Sigma announces 50/1.4 HSM, FF

I don't see a new 85/1.4 costing less than $1k.

With the exception of the 50/1.4, all of Canon's other 1.4s: 24/1.4, 35/1.4 cost $1100, the 85/1.2 (an extra 1/2 stop) costs $1800

Sony's 35/1.4 costs $1350, 85/1.4 $1385.

The market's just not there for fast primes past the 50s, which is where the industry "standard field of view" for 35mm came from. Besides, I've also heard (probably not true) that Nikon quit making the 24/1.4 because they were selling only 6 a month worldwide, so it wasn't profitable for them. (That can explain why they made a 2.8 zoom that is better than the prime at the wide end).

Hopefully they'll release new fast primes in the next 9-12 months. Not holding my breath though; even Canon can't figure it out with an APS-C all-in-one zoom.
 
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"Roger" said:
I don't see a new 85/1.4 costing less than $1k.

Me neither. Primes are just too expensive unless you have a regular need for them. Heck, the Nikon 28 f1.4 was $1800 when they released it in 1994! (that's $2500 in today's dollars) That's probably why they didn't sell many. I'd love to have one of them, but with used ones selling for $2500 - $3500, that's not going to happen...
 
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"mSummers" said:
Primes are just too expensive unless you have a regular need for them.

Prob why Nikon focused more on zooms, esp. after "losing" the pro sports/journalist market. But they struck back, yes they did. Even Sigma got into the action with the 100-300/4 which is very highly rated...now if they could only make them durable rather than fragile....
 
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I can say that my Nikkor 50mm 1.8 is a really good lens for me. I'm sure that there are some problems with it (I have at times had problems with autofocus, but I'm not sure if the problem is me or the lens...it does not happen all the time), but for the most part it takes some really nice pictures.

BTW, as for film, I still use my old Mamiya/Sekor 35mm occasionally, usually in B&W now. That's the camera I learned on, and it's older than me!

Kevin
 
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Adorama is listing it @ $500. Due by the end of June, which to me means around Labor Day.
 
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