In a CP+ interview with Sigma Corp CEO Kazuto Yamaki about the new Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS lens, Phototrend's Damien Roué followed up his questions by bringing up the recurring topic about Sigma making lenses for Canon mirrorless cameras and Nikon.
While Kazuto appeared to rule out the possibility of Sigma lenses for Canon's RF mount despite “increasingly strong demand,” which will disappoint Canon fans, especially those with APS-C cameras like the EOS R7 for whom There are so few lenses available, I was more encouraging regarding Nikon's Z mount full frame lenses.
Kazuto said: “At Nikon Z-mount we already have three lenses. But they have not been very well received by Nikon body users, perhaps because they are APS-C optics. Furthermore, we must redouble our efforts to win the hearts of Nikonists. “
After the release of three Nikon Z-mount APS-C lenses at CP+ 2023 that received a lukewarm response, how could Sigma win the hearts of Nikon fans? Damien inquired about possible full frame lenses to which Kazuto responded: “Full frame is a source of opportunity for us. But our plan was to launch these three optics for APS-C to observe the market response. But today I would like to see how other objectives would be received.
Of course, the only way for Sigma to gauge the market response to Nikon's Z-mount full-frame lenses would be to release such lenses. Nikon has traditionally been more open to third-party lens makers than Canon, and it's entirely possible that some of Sigma's popular 'Art' lenses will become a reality; in fact, they may already be in the works.
What lenses could Sigma make for the full frame Nikon Z mount?
Based on the response to this interview in the Nikon Rumors comments section, the prospect of full-frame lenses for the Nikon Z mount has Nikon fans excited. They have started dreaming about what Sigma glass could be available for popular cameras like the Nikon Z6 II, Z8 and Zf.
I'd love to see an equivalent of the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art, a lens I've relied on for years with my own Nikon DSLR to shoot some of my favorite portraits and reportage in East Africa, and things like it's not yet available as a lens Nikon Z. That will be the point here: Nikon is less likely to allow other lens makers like Sigma to create new optics that compete directly with their own existing range.
Nikon has made some incredibly sharp and affordable Z-mount f/1.8 primes, plus several pro-grade f/1.2 primes, like the Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S, that cost up to six times the price of primes. f/1.2. /1.8 alternatives, in the region of $3000 / £3000 / AU$4200. What there isn't much of are the f/1.4 primes which sit somewhere in between.
Could we see Sigma 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm f/1.4 full-frame prime lenses in Nikon Z mount, some of which already exist in Sony L-mount and E-mount? There will be many people eager to find out, including me.
