Sigma hints that it might finally make full-frame lenses for Nikon Z cameras
In a interview at CP+ with Kazuto Yamaki, CEO of Sigma Corp about the new Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS lens, Phototrend’s Damien Roué continued his questions by bringing up the recurring topic of Sigma making lenses for Canon and Nikon mirrorless cameras.
While Kazuto appeared to dismiss the possibility of Sigma lenses for the Canon RF mount despite “increasing demand” – which will disappoint Canon fans, especially those with APS-C cameras like the EOS R7 for which there are so few lenses are available – he was more encouraging about full-frame lenses for Nikon Z-mount.
Kazuto said: “In Nikon Z-mount, we already have three lenses. But they have not been very well received by Nikon camera users, maybe because they are APS-C lenses. We also need to redouble our efforts to win the hearts of Nikonists.”
How could Sigma win the hearts of Nikon fans after launching three APS-C lenses for Nikon Z-mount at CP+ 2023 to lukewarm responses? Damien probed about possible full-frame lenses to which Kazuto replied: “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’s reaction. But today I’d like to see how other targets would be received.”
Of course, the only way Sigma can gauge the market’s reaction to full-frame lenses for Nikon Z-mount is to launch such lenses. Traditionally, Nikon has been more open to third-party lens manufacturers than Canon, and it’s entirely possible that some of Sigma’s popular ‘Art’ lenses will become a reality – in fact, they could already be in the works.
Which lenses could Sigma make for full-frame Nikon Z mount?
If the response to this interview in the Nikon Rumors If the comments section is to be believed, the prospect of full-frame lenses for the Nikon Z mount has Nikon fans excited. They started dreaming about what Sigma glass could make available for popular cameras like the Nikon Z6 II, Z8 and Zf.
I’d like to see an equivalent to the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art – a lens I’ve relied on for years with my own Nikon DSLR to take some of my favorite portrait and reportage photographs in East Africa, and the like that still remain is not available as a Nikon Z lens. That will be the point here: Nikon is less likely to allow third-party lens makers like Sigma to create new optics that directly compete with its own existing range.
Nikon has made some incredibly sharp and affordable Z-Mount f/1.8 primes, plus a number of pro-level f/1.2 primes, like the Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S, which are up to six times the price of f/1.2 /1.2 S costs. /1.8 alternatives, close to $3,000 / £3,000 / AU$4,200. What there isn’t a lot of are f/1.4 primes that are somewhere in the middle.
Could we see Sigma 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm f/1.4 full-frame primes in the Nikon Z mount – some of which already exist in the L-Mount and Sony E-Mount? There will be plenty of people who can’t wait to find out, including me.