E-410/e510
- Thread starter howeikwok
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microcosm
Senior Member
But of course, even Sigma for Four Thirds mounts on the L1. That is why the Four Thirds standard.
BTW, welcome to the Four Thirds user group.
As for the 50-200, for brand new prices, see the sticky in this section on price list. And my advise is to wait for the new 50-200 SWD to be out, where there might be price adjustments from Olympus.
Blu-By-U
Senior Member
Talking of 50-200, I booked the sigma 135-400. Works out to roughly S$1050.00 
inclusive of delivery to me in M'sia. Only catch is 1yr Japan Warranty. Someone mention that Sigma Service in Singapore got a calibration device. Will they service me if I encounter problems with the lens?? Soli..OT.
inclusive of delivery to me in M'sia. Only catch is 1yr Japan Warranty. Someone mention that Sigma Service in Singapore got a calibration device. Will they service me if I encounter problems with the lens?? Soli..OT.
microcosm
Senior Member
Talking of 50-200, I booked the sigma 135-400. Works out to roughly S$1050.00
Blu, so you decide on the big bad gun!?
microcosm
Senior Member
Test image quality first before buying bro. The ZD is weather sealed. In the humid tropical weather, it can mean a whole lot more.
Blu-By-U
Senior Member
Excuse me...I was comparing this Zuiko Digital ED 70-300mm F4.0-5.6 to the 135-400. Both are not whether sealed. and the Zuiko Digital ED 70-300mm F4.0-5.6 is also made by Sigma.
Knowing sigma, I don't think it would be anywhere near the Zuiko 50-200's quality...but I get double the reach for S$500 less. Can't expect fantastic quality at such low $$$.
Knowing sigma, I don't think it would be anywhere near the Zuiko 50-200's quality...but I get double the reach for S$500 less. Can't expect fantastic quality at such low $$$.
microcosm
Senior Member
ZD 70-300 made by Sigma??
Blu, where did you obtain the information that ZD 70-300 is made by Sigma? You had also mentioned this in Mytikal forum of which I had enquired but there is no respond from you. If it is a rumour then it is just a rumour. You had made a statement. That's why I'm interested to know.
Granted, based on the information available so far, the yet to be released ZD 70-300 may be identical to the Sigma cousin but a look at the MTF chart will tell you the lenses produced by Sigma is generally of lower quality in terms of sharpness and contrast. You can find these information in updated 4/3 catalogue.
Why would Oly engage Sigma to produce a lens which they can better do it themselves?
microcosm
Senior Member
Blu, where did you obtain the information that ZD 70-300 is made by Sigma? You had also mentioned this in Mytikal forum of which I had enquired but there is no respond from you. If it is a rumour then it is just a rumour. You had made a statement. That's why I'm interested to know.
Granted, based on the information available so far, the yet to be released ZD 70-300 may be identical to the Sigma cousin but a look at the MTF chart will tell you the lenses produced by Sigma is generally of lower quality in terms of sharpness and contrast. You can find these information in updated 4/3 catalogue.
Why would Oly engage Sigma to produce a lens which they can better do it themselves?
Precisely. If it is a Sigma lens, it would be sold as a Sigma lens. I cannot even imagine a Sigma worthy of a ZD badge. Is like Ferrari asking KIA to make their engines. Not possible and defies logic. I will check with Olympus about this.
Thanks for your welcome and heads-up on the 50-200. Wonder whether they will have inbuilt IS/VR for these long lenses as they are 2x longer on the cam. Am a fan of IS/VR after using the FZs and VR70-200.
Why would Oly engage Sigma to produce a lens which they can better do it themselves?
Some Pentax lenses are co-designed and made by Tokina (eg. the upcoming DA* series) and some previous lenses were made by Tamron. Of course there are slight differences to differentiate the two, eg. different glass coating, exterior design, QC. And under agreement, Tokina do not sell the same lens product for Pentax mount.
It is a possibility some of Olympus' ZD lenses are manufactured by Sigma. A Sigma representative once told me OTR they do make some lenses for Olympus although he did not say which models. Here's one example -- ZD 8mm/3.5 fullframe fisheye v. Sigma 8mm/3.5 EX DG circular fisheye:
The MTF charts look similar too. Looks like Sigma used the exact same design (intended for 2x multiplier) and made a copy for the other mounts (voila...becomes a circular fisheye on FF DSLR).
Using spare manufacturing capacity to make lenses for other manufacturers brings in the $$$ so I don't see why Sigma won't do it.
The MTF charts for Sigma and ZD 8mm doesn't look the same. Suggest you re-look again.
Also, the following are the test standard used by the respective manufacturer:
1. ZD: S20 lines per/mm M20 lines per/mm S60 lines per/mm M60 lines per/mm
2. Sigma: S10 lines per/mm M10 lines per/mm S30 lines per/mm M30 lines per/mm
I stand corrected. I always thought the higher the better.
Also, the following are the test standard used by the respective manufacturer:
1. ZD: S20 lines per/mm M20 lines per/mm S60 lines per/mm M60 lines per/mm
2. Sigma: S10 lines per/mm M10 lines per/mm S30 lines per/mm M30 lines per/mm
I stand corrected. I always thought the higher the better.
At least Pentax and Tokina announced their collaboration. I agree that using one's spare manufacturing capacity to make lenses for the other manufacturers make economical sense. It can be that the lens is designed by Oly and Sigma is only involve in manufacturing of glass element not the whole lens construction, including lens coating (this is commercial top secret!). I can't imagine and to a certain extend accept that ZD lens is a rebadged Sigma lens. This doesn't bring much confidence for Oly users.
microcosm
Senior Member
It would be helping Sigma a lot if they are ever producing anything for Olympus and the world knows it... if I am from Sigma, I would brag about it. The optics of Olympus are of so high quality and strict quality that if Sigma takes in my elements I will tell the world and the world will take me more seriously.
By the way, the 8mm fisheye is truly all ZD. It is twice the resolution of the Sigma.
By the way, the 8mm fisheye is truly all ZD. It is twice the resolution of the Sigma.
I'm sure if there are any proprietory coating technologies those components would have been made or processed in a separate facility, then brought to Sigma for assembly. Or maybe these technologies were licensed from another company such as Hoya or Sigma?
I can't imagine and to a certain extend accept that ZD lens is a rebadged Sigma lens. This doesn't bring much confidence for Oly users.
Many taiwanese OEM/ODM laptop manufacturers produce pretty crappy (and cheaper) products under their own brand, eg. Asus (ok at least their early models...ewwe), ECS, Quanta, yet they are capable of rolling out pretty decent stuff as an OEM manufacturer eg. Apple laptops made by Asus and Quanta.
Its the same with lens manufacturers. We tend to see Sigma (Stigma? :bsmilie: ) as some kind of B-grade lens from reading all the complaints on the net. Its most likely a matter of QC tolerance which explains why Sigma stuff are much cheaper whereas Zuikos cost a hefty premium but are usually of better and consistent quality.
Sigma is the only FourThirds consortium lens maker... Oly dun give them lenses to make Stigma may just drop their support for FT, especially the initial struggle to test market and maintain a small range of FT mount Stigma lenses... if I were Stigma and I see the initial demand for FT mounts I oso sian 50% liao.
Stigma may have been under non disclosure agreement to STFU from Oly... you know, maybe due to the general perception that Stigma stuff are 'B-grade'... but like I said before, if Oly is willing to pay the dollars, Stigma or any lens manufacturer is certainly able to churn out A-grade Zuikos. That translates to 'top dollars' for end users to pay too
microcosm
Senior Member
I'm sure if there are any proprietory coating technologies those components would have been made or processed in a separate facility, then brought to Sigma for assembly. Or maybe these technologies were licensed from another company such as Hoya or Sigma?
Many taiwanese OEM/ODM laptop manufacturers produce pretty crappy (and cheaper) products under their own brand, eg. Asus (ok at least their early models...ewwe), ECS, Quanta, yet they are capable of rolling out pretty decent stuff as an OEM manufacturer eg. Apple laptops made by Asus and Quanta.
Its the same with lens manufacturers. We tend to see Sigma (Stigma? :bsmilie: ) as some kind of B-grade lens from reading all the complaints on the net. Its most likely a matter of QC tolerance which explains why Sigma stuff are much cheaper whereas Zuikos cost a hefty premium but are usually of better and consistent quality.
Errr... I cannot imagine in my lifetime Sigma making critical optics. Not yet... they simply don't have the money for R&D unlike Olympus.
And by the way, there is a major difference between OEM and contract manufacturing. Maybe we have to be clear about this.
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