This lens has been getting some publicity around here and judging from Yakim's head to head, atop Greg's own tests, the lens looks very enticing when it comes to IQ, bokeh and build. All in all it looks like a very good performer--except for the AF issues that have been cropping up here and there...the very same AF issues that are keeping me (and many others, I'm sure) from picking one up. There in lies the question...for owners of this lens have you experienced AF issues? Also, try and include the Mfg# (perhaps there was a fix for later lenses (?)) and body on which its used.
I wouldn't call my experience "tests" so much as "chasing my kid around," but so far I've had no problems with the Sigmalux that I don't have with every AF lens and system. In other words, it gets the focus right as often as my 35L, 135L, 85, and so on. Most 50mm lenses have very close minimum focusing distances, and the Sigmalux is no exception. At MFD and f/1.4, the DOF is very, very shallow--almost always more shallow than what's being covered by the camera's AF point.
I've used it only a couple of times at distances greater than 5 feet. It worked fine there. I'm not sure I've ever stopped it down past f/2--certainly not past f/2.8. So for all I know, it might explode when shot at f/11 and 20 feet. I doubt it, though. The build quality is better than all the modern AF 50mm lenses I've used, and frankly better than some of the older MF 50mm lenses out there, though not most.
If it were smaller and lighter, it would be almost perfect. Actually, for just that reason, I'm looking for a 50mm Summicron. If I find one, I'll compare the two. I would hope that the Leica would beat it senseless, but I'm not sure what would happen at f/2....
My copy is 1009xxx, for what it's worth. Camera is a 1D2.
Here are a couple I don't think I've posted. Not as good as some of the others I've been flogging, but at least they're different.
I had AF issues (strong FF at all distances) but after calibration the center AF point is spot on but the outer AF points still have slight FF at f/1.4-2.8. How should I vote?
Yakim Peled wrote:
I had AF issues (strong FF at all distances) but after calibration the center AF point is spot on but the outer AF points still have slight FF at f/1.4-2.8. How should I vote?
Happy shooting,
Yakim.
Well, if you have AF issues you have AF issues...What is the mfg# and on what body?
Body is 40D. About the serial number I'll have to see in the evening, when I come home. All I can say right now is that it was bought new at August 2008.
M Vers wrote:
There in lies the question...for owners of this lens have you experienced AF issues?
The result of this poll will be what you already know: All in all it looks like a very good performer--except for the AF issues that have been cropping up here and there..
I wonder how many "here and theres" you consider "allowable".
In the meanwhile my Sigma 50mm f/1.4 has become my favorite lens. I have tested it for AF issues which appeared to be a waste of time. Serial is 1006###, body is 400D.
I was a little worried before purchasing but in the couple of weeks I've had the Sigma 50 f1.4 on my 5D2 the af has been spot-on, so I'm pretty happy as the photos captured with this glass are top notch.
Sounds like it's a very good companion with the 5D2 based on the resolving power of the lens. Anyone have any comments on the corner sharpness when stopped down to around f/8-f/11? The Zeiss isn't looking all too hot right now..
i do not have experienced any focus issues up to now. i've taken about 800 shots with it since i got it as a x-mas present and i could not be happier.
had a couple of oof shots in the beginning, but those were probably due to my lack of experience with fast primes. now that i got used to it, the focus is wonderful on practically any shot.
this lens is a bliss wide open and stopped down to f2 i cannot find the right words to adequately describe the quality of the shots...
As Greg said, it works as well as my other L primes (35 and 135) and my 85 f/1.8. I've also taken to calling it the "Sigmalux", as it's easily my favorite prime on my 5D and 1dIII. They only lens I like better is an actual Leica 50 Lux ASPH on my M8. The Sigma is fantastic.
ravon wrote:
The result of this poll will be what you already know:
I wonder how many "here and theres" you consider "allowable".
Actually I was expecting a lot more AF issues than voted so far...so it's not something I "already know" nor is is something anyone else knows since there was no poll before hand. If there are more than 1/4 of the amount of people (at least 20 votes) experiencing issues I'd hold off until a later date--anything less and I'd consider that "allowable" and would likely take a chance or at least the time to test one myself.
forestmage wrote:
I was a little worried before purchasing but in the couple of weeks I've had the Sigma 50 f1.4 on my 5D2 the af has been spot-on, so I'm pretty happy as the photos captured with this glass are top notch.
I like your subjects--more specifically the beer. Ommegang is a personal favorite Glad to hear AF is well off on your 5DII. FF performance is a main concern
Yakim Peled wrote:
Body is 40D. About the serial number I'll have to see in the evening, when I come home. All I can say right now is that it was bought new at August 2008.
I just got mine. Use with a 40D and it's SN#10158XX. It locks on well with all AF points. I shot my son wide open goofing around and while it's not 100% keepers, I got a couple that blew me away. I'm thrilled with the IQ and bokeh on those. I haven't shot it enough to get a feel for it's consistency yet.
I haven't compared it's AF to my 17-55 2.8 at a comparable aperature, but it doesn't seem quite as fast and it's definitely louder. It's a solid lens, but not L quality.
I wish I had more samples to show... I've shot mostly family stuff so far, but I've also noticed that while it's excellent wide open, stopped down a bit it's unbelievable. I wouldn't be surprised if mine is sharper than my 100/2.8 macro if I were to test them together.
AF issues aside, Sigma really hit it out of the park with this one.
M Vers wrote: Actually I was expecting a lot more AF issues than voted so far...so it's not something I "already know" nor is is something anyone else knows since there was no poll before hand....
From what you wrote I assumed you have read the reviews and discussions about this lens so I assumed you knew what to expect. Perhaps your expectations were biased by a couple of negative opinions on this lens (and on Sigma products in general) which I think are usually louder and more pronounced than the positive opinions.
Not to hijack the thread but is anyone out there using it for indoor sports?
I avoid my Canon 50 1.4 for sports (more from a gut feeling of how it behaves when I do have it out than any tangible testing) and would love to have something I trusted more. It would be used on Mk III, 1Ds Mk II, and 50D - so feedback on AI servo behavior in moderately to dimly lit gyms on moving subjects at F1.4 to 2.0 with subject distance of 3 to 12 feet on any of these bodies is of most interest - especially with off center focus points. I am usually selecting from amongst the 35L, 85 1.8 135L, and 200L for fast primes.
I doubt it, though. The build quality is better than all the modern AF 50mm lenses I've used, and frankly better than some of the older MF 50mm lenses out there, though not most.
Glad to hear AF is well off on your 5DII. FF performance is a main concern