Sigma 50mm f 1.4 DG HSM /A vs. Zeiss Otus 55mm f 1.4

[Kram]

"Despite the dramatic difference in price, the Sigma competes handily with the $4,000 Zeiss 55mm Otus lens… While the Zeiss does show better performance in the corners at ƒ/1.4 on a full-frame camera, the other optical performance characteristics are pretty evenly matched."

http://petapixel.com/2014/04/09/sigma-50mm-keeps-pace-otus-almost-counts-rumored-cost-one-fourth-much/

They claim Sigma is as good! Tempting... thoughts?

[Lloydy]

You can do a lot with $3,000.

[Attila]

Interesting .. if I can afford 1000 USD for Sigma, I buy a Zeiss Contax Planar for 200 USD secondhand, and use rest of 800 USD for something else. If I can afford 4000 USD for new Zeiss, I buy a Leica-R 50mm f1.4 for 1000 USD I will be not shame with Sigma and still have 3000 USD to buy something else.

[Kram]

Attila, I like the way you think.

[tromboads]

and besides that's a lot of industar 22's. You could buy a crate and find the good one amongst all the crap ones

[iangreenhalgh1]

If there's one thing that I can honestly say would NEVER concern me and it's the corner performance at f1.4!

If I had 4 grand to spend on a lens, I'd spend it on a trip to somewhere exotic and beautiful that gave me lots of new things to shoot and use one of my existing more than adequate lenses.

[tromboads]

Yep.

[bernhardas]

Edited

[ForenSeil]

For professionals these are not "luxury" items imho. For paying customers you should always afford the best you can.
The Sigma should be very tempting for professionals, as it's better than all other 50ies available for Nikon and Canon, except the much higher priced manual-only Zeiss Otus

And for amateurs... well actually photography is always a luxury hobby, no matter if its made with a 200€ gear or an 6000€ gear, it's only a matter of how addicted/insane you are which prices might become acceptable.

Last time I had some money left I had the choice between buying a small used car or an new camera and new lenses.... and well I'm still driving with the bus and I don't regret that But 4k for single lens... damn that would be too much for me, even if I could afford it!

[sammo]

For me wide open corner performance is very important, but I wouldn't pay for otus just to get that... If i would buy it it would be as a luxury item. so, sell most of the other lenses and have just the otus. I am not yet crazy enough

[ManualFocus-G]

If the new Sigma 50/1.4 renders like their recent 85/1.4 and 35/1.4 lenses, then we'll have a very nice AF lens with Zeiss like IQ and pop on our hands Fair play to Sigma!

[hoanpham]

I am ok with the sigma. Sigma had been better lately. I got their Art lens for Nex (60/2.8 ) and it is not perfect, but at least it is very sharp and very good contrast compared to other lenses and far beyond the other sigma I have.

You pay the price for better performance in the corners at ƒ/1.4 in full frame (!)

Otus target users:
- Low light landscape shooter
- Brand awareness
- Who want best of the best?
- collector?

Otus target buyers:
- Any one have 4000$ and cannot spend for something else

I might suit as target user, but I don't have $ to buy

[iangreenhalgh1]

[iangreenhalgh1]

[bernhardas]

Edited

[hexi]

The latest Zeiss might, are surely is a good lens. Nonetheless, the price is a bit crazy ! i stick top my C/Y Planars, used on Contaxes and on digital, they're far from being crap

[hoanpham]

the 50mm F1.4 DG HSM Art, will be available late April for the street price of $949.

dpreview.com

[drjs]

Wait.... are you saying Zeiss name is not worth $3000?????