New 2 Sigmas.

[longzoom]

New 70/2.8  macro  and 105/1.4  Sigmas will be out soon. Akira-san, would you translate from "Nokishita"? Thanks in advance! LZ

[Akira]

LZ, I see almost nothing to translate.

The website only mentions that they received the inside info about the soon-to-be-released Sigma lenses from the source abroad, the 105/1.4 will be in Canon, Nikon, Sigma and Sony E mount, and the official name for 70/2.8 is not confirmed yet:

http://www.nokishita-camera.com/2018/02/105mm-f14-dg-hsm-art70mm.html

[longzoom]

Thank you! LZ

[JKoerner007]

I don't care so much for the 70mm version, but that Sigma 105 looks sweet ... especially with a tripod collar!

The appearance of this lens makes me believe that Sigma is very serious in blowing everybody else's similar macro lens out of the water with this one.

The Sigma macro will in all probability replace my Voigtländer 125mm f/2.5 Apo-Macro, if its sharpness/CA ratings wide-open are what we've come to expect out of Sigma of late.

Beginning at f/1.4, and based on Sigma's current track record, this new 105 should be much sharper by f/2 (than the CV is at f/2.5), and I have always missed a tripod collar ring on my macro lens since abandoning the Sigma 180 f/2.8, in favor of the CV 125mm f/2.5.

Especially with the added bonus of AF, plus the D850's in-body stacking, there is a very real chance my CV 125 will be on eBay the moment this lens comes out.

[JKoerner007]

Oops, I misread. I guess the 105 isn't a macro ... it's challenge to the Nikkor 105 f/1.4

[Roland Vink]

The Sigma 105/1.4 would be attractive to Canon and Sony photographers who currently have nothing in this class. Whether it will appeal to Nikon photographers could depend on its price and IQ - the Nikkor will be hard to beat, but perhaps it will be different in some way which could be useful?

Not sure why a tripod foot would be necessary for this lens, this lens is likely to be smaller or around the same size as the Art 85/1.4 and 135/1.8 which lack tripod mounts, and the focal length and speed make it useful for hand-held shooting.

Notice the tripod foot has a dovetail, looks like it is compatible with the Arca-swiss system.

The 70mm macro is an update of the existing lens. It bridges the 50-60mm and 90-105mm macro lenses, the focal length is short enough to hand-hold reasonably well, but long enough to provide a little more working distance than the shorter macros, and reasonably compact. Could be a useful compromise, I often wondered why there aren't more lenses in this range.

[JKoerner007]

I agree, Roland.

The tripod collar on the 105 is why I thought it was a macro lens.

Doesn't really make much sense for such a collar to be on a lens competing with the Nikkor 105, especially since the Sigma Art 135mm doesn't have one.

I will still buy this lens, if it has a 1:2 reproduction ratio, but have no interest in it otherwise.

[longzoom]

The old Sigma 70 is unbeatable optically even today, in a range of 50-70 macros (zero distortions, very high and evenly distributed sharpness, very good color/contrast ratio),  but absolutely outdated  mechanically. If they improved, a little bit, its performance to infinity, it will be a great compromise between 50 and 90 regular/macro optical compositions. Something close to, or even better, then last great Voigtlander 65/2 lens, which is 1:2, but Sigma 70/2.8 may go to 1:1, as it was. So let us wait for first formal tests from reliable sources. LZ

[tommiejeep]

I think it interesting that we go forever with no manufacturer doing a new 105mm (non-macro) and now there are going to be two at f1.4.   Cool, but both are big  .  So does this mean a Nikon 135mm on the way and even a 180mm?  Our cameras keep getting better yet the lenses keep getting faster.  Spare a thought for us old guys that can live with f1.8, f2, f2.8, f3.5 and f4 
Tom

[Hugh_3170]

Given the weight of Nikon's 105mm f/1.4 lens, it is not a bad thing IMHO to see the new Sigma with its own solid looking tripod foot, especially if it is to be used with lighter weight bodies that use monocoque construction methods and which may not take too kindly to being tripod mounted with a heavy lens mounted.  I can recall how fragile the insides of Armando's D800 looked and the very neat repairs that he carried out on its structural issues - and the D800 is supposedly a professional grade body which should have been able to be tougher............

Roland, I have also heard good things about the current/old 70mm f/2.8 macro.

[MILLIREHM]

The 105s tripod food shows a Arca-like profile - fine.

[Akira]

Nikon Rumors has just posted the info on the two new Sigmas here:

https://nikonrumors.com/2018/02/25/two-new-sigma-lenses-coming-next-week-105mm-f-1-4-dg-hsm-art-and-70mm-f-2-8-dg-macro-art.aspx/#more-120113

[OCD]

I think it interesting that we go forever with no manufacturer doing a new 105mm (non-macro) and now there are going to be two at f1.4.   Cool, but both are big  .  So does this mean a Nikon 135mm on the way and even a 180mm?  Our cameras keep getting better yet the lenses keep getting faster.  Spare a thought for us old guys that can live with f1.8, f2, f2.8, f3.5 and f4 
Tom

+ 1 on this.  I'd be happy with an updated 105mm f/2.5 with VR and AF-P and keep the size/weight as small/light as possible.  I think Roland or Erik (can't remember who, maybe both?) has shared similar sentiments for a 24-70mm f/4 small zoom.  That would be pretty sweet as well.  450g is about my limit for a lens.

[JKoerner007]

The old Sigma 70 is unbeatable optically even today, in a range of 50-70 macros (zero distortions, very high and evenly distributed sharpness, very good color/contrast ratio),  but absolutely outdated  mechanically. If they improved, a little bit, its performance to infinity, it will be a great compromise between 50 and 90 regular/macro optical compositions. Something close to, or even better, then last great Voigtlander 65/2 lens, which is 1:2, but Sigma 70/2.8 may go to 1:1, as it was. So let us wait for first formal tests from reliable sources. LZ

70mm is just a bad focal length for macro IMO.

Doesn't give the working distance of longer macros, nor the width-perspective of wider macros.

Can't think of any serious macro shooter who "eats and sleeps" with this focal length in macro ... like I can with so many other focal lengths.

[JKoerner007]

The 105s tripod food shows a Arca-like profile - fine.

The Sigma 105 f/1.4 is definitely sexy and unique ... but it's a damned shame it isn't macro.

A tripod foot is not something I see a lot of wedding/portrait shooters implementing.
(No other wedding/portrait lenses come with a foot ... as a tripod usually gets in the way of the ever-varying, impromptu nature of portrait imagery.)

For high-res wildlife composition, though, esp. macro, a tripod foot make perfect sense.