Sigma 24-105mm f/4 DG OS Art - official thread - reviewed!

[BleuDragon]

It is interesting that Sigma is providing a lens that Canon seems to be on the way to discontinuing.
It is also priced less than retail for Canon.

I wonder how well it performs, and if there will be a migration to it from the Canon version.

Thoughts?

[popo]

We'll have to wait and see how it performs... at least on this lens it seems to zoom the right way for Canon.

[BleuDragon]

I have not noticed this before, but looking through Sigma's lineup, it seems that crop zooms rotate one way and full frame zooms another.
On one hand, this would seem to be a logical distinction between which zoom is used for what type of body.
On the other hand, I find myself disappointed at the inconsistency.

Edited for grammar.

[popo]

I haven't noticed that. Interesting if true. I'm put off both the 8-16mm and 18-35 since they both rotate the "wrong" way for Canon users. The 120-300 is "right" and the pictures of the 24-105 look ok too.

[Thomas]

Yes, it would be definitely interesting to see how it performs. Nikon's 24-120/4.0G VR was not my fav for a high resolution FX-body like the Nikon D800 but it performed reasonably and there was no real alternative except for the surprise performer the Nikon 24-85/3.5-4.5G VR - but that lens does not have the same reach at the tele-end.
Now the Sigma 24-105/4.0 OS is about 10% shorter at the long end. But if it can make up for the loss of reach with a clean image (and a well-working OS) I'd certainly prefer it to the Nikon.
Looking at street-prices, the (not yet available) Sigma (for Nikon mount) has reached around 800 EUR (incl. 19% VAT) and the Nikon 24-120/4.0G VR is still hovering around 950 EUR. So an almost 20% price difference might also help sell the Sigma. For Canon mount the Sigma prices already dropped well below 800 EUR to around 750 EUR. But that is still more expensive than the price of Canon's own Canon EF 24-105mm 4.0 L IS USM that has been steadily dropping below 700 EUR in the last quarter.

Testing at slrgear suggests that the Sigma looks almost perfect on a Canon D7 but corner performance on a 1Ds at f4 is definitely not good but f5.6 seems to make the FF-corners usable. But I hope to get a chance to get a first hand impression and test it on a Nikon D800 and compare it to the other medium range alternatives.
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P.S.: again a case where Sigma delivers the Canon mount before the Nikon mount version of a new lens.

[Thomas]

Still no sign of this lens with Nikon mount in Germany

[BleuDragon]

In order to be able to test all the new Sigma lenses when they first become available, you could always swap to a Canon system.

[oldCarlos]

^^^

[Thomas]

@BleuDragon: If I would operate a professional test-studio I'd have certainly acquired the highest resolving Canon-body some time ago to avoid lagging with my reviews of third-party lenses.
But as it is, my time and resources are limited so I decided to concentrate on Nikon bodies only for my lens-tests.

[Thomas]

From Sigma Japan's homepage from Jan 17th: "...scheduled to start the shipment towards the end of this month."

[Thomas]

Lens should arrive tomorrow for the usual set of tests.
Hopefully the weather will be clear enough this weekend to complete the a good set of outdoor shots.
The USB-dock will also be tested for AF fine-tune, as it can correct for more than one focal length and shooting distance.
Will be interesting to see what this gadget can achieve.

[Thomas]

Here's a screen-shot from Sigma's Optimization software. It allows you to fine-tune focus for 4 focal lengths and 4 different focus distances:


Sigma_24-105f4-0OS_Optimization by Thomas, on Flickr

Quite a lot of work, esp. as you have to detach the lens from the camera, do the fine-tune, reattach the lens and test the results.

[Thomas]

You've probably already seen that my review is now online here.
I hope you like it. And should you have any questions or comments, just shoot!
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Btw. I've almost 200 full-resolution images in my flickr-set for this lens. Way more than I could publish in the review.

[BleuDragon]

Thomas,

Thank you for your time to do this review.

[Thomas]

You're welcome!
Do you plan to get the lens?