Sigma Outlet

I just found out that Sigma has an online Outlet. I'm not looking to purchase anything at this time but thought others might. Anyone have an experience with the outlet?

Interesting, thanks for the link.

Yep, Thanks. I'll check it out.

I am absolutely in the market for a 120-300mm f/2.8 right now, and at $1999 (vs. the regular $3599) I am almost ready to pull the trigger. 90 day warranty on a lens like that scares me, though, and thankfully they're only offering Canon mounts. If I could extend the warranty out another year or two for $100-200 then maybe.

Didn't know this. Thanks for the info, Eduard! :eagerness:

BackdoorHippie said:

I am absolutely in the market for a 120-300mm f/2.8 right now, and at $1999 (vs. the regular $3599) I am almost ready to pull the trigger. 90 day warranty on a lens like that scares me, though, and thankfully they're only offering Canon mounts. If I could extend the warranty out another year or two for $100-200 then maybe.

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Jake, curious, what is your 150-500??? Is that a sigma?

Pat in GA

RockyNH said:

Jake, curious, what is your 150-500??? Is that a sigma?

Pat in GA

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Yes, it is. The thing about it is that it doesn't get sharp until around f/8, which can drag up the ISO when you need to shoot at 1/1000 and above. My brother has the 120-300mm (Canon mount) and in his works, "At f4 it's amazing (sharp) across the entire range, and at f2.8 it's a solid 9.5". Stick a 1.7-2X on there and I'm golden and still brighter than the 150-500mm (which I still love). Plus with the Sigma software you can configure it to calibrate focus at 4 points across the zoom range, so it's no longer about just focus calibrating on one point.

BackdoorHippie said:

Yes, it is. The thing about it is that it doesn't get sharp until around f/8, which can drag up the ISO when you need to shoot at 1/1000 and above. My brother has the 120-300mm (Canon mount) and in his works, "At f4 it's amazing (sharp) across the entire range, and at f2.8 it's a solid 9.5". Stick a 1.7-2X on there and I'm golden and still brighter than the 150-500mm (which I still love). Plus with the Sigma software you can configure it to calibrate focus at 4 points across the zoom range, so it's no longer about just focus calibrating on one point.

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Thanks! Nice detailed analysis, I appreciate it...

Pat in GA

Thanks for the link Eduard.

These newer sigma lenses are really amazing. Fantastic build quality and the dock is a serious tool, not a gimmick. For those of us obsessive over sharpness it may take a bit of time to calibrate depending on your copy. I spent about 4-6 hours calibrating the 35mm 1.4. I believe with a zoom, you can calibrate 4 focal points for 4 distances, 16 combinations!

Rick M said:

These newer sigma lenses are really amazing. Fantastic build quality and the dock is a serious tool, not a gimmick. For those of us obsessive over sharpness it may take a bit of time to calibrate depending on your copy. I spent about 4-6 hours calibrating the 35mm 1.4. I believe with a zoom, you can calibrate 4 focal points for 4 distances, 16 combinations!

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I'd surrender every Nikon lens I own if it meant I could keep the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 and 35mm f/1.4 I have now.

If the dock supported my 50-150mm I'd get one in a heartbeat. I'm really surprised it's not...

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Horoscope Fish said:

I'd surrender every Nikon lens I own if it meant I could keep the Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 and 35mm f/1.4 I have now.

If the dock supported my 50-150mm I'd get one in a heartbeat. I'm really surprised it's not...

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Have you tried the dock on your 35 or was it dead on out of box?

BackdoorHippie said:

I am absolutely in the market for a 120-300mm f/2.8 right now, and at $1999 (vs. the regular $3599) I am almost ready to pull the trigger. 90 day warranty on a lens like that scares me, though, and thankfully they're only offering Canon mounts. If I could extend the warranty out another year or two for $100-200 then maybe.

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That isn't the new sport model listed, that looks like the previous model.

Rick M said:

Have you tried the dock on your 35 or was it dead on out of box?

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I haven't *actually* tested the 35mm. I suppose I should but lens testing is tedious and I hate it. Still, I love the lens and I know I should do a proper test...

Did using the dock make a big impact on sharpness for your copy? Saying "Yes," may push me over the edge into properly testing mine.

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Horoscope Fish said:

I haven't *actually* tested the 35mm. I suppose I should but lens testing is tedious and I hate it. Still, I love the lens and I know I should do a proper test...

Did using the dock make a big impact on sharpness for your copy? Saying "Yes," may push me over the edge into properly testing mine.

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Sorry, but yes it did make a big difference. My first shots were some close up flower shots at f1.4, You can really see any variance that way. In camera tuning centered the close up focus, but threw off long distance focusing. At that point I bought the dock and it made it perfect. I think the dock eliminates any variations found in lens or body copy combinations. No lens can be perfect at every focal length, but the dock closes the gap by applying preset corrections at the 4 customization points.

Before anyone gets on the "it should be perfect out of the box" argument, few lenses, even Nikon, are perfect OOB if you test them extensively. After that point you can only make a broad adjustment using the body. With these new Sigma's, the lenses software is actively working/adjusting while you shoot. I guess we could call them "smart" lenses.

Rick M said:

Sorry, but yes it did make a big difference. My first shots were some close up flower shots at f1.4, You can really see any variance that way. In camera tuning centered the close up focus, but threw off long distance focusing. At that point I bought the dock and it made it perfect. I think the dock eliminates any variations found in lens or body copy combinations. No lens can be perfect at every focal length, but the dock closes the gap by applying preset corrections at the 4 customization points.

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Thanks for your input, Rick; I've put The Dock on my Amazon shopping list. A lens as good as the Sig' 35mm f/1.4 really *does* deserve a proper calibration.

Rick M said:

Before anyone gets on the "it should be perfect out of the box" argument, few lenses, even Nikon, are rarely perfect OOB if you test them extensively. After that point you can only make a broad adjustment using the body. With these new Sigma's, the lenses software is actively working/adjusting while you shoot. I guess we could call them "smart" lenses.

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And a BIG thank you for this!
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Horoscope Fish said:

Thanks for your input, Rick; I've put The Dock on my Amazon shopping list. A lens as good as the Sig' 35mm f/1.4 really *does* deserve a proper calibration.



And a BIG thank you for this!
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You can borrow mine for a few weeks if you'd like, not something used very often. PM me your address if interested.

Rick M said:

You can borrow mine for a few weeks if you'd like, not something used very often. PM me your address if interested.

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Wow... That's a very generous offer.

I'm going to be out of town for a days but when I get back, early next week, I might just take your up on that!

Thank you again.

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BTW, you can download the software off sigma's site to check it out.