Sigma 35mm f/1.4 - Fourth Times a Charm? Also Sigma Q&A

Al Downie wrote:

Hombre de Maiz wrote:

Many here are in Sad denial also. They think it wholly normal that it is Incumbent on the user to get the lens to focus well. They will point to the inclusion of focus adjustment ON Some Canon bodies as proof that it is a.problem inherent to the EOS mount. When I tell them that every single One otthe 15-odd Canon EOS lenses I have Owned have focused accurately out of-the box I am told that it must be a stroke of luck. Denial, and more denial...

I agree, and am also a bit bewildered by the tolerance of some people who still rave about the lens, despite acknowledging its focusing 'idiosyncrasies'. It's supposed to be one of the best 35mm lenses ever made - supposed to 'blow the competition out of the water' - supposed to be a 'Canikon killer', and it costs the best part of a thousand pounds, but apparently you can only use it for EITHER landscapes OR for portrait/documentary work; not both at the same time.

Most people shoot landscapes at between F8 and F13 where critical focus on 'a subject' is not the goal, but rather as much DOF as possible. Often they (or at least I) focus about 1/3 into the scene and very often use MF/live view when doing landscapes. There is a totally different focus accuracy requirement and DOF issue when shooting at F1.4-2 at 1 to 3 meters as compared to 10 to 50 plus meters at F8-13.

In any case, I and many have not had any issues with using this lens for both close up and distant subjects using it's AF.

Others seem to be simply blinded, or hypnotised by the hype. I've seen several images which contributors have offered as demonstrations of how amazing the lens is, and most of them seem to be front-focused!

Sorry you had a bad experience with this lens, but you are way off base to draw such blanket conclusions and suggest others are simply blinded or hypnotized by the hype.

Yes there are a MINORITY of users that report issues like you are reporting, but they are far less than say the reports of focus issues the 50L has suffered over the years (a lens which I believe we both love).

You see? I rest my case.