Canon or Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ??

[ominaishaju]

I recently bought a Canon Rebel XSI (which I love) and have the kit lens (18-55 IS) as well as the Canon 55-250 IS zoom lens. My wife and I our expecting our first child and I'm looking for a lens with a bigger aperture so as to avoid using a flash around the little one and also to get that incredible bokeh (also for other portraits). From what I've read, and also from fiddling around with my own camera equipment, it seems like a good Prime lens would be a smart thing to add to my beginning lens collection at this point.

I've read mostly great things about both the Canon and the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 and have seen beautiful images with both, but my admittedly untrained eye is more impressed with the Sigma. I think I've decided to buy a Sigma - mostly because of image quality (sharpness, bokeh), sturdier build than canon, and 4 year warranty. Its more expensive, and I'll have to buy new filter sizes - but from what I can tell, it seems like what I want.

I'd be curious to know if I'm missing something obvious or should be considering other factors as well... Does anyone have experience with both that they'd like to share?

[LoveDSLR]

If you plan to shoot at f/1.4 then get the Sigma.

[acedrew]

I'm completely satisfied with the Sigma 50mm 1.4, the build quality of the latest generation of Sigma EX lenses is impeccable!

Andrew Rodgers
Perfected Perspectives -- Photography by Andrew Rodgers | Andrew Rodgers (acedrew) on Twitter | http://fb.perfectedperspectives.com

[inkista]

I think the only non-obvious thing is that the Sigma is a lot bigger/heavier than the Canon.