What is an "art" lens?
Jul 26, 2016 08:44:47 #
LOL....I've often wondered what an 'art' lens is.
Good lenses, maybe, but IMO shear marketing gimmick.
'Art' lies with the artist, who will choose their tools appropriately e.g. for bokeh and other lens attributes, or chose their output according to the tools they possess, or what is simply to hand.
I'm aware of people who possess perfectly good, pro lenses, yet feel intimidated by the very existence of an 'art' lens, somehow thinking that their (the artist's) integrity has been undermined.
Stick to your 'art'.....
Good lenses, maybe, but IMO shear marketing gimmick.
'Art' lies with the artist, who will choose their tools appropriately e.g. for bokeh and other lens attributes, or chose their output according to the tools they possess, or what is simply to hand.
I'm aware of people who possess perfectly good, pro lenses, yet feel intimidated by the very existence of an 'art' lens, somehow thinking that their (the artist's) integrity has been undermined.
Stick to your 'art'.....
Jul 26, 2016 08:52:16 #
andywilk38 wrote:
LOL....I've often wondered what an 'art' lens is. ... (show quote)
The term "Arr lense" has worked well for Sigma. If not, why discuss it-- or feel "intimidated by the very existence" of the "art" lense.
Jul 26, 2016 09:13:34 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
luvmypets wrote:
While checking DXOmark on the ranking of a certain... (show quote)
The Sigma ART line of lenses is their relatively new top of the line series. It is just a designation they use to differentiate their new lineup. They also have a SPORT series and CONTEMPORARY series. Each has lenses with different capabilities. The optics and build of the ART series are superb and compete favorably with practically anything else out there, often for less money, The ART range's emphasis is high quality prime lenses like the 35mm f/1.4 and the 50mm f/1.4, as well as the fastest short focal range zooms on the planet like the 18-35mm f/1.8 and the 50-100mm f/1.8 . Every one of the ART lenses is built like a tank. I have an 18-35mm f/1.8 and its the sharpest lens I own, even wide open. Owning that lens is like having a bagful of prime lenses. On crop it compares favorably with many of the best primes out there and its like having fast 20mm, 24mm, 28mm and 35mm primes (and everything in between) all in one lens.
Jul 26, 2016 09:29:16 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
andywilk38 wrote:
LOL....I've often wondered what an 'art' lens is. ... (show quote)
Yes the term ART is for marketing use, but the line is superb and rivals anything else on the market.
Jul 26, 2016 10:00:16 #
I have no experience with either lens. I have an "art" lens and it is a very good and sharp Sigma 60mm f2.8 that I use with mirrorless cameras.
I do not know where Sigma came up with the word Art for some of their lenses but appears to me that they are labeled like that due to their better optical correction. Professional I think would have been a better term.
Do not agonize over sharpness. Sharpness depends a lot on your photographic technique more than the lens.
I can only tell you that I have not used a lens that did not do its part when I did mine.
I do not know where Sigma came up with the word Art for some of their lenses but appears to me that they are labeled like that due to their better optical correction. Professional I think would have been a better term.
Do not agonize over sharpness. Sharpness depends a lot on your photographic technique more than the lens.
I can only tell you that I have not used a lens that did not do its part when I did mine.
Jul 26, 2016 10:01:36 #
Good explanations, but it also confused me the first time I saw it. For my .02 worth I think they could have thought up a better name.
Jul 26, 2016 10:05:00 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
JohnK wrote:
Good explanations, but it also confused me the first time I saw it. For my .02 worth I think they could have thought up a better name.
Like what for instance? Its just a name designation for their state of the art lens line. People are taking this name too literally.
Jul 26, 2016 10:28:39 #
I have the 50 ART and the 24 ART, both are fantastic but the 50 is incredible with its great bokeh ability.
Jul 26, 2016 10:55:42 #
I own the 50 ART, which is an amazing lens. I also own the 24-105 ART and I find that awesome as well. I sold my Nikon 50/1.4G when I bought the Sigma ART version so I am, obviously, very happy with it and it's bokeh. IMHO, the bokeh king is my Nikon 85 1.4G! Can't seem to make a bad portrait with that bad boy! Best of luck!
Jul 26, 2016 11:28:27 #
jeryh
Loc: Oxfordshire UK
The Sigma 'Art" lens have the highest rating, almost up with the Zeiss otis lens, and almost as expensive. You won;t go wrong with any Art branded Sigma.
Jul 26, 2016 12:05:29 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
jeryh wrote:
The Sigma 'Art" lens have the highest rating, almost up with the Zeiss otis lens, and almost as expensive. You won;t go wrong with any Art branded Sigma.
The Sigma ART lenses do compare favorably with the Zeiss Otus line, but they are not, at you suggest, almost as expensive. The lenses in the OTUS line are all around the $4000 mark which makes them four to five times more expensive than the Sigmas, which are generally between $800 to under $1000. The Sigmas are a bargain. The OTUS line has incredible optics and build, but they are manual focus only.
Jul 26, 2016 12:57:53 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG Art Lens for Nikon mount, goes for $900. So, it is a high end lens for Sigma. Still a little pricey for me. I have a 50mm f/1.8.
Jul 26, 2016 13:01:02 #
A Lensbaby would be an "Art" lens. Using some of the old manual lenses you can buy on Ebay would be considered "Art" lenses. Anything that changes the normal perspective would be an art lens, I believe.
Jul 26, 2016 14:17:44 #
Excellent lens! The low fstop allows you more control over depth of field and exposure. I use it for portraits primarily.
Sigma labels lenses that 'push the boundaries' somewhat that have a primary use of photographing still (or near still) objects while giving you as much control over exposure as possible.
Sigma labels lenses that 'push the boundaries' somewhat that have a primary use of photographing still (or near still) objects while giving you as much control over exposure as possible.
Jul 26, 2016 14:33:36 #
luvmypets wrote:
While checking DXOmark on the ranking of a certain... (show quote)
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Sigma's art series lenses are basically like Canon's "L" series lenses, meaning that the art series lenses are Sigma's top of the line lenses. I do own several of the Sigma art series lenses and not only do they take sharp, crispy, nicely contrasted images, but they are built like a tank and should give the user many years of service.
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