New Sigma 35mm f/1.4 for Canon getting awesome reviews

[dswatson83]

The full review for the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 is now up:

http://learningcameras.com/reviews/7-lenses/86-sigma-35mm-f14-review

[tbisu]

Anyone have an personal experience to report about this lens? We're in the market for a good 35mm and am wondering if this is a good choice over Canon's 35 1.4L. Lots of reports about how shart it is, but I'm more curious about the focus accuracy - anyone have information about the AF performance?

[Nishi Drew]

Anyone have an personal experience to report about this lens? We're in the market for a good 35mm and am wondering if this is a good choice over Canon's 35 1.4L. Lots of reports about how shart it is, but I'm more curious about the focus accuracy - anyone have information about the AF performance?

I have a couple of in-shop shots I got with the lens, it's sharp and CA free even at F/1.4, plenty of contrast, not sure about the colors based on the indoor lighting, but expect typical Sigma colors. The focus was spot on accurate and silent, and remember there's the lens USB mount that Sigma is producing for the new lenses to fine tune the AF accuracy AND speed/response, so as good as it is, it could potentially be adjusted to go faster?

[Craig Richardson]

Before buying this please wait for a reviewer who understands focus shift and field curvature to weigh in.  Sigma has a horrible track record in regards to these areas.

For reference: http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon/lenses/normal-range/sigma-50mm-f1.4-dg-hsm-for-canon

[infared]

Before buying this please wait for a reviewer who understands focus shift and field curvature to weigh in.  Sigma has a horrible track record in regards to these areas.

For reference: http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon/lenses/normal-range/sigma-50mm-f1.4-dg-hsm-for-canon

Roger at Lens Rental weighed in on the lens with a preliminary report that he himself said was NOT a formal lens review. With that in mind, he is VERY aware of the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 (check his assessment of that lens on his website, VERY candid to say the least). I am sure that when he was running this new 35mm thru its paces that he was paying sharp attention to any focusing issues. He is a very smart and aware guy about lenses.
More info is better and I want to see more reviews about the lens as well... but Roger's take is a pretty good indicator, for me. He has a LOT of experience with glass.

[NickPerkins]

Overall I've the lens to be plenty sharp for my needs, and when comparing it with the Canon version I thought the Sigma was on par (real world wise), vs. the Canon. I'm not one of the die hard shot with only canon glass and probably will never be with the build of the lens and sharpness of the lens.

[RLPhoto]

This sigma destroys the 35L, until the 35L II is released. 

[Zlatko]

Zlatko,

I have a 24mm F/1.4 II L but I recently bought a 28 F/2.8 IS lens because I thought it would be a good, light weight contender given it's great reviews.

FAIL - What an ordinary (or less than) disappointment that was.
I think my 40mm F/2.8 gives better IQ.
One of the worst lenses I've ever mounted on my 5D MK3...

ET

The 24/1.4 II is a phenomenal lens — one of Canon's best — but much bigger, heavier and costlier than the 28/2.8 IS, so you can't expect the 28 to be as good.  I use both lenses for their strengths.  I've found the 28/2.8 IS to be a good lightweight & compact alternative, and often a more useful focal length than the 24.  The only fault I've found with the 28 is the rather strong vignetting wide open, but that's been a minor issue (easy to fix, or leave as is when it looks good).  And the 28/2.8 IS and 24/2.8 IS are both more useful for video than the 24/1.4 II.  I think the point of these lenses is that they have different strengths; otherwise there would be no reason to make them.

And, for what it's worth, LensRentals tested the Canon 28/2.8 IS wide open at f/2.8, http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/06/the-other-canon-primes-why-did-they-do-that, and got these results:

915 center
775 average

... which happen to be the exact same resolution results as the awesome new Sigma 35/1.4 stopped down to f/2:

915 center
775 average

[skitron]

Before buying this please wait for a reviewer who understands focus shift and field curvature to weigh in.  Sigma has a horrible track record in regards to these areas.

For reference: http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon/lenses/normal-range/sigma-50mm-f1.4-dg-hsm-for-canon

FWIW, I had one that behaved pretty much exactly how Roger wrote it up. I sent it to Sigma USA warranty a few weeks ago for "recalibration" and it was sent back with repair noted as "firmware update". Works great now at all distances after AFMA. Apparently they did a lookup table in the firmware to map focal distance and apeture and use that to fine tune focus confirmation...or maybe they were able to express it as a transfer function...who knows, but they got it right.

That said, not sure why you reference Roger's comments about the Sigma 50, they have nothing to do with field curvature or focus shift. Plus it isn't like Canon has a stellar reputation concerning those flaws. The 50L is well known for its focus shift and the 24-70L I well known for its field curvature. All lenses have some sort of flaw, even if its only size and price like the 200L f2. 

[infared]

Before buying this please wait for a reviewer who understands focus shift and field curvature to weigh in.  Sigma has a horrible track record in regards to these areas.

For reference: http://www.lensrentals.com/rent/canon/lenses/normal-range/sigma-50mm-f1.4-dg-hsm-for-canon

FWIW, I had one that behaved pretty much exactly how Roger wrote it up. I sent it to Sigma USA warranty a few weeks ago for "recalibration" and it was sent back with repair noted as "firmware update". Works great now at all distances after AFMA. Apparently they did a lookup table in the firmware to map focal distance and apeture and use that to fine tune focus confirmation...or maybe they were able to express it as a transfer function...who knows, but they got it right.

That said, not sure why you reference Roger's comments about the Sigma 50, they have nothing to do with field curvature or focus shift. Plus it isn't like Canon has a stellar reputation concerning those flaws. The 50L is well known for its focus shift and the 24-70L I well known for its field curvature. All lenses have some sort of flaw, even if its only size and price like the 200L f2. 

Skitron....how old was your Sigma?

Also...The new Sigma 35mm looks like it is a real winner and tops the Canon L Glass. Bravo.
Now...who designed the case for the lens? I think that the designer used to be a Kitchen Cozy Designer...
Definitely wasn't anyone with a photography background...how could Sigma make such a great lens with such a useless case?

[dswatson83]

Also...The new Sigma 35mm looks like it is a real winner and tops the Canon L Glass. Bravo.
Now...who designed the case for the lens? I think that the designer used to be a Kitchen Cozy Designer...
Definitely wasn't anyone with a photography background...how could Sigma make such a great lens with such a useless case?

Correct. Pointed out the issues with the case in the comparison with the Sigma 35mm and Canon 35mm. The Canon is more practical too from the looks of the two:
http://learningcameras.com/reviews/7-lenses/87-sigma-35mm-f14-vs-canon-35mm-f14

[Gino]

I received the new Sigma 35 f/1.4 last week, and I am really impressed with the lens!!!!

• I can't believe how well built the lens is, and how beautiful it looks....I actually think it is better built and looks better than my Canon L lenses!
• I really like the Sigma pinch cap design, which is even better than the Nikon pinch caps!

I sure hope Sigma continues to produce more high quality lenses, like the new 35 f/1.4!

[risc32]

Am i the only guy who thinks the canon lens socks are useless? at least the sigma has some real protection and can attach to my belt, and that's my plan for it. i'll keep my samyang 14mm in it, while the sigma 35 is on my cam. then switch out as needed.

[bchernicoff]

Am i the only guy who thinks the canon lens socks are useless? at least the sigma has some real protection and can attach to my belt, and that's my plan for it. i'll keep my samyang 14mm in it, while the sigma 35 is on my cam. then switch out as needed.

Nope. I love the Sigma cases. If I'm going for a hike and don't want to bring a camera bag, they are perfect for protecting a lens in my backpack.

[jhanken]

Now...who designed the case for the lens? I think that the designer used to be a Kitchen Cozy Designer...
Definitely wasn't anyone with a photography background...how could Sigma make such a great lens with such a useless case?

I wish she Sigma cases were available for every one of my lenses, wish I could buy them seperately. I can throw my 50mm f/1.4 in a bag with a bunch of tools, clamps, etc and it is totally protected, almost like a hard case.  If I really want a Canon-esque lens sock (and when do you really?), I use a purple Crown Royal bag, works great!