Sigma Art (Cinemod) vs schneider XENON

[Minu Park]

I am thinking of getting prime lenses.

I have been using Mamiya 645 prime set and nikon ais.


Sigma art 24, 35, 50 G.L.optics (each $3250)

or

schneider 25, 35, 50, 75, 100 XENER (each $4000)


Hmm... How do you think about them?

-Sigma G.L.optics doesn't have any review, so I can't tell..

 

[Matt Ryan]

In terms of glass only, the Sigma's are superior to the Xenons in every category (Sharpness, CA, Contrast, etc) and also have the edge on speed. The problem knock for cinema users is the 90 degree focus rotation. That is where the Xenons win with their 300 degree focus rotation. Although with wireless follow focus's, this isn't an issue since the controller usually remaps every lens to either 270degrees or 300 degrees. The other problem with the Sigma's is there isn't a full set yet (24,35,50 only so far) whereas the Xenon's have the 25,35,50,75,& 100 available now.

 

[Samir Patel]

how would the breathing compare Matt?

 

[Matt Ryan]

Haven't done a side by side but the breathing on Xenons will probably win that category, although the Sigma's aren't bad.

 

[Michael Lindsay]

That is not too bad at all...

 

[Matt Ryan]

That is not too bad at all...

Exactly. For example, Zeiss Super Speeds, Canon K35's, CP'2's, Canon Cine Primes, etc probably breathe more than the Sigmas.... So they are not bad by any means...

 

[Minu Park]

Hmm...

Firstly, G.L optics only provides 160 degree. - not even close to 200 degree... - it's not super short, but not long enough to focus easily

Honestly, my budget is around $15000, it means, I could get the lens 3-4 instead of entire set for now. ( I think 24, 35, 50mm will be used in most time, and I will stick with my mamiya 80mm 1.8 for a while..)

However, I got a recommendation from my colleague saying that he has used otus one time, and he think it's better than most of the lens out there, even regarding the focus throw.

Otus (Zeiss). it has 240 degree of manual focus.

Just ironical thing about this is that the price between sigma(cinemod) and otus is almost same.

If I added the otus as a list, what would you choose again?

 

[Samir Patel]

Thanks Matt. Breathing looks not bad at all

 

[Hal Long]

They're both fine lenses. It depends on how you plan on using them, and on what kind of shoots. The Xenons perform very well. I haven't used the Art primes very much but I have the 18-35 from GL in a 300 deg throw and it's simply an amazing lens. Edge-to-edge it's incredibly sharp. If it's just you and you have time to finesse the still glass for focus, then either should work okay. If you need a sturdy cinema build with a longer throw for more precise focus, then the Xenons may be a better choice. My Xenons aren't quite as sharp as my 18-35 but I've been quite taken by their look since I first tried them out.

 

[Augusto Giachino]

Hal,

have you made to match footage between the longer Xenons and the 18-35?

Edit: Actually I just found a thread from April where you said they can be made to match well.

 

[Augusto Giachino]

Minu,

the Xenon 25mm is more expensive than the other lenses in the set, it's listed at $5,750 by most sellers.

 

[Phil Holland]

Minu,

the Xenon 25mm is more expensive than the other lenses in the set, it's listed at $5,750 by most sellers.

I might have access on two 25mm primes that were used once on 3D gig. Send me a PM if you're looking for one. Just found out, don't know the price just yet.

 

[Anton Shavlik]

I think breathing is easier to see stopped down, right? but that test said the opposite.

If I stop down my Zeiss ZE primes to f22 and rack from infinity to close the breathing is extremely apparent, but if I do it with the Xenons theres virtually none until about 3' away.

And in that video, the Sigma certainly had more than the Xenon.

edit: also I'd personally go for the Otus as soon as the wide is out.

 

[Marcos Montenegro]

If I had the choice between Sigma ARTs, Schneider XENON's or Zeiss Otus, I would choose the Otus lenses all day. However, realizing that as of this writing only 2 of these lenses exists (55mm and 85mm), you will be limited in focal choices and will therefore need to have other accompanying lenses in the interim that work well with Zeiss. Depending on your shooting style and needs, this will either be OK or a red flag.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Thru the years I went from using a lens for the need of a particular focal length to looking for a specific look in aliens, to look for perfection in a lens, to back again to make sure I have the FOCAL I need, more importantly then anything else!!

So in my strong opinion you need o tho with a set that gives you the FOCAL needs to cover your shooting requirements... And worry less, much less about anything else...


Btw, I do love the XENON's... Haven't shot with the Sigma in a long time... So about the Art series can't comment at all, but that might soon change....

 

[darren scott]

Remember Nan (GL optics) also has the contax zeiss lenses which offer 330 degree rotation and have focal lengths of 21,25,35,50,85,135, in regular set and super speed set (not on the site but can be requested) .That may or may not be an another option for you.

 

[Maik Müller]

I love my SIGMAs, but i will not get them cinemodded.

I'm planning to build two sets of primes, one as lightweight as possible + with the AF-motor inside. I'm looking forward to use these with EFF-solutions and special features like Rack-Focus. SIGMA Art is great for that, and the manual focus-ring isn't that bad too. Getting used to the lenses in their original-form has some other advantages too, besides the price-points, they are easily replace- and extendable.

The second set will be a classic approach with manual focus. For that i did choose Otus. It's the best still-glass you can get, this can't be said often enough. Fantastic optics and great feel on the housing and focus-ring... For one-man-shooting i don't feel the need to cine-mod them right now.

Both lines have one big issue, they are missing focal lengths. But the good thing is, you can mix those lenses right now.

If would start today, i would get the two Otus lenses and the SIGMA 24/35 or 18-35. Cinemodded or not - thats a matter of personal taste.

I can't say much about the Xenons, but from what i have read here, they are really good lenses with lots of bang for the buck. Consistent through the range and way more complete than the still-lens series. Without doubt i would choose them over a set of CP.2-primes.