My Sigma arrived two days ago from B&H. I started out looking from problems because of everything I've been reading. I ended up with a bit of MA (as I have with most of my Canon lenses), but the lens is perfect. I believe that people are having trouble with it, but I think problems like this are magnified on the internet, too. Here's a shot from early yesterday morning. Any yellowishness is early morning light; I have found colors to be good (better than my Contax 50, which goes bluish in shadows).
Ariel Bravy wrote:
Considering how "normal" a 50mm lens is, it's interesting to see how challenging it is for anyone to design an all-around awesome EF 50mm prime. Each one, no matter what manufacturer, is missing something.
Sean Reid at Reid Reviews has a detailed comparison of the Canon 50/1.2, the Canon 50/1.4, and the Sigma 50/1.4. It is a pay site, but given the cost of these lenses, I think the review is well worth the price of admission. Be warned, though, that his review will likely make you want to buy the Canon 50/1.2.
The Canon 50/1.2 is my favorite lens, and while my copy (like all of them) exhibits slight focus shift, I have never experienced real-world focus issues other than the rare image where nothing is in focus. I've never used the SIgma 50/1.4. If I were you, though, I'd start with the Sigma. If you like it, it's half the cost of the Canon 50/1.2.
Galibier wrote:
Sean Reid at Reid Reviews has a detailed comparison of the Canon 50/1.2, the Canon 50/1.4, and the Sigma 50/1.4. It is a pay site, but given the cost of these lenses, I think the review is well worth the price of admission. Be warned, though, that his review will likely make you want to buy the Canon 50/1.2.
The Canon 50/1.2 is my favorite lens, and while my copy (like all of them) exhibits slight focus shift, I have never experienced real-world focus issues other than the rare image where nothing is in focus. I've never used the SIgma 50/1.4. If I were you, though, I'd start with the Sigma. If you like it, it's half the cost of the Canon 50/1.2....Show more →
Be aware that the last time I looked at this review, it was not accompanied by any image samples from lenses other than the Canon 50 1.2L, which greatly diminishes its usefulness as a decision-making tool. Caveat: I'm no longer a Reid Reviews subscriber, so it is possible he may have updated this review with more samples... But I would check first before subscribing just for this article.
It's notable here that none of the complaints about either the Sigma or the Canon 50L fundamentally have to do with IQ: they are all about focus issues.
I have a long love affair with 50mm lenses on full frame cameras (this article is linked to from quite a few places around the 'Net.) So naturally I have both lenses.
My Sigma focuses well, and I love the quality of its bokeh when shot wide open. Here's a recent event that I shot using a 5D2 and the Sigma: every image was captured at 1.4:
Ariel Bravy wrote:
Considering how "normal" a 50mm lens is, it's interesting to see how challenging it is for anyone to design an all-around awesome EF 50mm prime. Each one, no matter what manufacturer, is missing something.
Same thing that has me
They can make a fantastic wide prime, in the 24L, and crazy fantastic telephoto primes, like the 85L and 135L, but can't get the middle worked out properly.
Btw be aware of user Avi B from Toronto, he's a con artist and spammer.
Reid Reviews includes a full set of images with which to compare various IQ aspects of the Canon 50/1.2, Canon 50/1.4, and Sigma 50/1.4. There is also a comparison of the Canon 50/1.2 and the Zeiss 50/1.4, again with a full set of images. The Zeiss does not fare well against the Canon in that comparison.
I spent about an hour and half comparing the two today, (thanks to the b&h sales guy for being so patient) and after coming home and pixel peeping I now have the sigma ordered overnight and should be here tomorrow.
For some reason autofocus on the L hunted more than the sigma in low light at 1.4 and felt slower than sigma.
I really came expecting the L to blow the sigma away, or at least give me something tangible for the extra grand besides the fraction of a stop and subjectively better color but I didn't feel it this time. First time an L didn't blow me away.
I was pretty much disenchanted with a sort of orange cast every sigma lens I've owned imparted and hate the lack of weather sealing and the sandpaper grinding of the mf ring but this lens won sigma's respect back for me; tentatively at least. We'll see about focus on my actual copy.
ALL NO THANKS TO THREADS LIKE THESE I DON'T EVEN NEED 50MM
I think it would be nice for sigma to make an 85 1.4- From what I feel though, 85mm 1.4 or a 1.2 anything from sigma won't materialize because those are more statement/specialized products that don't seem to fit sigma's business plan.
400TMY wrote:
I think it would be nice for sigma to make an 85 1.4- From what I feel though, 85mm 1.4 or a 1.2 anything from sigma won't materialize because those are more statement/specialized products that don't seem to fit sigma's business plan.
One of the rumor site mentionned that after the huge success of the Sigmalux, they are indeed developping a 85/1.4
I bought both at the same time and returned the L. Focus on my Sigma is very accurate, and the image quality is stellar. The L, on the other hand, had the focus problems (though even manually focused, was no better than the Sigma...that is...both were awesome).
Ariel Bravy wrote:
Considering how "normal" a 50mm lens is, it's interesting to see how challenging it is for anyone to design an all-around awesome EF 50mm prime. Each one, no matter what manufacturer, is missing something.
Same sentiment here, Ariel. Perhaps it's time for a 55/60mm, and I'm completely serious when I say that.
Well, this thread caused me to finally send in my 50L, which has had somewhat inconsistent focus since I purchased it, and one of the reasons I picked up the Sigma.
CPS Irvine sent it back today with the following note:
"We have examined the product according to your request, and it was found that the adjustment of the pcb assembly was incorrect the autofocus did not opperate properly. Electrical adjustments were carried out on the pcb assembly. Other electrical adjustments, inspection and cleaning and mechanical adjustments were carried out."
I can happily report that it's a changed lens! In my initial testing, AF now seems dead accurate on my 5D2 and 50D bodies at near and far distances.
Bottom line: if you have a 50L that does not seem to be focusing correctly, there is a good chance that Canon can make it better. Be sure to describe the problem clearly when you send it in...
I don't know how reliable the site/rumor is, but if I'm a customer looking for an 85mm for a reasonable price, there's no reason to look beyond the Canon offering.
I'd love for sigma to offer a 24 or 28/1.4 that is in the sub-$1000 range. Or if they made a 100 or 135 - that seems like a better opportunity for them to make something Canon can't/won't.
Fred Relaix wrote:
One of the rumor site mentionned that after the huge success of the Sigmalux, they are indeed developping a 85/1.4
Considering how "normal" a 50mm lens is, it's interesting to see how challenging it is for anyone to design an all-around awesome EF 50mm prime. Each one, no matter what manufacturer, is missing something.
garyvot wrote:
Well, this thread caused me to finally send in my 50L, which has had somewhat inconsistent focus since I purchased it, and one of the reasons I picked up the Sigma.
CPS Irvine sent it back today with the following note:
"We have examined the product according to your request, and it was found that the adjustment of the pcb assembly was incorrect the autofocus did not opperate properly. Electrical adjustments were carried out on the pcb assembly. Other electrical adjustments, inspection and cleaning and mechanical adjustments were carried out."
I can happily report that it's a changed lens! In my initial testing, AF now seems dead accurate on my 5D2 and 50D bodies at near and far distances.
Bottom line: if you have a 50L that does not seem to be focusing correctly, there is a good chance that Canon can make it better. Be sure to describe the problem clearly when you send it in......Show more →
I went through the same song and dance with my original 50L (PCB assembly, electrical adjustment, yada, yada, yada) with completely opposite results. So it's not so cut and dry and it remains to be a crap shoot.
There's really only so much they can do because it's a design "feature"...but getting the regular back focus problem which many seem to have, will go a long way...
