Sigma 50mm f1.4 - new batch = outstanding performer

[litechaser]

well, my test shows differently. my 50 1.4 is way sharper at f2 than my 50 1.8. perhaps u got a not so gd copy of the 50 1.4 ?

while its moot whether the sigma is sharper at f2 , we must bear in mind that u are paying much more for it . for me , the canon at f2 is alredi very sharp. even the website u recommended shows that the canon is excellent at f2 .

 

[GeneKoh]

well, my test shows differently. my 50 1.4 is way sharper at f2 than my 50 1.8. perhaps u got a not so gd copy of the 50 1.4 ?

while its moot whether the sigma is sharper at f2 , we must bear in mind that u are paying much more for it . for me , the canon at f2 is alredi very sharp. even the website u recommended shows that the canon is excellent at f2 .

Are you sure you're looking at the same site?... Or maybe we've just got different standards of "excellent"...

According to slrgear, at f/2, the Canon still has considerable corner softness (blur index of 4 and above)... I only consider it "excellent" when the lens hits an average 1 to 2 blur units across the frame... The Canon only achieves this at f/4...

So, unless you're using a 4/3s (2x crop), I still dun see how you can consider the sharpness, particularly at the corners, "excellent" at f/2...

 

[litechaser]

Are you sure you're looking at the same site?... Or maybe we've just got different standards of "excellent"...

According to slrgear, at f/2, the Canon still has considerable corner softness (blur index of 4 and above)... I only consider it "excellent" when the lens hits an average 1 to 2 blur units across the frame... The Canon only achieves this at f/4...

So, unless you're using a 4/3s (2x crop), I still dun see how you can consider the sharpness, particularly at the corners, "excellent" at f/2...

taken directly from the website :

"The bottom line on the 50mm f/1.4 is that it's a rather poor f/1.4 lens, but an excellent f/2 one. It's really tack-sharp across most of its aperture range. "

 

[GeneKoh]

taken directly from the website :

"The bottom line on the 50mm f/1.4 is that it's a rather poor f/1.4 lens, but an excellent f/2 one. It's really tack-sharp across most of its aperture range. "

As opposed to quickly skimming through, pls read in-depth... Please look at the very useful blur plot chart here: http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/zproducts/canon50f14/tloader.htm

Also please look at the very comprehensive good Tanner Report review here: http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/zproducts/canon50f14/canon50f14_jt.htm

I think the charts and the reports all show that the optimum performance of the lens is at f/4... It starts to show good center sharpness at f/2.8... And best performance at f/4...

 

[litechaser]

optimal may be at f4 but this does not mean that at f2 the lens is not sharp or excellent enuff. the website will not conclude that the lens is excellent at f2 w/o gd reason as their reputation is at stake.

btw, even the sigma lens optimal perf may be at f4 ?

 

[Anthony Lee]

Many are selling this lens very soon after their purchases. Is the front/back focus so back that it cannont be corrected? I own a Sig 50 f2.8 macro and never experience such a problem. My problem with this lens is it's skin tone color rendition being just too saturated for portraits. Are all Siggy the same?

 

[iMac08]

yes.i saw some site,they call it e sigma jaundice syndrome

 

[Cartman2000]

I have to beg to differ on this...

When I tested this lens, even my trusty little 50mm f/1.8 was sharper than the f1.4 at f2...

And I needed to stop down to f3.5 or f4 to get anything decent from the lens...

Doing further research, this site shows even more clearly, how much to stop down to get good levels... http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/140/cat/all

Clearly the Canon 50mm f1.4's "sweet spot" is not f2... and at f2, the Sigma is a clear winner...

Either you got a bad copy that needs to be calibrated or you got a lemon copy. Have seen tack sharp shots at f1.4 for this lens. In fact, the only downer with this lens is the unreliable AF motor chain.

 

[adrian_4781]

anyone can advise on the price?

 

[accura69]

Price check (120909), OP - $840, AP - $835 and MS - $870.

 

[raymond350]

May I ask does the lens provide a 4 year warranty if bought locally? From what I checked from USA, the 2nd to 3rd year warranty is local, only the 1st is international

 

[amachi]

May I ask does the lens provide a 4 year warranty if bought locally? From what I checked from USA, the 2nd to 3rd year warranty is local, only the 1st is international

Afaik, the warranty is only 2.5 years with the 1st year is international and the remaining is local. But I could be wrong :bsmilie:

 

[amachi]

anyone can advise on the price?

There is a guy desperately wants to sell it at BnS at 700ish :sweat:

 

[whizzard]

I am using the 5DII and have not acquired a prime 50mm yet. Quite keen to get the Sigma because:-
(1) It is newer than the Canon f1.4 (hence shud incorporate newer/better technology);
(2) Solid reviews of the lens vs Canon f1.4

What holds me back is the front focus/ back focus problem that has been mentioned many times on this forum and other reviews (though sending it to Sigma for calibration shud solve the issue).

However, if the new batch doesn't have this problem, I am tempted to buy. How can one tell whether it is the new batch or old batch?

Thanks!

 

[iMac08]

u shld just test out and try. if really bad either go back shop change or go calibrate. i also hold back before buying sigma 12-24. in the end i find that it is ok. and not bad while testing 1 local set and 1 grey set.

 

[tonylim]

I use this lens most of the time at the Super Import Nights event :thumbsup:

 

[iMac08]

poison

 

[nyist]

poison

:thumbsup:

 

[Canonized]

I was at a Chinese Opera with a friend who managed to arrange for me to shoot all the stage actresses. In this montage - all were taken with the Sigma.
No flash used.

 

[valkyrie]

I use this lens most of the time at the Super Import Nights event :thumbsup:

look super sharp to me! have u got it calibrated at sigma?