There may be no lens in the world more eagerly desired and anticipated than the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art. Sigma's wildly successful Art series of lenses have been a huge hit with their great optical quality and highly competitive pricing, leaving photographers practically begging for a portrait lens. Now, it looks like that wish may be coming true.
I love my Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art. It's sharp, handles well, and is delightfully inexpensive. Its Canon counterpart is spectacular as well and better in some ways, but it's also double the price. This price-to-performance ratio has been what has attracted many photographers to the Sigma Art series, but the focal length of every prime in the lineup is 50mm or wider, leaving portrait photographers yearning for an 85mm or longer lens. 85mm is the bread and butter focal length for so many photographers, and while Canon, Nikon, and Sony all have excellent options, they're not without their quirks or hefty price tags. Thus, many in the photography collective have been clamoring for Sigma to throw their hat into the ring along with Tamron. It seems that moment may finally be near.
Canon Rumors is reporting that Sigma will be announcing the lens at Photokina in September of this year. While specifications are not yet known, they've given the rumor their best reliability rating, indicating a high probability of its veracity. Coupled with an earlier report that production of the current model has ceased, it looks like we may be in for a treat. Whether it will be immediately available is also unknown, but the lens appears to be in the hands of test photographers already. It might be time for me to book my ticket to Photokina.
[via Canon Rumors]
September... Need it now! Think I will go with the Canon 100mm 2.8L or 135 2.0L for now. Anyone has advice which to buy as a portraitlens?
The 85mm 1.8 might be a very decent intermediate solution. It's really cheap too.
Had the 85mm 1.8 did not care for it. Mine was a bit soft. I use the Sigma Art 50 1.4 most of the time now. But its not suited for tight portraits.
The Canon 135mm is wonderful, it's a great focal length for cinematic looking portraits and when you do get your 85mm Art it'll compliment it better than the 100mm. I currently carry a 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and a 135mm into battle.
I haven't tested the 85mm 1.4 ART on my Canon 6D yet, so I can't say for certain. But with the assumption on the history if ART lenses yes. But again that would not just depend on the test but as well your level of priority on having an 85mm fast lens in your kit. For me... I'm still debating honestly. I'll be renting it for sure... if I like it I'll get it, if not I'll use the cash to upgrade my very much needed Tamron 70-200 2.8 (non-VC) to a VC version instead, which has been my primary lens for years.
I have the 100mm L mainly because it's such a versatile lens with it's IS for low-light work and Macro abilities. It's razor sharp and as long as you're not photographing fast moving objects for portraits it's a good portrait lens. The 135 is the benchmark of course, but the focal length is a bit of an odd ball at times.
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Arh.. difficult. Both are excellent. I used the 135/2 for quite some time before I needed some fresh blood and switched to the 100/2.8 macro. I do appreciate the IS and ability to capture macro-shots, but I really miss the superb bokeh from 135L.
The 135 f2 is pretty special. I used it to replace a 70-200 f2.8 IS when I switched to primes and found it to be a great telephoto length for wedding ceremony work. But most of the time my 85 didn't leave my camera.
My buddy Nathan uses the 100L 70% of the day(wedding shooter). I'm a 70-200 II fan, but I'm about to switch(old and tired of the weight).
I used to own the 135. Bad-ass lens, but it's a fickle little punk. I have no shame admitting I lost some killer shots with it.
Used the Canon 100mm with good results
Finally I can have the trio. 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm!
I'll shoot 99% of my work with those three lenses. That 85 is going to be sweet!
I have never thought that I would be using Sigma lenses. But after 10 plus years of using unreasonably expensive Nikon lenses, I've decided to try Sigma lenses with all the buzz. A week ago, I first got used Sigma 85mm and Sigma 50mm by selling Nikon 24-70mm f2.8, and then I bought the new Sigma 35mm Art after seeing how nice the Art series is.
Now, my question is...
Is it necessary for me to sell those used Sigmas to get 85mm Art and 50mm Art, or just keep them?
One thing for sure, I had to adjust all the lenses to specific bodies, but the lenses are fast focusing and sharp.
Try to borrow/rent it first and from there you can weigh the pros and cons. Generally, we can assume that the Art series would be better, the question is - how significant?
I have to say... I had Sigma's current 85mm f/1.4 and it was VERY good. Of course, improvements are always welcome, but it certainly didn't leave me wanting at all.
I heard their 85 was made just before the art series came about and that the lens is as close to the art series as you can have in their lens lineup with the art moniker.
But at this point, the art name is really strong, so even if it's a minor update it will be be a success for them.
Exactly. I currently own 3 Art lenses and as much as I love them I still rate my Sigma 85 1.4 every bit as highly. I'm glad to hear the Art 85 is coming as I think Sigma will do really well from it. I just cant help but think the people who are so excited about it must not be aware how good the current Sigma 85 really is.
I own the Sigma 85mm f1.4 Art and pretty much agree with everything mentioned above.
When I first bought the lens, I was convinced when the Art is released I would sell the EX and upgrade. After using it for about 4 months now, I think the Art would have to be a significant upgrade to make me sell my EX. It's spot on with no AFMA, Tack sharp wide open and I personally love the short and fat design of EX series.
i dream of a 85mm cant wait to see the price of it :) and hope its gonna be sharp :)
I wonder if they'll avoid the use of aspheric elements in the design. Samyang did this with their 135mm f/2, and they made a lens that blows the doors off the Canon and Nikon counterparts in sharpness, while maintaining beautiful bokeh, albeit without autofocus.
I literally can't wait until September... Especially just for an announcement! Probably just going to keep planning to go with Zeiss for the new lenses
I love my 50mm art lens so I hope the 85mm is just as good. Wish this would've come out years ago. As I'm no longer in the market for an 85 having already picked up the Nikon 85 1.4g.
I want this so bad...
It's here! - https://www.sigmaphoto.com/85mm-f14-dg-hsm-a
Do you think it is worth the upgrade from 85mm EX?
I haven't tested the 85mm 1.4 ART on my Canon 6D yet, so I can't say for certain. But with the assumption on the history if ART lenses yes. But again that would not just depend on the test but as well your level of priority on having an 85mm fast lens in your kit. For me... I'm still debating honestly. I'll be renting it for sure... if I like it I'll get it, if not I'll use the cash to upgrade my very much needed Tamron 70-200 2.8 (non-VC) to a VC version instead, which has been my primary lens for years.