Sigma 50mm f/1.4 first shots

[CaptainNH]

There have been a number of threads regarding 50mm lenses for Canon dSLRs recently, particularly from those people looking to upgrade from the exceptionally good value Canon 50mm f/1.8 II.

I have the f/1.8II which is a great lens, nice and sharp, but its build quality reflects the price and its focus is slow, certainly too slow for capturing those spontaneous moments at low-light weddings.

A while ago, I upgraded to the 50/1.2L - a renowned lens, with faster focusing thanks to the USM. Sadly, I also found that the L version was too slow to focus to be of use to me given my style of wedding photography.

So. A while ago, I set out to find a faster focusing 50mm, which retains as much of the image quality of the 1.2L as possible.

After about 3 weeks of researching, re-researching and generally annoying photog I know and especially my favourite camera store, I've traded the 50/1.2L for a Sigma 50/1.4!

It's the first time I've ever strayed from Canon lenses but I'm assured by the reviews that the Sigma:

• is sharper than the Canon 50/1.4 wide open
• has smoother, creamer bokeh than the Canon
• has better contrast than the Canon
• exhibits less CA than the Canon
• is, allegedly, designed to sit somewhere between the Canon 1.2L and the 1.4

Based on the reviews, I donated AUD$600 to my wife's least favourite store and immediately set out to test the Sigma's performance wide open.

Here are my findings thus far (all at f/1.4 and SOOC from 5D2):


Focus is sharp and bokeh suitably smooth and dreamy.


Good contrast and very limited CA even wide open.


Slight vignetting evident, fine for my portraits.


Slightly soft in the corners, certainly more so than the 1.2L, but still good.



Tomorrow, I'm going to try an aperture other than f/1.4!

[zona5101]

Nice review. Thanks for taking the time to execute and share it!

[CaptainNH]

Thanks for your thanks!

[starryj63]

I have just been to Hong Kong where I picked up one of these babies!!

Thankyou for confirming that I made the right choice. Haven't had a chance to properly try it out as yet but your photos are awesome!!

Thanks

[mr. Unknown]

i'm looking into this lens right now and Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Lens Review: 3. Design and Operation: Digital Photography Review this review indicates the sigma focuses slower than the 1.4 or even 1.8 II canon!