Review - Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM

[Canon Rumors]

Discuss our review of the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM here.

[dswatson83]

This lens is simply awesome. It even blows away the Canon 35mm f/1.4 for a fraction of the cost. I'm sure Canon will make a better version soon, but at only $900 for such great results with the Sigma, will there really be any reason to pay Canon's way higher prices?

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 vs Canon 35mm f/1.4 - Fight!

[kirillica]

As red ring is not copyrighted (look at Samyang), Sigma should definitely put one on this lens so it sells well

[zwilliamson]

I can't eloquently put into words how much I love this lens. It performs beautifully on my 5Dmk2 and 7D; it's the kind of lens you just leave on a 5D to bring everywhere. I'm in the middle of shooting a weekend of dance performances right now, for which I rented my other favorite lens the Canon 135 f/2. Both produce just awesome images on my 5Dmk2 at 1600iso f/2.2 1/800 under stage lights. It's good enough I'm probably going to sell my 50 f/1.4 for an 85 f/1.8 because I find I just don't use my 50mm anymore.

[Albi86]

I can't eloquently put into words how much I love this lens. It performs beautifully on my 5Dmk2 and 7D; it's the kind of lens you just leave on a 5D to bring everywhere. I'm in the middle of shooting a weekend of dance performances right now, for which I rented my other favorite lens the Canon 135 f/2. Both produce just awesome images on my 5Dmk2 at 1600iso f/2.2 1/800 under stage lights. It's good enough I'm probably going to sell my 50 f/1.4 for an 85 f/1.8 because I find I just don't use my 50mm anymore.

+1

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Justin, thanks for a great review.  It was a bit reassuring to me, as when this lens was released I really felt like I would get it at some point, but my desire for it had cooled somewhat.  I too am a fan of the 35mm focal length, so I may again look at getting this lens.

[thewallbanger]

The real test:  Would any current 35L users consider trading for the Sigma 35?

Thoughts?

[RLPhoto]

There is no reason to buy any other 35mm 1.4 from either canon or nikon. Why bother? If sigma made a 24mm 1.4 as good as this 35mm, I'll sell my 24L II and pocket the cash.

[JVLphoto]

There is no reason to buy any other 35mm 1.4 from either canon or nikon. Why bother? If sigma made a 24mm 1.4 as good as this 35mm, I'll sell my 24L II and pocket the cash.

I would *love* to see Sigma take a stab at the Canon 24 1.4 next.

[distant.star]

.
I've had it for eight days now. Couldn't be happier.

It approaches the Canon 135mm f/2.0L in just about every characteristic (betters it in none as far as I can tell) and it's far more versatile for me.

Only used it so far on the 5D3. Once the early elation wears down, I'll try it on the crop.

[limunan]

i've been struggling with my next lens purchase and i've narrowed it down to the 24-70ii and this sigma 1.4 (leaning sigma). clearly, price is not the issue - space in my bag is! i like to pack light, and i love 35mm. the question: do you guys believe the 24-70ii will outperform the sigma 35 at 35 f/2.8, or at least close and the added versatility makes the 24-70 a better choice? i generally prefer primes due to size/weight but everyone can't stop talking about how great the 24-70ii is, and i don't often shoot in low light but man, if i get this sigma i might just have to!

extra, relevant info: i own the 24-105L
and edited to add more info: shoot a 5d3

i plan on making the purchase after canon's apr23rd announcement - i know it's a long shot but i've been waiting for a 35mm 1.4ii from canon for a long time - what say you canonrumors? thank you in advance for your help

[Random Orbits]

i've been struggling with my next lens purchase and i've narrowed it down to the 24-70ii and this sigma 1.4 (leaning sigma). clearly, price is not the issue - space in my bag is! i like to pack light, and i love 35mm. the question: do you guys believe the 24-70ii will outperform the sigma 35 at 35 f/2.8, or at least close and the added versatility makes the 24-70 a better choice? i generally prefer primes due to size/weight but everyone can't stop talking about how great the 24-70ii is, and i don't often shoot in low light but man, if i get this sigma i might just have to!

extra, relevant info: i own the 24-105L
and edited to add more info: shoot a 5d3

i plan on making the purchase after canon's apr23rd announcement - i know it's a long shot but i've been waiting for a 35mm 1.4ii from canon for a long time - what say you canonrumors? thank you in advance for your help

According to TDP's testing, the 24-70 II is better than Sigma 35 at f/2.8.

[JVLphoto]

i've been struggling with my next lens purchase and i've narrowed it down to the 24-70ii and this sigma 1.4. clearly, price is not the issue - space in my bag is! i like to pack light, and i love 35mm. the question: do you guys believe the 24-70ii will outperform the sigma 35 at 35 f/2.8? i generally prefer primes due to size/weight but everyone can't stop talking about how great the 24-70ii is, and i don't often shoot in low light but man, if i get this sigma i might just have to!

extra, relevant info: i own the 24-105L

i plan on making the purchase after canon's apr23rd announcement - i know it's a long shot but i've been waiting for a 35mm 1.4ii from canon for a long time - what say you canonrumors? thank you in advance for your help

Man, tough comparison.  The 24-70 f/2.8 L II is not a light lens at all, it's optically incredible, with the price to match as you know. I could see you selling the 24-105 after getting it though, you won't miss the extra reach with the quality of image coming from the 24-70.

While I didn't do side by side tests, I do have some shots taken at 35mm on the 24-70 and they're pretty much perfect... so can the Sigma out-perform the Canon? No, I can't say that it would. But then, I'm not using the Sigma at 2.8... I'm using it at 1.8 - 2.2

The Sigma also isn't a light lens, though not as hefty as the Canon 24-70.  If price isn't an issue I'd say go with the zoom, you'll get a lot of use out of it. But I, personally, find a lot more joy out of using the Sigma... hope that helps.

[jthomson]

Hope Sigma updates their 50mm 1.4 to the same standard.
Sigma's on a bit of a roll i got a 30mm for my m4/3 camera last year that is really good.
 

[JVLphoto]

Hope Sigma updates their 50mm 1.4 to the same standard.
Sigma's on a bit of a roll i got a 30mm for my m4/3 camera last year that is really good.

They updated the 30 1.4 for crop-sensor cameras, and the 50, I think, was their first step in the right direction (it was priced at more than the Canon 1.4), so maybe throw a few more hundred per lens into a bit of a redesign, up the QC and maybe that's all it needs.