U.C. wrote:
I've both and love them for different reasons. If I want to shoot moving persons, I use the Sigma because its AF is fast and precise. If I can take my time to manual focus and need even more shallow DoF, I use the Rokkor.
Sigma:
+ AF
+ smoothest bokeh
- f/1.4 (most of the time it doesn't really matter)
Rokkor
+ better colours (less time needed in PP)
+ better aperture and focus control while filming (5D-II)
+ f/1.2
- needs live-view from 5m -> infinity (the mirror is still intact)
- MF only
Another + for the Rokkor (and all MF-lenses in common): I take more time to compose, so more keepers (I could also use MF on my Sigma....).
So for me, they have both their goods and bads, but ymmv....Show more →
Makten wrote:
Yes, it draws like the Rokinon/Samyang. But you should be aware that the drawing doesn't "fit" the 50 mm view in the same way. Try it before you buy it. We seem to share the same taste...
Thanks Makten. Yes, I think we do share the same/similar taste. Please elaborate on "you should be aware that the drawing doesn't "fit" the 50 mm view in the same way." Do you mean the difference between 58mm and 50mm, or that this smooth drawing style doesn't quite work the same way at 50mm as it does at 85mm?
I do plan on trying the Sigma first. I might even buy it, try it, and then decide what to sell later. Maybe the Sigma, maybe the Rokkor, maybe something else I have sitting around.
Paul, you hate AF. Don't buy the Sigmalux!
Seriously now, try to avoid to sell this one by all means. If you can't, well, buy the sigmalux. But i'd buy a 50/1.8 Mark I instead, based on the specific needs...
cogitech wrote
Nice breakdown of the pros and cons. Thanks.
I'm concerned about the colour comment the most.
Well, maybe I exaggerated a bit, but the Sigma colours sometimes need a bit of a push in comparison to the Rokkor. But the Rokkor isn't flawless either. Last Sunday I was shooting with the Rokkor and a red flower turned into pink-red-ish while looking trough the lens...
alexandre wrote:
Paul, you hate AF. Don't buy the Sigmalux!
Seriously now, try to avoid to sell this one by all means. If you can't, well, buy the sigmalux. But i'd buy a 50/1.8 Mark I instead, based on the specific needs...
Edit: I voted last option on poll... ROFL
I thought some of you might like that option.
EF 50/1.8 MkI. Now there's an idea. I owned one for a while and found it very much on the buzzy side, but it was still better than the plastic crap-tastic.
Wow, I can't believe you are thinking about selling the Rokkor 58. Is this the real Cogitech?
I agree with Makten that 58 and 50 are different enough and I prefer 58 for portraits more.
I would get the sigmalux and dump the Canon 50 1.8.
Also, since you have a great copy of the Rokkor, I would not sell it until you were damn sure you don't long for it anymore after getting and using the Sigmalux for awhile.
FEC is not that hard, I use it all the time.
wayne seltzer wrote:
Wow, I can't believe you are thinking about selling the Rokkor 58. Is this the real Cogitech?
I agree with Makten that 58 and 50 are different enough and I prefer 58 for portraits more.
I would get the sigmalux and dump the Canon 50 1.8.
Also, since you have a great copy of the Rokkor, I would not sell it until you were damn sure you don't long for it anymore after getting and using the Sigmalux for awhile.
FEC is not that hard, I use it all the time.
Yeah, I'm leaning toward getting the Sigma and using it alongside the Rokkor for a while, and sacrificing the EF 50/1.8 and a few other lenses to make up the difference.
FEC is easy for me, too, but not so for my wife. It's just "one more thing to remember" for her.
cogitech wrote:
EF 50/1.8 MkI. Now there's an idea. I owned one for a while and found it very much on the buzzy side, but it was still better than the plastic crap-tastic.
I figured you'd already considered that option and discounted it due to price or something. That is a great lens!
Paul... you can't sell the rokkor! WTF are you thinking?
How quickly do you need the Sigma? Can you make due with the 1.8 for the next few months? Put $5 in a can every day, squeak by with the lenses you have. Buy the Sigmalux when you have saved up enough.
I'd be all for you selling your rokkor, buying the sigmalux, and slowly saving up for a new rokkor. But, given the lens variability, the fact that rokkors are in such high demand, and not to mention the nostalgia... I think you'll regret letting your prized copy go!
Even if you save up for a new copy, you'll always wish you had that the one you've made famous.
I have decided to keep the Rokkor. I may save for the Sigma or sell other stuff to fund it, but that'll depend on whether my wife and I even like it after we take it for a spin.
I know you think I'm nuts, but both my Canon 50/1.4 and my Sigmalux were sharper than all three copies of the Rokkor 58 I had...and I prefer the bokeh on the Sigma to the Rokkor.
If this is a lens primarily for use by your wife when she is using flash and umbrellas, then how often will she be shooting this lens wide open? Wouldn't a 24-70L be a better choice for the application?
I have two lenses that I go out of my way to use whenever possible: my 300/2.8IS, and my Sigma 50/1.4. I've got plenty of other great lenses, but those two have that something special that makes it really hard to leave them behind, no matter what the subject might be that day. Both have that magical ability to turn something mundane into something interesting purely by virtue of their rendering. I suspect this is exactly how you feel about your 58/1.2. I considered going with the Rokkor, but went with the Sigma instead for its AF and electronic aperture control. I'm a sucker for USM (rather, HSM).
The Sigma has two downsides that I can see: its defocus CA, and the AF problem that some apparently have.
The defocus CA is something I'm sure you're familiar. Extreme high contrast edges will show it, and to be honest it does annoy me at times. But I can't say it has really ruined shots.
The AF problem.... well, I don't know about that. I know people have AF problems with all kinds of equipment, but I've never suffered much from it. Am I lucky? Is it operator error? Group delusions? I have no idea. But if you buy the Sigma, I recommend getting it from a place with a liberal return policy. My first copy is perfect (some of my Canon lenses benefited from AF microadjustment, but the Sigma didn't need any), but yours might not be.
If you like your Rokkor but could appreciate AF at times, the Sigma is your lens. But I would never tell you to sell your Rokkor; it's obvious you love that lens, and even if you like the Sigma even more, I suspect you'd miss the (relatively) tiny Rokkor and its 80's feel at times.
I suggest you give it a shot, when you've got the spare change lying around. If you don't love it, return it. No harm. But if you like it, you've got a great alternative tool to your Rokkor. From what I've seen of the photos your wife takes, putting a lens like the Sigma in her hands could produce some wonderful portraits.
