Messages

16

Lenses / Re: Which 50mm (with AF) is best from f/1.4 - f/2.0?

« on: January 27, 2013, 11:29:18 AM »

I was really hoping Canon would come out with a new 50/1.4, or that Sigma would update its 50/1.4 to the "Art line" with similar quality to their new 35/1.4. No luck on either front — so far, at least.

So am I. There is something for Canon or Sigma to win here. Let's hope 2013 will bring some news on that

What about things like micro-contrast and rendering? If the 50L does better in that arena, then images can appear more crisp and defined even if it's not strictly sharper.

17

Lenses / Which 50mm (with AF) is best from f/1.4 - f/2.0?

« on: January 27, 2013, 09:28:21 AM »

I currently own the Canon 50/1.4 but am disappointed with its performance from f/1.4 to f/2.0. At f/2.0 it sharpens up nicely, but what's the point of an f/1.4 lens that can't be used wide open?

Is the 50L any better in that range? I've read so many conflicting reports about the L. Some love it, others insist there isn't much of a difference (in sharpness, at least), between it and the 50/1.4.

Then there's the Sigma 50/1.4. I've heard it might be the sharpest of all at f/1.4, but it's extremely prone to AF problems (which I'm not willing to deal with).

I was really hoping Canon would come out with a new 50/1.4, or that Sigma would update its 50/1.4 to the "Art line" with similar quality to their new 35/1.4. No luck on either front — so far, at least.

18

Lenses / Re: Would you keep a lens that required +18 AFMA?

« on: January 09, 2013, 10:47:38 PM »

Also, each unit of AFMA is 1/8 the depth of focus. So, anything over |8| units of AFMA means the lens is outside the accuracy spec for the AF system.

That is very helpful, and intuitively makes sense to me as well.

19

Lenses / Would you keep a lens that required +18 AFMA?

« on: January 09, 2013, 08:28:39 PM »

Just bought the new Sigma 85/1.4. It requires a +18 AFMA on my 5D III. I'm concerned that if I ever get a new camera body, and it front-focuses even a little bit more, that I won't be able to adjust it.

What do you think?

20

Lenses / Re: Announcement on January 8, 2013? New Lenses [CR1]

« on: December 24, 2012, 10:19:09 AM »

If this rumor is indeed true (which we don't know yet), I think it can only be positive that there will be so many good options at 35mm: the new Sigma, the current 35L (aftermarket once the 35L II goes on sale), the 35L II, and for those that need IS, the 35 IS.

I have to say, though, that I would have been happier with an announcement for a 50L II or a 50/1.4 II. That's where I feel the Canon line-up needs more attention.

21

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 50 f/1.4 IS in 2013 [CR2]

« on: December 17, 2012, 11:34:30 AM »

Anyone care to hazard a guess when this theoretical lens might be announced? Photokina? Later?

22

Lenses / Re: Canon 100mm f/2.0 for portraits

« on: December 11, 2012, 09:06:56 AM »

I think the 100/2 is one of Canon's most underrated lenses. I prefer it to the 85/1.8 on FF. I found the focal length to be better for portraits, and the IQ, AF and sharpness are excellent.

I currently have the Sigma 85/1.4, but as good as it is I'm considering selling it and getting the 100/2 again.

23

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: What are the chances Sigma will update the 50/1.4 soon?

« on: December 01, 2012, 08:23:55 AM »

I wonder if we'll see a new Canon 50/1.4 (with IS?) before we see a new Sigma 50/1.4. Either way, I'd be happy. If Canon does as good a job as they've done with their other updated non-L primes, I'd be happy.

24

Third Party Manufacturers / Re: What are the chances Sigma will update the 50/1.4 soon?

« on: November 30, 2012, 09:05:50 PM »

Haven't heard about it but would buy one. 
On the other hand that lens isn't that bad on the first place. I prefer it to the canon 1.4

Some photos that I took with it are in the lens gallery, I think they came out ok ...

You must be one of the lucky ones that got a copy without focus issues. I tried 2, and both had to be returned because of inconsistent AF that couldn't be fixed by MFA.

25

Third Party Manufacturers / What are the chances Sigma will update the 50/1.4 soon?

« on: November 29, 2012, 08:45:08 PM »

The new Sigma 35/1.4 is getting rave reviews. Most comparions show it beating the 35L in nearly every area. Quality control seems to be vastly improved; I haven't heard any complaints about AF inaccuracy or inconsistency. And then there's the ability to fine-tune the focus with the docking station thingy, which admittedly I'm not clear on yet.

If they released a 50/1.4 that performs as well as the 35/1.4, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. I'm not entirely satisfied with any of Canon's 50mm offerings.

Anyone heard anything about this?

26

Lenses / Re: Hold out for EF 35/2 IS or jump in with classic 35 1.4L

« on: November 24, 2012, 05:41:20 PM »

I'm certainly intrigued by the optical quality of the Sigma 35. However, I have the 35L now and my copy, at least, is razor sharp at f/1.4 and gets ridiculously sharp from there. The colors, AF and rendering are also amazing. No complaints there.

The main reason I'm interested in the 35/2 is the smaller size and weight. The 35L isn't huge, but it's not compact either. If I can get the same or even better optical quality in a more compact package, I'd probably be willing to sacrifice the extra stop. However, I shoot almost exclusively portraits (of my 16-month old daughter, who never stops moving), so IS doesn't help me at all; f/1.4 is a lot more useful in those circumstances.

The Sigma is bigger and heavier than the 35L (660g vs. 580g, and 3.03 x 3.7 vs. 3.1 x 3.4), so even if it's a little sharper than the 35L, I'm not interested. My 35L is plenty sharp, and the size and weight are more important to me.

I have the 40/2.8 too, which is incredible especially considering its size. In fact, I also prefer the 40mm focal length to 35mm. I wish Canon made a 40/1.8. I'd be all over that. I used to shoot Pentax and their 43/1.9 was my favorite lens ever.

27

Lenses / Re: Canon 85L 1.2 vs Sigma 85 1.4... Has anyone tried both?

« on: November 24, 2012, 05:29:17 PM »

I had the Sigma 85/1.4 first. The IQ and AF speed were great, but the focus was inconsistent. I sent it in to Sigma along with my 5D3 for them to calibrate it, but it still wasn't right, so I returned it and bought the 85L. That is a nearly perfect lens. I have no complaints, including AF speed, which I find to be perfectly adequate for shots of my 16-month old daughter who never stops moving.

However, I'm now considering trying another copy of the Sigma. Why? Because, as others have pointed out, if it's 95% as good as the 85L then I can use the $1,000 or so I'll net on the transaction to buy another lens, or perhaps an OM-D for travel, which I've been considering. The other thing I preferred about the Sigma was the lower weight and smaller size relative to the 85L.

Although... I could easily imagine selling the 85L and regretting it afterward. It really is a magical lens.