Sony alpha 7R-3: Does anyone see a down side to attaching a Sigma 85/1.4 DN DG Art lens to a Sony A7R-3? I was particularly thinking in terms of eye tracking detection and focus speed.

randy pitts

Does anyone see a down side to attaching a Sigma 85/1.4 DN DG Art lens to a Sony A7R-3?

I was particularly thinking in terms of eye tracking detection and focus speed. I would be interested in anyone's idea whether this is a bad combination, and why?
I am well aware that it is not a telephoto and for certain aspects of photography, it might not be ideal. I am looking for the basic opinion as to advantages and disadvantages of that particular combination.

n4jee Loc: New Bern, NC

I'm old and remember when the third party lens offerings couldn't hold a candle with the major camera manufacturers lenses. After all, Asahi, Canon and Nikon stepped into the world market when the photojournalists covering the Korean war discovered that those brands lenses faired well against the Leica's, that they were using, for a much lower cost. The wisdom used to be to use the manufacturer of the cameras own lenses. I subscribe to that wisdom.
Having recently switched from Nikon to Sony and greatly downsizing my inventory, I recognize that Sony doesn't have near the selection of lenses that Canon and Nikon can offer. They do offer an 85 f1.4 although it is 50% higher price. If I were in the market for a fast 85mm would I save $600 with the Sigma. I don't know. Good luck.

MDI Mainer

The Sigma lens under discussion gets five stars and a pretty "outstanding" review on the A7Riv. Should be the same for a iii.

https://sonyalpha.blog/2021/01/12/which-lenses-for-a7riv-part-5-telephoto-70-to-100mm/

randy pitts

My concern was related to eye tracking and speed of auto focus. Do you have any thoughts?

ggenova64

[quote=randy pitts]Does anyone see a down side to attaching a Sigma 85/1.4 DN DG Art lens to a Sony A7R-3?

As alternative checkout the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

n4jee wrote:

Having recently switched from Nikon to Sony and greatly downsizing my inventory, I recognize that Sony doesn't have near the selection of lenses that Canon and Nikon can offer.

This may have been the case five years ago. Today, Sony as well as third-party providers like Zeiss and Sigma offer a great range of superb lenses. It is the Canon and Nikon mirrorless systems that do not offer a great range of lenses, although I am sure that this will change over time. Perhaps Canon and Nikon still offer more DSLR lenses, but these are systems of the past.

gwilliams6

MDI Mainer wrote:

The Sigma lens under discussion gets five stars and a pretty "outstanding" review on the A7Riv. Should be the same for a iii.

https://sonyalpha.blog/2021/01/12/which-lenses-for-a7riv-part-5-telephoto-70-to-100mm/

I have owned A7RII, A7RIII, A7III, A9 and now A7RIV, A1, A7SIII. I have the superb Sigma Art 85mm f1.4 DG DN lens and it works great on all my Sony bodies, great quick and accurate autofocus and superb sharpness and bokeh.

No worries on your A7RIII, enjoy and use it with confidence. FYI I also have the excellent Sigma Art 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN lens and it also works great on all my Sony bodies. Just as good as my Sony lenses.

Cheers

MDI Mainer

randy pitts wrote:

My concern was related to eye tracking and speed of auto focus. Do you have any thoughts?

Not clear to whom you posed the question, but I have never experienced any focus or tracking problems with Tamron or Sigma glass on a Sony mirrorless body, so long as the lens is a native E-mount lens. I've not had the same experience with A-mount glass used with an adapter.

Tamron, Sigma and other third party lens manufacturers have really upped the quality of their latest offerings, which pretty much include all of their high-end E-mount products. These lenses now rival OEM glass (often at a significantly better price point).

gwilliams6

MDI Mainer wrote:

Not clear to whom you posed the question, but I ha... (show quote)

So true,

randy pitts

THANKS!!!
That was exactly what I was looking for.
Thanks again!

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

Just be sure that the firmware is updated. I went to a Sigma event and borrowed a bunch of lenses. Some did not work well on my A7 lll, and the Sigma rep admitted that the firmware (within the lens) was not updated, even for my 2 year old body.

MDI Mainer

azted wrote:

Just be sure that the firmware is updated. I went to a Sigma event and borrowed a bunch of lenses. Some did not work well on my A7 lll, and the Sigma rep admitted that the firmware (within the lens) was not updated, even for my 2 year old body.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

randy pitts wrote:

Does anyone see a down side to attaching a Sigma 85/1.4 DN DG Art lens to a Sony A7R-3?

I was particularly thinking in terms of eye tracking detection and focus speed. I would be interested in anyone's idea whether this is a bad combination, and why?
I am well aware that it is not a telephoto and for certain aspects of photography, it might not be ideal. I am looking for the basic opinion as to advantages and disadvantages of that particular combination.

I use a Sigma 35mm Art lens with an A7 III and A7R III. Beautiful lens and it works well with the Sigma M-11 adapter. I suspect the 85mm would work the same.

bwa

lreisner Loc: Union,NJ

randy pitts wrote:

Does anyone see a down side to attaching a Sigma 85/1.4 DN DG Art lens to a Sony A7R-3?

I was particularly thinking in terms of eye tracking detection and focus speed. I would be interested in anyone's idea whether this is a bad combination, and why?
I am well aware that it is not a telephoto and for certain aspects of photography, it might not be ideal. I am looking for the basic opinion as to advantages and disadvantages of that particular combination.

I have the A7R4 use the Sigma 24-70 2.8 lens. It is a terrific lens, both lighter and was a thousand dollars cheaper. It is a newer design and every bit as good as the Sony.

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

I also have the 24-70 f2.8 and I love it. I compared all available f2.8 for Sony E, and it was the clear winner. Since that purchase I have added quite a few Sigma lenses, they are great!