Yesterday I published an article about the three Fujifilm X-Mount lenses that Sigma announced. These were already existing lenses within Sigma’s lineup, and they simply converted them for use on Fujifilm cameras. I stated that Sigma should have modified the lenses by adding aperture rings, because that is an important part of the Fujifilm experience. I also hinted (without downright stating) that Sigma should have filled holes in the Fujinon lineup, instead of going head-to-head with already existing lenses (hoping the cheaper price point is enough to entice potential customers). Yes, selling discount knockoffs (I don’t mean that to sound so harsh, because Sigma makes quality products) is one strategy, but I think offering something unique would be better.
With that in mind, I thought it would be a fun exercise to explore which Sigma lenses (that already exist) would fill holes in the Fujinon lineup. These are the lenses that Sigma should have released for Fujifilm X-mount, or maybe the lenses they should release next.
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art
A high-quality mid-range zoom covering some very useful focal-lengths? A lens that is great for street, portrait, and travel? Heck, yeah! While Fujifilm offers a number of zooms covering all sorts of focal-lengths, they don’t have one quite like this.
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art
Fujifilm has a 90mm f/2, and an 80mm f/2.8, but they don’t have an 85mm lens or a telephoto lens longer than 56mm that has a maximum aperture larger than f/2. Seems like a winner to me.
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 Art
Fujifilm jumps from 90mm all the way to 200mm, and skips everything in-between. This would fill that gaping hole quite nicely.
Sigma 105mm f/1.4 Art
Or go crazy with the “bokeh master.” This is a full-frame lens, but it might pair well with the upcoming X-H2….
Sigma 45mm f/2.8 Contemporary
Fujifilm doesn’t offer a 45mm lens. 35mm? Yes. 50mm? Yes. But nothing in-between. Could be a nice “compromise” if you want both a 35mm and 50mm but can’t afford both.
Sigma 65mm f/2.8 Contemporary
Fujifilm has a 60mm lens, but if you want something just a bit longer, you have to jump to 80mm, which might be too long. Both the 60mm and 80mm lenses are macro, which can be nice, but they also have their challenges (lots of focus to scroll through), so a non-macro lens might be a good option.
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Macro Art
This might be a good in-between lens if you can’t decide on the 60mm and 80mm macros.
In my opinion, this list is what Sigma should have used when deciding on which lenses to bring to Fujifilm. These make a lot more sense to me. What do you think? Do you prefer the three lenses Sigma announced, or would you prefer some of these instead? Which lenses should Sigma release on Fujifilm next?
Whatever Sigma does, I hope that they don’t just change the mount, but modify the lenses to fit the full Fujifilm experience. As it stands now, I have zero interest in any of these lenses, mainly because of the lack of aperture rings. What do you think? Should Sigma include an aperture ring, even if they have to raise the price a little to do so?
I bought a refurbished FX 16mm f1.4 about a week ago, and I’m still waiting for it to arrive. When I saw your email about these new Sigma lenses, and their prices I was initially kicking myself! That lack of aperture ring and the overall aesthetic is a total deal-breaker for me though, so I don’t regret my decision at all – so thanks for the thorough post! I also appreciate your note about Fujifilm cameras “secretly fixing little flaws in the Fujinon glass … automatically” and for best results, to “stick with native glass” – solid advice, and reaffirms my confidence in my decision to buy a refurbed Fuji lens!
You made a good decision. I hope you love your 16mm f/1.4 lens!
And I’m to busy taking pictures (Oh I’m sorry.. Making photographs 😉) to collect’ in between’ lenses which will fall to the wayside when lenses appear which have a little thought put into them.
I think if thought is put into them, and they’re good quality, they won’t fall by the wayside. Nobody ever said you have to shoot with 35mm, 50mm, etc., focal-lengths. Sometimes an “in-between” focal-length is a good compromise, with one lens replacing two (less to carry, especially important for travel). I appreciate the comment!
Good points, Richie. As a real estate listings photographer I would LOVE an excellent quality, small and lightweight 10mm (15mm equivalent) APS-C prime lens (NOT a fisheye!). IF the IQ, size and weight would be equal to a Fuji prime (NOT like the heavy, bulky, not so great IQ Rokinon), I might consider it. I haven’t seen any reviews on the Samyang 10mm, and don’t know if it’s available for Fuji or not. Right now I’m using the Fuji 10-24mm lens, and like all Fuji lenses, it’s excellent, but it’s also a little large and slightly heavy. Fuji’s prime lenses have spoiled me, and I just LOVE those prime Fuji lenses, so a FUJI 10mm prime would be sweet!
The 10-24mm is what I use for real estate photos, too. But a solid 10mm distortion-free prime would be excellent. It’s my understanding that the Samyang 10mm has a fair amount of barrel distortion. I hope Fujifilm does make one in the future. Thanks for the comment!
I just picked up an excellent condition Samsang 12mm lens for Fuji in excellent condition for my X-E2 camera. Last night I shot a few pics with it and was bummed by OUT OF FOCUS they were. Then I remembered it was NOT an autofocus lens. Tried a few shots with it focused manually and they were super sharp. Duh, huh. Ha. I like it….
Such a good lens for the price. But, yeah, you’ve got to focus it yourself 😉
Well, I would go in a totally different direction… The fuji lenses that I dream of are the 10-24 and the 100-400, and they are both over 1000€… So a couple of zoom lenses in those ranges and almost half the price would be the best (provided an aperture ring)
Sigma needs to realize that an aperture ring is a must if they want to be taken seriously with Fujifilm photographers. The Fujinon 100-400mm is the most expensive lens that I’ve ever owned, and the image quality is good but not as good as I would expect from the most expensive lens I’ve ever purchased. So if Sigma can put out a 100-400mm with a similar image quality (and with an aperture ring) but for a little less, that could be a winner.
In principle, Sigma has only made lenses for one camera, namely the one that relies on PSAM operation. I think that’s a pity, because the command dial for the aperture on the Fuji lenses is essential for me. Therefore, what Sigma offers for Fuji is of no interest to me.
Cheers, Torsten
I agree! Thanks for the input!
On the APS-C sensor, 35mm is nearly 53mm full-frame equivalent. That’s close to the popular prime focal length of 50mm. The XF33mm is even closer. That’s useful for street photography. On the APS-C sensor, 50mm is nearly 77mm full frame equivalent. That’s a lovely portrait focal length for a prime lens.
45mm is an advantageous focal length on a full-frame sensor or 35mm film camera. It is close to “[perfectly normal](https://neiloseman.com/the-normal-lens/)” for that size of sensor/frame.
On an APS-C sensor, the 45mm lens would be approximately equivalent to 69mm on a full-frame sensor. I like your other recommendations, but I think a 69mm is an odd focal length for a prime lens.
I would prefer if Sigma offered an alternative to the XF27mmF2.8 R WR, maybe even a 28mm lens. That’s closer to “perfect normal” lens for Fuji’s APS-C sensor.
Article on perfect normal: https://neiloseman.com/the-normal-lens/
Yeah, I definitely can see a 27mm f/1.4 lens doing well for Sigma. They don’t currently make this, though, as far as I can tell (but they should!).
45mm does seem like an odd focal length for APS-C. I could see it being a “compromise” focal-length for someone who wants 35mm and 50mm, but can’t have both (either money or space in bag), and 45mm could fit that in-between role (especially if they lean more towards 50mm). I think 42mm (63mm equivalent) would be better, but Sigma doesn’t currently make this (as far as I can tell). 45mm (or 42mm) definitely wouldn’t be my first choice if I were Sigma, but maybe after they’ve made several others.
I appreciate the thoughtful input!
a 300mm f 2.8 from sigma would find many takers. fuji does not offer this but covers this focal length in the 100-400 mm zoom.
That would certainly be a good offering. I think currently Sigma only makes this for full-frame, if I’m not mistaken. Could be worth modifying for APS-C, though. Thanks for the input!
I’ve photographed fast-moving small birds (e.g. warblers) with the XF100-400mmF4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR, and the weight (1375 grams) is low when compared to Nikon (2900 grams) and Canon (2550 grams) 300mm prime glass. I would welcome a Fuji 300mm (459mm full-frame equivalent FOV) fast prime lens, but it could be too heavy. I think dealing with a heavy lens for a full day of small bird photography would be a challenge.
Maybe a 300mmF4 lens?
Fujifilm should make a 300mm f/4 for sure. Something not too heavy, like you said. Great suggestion!
Hi Ritchie, I know you know about crop-factor (1.53 for Fujifilm APS-C), so why do you want lens focal lengths that work well on full-frame sensors but are not quite suited to APS-C?
Instead of these standard 35mm full-frame FOV focal lengths:
Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art
Sigma 105mm f/2.8 Art
Sigma 105mm f/1.4 Art
Sigma 45mm f/2.8 Contemporary
Sigma 65mm f/2.8 Contemporary
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Macro Art
We may ask for a focal length that produces a similar FOV on the APS-C sensor. Such as:
Sigma 16-45mm f/2.8 Art
Sigma 55mm f/1.4 Art
Sigma 69mm f/2.8 Art
Sigma 69mm f/1.4 Art
Sigma 29mm f/2.8 Contemporary (very close to perfect normal for an APS-C sensor)
Sigma 43mm f/2.8 Contemporary
Sigma 46mm f/2.8 Contemporary
Yeah, it makes a lot of sense. My list is simply taking the lenses that are currently already made by Sigma, and looking for which could fill holes in the Fujinon lineup. Sigma could alternatively manufacture brand-new lenses specifically for Fujifilm. I don’t think they’ll do this, but maybe they should.
Of course they should have a ring. I like the Viltrox lenses.
Thanks for the input!
Good choices. I had the 70mm Macro when I lived in the full frame Canon world . . . I still think of it as the sharpest lens I have ever owned in my life (50+ years as a shooter). I’d love to see it come to my Fuji X-T5.
Macro lenses tend to be super sharp, and that Sigma 70mm Macro would be tempting if they made it for Fujifilm. Thanks for the input!