sigma 50mm 1.4 vs canon 50mm 1.4

kokolino23

kokolino23

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Angelo
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I know this is an old story but I still make my mind about it.

So some advice from someone who already has either one of them or idealy both would be more than helpful...

THANKS!
 
Canon WORKS, as long as you manage to focus it properly. Front thread must be protected by a proper hood at all times, as the focus motor breaks too easily. They are OK at 1.4, v. good at f2 and excellent from 2.8 and beyond. It can deliver very good results.
On FF the corners get reasonably sharp, but it has a massive barrel distortion (!) and weird bokeh shape in the corners (won't affect APS-C users). AF is fairly slow if you compare it to proper-USM Canon lenses.

Sigma is built better, but may likely need a trip to Sigma to get focus working accurately. So only buy new and test them out while in the shop.
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/522-sigma50f14eosff?start=1
Full frame corner sharpness is apparently a big issue.
 
Can't say I've seen any barrel distortion from the 1.4 fifty and I used it on FF myself for about 2 months before selling it. Vignetting wide open was comical though and yes the bokeh in the corners is very odd.
 
I have a Siggy 50mm f1.4 and no complaints. It isn't razor sharp wide open but it's pretty good and it gets sharper very quickly.

I've never tried the Canon f1.4, I just bought the Siggy on the strength of the good reviews as some reviewers think that it's the best of it's type, plus you get hood and a case with it.
 
A proper focussing motor and build quality too.

The Canon is decidedly poor since it costs just a nat's butt hair less than the 85, which is so much better in every respect, build, focus motor, image quality.
 
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"Full frame corner sharpness is apparently a big issue."

it might look bad on a test chart, but in reality it isn't that noticeable - it's only the extreme corners which look a bit muddy.

optically, the sigma 50 f1.4 is a lovely lens. it isn't the fastest focussing lens in the world but it is much faster than the nifty and worlds away optically too, better bokeh, colour and contrast. usable at f1.4 and very sharp from f2

i returned mine because it was a grey import and developed a fault and decided to use the money to put towards a zoom, but if it had the cash, i'd definitely have kept the sigma 50. it's a great lens and nicely built.
 
It's a good lens and although I normally like the wider stuff this Siggy has been on my 20D for weeks.
 
Thanks a lot for all your comments and they're so valuable. I googled it previously and almost every positive advice goes towards sigma. Unless canon doesn't have compatibility issues in the future. Is not the case on my 40d anyway.

However, I might consider an 85 instead.
 
I'm confused, Dave!
Have you got already a canon 85 1.8 and you're looking to buy a sigma 50mm 1.4 , am I right?

But then you're hoping to get an 85 for Christmas ?! I thought you've got already one...

I was expecting some advices from someone who'd used already both lenses.
 
I bought the sigma 50mm f1.4 instead of the Nikon 50mm and really like it.
Dave
 
I'll try to go for sigma 50mm 1.4 then. I've just missed one here a few days ago.
 
Yup I've the canon 85mm 1.8 but want the new Siggy 85mm F1.4. Also I'm up for getting the Siggy 50mm F1.4.

There are very few 50mms around so i may have to buy new :( Once I get it I'll let you know what its like and opst up some shots 100% crops. Then hopefully someone may be able to put up some Canon 50mm F1.4 100% crops.

Sorry to confuse! The reviews i have read all point in the direction of the siggy 50mm.

If you can't afford the red, get the Siggy EX instead :)
 
This is the Siggy 50mm f1.4 at f1.4 and 100%.

1.jpg


f8 100%.

2.jpg


And a whole image at f1.4, I like this one :)

3.jpg
 
Very nice indeed... Thanks a lot for sharing this.
I made my mind anyway. I'll go for a sigma. Unfortunatelly I've just missed one from ebay. Over here are quite rare!
 
Angelo, Your 40d does not have microfocus adjustment so if, as is very possible your siggy is front focusing you won't be able to correct it without sending camera and lens off to Sigma.

That said, the Siggy offers superb bokeh compared to the cannon and, i haven't tried this with the canon, I can shoot straight into the light (at f1.4) with no flare.

it's my no1 fave lens.
 
woof woof said:
This is the Siggy 50mm f1.4 at f1.4 and 100%.

1.jpg


f8 100%.

2.jpg
Click to expand...

Sorry how are these supposed to demonstrate sharpness? You could get away with super soft lens for these. You need fine textures, lines, patterns, etc.

PS. Are these JPEGs from cam?
 
kokolino23 said:
Very nice indeed... Thanks a lot for sharing this.
I made my mind anyway. I'll go for a sigma. Unfortunatelly I've just missed one from ebay. Over here are quite rare!
Click to expand...

It could be the next biggest mistake. Get new one, or most likely you will be selling it back in a few days. Some people put Sigma lenses on ebay for a very good reason. At least thoroughly check one before parting with money.
 
"Sorry how are these supposed to demonstrate sharpness? You could get away with super soft lens for these. You need fine textures, lines, patterns, etc.

PS. Are these JPEGs from cam?"

If you think you can do better than that with a supersoft lens I'd like to see the evidence. Over to you... I watch out for your examples.

They're just example 100% crops so maybe that should be some indicator as anyone doing this or more needs their head examined. They were shot RAW and have had a mild tweak to levels, saturation and a moderate Smart Sharpen too.
 
Wow!
So if I buy a siggy SH I've got lots of chances to end up with one having focus probs?
What's the difference if I buy a new one or SH ? I have to send it over to sigma anyway. I'll bet is chargeable even if is new or SH.
If I need ot send both my camera and the lens to sigma then I'll end up paying so much money for the lens itself. Will go up to £400!

For this sort of money I can get a canon 17-40 f4...

Such a difficult choice especially when you're new and don't know that much about lenses and 40d.
 
If you have problems with a new lens you can return it or get it fixed for nothing, if you have a problem with a used lens you might well be on your own unless you've bought from a dealer and have a warranty.

The 17-40mm may well be a nice lens but IMVHO on APS-C (if that's what you're using) there are better f2.8 lenses, and of course the 17-40mm doesn't do two things that any 50mm f1.4 does, 50mm and f1.4.

If it makes it any easier to choose... I personally would only use a prime lens over a zoom for two reasons, fast aperture and macro, other than that I think that a nice zoom, f2.8 if possible, is the better and more flexible choice.

So maybe you should ask yourself "Why am I thinking about getting a 50mm f1.4?" and if the answer is because it'll go to f1.4 then it's the option to choose over the 17-40mm f4.
 
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