older lenses.

Sigma remains committed to SA mount lenses, so it seems reasonable that at least the Global Vision series lenses in SA mount will be serviceable for some time to come, especially if a comparable product is available for the Canon R or EF mounts.

I wouldn't shelve the decision based upon projected lens serviceability.
....

Great points.

dazzleships wrote:

I owned at least one of every generation on DPX camera. My most sold landscape photo was taken on a DP1s. My Merrills are getting on and I am considering the Quattro H. I recently bought a Sony A7rii ($1600 new), Loxia 21mm, and Zeiss 55mm. However, I wasn't happy with the IQ compared to my Merrills and am considering returning it. My goal is to print A0 and even larger.

Now, the Quattro H is on my radar; but, I am concerned about the SA series lenses being discontinued. I don't want to invest in an already obsolete system. To those maybe more knowledgeable about this:

- Is SA dead?

- What lenses can be adapted to fit the SDQH?

You need have no fear about lenses. Kazuto Yamaki has said that lenses will be available for people that have SA mount cameras as well as for the new L mount camera. No new SA mount cameras will be developed. You will have no shortage of lenses for the sd Quattro H.

S

danski0224 wrote:

Kendall Helmstetter Gelner wrote:

In addition to the other responses noting that you can use an L-Mount converter to make use of L-Mount lenses, Sigma also has a lens conversion service where you can change the mount of your lens to some other supported mount (like Canon or Nikon). You could always do that later if you switched systems, or just thought it would help resale (though I personally think SA mount resale should be pretty decent with some L-Mount cameras out that can use them, even if just via adaptor).

Last time I checked, the Sigma mount conversion service only applies to Global Vision lenses held by the original buyer, purchased from an authorized retailer, with proof of purchase.

That's a big gotcha.

Can you give a link to where you got that information about being the original purchaser with proof of purchase being required as I have read a bit about the mount conversion service and never come across that provision.

PT wrote:

danski0224 wrote:

Kendall Helmstetter Gelner wrote:

In addition to the other responses noting that you can use an L-Mount converter to make use of L-Mount lenses, Sigma also has a lens conversion service where you can change the mount of your lens to some other supported mount (like Canon or Nikon). You could always do that later if you switched systems, or just thought it would help resale (though I personally think SA mount resale should be pretty decent with some L-Mount cameras out that can use them, even if just via adaptor).

Last time I checked, the Sigma mount conversion service only applies to Global Vision lenses held by the original buyer, purchased from an authorized retailer, with proof of purchase.

That's a big gotcha.

Can you give a link to where you got that information about being the original purchaser with proof of purchase being required as I have read a bit about the mount conversion service and never come across that provision.

PT,

Nor have I. It is a paid service and all that needs to be done is to give the lens to your local Sigma Centre or to the import agent for Sigma in your country.

S

dazzleships wrote:

I owned at least one of every generation on DPX camera. My most sold landscape photo was taken on a DP1s. My Merrills are getting on and I am considering the Quattro H. I recently bought a Sony A7rii ($1600 new), Loxia 21mm, and Zeiss 55mm. However, I wasn't happy with the IQ compared to my Merrills and am considering returning it. My goal is to print A0 and even larger.

Now, the Quattro H is on my radar; but, I am concerned about the SA series lenses being discontinued. I don't want to invest in an already obsolete system. To those maybe more knowledgeable about this:

- Is SA dead?

- What lenses can be adapted to fit the SDQH?

SA mount will live for some time to come, but it is being replaced with L-mount, and you MAY want to wait. Can you wait for six to eight months? If not, try an SD Quattro H and a couple of lenses. (I'm planning to get the 14-24mm f2.8 Art and 24-70mm f2.8 OS Art.) You can use the adapter with those lenses to use them on the full-frame camera, but you may be happy with the image quality from the SD Quattro H, and never need to get the full-frame camera. I've printed bigger than A0 from a Quattro, but not from my SD Quattro H yet. I have no doubt the SD Quattro H will do fine, but I plan to print larger, so I plan to get the full-frame camera, when it comes out (if it's a decent improvement, which is something I'm confident it will be). The key is lenses though. Are you o.k. with the weight of that system? The 14-24 and 24-70 Art lenses are big and heavy. The SD Quattro H is not that big and heavy, but it's about twice the weight of a DP2 Quattro, which includes the lens. Add the lenses to the SD Quattro H, and you have a pretty large and heavy system. Still not bad though, considering it's just a body with a lens on it and a spare lens. You might find yourself wanting that 85mm f1.4 Art or the new 70-200mm f2.8 OS Sport though, and adding one of those will make it a much bigger and heavier system.

danski0224 wrote:

PT wrote:

Can you give a link to where you got that information about being the original purchaser with proof of purchase being required as I have read a bit about the mount conversion service and never come across that provision.

Maybe Sigma changed their policies. What I wrote is how it was when the service was introduced.

It was on the service request ticket that was on the website.

I think that the service request ticket is referring to actual service being requested possibly under warranty where such details would be required. The lens mount conversion service is a standalone paid for service, nothing to do with faults or warranty work.

PT