Sigma Lenses for Fujifilm X
The new Sigma lenses for Fujifilm X mount
Finally Sigma Lenses for Fuji
For as long as I can remember the internet has been crying out for Sigma to make their lenses available for the Fujifilm X mount.
Today we can start talking about this as fact and not fiction. Three lenses are announced at launch, the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN, 30mm f/1.4 DC DN, and 56mm f/1.4 DC DN.
Before you read on, I have not tried the Sigma lenses. This post will be about my take on these new options. I hope to be able to try and review the lenses at some point.
Sigma Contemporary Design Lenses for Fuji X
Taking an overall look at the three Sigma lenses I think the design is appealing. Perhaps not earthshakingly so but they have anonymous looks that should not clash too much with any of the Fujifilm X Series cameras.
The most glaring difference is the lack of an aperture ring and you will need to assign this to a control dial on the camera. I am not a big fan of this.
Autofocus is by an STM motor. The optical formula has two aspherical elements in the 16mm and 30mm lenses and one in the 56mm lens which is equivalent to the Fujifilm counterpart lenses.
Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Fujifilm X
Price: $449.00
55% saved compared to the Fujifilm XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR
8% heavier than the Fujifilm equivalent
With the same filter size as the Fujifilm counterpart, the XF 16mm f/1.4 R LM WR, the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN is actually 8% heavier but the dollar savings are significant. At $449.00 it is a whopping 55% less than the XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR.
The XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR is regarded as one of Fujifilm’s best lenses and I doubt the Sigma is a match optically but this is pure speculation until I have tried it.
My guess is that the Sigma will be a fine lens in its own right, being a much more affordable alternative and it will cost you several hundred dollars to get the last little bit of image quality that often sets images apart.
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Fujifilm X
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Fujifilm X
Price: $339.00
58% saved compared to Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR
Weighs 76% of the Fujifilm counterpart
In this case, I decided to compare with Fujifilm’s latest entry, the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR. In a similar price category, it could also be interesting to compare to the XF 35mm f/2 R WR or XF 35mm f/1.4 R for that matter.
The interesting part about this lens is the focal length of 30mm which lands at a 45mm full-frame equivalent and therefore it does not really clash with any Fujifilm lens.
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN is light and compact and still shoots at f/1.4 at an affordable entry of $339.00 while being lighter than the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR.
Again I doubt they will be evenly matched optically. The XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR is one of the best, if not the best Fujifilm lens I have used to date. It will also set you back $799.00 but I find it to be fully worth it.
Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Fujifilm X
Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Fujifilm X
Price: $479.00
52% saved compared to the Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R
Weighs 69% of the Fujifilm counterpart
While the Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R is an excellent lens, gathers more light at f/1.2, and renders beautiful bokeh, this new entry from Sigma is interesting from a pure price/weight standpoint.
I say this as 56mm may not be your most often used focal length and trying to find an alternative can be tricky. One other alternative is the Viltrox 56mm f/1.4 XF, $329.00, and it may be interesting to see a side-by-side comparison with the Sigma.
My guess, again, is that the Fujifilm XF 56mm f/1.2 R will excel in this race and if you are a dedicated portrait photographer the extra cost may be well worth it.
Video About Sigma Lenses for Fujifilm X
I bumped into the video from Samuel which takes a closer look a the new Sigma lenses for Fujifilm X. Please note this post was written before I saw the video.
Sigma for Fujifilm X Final Thoughts
While many seem thrilled about this release of Sigma lenses for Fujifilm X Mount I cannot say I am all that excited. Perhaps if Sigma had come out of the gate with brand-new lenses.
This batch of lenses has been around for a number of years and just now are they available for Fujifilm photographers. It leaves me with a bit of a lukewarm feeling.
I have used many third-party lenses in the past but they have always left me with a feeling of wanting more. When I say more, I mean that sometimes it is worth it to jump for native lenses, in this case, Fujifilm XF lenses. One of the traits of XF lenses is the aperture ring which the Sigma trio, unfortunately, is missing.
But I do have to remember that we all start somewhere and gradually fine-tune our kits, sometimes over several years. And this is where lenses such as this Sigma trio can enter the scene.
You may not have the budget for the Fujifilm lenses and instead, you can bridge the gap with a Sigma, until you have saved up for a Fujifilm lens.
The other scenario where you may contemplate one of the Sigmas lenses is for a focal length that you only use occasionally and aren’t prepared to fill the gap with a thousand-dollar lens.
Word also has it Sigma will bring their 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN lens to the Fujifilm X mount by December 2022. This could end up being a popular option with the fixed f/2.8 max stop throughout the zoom range.
I know my initial paragraph in the conclusion is rather negative but keep in mind that this is a personal take as I often strive to match my Fujifilm X-Pro3 with the best possible lenses. As a value proposition, the Sigma trio will be hard to ignore.
Third-Party Lenses for Fujifilm X Mount
7Artisans 35mm f/0.95
7Artisans 55mm f/1.4 II
TTArtisan 17mm f/1.4
TTArtisan 23mm f/1.4
TTArtisan 50mm f/0.95
TTArtisan 50mm f/1.2
Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 XF
Viltrox AF 23mm f/1.4 XF
Viltrox AF 33mm f/1.4 XF
Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.4 XF
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