Did try to search for a top on this, but found only one, which was not clear.
Question I have is I have a Canon 1ds3 body, which of these lens is better? Of course, the cheaper price of the Sigma is very attractive, however, if I wont be satisfied with it, probably that would not do. Also, I have read some reports on issue with focusing, which kind of scaring me, does that still exist? On the other coin, the focusing on the Sigma (again, I read) is faster than the Canon and it is also lighter.
If you have used both of these lenses on a full frame Canon body, that would help a lot.
My friend owns the Sigma 85mm and I have the 85mm II- we both use them on our FF bodies. My impressions are
Why SIGMA
+ price- very good price
+ 1.4 is close enough to 1.2
+ Bokeh is similar
Why Canon
+ The contrast on this lens is noticeably better than the SIGMA's
+ The pictures just... pop. I don't know how to explain but to compare the two in flickr images
I have the L and tried the Sigma. I returned the Sigma. The two factors in the Sigma's favor, to me, are price, and round rather than football-shaped out-of-focus background highlights (I tried this with Christmas tree lights). The L resolved more detail, and I'd agree with the previous comments on "Why Canon".
However, given that the Sigma might be a little less contrast (and sharpness?), but can it be made up in post-processing, given that the lens is lighter and also focusing better?
I think even if price is no object, the Canon is larger, heavier and focus slower, is that worth paying 2x more?
I sold the 85L for the Sigma. If I had it to do over again I wouldn't have done it. The Sigma is great for the price, it's just not on the same level as the 85L.
Add to this that the Sigma is BAD with focusing. It still gets the job done, it's just far more inconsistent than the 85L ever was (even with all of its warts).
Here is a sample of being to isolate the focus well. I wanted to get the eye of my bro in law playing guitar with another. Out of 4 in a series I took they were all spot on even though I was at 1.4 and focus and recomposed the shots.
p.1 #10 · Sigma 85mm 1.4 versus Canon 85mm F1.2 II
I have both. got the siggy new. there have been a few times when it (sigma) will just 'jack hammer' back and forth a very small amount before it settles on focus. not hunt all through it's range, and it normally hits when it does settle, but this happens in cases that simply do not make any sense. used on 1ds2,1d3,5d,7d.... this is not the lens I would depend on to make a living (and I don't, I am not a working pro).
the 85Lii has never done anything like that with its focus, but I don't really like the fly-by-wire either.
p.1 #11 · Sigma 85mm 1.4 versus Canon 85mm F1.2 II
it seems like most people are leaning toward f1.2 II and price is not an object....right? Does weight an issue with the Canon? Some people also got bothered by the size of it, like it does not fit well into the bag, etc...
I'm not pro either but just want to buy something and keep it...
p.1 #13 · Sigma 85mm 1.4 versus Canon 85mm F1.2 II
deepbluejh wrote:
I sold the 85L for the Sigma. If I had it to do over again I wouldn't have done it. The Sigma is great for the price, it's just not on the same level as the 85L.
Add to this that the Sigma is BAD with focusing. It still gets the job done, it's just far more inconsistent than the 85L ever was (even with all of its warts).
Total opposite experience for me. Sold the 85LII for the Sigma, after trying it. The Sigma had faster, more accurate, more reliable AF. Sharpness, I don't care that much, but some do ... the 85L may have a small edge wide open, but the Sigma is very sharp.
The biggest difference is bokeh characteristics. The L has a very distinct look. I loved it. The Sigma is very good, but very neutral.
How I see it is, take your pick:
- Faster, better AF, great optical quality, lighter weight (in ounces and dollars), neutral look
or
- Slow AF, great optical quality, terrible MF ring, heavy, brilliant look (subjective, but I like the 'cat-eye' OOF lights, vignetting, and occasionally swirly bokeh.)
p.1 #14 · Sigma 85mm 1.4 versus Canon 85mm F1.2 II
I had both for a few weeks and ended up selling the sigma a couple of weeks ago. Main reason for selling the sigma was the focus inconsistancys. Not worth the price difference when you could be missing shots and potentially loosing work. The Sigma would struggle most back lit and low lite even with a speedlite attached, I am finding the canon to work much better in these situations. Since you are considering for a 1 series body I should mention the Sigma focus much better on the 5d mk 11 and the 7d than it did on a 1d mk4. Maybe just my experiance with the mk4 but I found it terrible.
p.1 #16 · Sigma 85mm 1.4 versus Canon 85mm F1.2 II
I find the contrast of the sigma a little on the strong side (yes I said that) that said, i prefer the canon 1.2 because of its rendering at 1.2 which is significantly different (softer, smoother, less contrast) than that of the sigma at 1.4. I think there is a good chimparison on the digital picture in the canon review.
p.1 #19 · Sigma 85mm 1.4 versus Canon 85mm F1.2 II
Among the three, the Canon 85 1.8 provides the best price performance value. If you don't need to go wider than 1.8, I would pick that lens. It is very sharp, it is quiet, it is fast, it is light, it is cheap, and fairly accurate with the AF. It does have CA wide open but so does the L and the Sigma.
p.1 #20 · Sigma 85mm 1.4 versus Canon 85mm F1.2 II
The initial response to Sigma was hugely positive. there was even a famous wedding photographer who wrote on his blog why he is switching to it, and he feels in every way its as good or better than canon (except f 1.2). As it is the case with every sigma prime in my experinece (30 1.4, 50 1.4, and now 85 1.4) after the initial enthusiasm, comes numerous complaints of inconsistent focusing. if the focal length is a commonly used one for you, and you are making money off of it, go for L. If you want to use it from time to time, or want an indoor fast focusing one, go for the sigma or the canon 85 1.8. by the way, I do own the L, never owned the sigma. It is hell of lens.
