Review: Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens

[razeac]

Hey guys,



When I bought my 17-40mm F4L, I changed it 3 times because of front/back focusing and severe MA on the camera..

This Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art though, it's very precise - I don't need to change it..

I went outside 30 mins earlier and took some shots. I must say, I have the same satisfaction when I bought my 70-200 F2.8 L non IS. This lens is a blast!!!

I tried myself to miss my focus on different apertures. It did none!

[aalbert]

Awesome to see it on the streets… Anybody stateside heard of B&H shipping yet ? I placed my order on the 18th, so I know I am not at the top of the list, but am hoping to still get it in the first wave…. Any idea how many B&H has coming in?

[Viggo]

Hey guys,



When I bought my 17-40mm F4L, I changed it 3 times because of front/back focusing and severe MA on the camera..

This Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art though, it's very precise - I don't need to change it..

I went outside 30 mins earlier and took some shots. I must say, I have the same satisfaction when I bought my 70-200 F2.8 L non IS. This lens is a blast!!!

I tried myself to miss my focus on different apertures. It did none!

Wow! Grattis! That's awesome to hear about the AF it's very promising!

[razeac]

some sample shots







damn flickr changing everything on its UI... 

[neuroanatomist]

Manual focus lenses where used for many years on SLRs.  The only thing different about focusing a manual focus lens on a DSLR is the focusing screen.  But Canon offers the old-style focusing screens for certain camera bodies; these show the actual depth of field even at f/1.4.  That's all that's need to make the Otus work well on a DSLR.

The resolution of current digital sensors exceeds that of film, particularly when you consider the 'typical' print sized enlarged from 35mm negatives vs. print sizes easily possible with a ≥18 MP digital file.  That means slight focus errors that were tolerable with film are often unacceptable with digital.

Also, Canon doesn't really offer 'old-style' focus screens, they offer 'not-so-old-style'.  Currently, you can get a screen with without the same degree of laser microetching for brightness - those are the 'super precision matte' screens that show you the true DoF of fast lenses…or you can get screens with manual focus aids (split prism or microprism) but they're based on the stock screens that don't show the true DoF of fast lenses.  When shooting film, there were focus screens that both showed the true DoF of fast lenses and had the split prism/microprism collar focusing aids. 

[Viggo]

some sample shots

Thanks a lot! Keep'em coming! 

[Dylan777]

some sample shots







damn flickr changing everything on its UI...

I don't know about you guys, but those two photos look good to me

Have you try shooting at smaller apertures? Any focus shift?

Thanks

[aalbert]

Agreed… I like… Can't wait to try it out.

[Artifex]

Manual focus lenses where used for many years on SLRs.  The only thing different about focusing a manual focus lens on a DSLR is the focusing screen.  But Canon offers the old-style focusing screens for certain camera bodies; these show the actual depth of field even at f/1.4.  That's all that's need to make the Otus work well on a DSLR.

The resolution of current digital sensors exceeds that of film, particularly when you consider the 'typical' print sized enlarged from 35mm negatives vs. print sizes easily possible with a ≥18 MP digital file.  That means slight focus errors that were tolerable with film are often unacceptable with digital.

Also, Canon doesn't really offer 'old-style' focus screens, they offer 'not-so-old-style'.  Currently, you can get a screen with without the same degree of laser microetching for brightness - those are the 'super precision matte' screens that show you the true DoF of fast lenses…or you can get screens with manual focus aids (split prism or microprism) but they're based on the stock screens that don't show the true DoF of fast lenses.  When shooting film, there were focus screens that both showed the true DoF of fast lenses and had the split prism/microprism collar focusing aids.

Though you are right, it is still possible to get those old focus screens on DSLR through specialize web site. I use a Canon EC-B focus screen (split-screen focus aid and precision matte) on my 6D and it works quite well. The biggest problem, for me, is that the viewfinder is still much smaller on DSLR than on good old bodies, such as the Pentax K-1000. Manual focus lens are still a joy to use with the proper screen and some practice, although it is not for everybody.

[Monchoon]

Manual focus lenses where used for many years on SLRs.  The only thing different about focusing a manual focus lens on a DSLR is the focusing screen.  But Canon offers the old-style focusing screens for certain camera bodies; these show the actual depth of field even at f/1.4.  That's all that's need to make the Otus work well on a DSLR.

The resolution of current digital sensors exceeds that of film, particularly when you consider the 'typical' print sized enlarged from 35mm negatives vs. print sizes easily possible with a ≥18 MP digital file.  That means slight focus errors that were tolerable with film are often unacceptable with digital.

Also, Canon doesn't really offer 'old-style' focus screens, they offer 'not-so-old-style'.  Currently, you can get a screen with without the same degree of laser microetching for brightness - those are the 'super precision matte' screens that show you the true DoF of fast lenses…or you can get screens with manual focus aids (split prism or microprism) but they're based on the stock screens that don't show the true DoF of fast lenses.  When shooting film, there were focus screens that both showed the true DoF of fast lenses and had the split prism/microprism collar focusing aids.

Though you are right, it is still possible to get those old focus screens on DSLR through specialize web site. I use a Canon EC-B focus screen (split-screen focus aid and precision matte) on my 6D and it works quite well. The biggest problem, for me, is that the viewfinder is still much smaller on DSLR than on good old bodies, such as the Pentax K-1000. Manual focus lens are still a joy to use with the proper screen and some practice, although it is not for everybody.

Where do you get that focus screen for a 6D ?

[Shane1.4]

Keep the sample shots coming! I love seeing what it can do wide open and seeing the quality of the bokeh.

[razeac]

took some shots at home..

this is at f13



this is f8  (looks really good)



and some bokeh night shots (do note, I was on the 2nd floor level terrace - and was standing on a flimsy chair so there might be some obvious misfocus here as I was afraid for my life if I fall LOL - 1.4 is so thin!)





btw, very low light. almost pitch black. used flash on the shots. I'm surprised the 5d mk II focused center together with the lens 

[dadgummit]

Out of focus looks pretty good, no onion either.  I like what I see.  I am really rooting for this one to be good.  I have lost the sigma lottery way too many times to preorder though. 

[Artifex]

Manual focus lenses where used for many years on SLRs.  The only thing different about focusing a manual focus lens on a DSLR is the focusing screen.  But Canon offers the old-style focusing screens for certain camera bodies; these show the actual depth of field even at f/1.4.  That's all that's need to make the Otus work well on a DSLR.

The resolution of current digital sensors exceeds that of film, particularly when you consider the 'typical' print sized enlarged from 35mm negatives vs. print sizes easily possible with a ≥18 MP digital file.  That means slight focus errors that were tolerable with film are often unacceptable with digital.

Also, Canon doesn't really offer 'old-style' focus screens, they offer 'not-so-old-style'.  Currently, you can get a screen with without the same degree of laser microetching for brightness - those are the 'super precision matte' screens that show you the true DoF of fast lenses…or you can get screens with manual focus aids (split prism or microprism) but they're based on the stock screens that don't show the true DoF of fast lenses.  When shooting film, there were focus screens that both showed the true DoF of fast lenses and had the split prism/microprism collar focusing aids.

Though you are right, it is still possible to get those old focus screens on DSLR through specialize web site. I use a Canon EC-B focus screen (split-screen focus aid and precision matte) on my 6D and it works quite well. The biggest problem, for me, is that the viewfinder is still much smaller on DSLR than on good old bodies, such as the Pentax K-1000. Manual focus lens are still a joy to use with the proper screen and some practice, although it is not for everybody.

Where do you get that focus screen for a 6D ?

http://www.focusingscreen.com

[Monchoon]

Manual focus lenses where used for many years on SLRs.  The only thing different about focusing a manual focus lens on a DSLR is the focusing screen.  But Canon offers the old-style focusing screens for certain camera bodies; these show the actual depth of field even at f/1.4.  That's all that's need to make the Otus work well on a DSLR.

Thanks

The resolution of current digital sensors exceeds that of film, particularly when you consider the 'typical' print sized enlarged from 35mm negatives vs. print sizes easily possible with a ≥18 MP digital file.  That means slight focus errors that were tolerable with film are often unacceptable with digital.

Also, Canon doesn't really offer 'old-style' focus screens, they offer 'not-so-old-style'.  Currently, you can get a screen with without the same degree of laser microetching for brightness - those are the 'super precision matte' screens that show you the true DoF of fast lenses…or you can get screens with manual focus aids (split prism or microprism) but they're based on the stock screens that don't show the true DoF of fast lenses.  When shooting film, there were focus screens that both showed the true DoF of fast lenses and had the split prism/microprism collar focusing aids.

Though you are right, it is still possible to get those old focus screens on DSLR through specialize web site. I use a Canon EC-B focus screen (split-screen focus aid and precision matte) on my 6D and it works quite well. The biggest problem, for me, is that the viewfinder is still much smaller on DSLR than on good old bodies, such as the Pentax K-1000. Manual focus lens are still a joy to use with the proper screen and some practice, although it is not for everybody.

Where do you get that focus screen for a 6D ?

http://www.focusingscreen.com