The 50/1.4 is great optically but the build quality will definitely give you trouble down the line. There are exceptions though (people owning it for years), you basically have to baby it and never, ever let anything hit the front end when partially extended.
mh2000 wrote: The EF 35/2 is a great prime, have you considered that? You can get the EF 35/2 and the EF 50/1.8 (as sharp as the 50/1.4 by f2) for the price that you will pay for either of the primes you mention, I'd get those two instead...
This is a great suggestion. I currently DO have the Canon 50mm f/1.4, but also have a copy of the 50mm f/1.8 Mk I. I will not get rid of the 1.8. it is a GREAT little lens. I usually keep it mounted to my 1D "Classic" or EOS 3. Also, don't hink that the 18-55 IS Kit lens is a slouch. I bought a XSi Kit, and was wise enough to keep the Lens, and swap it out with the original 18-55 Kit lens from my Rebel XT. Until I let my 30D go, I'll have the 18-55 IS lens, it's a great lens.
I've had the Canon 50mm 1.8 and 1.4 and the Sigma 30 and 50mm 1.4. The 1.8 was sharp above 2.2 but hte AF was horrid in speed and accuracy, especially in low light. It's a flimsy construction too but I found it tougher than the Canon 1.4. With the 1.4 while it was sharper and the AF was better it was fragile. Someone accidentally bumped the lens hood and it damaged the AF motor. I got the sigma 50mm and it was shaper than the Canon wide open. But at 2.8 - 4.0 it was a little softer. It's build quality is vastly better but mine did ahve a tendancy to backfocus. I sent it and the body in to Sigma and had it back in 10 days and AF was spot on. I got a Sigma 30mm and it was sharp and the AF was dead on right out of the box. With the 30mm I rarely used the Sigma 50mm so I got rid of it. I still have a Canon 50mm 1.8 that I never use but even being over 4 years old it still functions. It just cannot touch the Sigma 30mm in any aspect.
Uncle Mike wrote:
Makes you wonder why Sigma doesn't just calibrate the lens at the factory before putting into the box.
Think about it.
How many do they make?
It will be built to a standard ie calibration but there will a variance.
Most will be fine and they will not see them aver again
But some will give issues and need to be sorted.
If they had to sort every single lens made then your basicly dealing with a hand built item that wont cost <$400 but probably the wrong side of $1000
wouldn't sell so many then would they
