50mm lens. I Need advice!!

[GEEo]

Hey guys! thinking of getting a 50mm as my first "aftermarket" lens.

The Lenses I'm looking to pick up in about a month or so is the Canon 50mm f/1.4 or the Sigma 50mm f/1.4, or if its worth it I can wait and save a little bit more and get the Canon 50mm f/1.2 (MAYBE)

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 - I like the build quality and the size of the Sigma it feels sturdier compared to its canon counterpart and it doesn't look weird on my 7D. also the Sigma is a newer lens. The concerns I have about the Sigma is that some are having problem with the lens not working with the camera. also some focusing problems. and the lens I tried out on a local shop had a weird noise when focusing.

Canon 50mm f/1.4 - The build quality of the canon is not as sturdy as the sigma. if feels more plasticky and cheap. the Canon is almost half the size of the Sigma and it looks kinda weird on my 7D without the lens hood. but looks is not really a deciding factor for me. I know some of the canon 50mm f/1.4 have some focusing issues as well. the canon is almost silent compared to the Sigma when focusing. also the canon 50mm f/1.4 has been around for quite a while now I'm worried that if I do decide to pick up the canon a month or two later a version II comes out.

So which one should I get?

[Random Orbits]

Sigma.  If you get a good copy, it's performance will fall between the Canon f/1.4 and f/1.2 but at a price much closer to the f/1.4.

I wouldn't be concerned about the Canon 50 f/1.4 replacement coming out anytime soon, and if it did, are you willing to spend around $800 for similar performance?  And if the new version does cost around 800, I'm pretty sure you'll get good resale for a sub-$400 lens once it is discontinued.

[GEEo]

Sigma.  If you get a good copy, it's performance will fall between the Canon f/1.4 and f/1.2 but at a price much closer to the f/1.4.

I wouldn't be concerned about the Canon 50 f/1.4 replacement coming out anytime soon, and if it did, are you willing to spend around $800 for similar performance?  And if the new version does cost around 800, I'm pretty sure you'll get good resale for a sub-$400 lens once it is discontinued.

If I do decide to go with the Sigma how do I know that I have a good/bad copy?

[Random Orbits]

Sigma.  If you get a good copy, it's performance will fall between the Canon f/1.4 and f/1.2 but at a price much closer to the f/1.4.

I wouldn't be concerned about the Canon 50 f/1.4 replacement coming out anytime soon, and if it did, are you willing to spend around $800 for similar performance?  And if the new version does cost around 800, I'm pretty sure you'll get good resale for a sub-$400 lens once it is discontinued.

If I do decide to go with the Sigma how do I know that I have a good/bad copy?

One of the things you should test with any lens is using the lens wide open (f/1.4 in this case) and setting up the microfocus adjustment on your 7D appropriately.  Assuming that you don't have dedicated software for this, adjust the microfocus adjustment in increments of 4 initially to get it to a rough ballpark and then go finer in increments of 2.  Choose a high contrast flat target in good light (i.e. stop sign) at a typical distance.  A good lens would have a final MFA within the camera limits (i.e. +/-20), and a picture taken with AF and live view will show similar sharpness.

[cliffwang]

Sigma.  If you get a good copy, it's performance will fall between the Canon f/1.4 and f/1.2 but at a price much closer to the f/1.4.

I wouldn't be concerned about the Canon 50 f/1.4 replacement coming out anytime soon, and if it did, are you willing to spend around $800 for similar performance?  And if the new version does cost around 800, I'm pretty sure you'll get good resale for a sub-$400 lens once it is discontinued.

If I do decide to go with the Sigma how do I know that I have a good/bad copy?

I just ordered Sigma 50mm F/1.4 and Tamron 24-70mm F/2.8 VC few days ago and will receive them in this two days.  What I am going to do first is using FoCal to do MA.  If the MA value is over than 10, I think I might ask an exchange.  I finially is going to say bye-bye to my Canon 24-70mm.  Remember you should just buy lens from big stores because they usually can do  free exchange or return.

I actually don't hear focus issue for recent Sigma 50mm and your 7D has MA feature, so you shouldn't worry too much.  Just buy it and try it.  If you don't like it and then you can return it in usually 30 days.

[RLPhoto]

Hey guys! thinking of getting a 50mm as my first "aftermarket" lens.

The Lenses I'm looking to pick up in about a month or so is the Canon 50mm f/1.4 or the Sigma 50mm f/1.4, or if its worth it I can wait and save a little bit more and get the Canon 50mm f/1.2 (MAYBE)

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 - I like the build quality and the size of the Sigma it feels sturdier compared to its canon counterpart and it doesn't look weird on my 7D. also the Sigma is a newer lens. The concerns I have about the Sigma is that some are having problem with the lens not working with the camera. also some focusing problems. and the lens I tried out on a local shop had a weird noise when focusing.

Canon 50mm f/1.4 - The build quality of the canon is not as sturdy as the sigma. if feels more plasticky and cheap. the Canon is almost half the size of the Sigma and it looks kinda weird on my 7D without the lens hood. but looks is not really a deciding factor for me. I know some of the canon 50mm f/1.4 have some focusing issues as well. the canon is almost silent compared to the Sigma when focusing. also the canon 50mm f/1.4 has been around for quite a while now I'm worried that if I do decide to pick up the canon a month or two later a version II comes out.

So which one should I get?

From a 50MM addict like myself, I would wait on the 50L. Get the canon 50mm 1.4, Its a good lens and if you cant afford that the 50mm 1.8 is good as well.

I don't care for the rendering of the sigma.

The 50L is king for what it is.

[Ryan708]

Amazon lets you print a return label right from the site, and will have the new lens on it's way before you are done putting the one you got into a box. I like local and hate big faceless companies, but in a hit-and-miss situation like the sigma's are known for, it might be a good idea. Id own a sigma 30/1.4 if i wasnt thinking about going FF.

[DB]

Neither.

On a crop-sensor body like the 7D you'd be better off getting the Canon EF 28mm f1.8 USM for 2 reasons:

(1) It's a better lens than the 50mm f1.4 in terms of IQ and has proper USM (far less noisy)

(2) More importantly, with the crop factor you have a 44.8mm (35mm equivalent) lens which is far less limiting than an effective 80mm focal length if you opt for the 50mm f1.4. Also remember the human eye lens is approx. 45mm

Lastly, you're better off starting with your 1st prime as a 'wide' lens, then beginning working your way up to longer focal lengths as your budget allows.

[cliffwang]

I don't care for the rendering of the sigma.

The 50L is king for what it is.

If 50mm F/1.2 L costs 450, I definitely will buy one.
Sigma 50mm F/1.4 or Canon 50mm F/1.4 which one is better choice?  I pick Sigma 50mm F/1.4.

[charlesa]

On a similar note, are there really any concerns with sharpness and softness of the 1.2 L at apertures of 1.2 to 1.8? Because you do not invest that amount in a lens if you will not be able to use it at its strong point. Yes, you might tell me the quality of the bokeh is buttery.... but well. Any users who have the 1.2 L can comment please?

[RLPhoto]

On a similar note, are there really any concerns with sharpness and softness of the 1.2 L at apertures of 1.2 to 1.8? Because you do not invest that amount in a lens if you will not be able to use it at its strong point. Yes, you might tell me the quality of the bokeh is buttery.... but well. Any users who have the 1.2 L can comment please?

The 50L is the sharpest 50mm from 1.2-2.8 available for canon EOS mount. Done.

I will also pick the canon 50mm 1.4 > Sigma 50mm 1.4. Atleast the canon 50mm hits its target and its IQ is fine for what it is and at f/2 is perfect.

[cliffwang]

Neither.

On a crop-sensor body like the 7D you'd be better off getting the Canon EF 28mm f1.8 USM for 2 reasons:

(1) It's a better lens than the 50mm f1.4 in terms of IQ and has proper USM (far less noisy)

(2) More importantly, with the crop factor you have a 44.8mm (35mm equivalent) lens which is far less limiting than an effective 80mm focal length if you opt for the 50mm f1.4. Also remember the human eye lens is approx. 45mm

Lastly, you're better off starting with your 1st prime as a 'wide' lens, then beginning working your way up to longer focal lengths as your budget allows.

For 50mm in 35mm equivalent, Canon 28mm F/1.8 and 35mm F/2 are the best choice.  I heard 28mm is sharper in the center and 35mm is sharper in the edges.

[Studio1930]

I had the 50L and returned it.  It needs an update.  The current version has a serious back (or front, I forget) focus issue where it misses the focus as close distances.  I tested mine and found that the focus was off at all distances except where you calibrated it.  Google it and you will see that there is a ton of documentation on the focus issue with the 50L.  Yes you can still use it and try to limit it to the distance that you know it is sharp but that is not very useful for me.

http://www.ronscheffler.com/blog/?page_id=370

[Menace]

I'd suggest the 35L for your 7d as 50 will be too long as stated by other posters. It's a superb lens and hold its value well.

Cheers

[bp]

Regarding the 50L, if you're seriously considering it, RENT IT FIRST.

The 50L is one of those where some people just fall in love with it (like RLPhoto), and other people get it and then end up hating it (like Studio1930 and myself).  For me, it was missing focus very erratically, sometimes front-focusing, sometimes back-focusing, so MA didn't help.  It also didn't have the same sharpness at f/1.2 that you get with the 85LII.  Even at it's sharpest point, everything has a sort of haze over it.  Stop down just a bit, and it's sharp as hell - but if I have to stop down, what's the point of paying the premium...

But again, that was just MY experience.  Some people would save their 50L in a house fire before their wife... You never know which camp you'd fall into till you try it (rent the sucker)