keepcoding wrote:
Finally a direct comparison to the Samyang 45mm.
According to the review the Samyang is the better choice in every aspect except for build quality (not to mention the big price difference). Bokeh seems comparable, although I have to admit there is little evidence in the review that supports this claim (especially subjects at longer distances and transition zone comparison is missing).
I do like the rendering of the Samyang 45mm and I am a bit surprised how little the lens is discussed in this forum compared to similar lenses (Sigma 45, Sony 35). Some of you have mentioned the Samyang produces 'harsh' bokeh, but I've yet to find sample images that prove it.
I am just looking for a reason that justifies to buy the (overpriced) Sigma 45/2.8 in addition to the Samyang ...Show more →
I appreciated this review as well, for this very comparison. My conclusion is that I would definitely consider the Samyang first. The Sigma has a smaller size and that could be the determining factor for many people, though. I also think the Sigma's minimum focusing distance at half of the Samyang's is quite an advantage (e.g., see the mushroom photo top of previous page). But the better performance of the Samyang and the cheaper price is what would win me over if I was seeking a 45 lens.
Today I used the 45 for street photography for the first time. This is what I mostly bought it for.
I really hope there will be a firmware update in the near future, because right now it's just not usable when shooting in AF-C mode. Real-time tracking on the A9 works so amazingly well with my Sony lenses, but not with this lens at all.
I sent Sigma another email about it. I hope everyone that has bought/is interested in buying this lens does the same.
Jochenb wrote:
Today I used the 45 for street photography for the first time. This is what I mostly bought it for.
I really hope there will be a firmware update in the near future, because right now it's just not usable when shooting in AF-C mode. Real-time tracking on the A9 works so amazingly well with my Sony lenses, but not with this lens at all.
I sent Sigma another email about it. I hope everyone that has bought/is interested in buying this lens does the same.
I am dying to get this lens but I can't bring myself to pull the trigger yet because of this issue. Have you heard anything from Sigma that would lead one to believe that they have acknowledged the AF-C problem?
I am surprised that such a pervasive issue could go unnoticed during testing. Surely someone at Sigma tried to use the lens in AF-C?
Jochenb wrote:
Today I used the 45 for street photography for the first time. This is what I mostly bought it for.
I really hope there will be a firmware update in the near future, because right now it's just not usable when shooting in AF-C mode. Real-time tracking on the A9 works so amazingly well with my Sony lenses, but not with this lens at all.
I sent Sigma another email about it. I hope everyone that has bought/is interested in buying this lens does the same.
I was told that Sigma Japan is aware of the AF-C issue. Hopefully this can be improved through software.
I agree that's a pity because it's one of my favorite lenses.
The more complaints they receive, the faster a solution may be presented.
I feel sorry about Sigma 45mm AFC issue. Based on my past experience with 58G on Nikon, if Sony use PDAF only during AFC, I have doubt either Sigma or Sony can fix this. Given Nikon can't fix it with their own lens within their own system.
For lens designed this way with under corrected SA, PDAF will always struggle to consistently nail focus due to Phase evaluation error. I believe Nikon Z using Hybrid focus even in AFC but given priority to capture than focusing. (you could change priority through setup in manual) I have way more success rate using 58G on Z than DSLR in term of focus consistence, but during AFC tracking, I still get out of focus images for moving kids. (It could be just from slower focus of Z7 compare to Sony or Nikon SLR, but it doesn't really bother me)
One more 45mm and S1 doesn't show much rendering but I do like the lens for all thing it can do for me.
I think I'm going to sell my Samyang next semester and pick this up. The Samyang is sharp and nice just to pop on and carry around, but it has the most boring rendering of any lens I've ever owned. The other contender is the Heliar 50/3.5, we'll see.
austinschutz wrote:
I think I'm going to sell my Samyang next semester and pick this up. The Samyang is sharp and nice just to pop on and carry around, but it has the most boring rendering of any lens I've ever owned. The other contender is the Heliar 50/3.5, we'll see.
Check out the 40/2.8 Heliar as well. All great rendering lenses.
Fred Miranda wrote:
Check out the 40/2.8 Heliar as well. All great rendering lenses.
Thank you. I've always been attracted to that one, and it doesn't seem very popular. Perhaps I'll have a travel setup someday with some of the Heliar lenses, I love what that line produces.
Here's a question about using C-AF with the lens, or an alternative, really. On my A7RIII, when I am in single shot autofocus using backbutton focus only, not shutter release AF, I can still autofocus using my dedicated Eye AF button. It works very well. It looks like, to me, the camera is using single point autofocus and just using the Eye/Face recognition to decide where to focus. . . . Is this correct? If so, although not nearly as good as C-AF, this would seem to be a good alternative for using the Sigma 45mm f2.8 for portraits, no? . . . Thanks in advance!
httivals wrote:
Here's a question about using C-AF with the lens, or an alternative, really. On my A7RIII, when I am in single shot autofocus using backbutton focus only, not shutter release AF, I can still autofocus using my dedicated Eye AF button. It works very well. It looks like, to me, the camera is using single point autofocus and just using the Eye/Face recognition to decide where to focus. . . . Is this correct? If so, although not nearly as good as C-AF, this would seem to be a good alternative for using the Sigma 45mm f2.8 for portraits, no? . . . Thanks in advance!...Show more →
I think you are confusing Drive mode with Focus mode. The latter, can be changed from AF-C to AF-S for better accuracy with the Sigma 45.
Hi Fred - So to make sure I understand what I was confusing - when I am in Single Autofocus and hit the EyeAF button, it is only focusing once, and the focus should be accurate with the Sigma 45?
I am thoroughly confused about AF (my A7III is the first real camera and I jumped into MF straight away until getting this Sigma).
The 3.01firmware I run still has Eye AF as an assignable function, even though Eye AF is supposed to be on by default. I also use back button focusing (I like to only lock the exposure on half shutter pressing). Am I doing it wrong?
httivals wrote:
Hi Fred - So to make sure I understand what I was confusing - when I am in Single Autofocus and hit the EyeAF button, it is only focusing once, and the focus should be accurate with the Sigma 45?
Yes, in AF-S, eye-AF still works as long as your subject (and you) do not move. That's how I'm getting accurate Eye-AF wit this lens.
cwnchkn wrote:
I am thoroughly confused about AF (my A7III is the first real camera and I jumped into MF straight away until getting this Sigma).
The 3.01firmware I run still has Eye AF as an assignable function, even though Eye AF is supposed to be on by default. I also use back button focusing (I like to only lock the exposure on half shutter pressing). Am I doing it wrong?
Both ways still work. You can assign a dedicated button for Eye-AF only OR just use a regular Focus Area like "Wide" for example.
With the latter, once the camera detects a face, it will engage either face detection or eye detection depending on the subject distance and other variables.
Fred Miranda wrote:
Both ways still work. You can assign a dedicated button for Eye-AF only OR just use a regular Focus Area like "Wide" for example. With the latter, one the camera detects a face, it will engage either face detection or eye detection depending on the subject distance and other variables.
Oh, so the Eye AF function button then simply acts as a shortcut temporary override for your face detection feature setting (e.g. if it is set to off)?
cwnchkn wrote:
Oh, so the Eye AF function button then simply acts as a shortcut temporary override for your face detection feature setting (e.g. if it is set to off)?
Replying to myself: yes, that is how it works. I now have the AF-ON button for non-Face/Eye AF and the center button for Face/Eye AF. This works great for street shooting, giving you the quick choice between faces and objects.
I've never owned a Sigma lens before now. Do those with more experience feel that Sigma will be able to fix the AF issue of this lens with a firmware update through the camera?
If not, I may return this lens and wait until the AF issue is fixed. A shame.
