Got my (huuuge) new Sigma 50mm f1.4 and ... it works!!! [Archive]

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Naboo32

14-01-2009, 13:47

Given all of the bad publicity that Sigma receive over quality control, I was pretty sceptical about ordering any of their products, but having seen posts of what this lens can do, I decided to risk it :).

Well, I'm glad that I did, as it would appear that I'm one of the lucky few :D whose lens doesn't front/back focus, or perform any other naughties (although it only arrived this morning, so I may be being a bit premature here :|). There is some CA at f1.4 (noticable, when you get down to pixel level), but it's pretty much gone by f2, so I can live with that.

I tried auto focusing at various distances with the camera on a tripod, in Live View mode, then zoomed in and tried to see if it needed any fine tuning - it didn't :). I also took a few hand-held test shots with the aperture set at f1.4 - f2 and tried to pick out certain areas with the auto focus. In the first picture, I was aiming for the writing on the box and in the second picture, the "8" button on the remote control.

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p279/Bluenile32/Cameras%20and%20Photography/DSC_0162.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p279/Bluenile32/Cameras%20and%20Photography/DSC_0172.jpg

I know that there are more accurate tests for focal performance, but the early signs are good :thumbs:.

He's a BIG sucker, too :eek:!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p279/Bluenile32/Cameras%20and%20Photography/P1140412.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p279/Bluenile32/Cameras%20and%20Photography/P1140413.jpg

I'm really looking forward to getting out and taking a few shots with it, once the weather improves a bit.

rdh

14-01-2009, 13:51

Very nice purchase, looking at this lens myself - gets excellent reviews and user feedback.

Love the 77mm size of it, feels like my 84/1.4, which can only be a good thing! Well balanced on D700.

Naboo32

14-01-2009, 13:56

Very nice purchase, looking at this lens myself - gets excellent reviews and user feedback.

Love the 77mm size of it, feels like my 84/1.4, which can only be a good thing! Well balanced on D700.

Yes, I think that it's a good companion for the D700, size-wise :). Can't say that I'd like to be photographed with it though :|, It is pretty intimidating :p!

Uneducated_Rick

14-01-2009, 13:58

Was considering this for canon but the sigma version is more expensive than canon's own. Price wise how does it compare for Nikon users?

Naboo32

14-01-2009, 14:07

Was considering this for canon but the sigma version is more expensive than canon's own. Price wise how does it compare for Nikon users?

Same in our camp ;). The latest Nikon 50mm f1.4 AF-S is pretty scarce at the moment anyway, but where it does sell, it does so for around £50 less than the Sigma. Personally, I don't care much for the bokeh on the new Nikon and prefer what I've seen from this lens.

Guess this lens breaks some of the rules for qualification as a "nifty fifty", too - it's 50mm and quick, but hardly a cheap one to squeeze into the side pocket of your camera bag :|.

puddleduck

14-01-2009, 14:09

Hacker

14-01-2009, 14:50

Interesting lens, how does the focus speed compare to the Nikon version (I have the 'old' one, not the AF-S)?

puddleduck

14-01-2009, 15:00

Interesting lens, how does the focus speed compare to the Nikon version (I have the 'old' one, not the AF-S)?

The AF-D is possibly a hair faster but its close. If you are happy with the focus speed of the AF-D, the HSM will be just fine.

The new AF-S is noticeably slower than the AF-D and the Sigma.

a1ex2001

14-01-2009, 15:05

I love mine - this lens is becoming a firm favorite.

Mine also focuses absolutely spot on. In fact I never ever had a problem with the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 which also allegedly has some focus problems...

I think Sigma's quality control issues are a bit overplayed, obviously someone is much more likely to start a thread on the internet when they spend money on something and it doesn't work than they are too if they get it and it works as expected? Personally I've never had any issue with my sigma lens and I've never met anyone in the flesh who's had a problem. I'm not saying they don't have a problem but that the internet certainly exagerates it.

Hacker

14-01-2009, 15:11

The new AF-S is noticeably slower than the AF-D and the Sigma.

I thought that would be the other way round. :thinking:

Richard Peters

14-01-2009, 15:49

It's a beast of a lens!! :)

77mm thread appeals as it matches all my other lenses then but it's too big for what I wanted a 50mm for unfortunately :(

33L

14-01-2009, 15:56

isnt a 77mm thread alil over kill since the canon 1.4 is only 58mm. Or is there something i am missing.

as for sigama QC i think they are getting better, i have had 3 lenses and all have been spot on.

Oakey22

14-01-2009, 16:04

i have a problem with my 120-300mm which is front focusing, they have it at the moment, hopefully only about 1 more week to go till i get it back, they are very busy due to xmas they said.

puddleduck

14-01-2009, 16:33

I thought that would be the other way round. :thinking:

The focusing from the new AF-S is more 18-55 DX kit lens speed.

Its no where near as fast as a Pro lens such as a 24-70 AF-S for example.

I suspect they are using their mickey mouse AF-S motor from the 18-55 DX or 55-200 DX - at least it feels like that from the speed.

Naboo32

14-01-2009, 20:06

I think Sigma's quality control issues are a bit overplayed, obviously someone is much more likely to start a thread on the internet when they spend money on something and it doesn't work than they are too if they get it and it works as expected? Personally I've never had any issue with my sigma lens and I've never met anyone in the flesh who's had a problem. I'm not saying they don't have a problem but that the internet certainly exagerates it.

Exactly the reason why I posted this thread, Alex ;). Luckily, it appears to be drawing a few other happy Sigma users out of the woodwork, too :p.

sdb123

14-01-2009, 20:11

The latest Nikon 50mm f1.4 AF-S is pretty scarce at the moment anyway, but where it does sell, it does so for around £50 less than the Sigma.

With the recent price rise from Nikon there's a lot less than £50 in it now! :)

Naboo32

14-01-2009, 20:14

ChrisMClark

14-01-2009, 20:16

Exactly the reason why I posted this thread, Alex ;). Luckily, it appears to be drawing a few other happy Sigma users out of the woodwork, too :p.

I'm happy enough with My Siggy 55-200DC. The AF is pretty shocking, and doesn't work most of the time, but I generally shoot in fully manual anyway :lol:

Naboo32

14-01-2009, 20:16

With the recent price rise from Nikon there's a lot less than £50 in it now! :)

Lucky that I got my "Bigma", whilst they're still readily available, as I can see these lenses becoming even more popular now ;).

rdh

14-01-2009, 20:50

The focusing from the new AF-S is more 18-55 DX kit lens speed.

Its no where near as fast as a Pro lens such as a 24-70 AF-S for example.

I suspect they are using their mickey mouse AF-S motor from the 18-55 DX or 55-200 DX - at least it feels like that from the speed.

How I wish the 85/1.4 had the focusing of the 24-70 - that lens is just another class.

reddeathdrinker

14-01-2009, 21:58

Mmm - that 50mm f/1.4 looks tasty... And would be a fine addition to my EX lineup;)

Anyone want to hire me for the day, for, say £300, so I can go buy me one?

chilliz

15-01-2009, 20:49

After seeing this thread and the pics posted by the OP, this looks georgous, I think I would seriously consider this for a portrait lens :love:

Naboo32

15-01-2009, 22:23

After seeing this thread and the pics posted by the OP, this looks georgous, I think I would seriously consider this for a portrait lens :love:

Haven't pointed it at anyone yet :p, but these test shots (of my guitar and new tripod) show just how well it can manage under the power of just a few dimmed light bulbs and also how well it can smooth out the background. Mmm, bokeh-licious :D!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p279/Bluenile32/Cameras%20and%20Photography/8d598160.jpg
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p279/Bluenile32/Cameras%20and%20Photography/59130faf.jpg

There are better photographers here than me, who can offer a more rounded opinion on the lens, but I have to say, it does exactly what I wanted it to do and I would gladly shoot portraits with it :).