Sigma has announced the US pricing for 11 Art primes which are compatible with Leica’s SL, TL and CL cameras.
The cheapest, the 70mm f/2,8 Macro comes in at $569 while the two most expensive, the 14mm f/1.8 and 105mm f/1.4 both cost $1,599.
SL users, in particular, will note the vast gulf in price between these third-party lenses and Leica’s own SL offerings. Reviews of Sigma Art lenses in other formats have been generally extremely positive and the new L-Mount versions are bound to be tempting.
This is full list of available Art lenses:
- 14mm, f/1.8 Art DG HSM, $1,599
- 20mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM, $899
- 24mm f/1/4 Art DG HSM, $849
- 28mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM, $1,399
- 35mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM, $899
- 40mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM, $1,399
- 50mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM, $949
- 70mm f/2.8 Art DG Macro, $569
- 85mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM, $1,199
- 105mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM, $1,599
- 135mm f/1.8 Art DG HSM, $1,399
As far as we are aware, prices in the UK have not been announced but, taking into account the 20% VAT uplift, the figures are going to look very much in same when converted to Sterling.
Via Photorumors
I wonder whether Leica Boutique dealers and those who specialise in Red Dot products will stock non-Leica branded L-Mount lenses such as those likely to be launched by Sigma in the UK. I guess Mike must be the nearest to knowing the answer.
I don’t know the answer to that. I suspect they might just do that. Some, including Red Dot, sell Voigtländer ZM lenses and others offer Zeiss, so it’s the same principle. I think it would be a good opportunity for Leica dealers to be able to offer a cheaper alternative to SL lenses, particularly if the Art range is as good as everyone is saying. As for cameras, I doubt a specialist such as Red Dot would Stock Panasonic.
Some of these lenses are amazing and compete with some of the Zeiss Otus and Milvus glass (not in rendering as each lens renders differently) in sharpness and do on. They are large but you expect that for premium FF glass that can handle 80 MP. Humorously, most people exhaust themselves carrying a kit of these lenses thinking it will make them a better photographer instead of investing in education.
When I was using the SL I felt that the 24-90 zoom was one of the best all-round lenses I have ever come across. It’s big, but so are the primes. It will be interesting to see what Sigma offer to compete with the SL zooms.
Hi Mike, I agree. The 24-90 was the best zoom I have owned. I particularly appreciated the extra reach. In genera, I did not miss primes unless I was looking for a special rendering such as provided by the specialty lens Zeiss ZM 50 f/1.5. As a matter of interest, I picked a setting such as 50mm and then moved my feet so as to pick perspective.
I have nothing against these lenses – I think they are a great addition to make L mount cameras more appealing, but they all look enormous. I remember I could fit any of my Leica lenses 28mm to 135mm in a large pocket. Even my Canon DSLR lenses 40mm to 200mm would fit into a coat pocket!
You are right, Dan, they are enormous. But so are the SL lenses and we are constantly told by Leica and sundry experts that they need to be big because of all the high-quality glass. If weight and size are anything to go by, then, the Sigma lenses should be excellent. As you say, it is a great mystery why modern autofocus lenses (image stabilisation and sundry motors accepted) are so much bigger than M lenses which, most people acknowledge, are great optics. At least this gives SL owners the chance to economise — especially if the IQ is nearly as good at the comparable SL lenses. If it is AS GOOD, when we read the reviews, it seems to be a no-brainer to get the Sigmas.
Not a bad price for the 35mm, more so if it turns out to be decent in its output.
All the prices are remarkable if the quality is there. From what I’ve heard and read, the Art lens are excellent. They are big and heavy, though, and in that they share something with Leica’s SL primes.