Sigma 50 f/1.4 EX DG HSM (Canon mount)

[Sonny]

After reading the reviews comparing the Canon 50mm f/1.4 vs Sigma 50mm f/1.4 I chose the Sigma. Here are my results testing the Siggy through various apertures.



This set of photos are SOC cropped and lens corrected in LR3

***click on each photo for the full resolution image***




















This set of photos are SOC uncropped and lens corrected in LR3

***click on each photo for the full resolution image***

[tc95]

Great lens...I always liked my Sigma 30 1.4...

[Killjoy]

What was your distance fom lens to the front battery?
Also, I assume the batteries were touching each other?

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by Killjoy

What was your distance fom lens to the front battery?
Also, I assume the batteries were touching each other?

The distance from the front battery to the lens was 13" and all the batteries were touching.

[contributor_M]

So what do you think of the Siggy?

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by contributor_M

So what do you think of the Siggy?

So far I like it but I need to use it more than just practicing on objects.

[Killjoy]

Originally Posted by Sonny

The distance from the front battery to the lens was 13" and all the batteries were touching.

According to the specs, minimum focusing distance for the Sigma is 1.48 feet.
Or about eighteen inches (45 centimeters to be exact). I tired to get 13 inches from the batteries, but my Canon wouldn't focus. It appears that the specs for both lenses are the same.
The Canon specs say 1.5 feet, but also lists out 45 centimeters.

Anyway, the images I shot can be found here.

Please remember, I only did this out of boredom.
Not trying to show anyone up.

[liubros]

I think Canon ones have better quality control. I heard the quality varies a lot for this sigma lens. If you get a good copy from Sigma, you will love it. But be prepared that your copy is not perfect. Make sure your camera can do AF micro adjustment. I am setting it +20 for mine. I wish I have a better copy, but I can live with the IQ right now with +20 setting. Stepping down to f/4, the lens is super sharp. Shooting at f/1.4 is a little challenging in order to get the crisp focus. But once you find out how to get it to work, it is fun to use. I have 2 ways of doing it.
1. focusing using LCD, magnify to 10x.
2. if using auto focus from view finder, use the dead center to focus only, and do not recompose, shoot wider, then crop later. Focus then recompose will for sure throw focus away at f/1.4

Method 1 takes a lot of time. So I often use method 2. Focus on center, shoot wide and crop. I know people hate to crop, I do too. I will focus and recompose on my other lenses. But for this lens. I can't.

One thing that I am troubled by it is the bokeh at corners on a full frame body. That happens when I have the focus I want and composition I want, but the bokeh at corners are bad. I have to crop it. If you used it on a asp-c camera, it is fine.

Originally Posted by contributor_M

So what do you think of the Siggy?

[liubros]

This is taken at f/4

CK6C3349 by liubros, on Flickr

and f/1.4,

CK6C3311 by liubros, on Flickr

[liubros]

Some more f/1.4, taken on Canon 7D

20111222-05172 by liubros, on Flickr


20111222-05174 by liubros, on Flickr

[liubros]

f/1.4

CK6C4005 by liubros, on Flickr

f/1.4

CK6C4006 by liubros, on Flickr

[liubros]

f/4 shows very good IQ, very sharp.


CK6C4149 by liubros, on Flickr


CK6C4179 by liubros, on Flickr

[liubros]

The bokeh isn't the best though.
It is not circle and have a highlight ring at perimeter. But these two photo are a little extreme.


CK6C4305 by liubros, on Flickr


CK6C4304 by liubros, on Flickr