Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM

[MrFotoFool]

I do not see this lens listed in the lens gallery section, so I am starting a thread for it. Here is a shot from last night at the Phoenix Zoo during a summer night opening. I use this lens sparingly, but in very low light situations it comes in handy. It was darker than even the photo makes it look and autofocus did not work, so I had a difficult time manually focusing. I use a 5D2 - maybe a 6D would have been able to autofocus in the dark?

Anyway, here is the camera JPEG with no adjustments other than downsizing. Shot at f/2, 1/8 second, iso 4000.

 

[jhanken]

Re: Sigma 85 f 1.4

Cool shot! I am very curious about this lens, so I am eager to see what people think about it and the images they have made. I have the Sigma 35mm and 50mm, like them both. I have the Canon 85mm 1.8 also, and I like it a lot, yet there is a big gap between 1.4 and 1.8 in low light performance. Not chomping at the bit, but curious.

 

[MrFotoFool]

Re: Sigma 85 f 1.4

Not sure the difference between 1.4 and 1.8 is enough to make the switch. Honestly, the DOF at 1.4 is so shallow that I often do not shoot it wide open. The lens does have a nice feel - solid, but not too big - balances perfectly on a larger body like my 5D2.

When I first got it, however, it would not focus well at very close objects - the focus would just hunt back and forth. I sent it in for free warranty repair and now it works fine at all subject distances.

 

[bchernicoff]

Re: Sigma 85 f 1.4

With a macro tube

 

[bchernicoff]

Re: Sigma 85 f 1.4

The second shot is me.

 

[bchernicoff]

Re: Sigma 85 f 1.4

Black Flag.

Shooting under stage lighting is tough.

 

[bchernicoff]

Re: Sigma 85 f 1.4

Screeching Weasel guitarist.

f/1.4 ISO6400

 

[jm]

always my favourite lens - never lets me down - lush, sharp, bokehlicious.

http://www.johnmckayphotography.com

 

[Heavyweight67]

Love this lens....

 

[Pi]

Re: Sigma 85 f 1.4

The second shot is me.

Sorry but the first one is cuter. Great shot!

 

[Dejjvid Photography]

One of the best lenses I've yet to use!


Freshly strung, strummed and polished. by Dejjvid Photography, on Flickr


Let me sleep, dammit! by Dejjvid Photography, on Flickr

 

[Dejjvid Photography]

Snowshine! by Dejjvid Photography, on Flickr


The faint light of January by Dejjvid Photography, on Flickr

 

[Dejjvid Photography]

A landscape at aperture 1.4, that's a first one for me! Taken from a moving car through the window!

Warmth punching through! by Dejjvid Photography, on Flickr

 

[ncsa]

2O7C3103.jpg by ncsabkk, on Flickr


2O7C3013.jpg by ncsabkk, on Flickr

 

[MrFotoFool]

Extremely dark situation, at a captive wildlife facility at dusk. Too dark for autofocus, had to switch to manual focus and do a series of shots with quick review and minor adjustment to get focus on eyes. F2 because DOF was so shallow that 1.4 or 1.8 were too thin to get all of head in focus. Even at this large aperture and ISO cranked up to 4000 and exposure compensation set to minus one (image lightened afterwards in PSE), shutter speed was only 1/3 second. Only worked because fishing cat was completely still and camera (5D2) was on a tripod.

 

[MrFotoFool]

This thread needs a bump. It was much darker in person than the photo makes it appear. Aperture 1.6 at 1/8 second and ISO 3200 on a 5D2. On a tripod of course. Out of camera JPEG except for downsizing.

 

[dlee13]

I'm very tempted to get this lens, I'm also very paranoid an Art version will be released a month or so after I get it...

 

[MrFotoFool]

I'm very tempted to get this lens, I'm also very paranoid an Art version will be released a month or so after I get it...

If I am not mistaken, an Art version has now been released. I have no need (or finances) to upgrade. However, if you can afford it I am sure the Art version is superb. The older version that I use is still nice and sharp. Here is a recent handheld shot form an indoor zoo nursery using available fluorescent light.

I own four EOS lenses and the other three are Canon L. This is my only non Canon lens but I do not regret it.