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50mm f/1.4 recommendation please
- Thread starter bigkevt
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The Davinator
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The Canon is very sharp. That said, the Sigma renders and image much nicer than the Canon. If I were buying a Canon 50, it would be the f1.2L
Keith Z Leonard
Veteran Member
I would assume you mean the canon ef 50 f1.4 vs the Sigma 50mm f1.4 ex, as those will be about the same price. They are fairly close in performance, with the Sigma being a tough better in my opinion for image quality. Many people have had AF issues with the Sigma, including me, mine were solved by sending in the lens for adjustment. The Canon AF is fragile, easily broken.
On the high end it's the Canon 50 f1.2L vs the Sigma 50 f1.4 Art. The art is sharper, significantly, the L has better bokeh (better AND more blur). The art series has a USB doc to resolve focusing issues available if you are willing to use it.
Keith Z Leonard
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l_d_allan
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Perhaps you could add to your DPR profile with "Gear List" and location?
I can't get enthusiastic about a prime without IS. My speculation is that Canon will eventually upgrade the 50mm focal length with a version that has IS. There have been rumors, but "who knows"? It would start off over-priced, then settle to a reasonable price. However, that could take several years. Sigh.
I do have the EF 35mm f2 IS, which I consider to be an excellent, very versatile lens. Unless you really need the 50mm focal length, I'd definitely consider the EF 35 instead. Or not?
FWIW:
The EF 35mm started off quite over-priced, but has settled to a reasonable price. To me, it has replaced the EF 50mm f1.8 "nifty-fifty plastic-fantastic" as the recommended first fast prime.
Between Canon 50/1.4 and Sigma 50/1.4 (regular version), Sigma is slight better in optical performance especially at wide open. If you stop down then Canon is as sharp as if not slightly sharper. I used to own Canon 50/1.4 and my copy is pretty sharp including at wide open in most center area. Canon copy is very old and rumored to be replaced with an 'IS' version but likely at F1.8 instead. The new Sigma 50/1.4 Art is a different animal and almost as sharp as current 50mm prime leader Zeiss Otus 55/1.4 that cost 4x of the Sigma 50 Art. Personally I bought Sony FE 55/1.8 that is much smaller/lighter than 50 Art or Otus 55 with similar sharpness. It's very pleasant to carry and use together with light/small A7R body.
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/55485085@N04/
http://qianp2k.zenfolio.com/
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/55485085@N04/
http://qianp2k.zenfolio.com/
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DavidFromPhila
Well-known member
I've owned both the Canon and the Sigma 50mm 1.4's. I sold the Canon and kept the Sigma for one simple reason: The Canon is way too soft at f/1.4. Here's an example:
It's soft from Canon 50/1.4? It's pretty sharp. By somehow it doesn't display aperture in EXIF.I've owned both the Canon and the Sigma 50mm 1.4's. I sold the Canon and kept the Sigma for one simple reason: The Canon is way too soft at f/1.4. Here's an example:
Canon 50/1.4 @F1.4 wide open, not bad in most center area
Canon 50/1.4 @F2.0
Canon 50/1.4 @F8.0 is very sharp once stop down
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Depending on what you want to spend....i have onwed the canon 1.8 - 1.4 -1.2l and the sigma 1.4 art. of them all, i like the sigma art the best.
Here are a few with it....
Nice set, impressive! Sigma 50/1.4 Art rocks and pretty sharp at F1.4 wide open. Its price is reasonable under such spec with very good build quality at 1/4 price of Otus 55/1.4 that only can MF.
Edit: in two photos show noticeable purple fringe on water that you might want to clean with LR 5 defringe tool for example.
Edit: in two photos show noticeable purple fringe on water that you might want to clean with LR 5 defringe tool for example.
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Thanks for all the info guys.
Another question: has any of you Sigma 50f/1.4 owners had to adjust your lenses? I read some copies maybe slightly out of focus with Canon 6D and need to be software adjusted using the USB.
And any issues with the Sigma 50f/1.4 build quality? I am still referring to the regular 2008 version, not the 2014 Art.
Another question: has any of you Sigma 50f/1.4 owners had to adjust your lenses? I read some copies maybe slightly out of focus with Canon 6D and need to be software adjusted using the USB.
And any issues with the Sigma 50f/1.4 build quality? I am still referring to the regular 2008 version, not the 2014 Art.
Lemming51
Forum Pro
yes, because the front extends with focus, bumps can bugger it. If decide on the EF, get and use the hood, which mounts to the stationary outer barrel. The extending inner barrel will be completely shielded/protected.
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I have the 1.4 it's sharp and fast to focus, but if money isn't a problem I would consider the 1.2 or the sigma ART.
maiaibing
Veteran Member
Bought the Sigma and its a great lens by any account. Sharp, beautiful rendering and bokeh. No AF problems with the 5DII. And no need for MA. Build is also confidence inspiring.
Hood is a pain as it tends to be loose. Others have had this problem too. I patched it with a tiny sticker on the inside at the mount of the hood and have not had any problems since.
In my view a at least as good - and far, far better value than the 50L (a lens I have used a lot).
Have not used the Canon 50 f/1.4 myself.
Good luck with your choice!
Scott Larson
Veteran Member
I've managed to break two 50mm f1.4's. The first one was hit fairly hard but I've had many other lenses take much worse shots without problems. The second one was just lightly tapped against a wall and I couldn't believe it was broken. Once this happens, you can't even manually focus.
The only good thing is that Canon fixed both of them for free. I don't know if they would still do that.
I had to MFA my Sigma 50/1.4 +25 on my 5dm5. My 135L is spot-on at 0 MFA. The Sigma came in right under the wire from needing to go back to factory for adjustment as +25 is the limit. My Sig is not sharp wide open. Would like to have the Art version. I find the build quality of my 50 to be very good.
For me the Sigma is a no brainer, I replaced my EF 50 1.4 with the old version Sigma 50 1.4 HSM and it was a day a night better lens, especially wide open, and much much better built quality, feels like the pro lens when compare to the EF 50 1.4, I sold my EF as soon as I got my hands on the Sigma, and the new Sigma is only so much sharper than the old version 50 1.4 HSM, wide open and stop down, for stop down aperture, you would think the difference is small, but it's pretty big improvement at the edge, both EF 50 and old HSM never get very sharp even stopping down to F8 but the new Sigma is much much sharper, I think it's even sharper than my Zeiss 50 F2 and Nikon AIS 50 F1.2.
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