Would appreciate your thoughts on this:

Not considering their prices, which one is a better lens, canon 50mm f1.4 or the newer sigma 50mm f1.4?

Some reviews say that the sigma has focusing problems but others say it's an excellent lens, more comparable to canon's 1.2L than its 1.4.

What are your takes on this guys.

ciao!

Canon will always be the more superior lens. Good glass comes with a price. Though for the price, Sigma quality isn't bad really. Depends on your budget but I think in the long run Canon is the better investment.

Canon will always be the more superior lens. Good glass comes with a price. Though for the price, Sigma quality isn't bad really. Depends on your budget but I think in the long run Canon is the better investment.


Always??? You are aware that the new Sigma 1.4 is more expensive than the Canon 1.4 and the Sigma is technically superior to the old, old Canon 1.4 design, right?

Always??? You are aware that the new Sigma 1.4 is more expensive than the Canon 1.4 and the Sigma is technically superior to the old, old Canon 1.4 design, right?

hey there david, i think you have a point there :Grin:

Always??? You are aware that the new Sigma 1.4 is more expensive than the Canon 1.4 and the Sigma is technically superior to the old, old Canon 1.4 design, right?

When I consider lenses I talk about glass quality and not design. The glass quality is different between the two. Based on the comparisons I've seen lens flaws are more apparent in Sigma compared to Canon glass. Specially when it comes to fringing and chromatic aberration. Try to look at the shots 1:1 and you'll see the difference.

PS. I'm not trying to badmouth Sigma glass as I do own em and are quite happy considering the price. I'm just saying that Canon has always been better quality-wise. Their target market is different of course.

Prinz: Don't you think you're over generalizing a whole brand's line-up vs. the actual 2 lenses in this thread?

hey there david, i think you have a point there :Grin:

Master Sherwin, nice to see you here... :Grin:

Prinz: Don't you think you're over generalizing a whole brand's line-up vs. the actual 2 lenses in this thread?

I might be generalizing but it's within good reason based on reviews, picture samples from the two lenses, and friends who have owned them. It's just my opinion anyway.

That's my point, specifically with these two 50 1.4s, the Sigma consistently beats the Canon regardless of review site... The Canon 50 1.4 dates back to 1993 in terms of lens design, it's way overdue for an update.

Not to mention that Canon has some REALLY lousy lenses in their arsenal as well.

Master Sherwin, nice to see you here... :Grin:

likewise sir master da vinci david :SunGlass:

That's my point, specifically with these two 50 1.4s, the Sigma consistently beats the Canon regardless of review site... The Canon 50 1.4 dates back to 1993 in terms of lens design, it's way overdue for an update.

Well I respect your opinion on it though wouldn't it be wise to consider reviews of people and opinions of people you know who actually own the lens? I guess it depends on the person too as all photographers have different standards. Just because it's newer doesn't mean that it's optically superior. Or maybe two of my friends just got bad copies? Sigma kinda has a history in terms of quality control.

I believe this can help you Edilbert, check this site:)

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-50mm-f-1.4-EX-DG-HSM-Lens-Review.aspx

i'm not a canon user, but i have the sigma 50mm 1.4. i might have gotten a good copy, but i don't have any focusing issues with the sigma. if you get a soft copy or a copy that front focuses or back focuses, you can go to jtphoto to have it calibrated =)

here's another thread with some sample images of the sigma 50mm 1.4, hope this helps http://digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=20486

Well I respect your opinion on it though wouldn't it be wise to consider reviews of people and opinions of people you know who actually own the lens? I guess it depends on the person too as all photographers have different standards. Just because it's newer doesn't mean that it's optically superior. Or maybe two of my friends just got bad copies? Sigma kinda has a history in terms of quality control.

+5 on this:)

It's true that Sigma had not so good quality control compared to Canon, but for this Sigma 50 1.4, based on the reviews and feedbacks of friends who bought this, Sigma's 50 is better than Canon.

And sorry for the OT, but I think they're starting to change their image because they have produced two very good quality lenses already which can compete or even better than its counterpart -- the other one is the new 24-70 HSM. :)

I think the best thing to do is try to use both lens to see the difference...

"The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens is a bit sharper (less dreamy) than the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-50mm-f-1.4-USM-Lens-Review.aspx) until f/4 where the Canon has much sharper corners. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-50mm-f-1.8-II-Lens-Review.aspx) has sharper corners from f/2.8, but is not sharper than the Sigma in the center. The Sigma is similar in sharpness to the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens (http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-50mm-f-1.2-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx) throughout the aperture range. The Canon f/1.2 has better corners at some apertures, but the Sigma makes up for this with better control of CA."



I didnt expect a sigma 50mm 1.4 beats a canon 50mm 1.4

well maybe of the age gap :D

The Sigma has very smooth bokeh. Possibly the smoothest of any 50mm. Samples here (http://www.pentax-forum.net/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=76).

It is discussed in Fred Miranda (link (http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/661966)). It beats the Carl Zeiss and SMC Takumar on bokeh quality. The smoothness of its bokeh has a similar look to Minolta's STF (http://www.dyxum.com/columns/articles/lenses/SAL-135F28/Sony-AF-135-STF-SAL-135F28_review.asp).

A Canon/Pentax user says it's bokeh is smoother than the 77 Limited, 85L, 50L, 35L (search for Martin Brand's posts in this thread (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1036&thread=32023565)).

But after 2 copies he's still having problems with autofocus accuracy, so while the glass and optical design are definitely top-notch, the focus can be hit-or-miss on EOS mount. Could it be just his copies?

Having gone through several copies of both lenses I have to agree with those that say its a hit and miss in both cases. but all things being equal there is very little difference but i did notice that the canon focuses a little slower. But its bokeh is amazing on the other hand.:Grin: