Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

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Archive 2008 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

trumpet_guy
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p.3 #1 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

Same tree, but at f/2

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Jul 02, 2008 at 09:19 AM

Jonas B
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p.3 #2 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

trumpet_guy wrote:
I'm posting some shots taken with the Sigma 50/1.4 on a 30D.(...)

Thank you for the images. The lens look very promising. What's your first impression with regards to AF? Silent, slow, missing or fast and nailing?

Jul 02, 2008 at 09:27 AM

trumpet_guy
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p.3 #3 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

Fast, quiet, generally accurate. I'm getting about the same AF accuracy with
the Siggy on my 30D that I get with Canon lenses on this body: which is to say
good, but not perfect. When it misses, it generally front-focuses a little, but I
think this is as much the body's fault as anything. This lens seems about as
accurate in AF as my EF 100 f/2.

The build quality is very nice on this Sigma. When focusing from minimum
distance out to long distance, it is smooth and pretty fast, with a really nice
quality feel to the focus motor. There is fairly heavy glass to move, and the
HSM is up to the task. When focusing over a smaller range, around 8 to 10 meters
out, you can sometimes feel a little clunk in the mechanism, as it is moving and
stopping very quickly.

Overall, the lens feels very much like a slightly larger Sigma 30/1.4

I think they have optimized this lens for bokeh and uniformity across the full frame.
Distortion is minimal. Straight lines look straight. No visible vignetting on 1.6x crop
body -- even wide open. Colors are fantastic.

It is still possible to get low contrast with the lens, when shot in dim, soft light,
but I think it's still better wide open than the EF 50/1.4 or the CZ 50/1.4 Planar.

Tim

Edited by trumpet_guy on Jul 02, 2008 at 02:46 AM GMT

Edited on Jul 02, 2008 at 09:46 AM

Jul 02, 2008 at 09:39 AM

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p.3 #4 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

Some more, wide open.
It shows a little of that low-constrast Canon EF 50/1.4 look here:

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Jul 02, 2008 at 09:41 AM

brainiac
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p.3 #5 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

> I think the sigmas's bokeh looks best.

The bokeh question is a matter of taste, and I am well aware that few share my bad taste. I like my bokeh to look more interesting than this lens makes it. Whether smooth, Leica-style bokeh kills 3D effect or not, I don't know, but I don't think it's impossible that there is a connection between sharp edged image circles, extended depth of field, 3D effect, and edge sharpness.

In hubsands sample of the tassle thingy hanging off the table, all the lenses draw a beautiful mysterious object which clearly has a pattern of strong points of light in it. On the Sigma it's just mush, so the lens is telling me less about the scene.

I would be interested to see if this lens can produce the kind of interesting edge effects that Lotus gets on his ZF100 f2:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

One of the reasons I am not always very enthusiastic about Leica glass is that in seeking creamy bokeh, 3D effect often seems to be lost. I accept that this is purely conjectural, so I probably won't stand by it if someone can challenge it or has counterexamples.

Ultimately I don't think busy has to mean ugly. Sharp-edged bokeh can still be smooth, even if it is also well-defined.

As always, thanks Mark for sharing your data so generously.

Edited on Jul 02, 2008 at 10:01 AM

Jul 02, 2008 at 09:58 AM

trumpet_guy
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p.3 #6 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

Some more from the Sigma 50/1.4, wide open:

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Jul 02, 2008 at 10:02 AM

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p.3 #7 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

One more set, then I'm done bombarding this thread.

Wide open:

Leaves, with crop:

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Jul 02, 2008 at 10:06 AM

brainiac
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p.3 #8 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

Don't get me wrong - it's clearly a lovely lens.

By chance I just came across a brilliant example by wee of what I like about the ZF 100 bokeh, which illustrates, I think, how hard edged bokeh can still be pretty:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

wee, I hope you don't mind my posting it here for illustration.

Note the wonderfully abstract yet also informative shapes made by the second flower on the right. With this kind of bokeh the background isn't wasted, it becomes a pictorial complement to the subject. It's serendipity, sure, but it's amazing how often this lens seems to produce bokeh which doesn't distract, yet stands as a picture in its own right.

Edited on Jul 02, 2008 at 10:11 AM

Jul 02, 2008 at 10:07 AM

trumpet_guy
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p.3 #9 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

Ariel Bravy wrote:
That Sigma's bokeh looks gorgeous! Any comparisons with the Canon 50's?

Not yet, but I hope to compare them this long weekend.

Jul 02, 2008 at 10:13 AM

trumpet_guy
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p.3 #10 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

Richard,

Yeah, I like that bokeh as well. There's room for both kinds in a kit.

Wee, Nice exposure on that shot!

Edited on Jul 02, 2008 at 10:18 AM

Jul 02, 2008 at 10:17 AM

Jonas B
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p.3 #11 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

trumpet_guy wrote:
Fast, quiet, generally accurate. (...)

Thanks a lot for elaborating Tim. All I have to do now is wait...

--
Jonas

Jul 02, 2008 at 10:58 AM

Jonas B
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p.3 #12 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

brainiac wrote:
By chance I just came across a brilliant example by wee of what I like about the ZF 100 bokeh, which illustrates, I think, how hard edged bokeh can still be pretty:

Lol, what a shameless hi-jacking am I not witnessing in this thread.

Guys, I have started a new thread "Admirable blur" where we all can post bokeh samples from different lenses. Hard edged, shaped, disc type, nisen and creamy - all for discussion or opinions.

Here:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/662530/

Jul 02, 2008 at 11:04 AM

weekh
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p.3 #13 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

brainiac wrote:

wee, I hope you don't mind my posting it here for illustration.

Note the wonderfully abstract yet also informative shapes made by the second flower on the right. With this kind of bokeh the background isn't wasted, it becomes a pictorial complement to the subject. It's serendipity, sure, but it's amazing how often this lens seems to produce bokeh which doesn't distract, yet stands as a picture in its own right.

No problem in linking the pic here.
I share the same sentiment as you. While the bokeh from the Sigma lens looks nice, it has 'erased' many information and details from the out of focus area.

Jul 02, 2008 at 11:13 AM

biotar
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p.3 #14 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

So the sigma seems great for assignment. The bokeh is pleasing for the general public, the sharpness is great, the colours do seem good from these pictures. Maybe i will add this lens to my professional kit.

Jul 02, 2008 at 11:20 AM

Chez Wimpy
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p.3 #15 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

brainiac wrote:
Hmmm. I probably won't be buying the sigma then.

edwardkaraa wrote:
I find the Sigma bokeh terrible.

Jonas B wrote:
Wow. I'm delighted. To me the Sigma crops look great. I'll buy one to compensate a little.

Hehe, if you ever needed proof that bokeh beauty is completely in the eye of the beholder

Great test BTW, and thanks everyone for the samples... I personally didn't relish the "early adopter" mantle.

Edited on Jul 02, 2008 at 11:35 AM

Jul 02, 2008 at 11:26 AM

simon_k
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p.3 #16 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

I really like the Sigmas bokeh... tried one yesterday at the dealer but my results were quite unconvincing.
Especially regarding the pricetag of ~420€ vs 310 for the Canon 50/1.4.
Seeing your pictures I might give it another go and test it directly against the 50+85/1.8 and Sigma 30/1.4.
Oh and it is an extremely impressive lens... huge front element and built like a tank.

Jul 02, 2008 at 01:16 PM

Derek Stanton
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p.3 #17 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

These image samples (the page 1 bokeh comparison details) are interesting. It looks like the Sigma is working with a wider aperture. As if everything else is working at f2, but the Sigma's at 1.2 or somesuch.... Were the shutter speeds (and associated exposures) equal for all lenses? Sorta looks like the Sigma is faster than its markings indicate. It's size, as well, makes it look like it was designed to be an f1.2 lens.... It's practically the same size/weight as the 50L, with a larger front lens element....

I'm shocked that anyone could say they didn't like the Sigma's bokeh.... I wonder if closing it down a bit would make it render more like the other lenses.

Jeez - if i knew now that i would be sticking with the Canon platform, I'd order the Sigma immediately. Unfortunately the recent developments from Nikon and Sony, and lack thereof from Canon have me in a waiting pattern. Not for long, though. I'm restless.

Edited on Jul 02, 2008 at 02:37 PM

Jul 02, 2008 at 02:30 PM

Andi Dietrich
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p.3 #18 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

trumpet_guy wrote:
Some more from the Sigma 50/1.4, wide open:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Thanks for the images

IMO the bokeh rings in this image you posted looks very similar to other fast lenses, maybe I am wrong but I suspect the boke character changes with distance like on any lens

Edited on Jul 02, 2008 at 02:50 PM

Jul 02, 2008 at 02:48 PM

weekh
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p.3 #19 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

Would love to see how the Sigma compares against the 50L in resolution and bokeh.

Jul 02, 2008 at 03:10 PM

Michael Tucker
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p.3 #20 · Sigma 50mm: Marmite Bokeh

weekh wrote:
Would love to see how the Sigma compares against the 50L in resolution and bokeh.

Or Canon's 1.4.

For those with the Sigma lens, is it worth $150 price difference over Canon's 1.4?

Jul 02, 2008 at 04:28 PM

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