50mm lens. I Need advice!!
- Thread starter GEEo
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I pained over this decision as well.....I definitely wanted autofocus..and I found the "range" of Canon's offerings to be quite bizarre. I just didn't see why they did not have a screamingly great, with pro-build quality, moderately-upper price range, 50mm lens for their full-frame cameras. How many years have they had to get this right???
Let me also say...I am NOT a Sigma fan in any way, shape or form....but I did a LOT of reading and researching about the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 (with all the extra letters after the name???)...anyway...according to my research this was going to be my selection....purchased from a reliable retailer with a 30-day return policy so that if I got a bad copy with any of the focusing issues (that I am sure that you are aware of), I could return it no questions asked.
Have to say...this lens is GREAT. The price is right for what it is. It is sharp as a tack slightly off wide open, focuses lightningly fast and has incredible bokeh. This will, without a doubt, be the only Sigma lens I will ever own...I personally think that they nailed this better than Canon. Just my take on it. I have been shooting for over 40years and when I pick up this lens I have a very positive feeling when I go out to shoot with it. It helps me create great images.
Take the leap! LOL! Just my two cents.
Let me also say...I am NOT a Sigma fan in any way, shape or form....but I did a LOT of reading and researching about the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 (with all the extra letters after the name???)...anyway...according to my research this was going to be my selection....purchased from a reliable retailer with a 30-day return policy so that if I got a bad copy with any of the focusing issues (that I am sure that you are aware of), I could return it no questions asked.
Have to say...this lens is GREAT. The price is right for what it is. It is sharp as a tack slightly off wide open, focuses lightningly fast and has incredible bokeh. This will, without a doubt, be the only Sigma lens I will ever own...I personally think that they nailed this better than Canon. Just my take on it. I have been shooting for over 40years and when I pick up this lens I have a very positive feeling when I go out to shoot with it. It helps me create great images.
Take the leap! LOL! Just my two cents.
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it's not unusual for any sigma lens. I've got a 24-60 2.8 that's perfect at 3 metres with +17, +15 at 2.5m and +10 at 2m. Also, all the calibrations are different across the zoom range AND the focal plane changes when you stop down. It's an incredible lens, it's so bad in so many ways that it's a complete statistical anomaly.
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Some data wouldn't hurt the conversation.
50mm prime lenses:
Canon 1.4: http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/564-canon50f14ff?start=1
Canon 1.2L: http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/472-canon_50_12_5d?start=1
Sigma 1.4: http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/522-sigma50f14eosff?start=1
Be advised that these tests are all on FF bodies. There is a website section for crop bodies, but the only data they have on these three lenses is with an 8 MP sensor (an old 350D). I've omitted that.
I'm not saying that hard data is the only thing to rate IQ with. User experience is vital, of course. I defer to the forum for that.
But the data says that once you hit F/2, there really isn't a compelling sharpness argument to use the 1.2L over the 1.4, so I bought the 1.4. No alarms and no surprises. It's up with the 85 F/1.8 as one of the highest [performance divided by cost] lenses you can buy, IMHO.
Advise against the Canon 50 F/1.8 as it is a super duper cheap build, and it's also slow & loud at focusing.
I firmly agree with those folks calling for the 28mm or 35mm lens instead if your intentions are a single lens for walkaround. On your crop, a 50mm will be a portrait length and not a walkaround length.
50mm prime lenses:
Canon 1.4: http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/564-canon50f14ff?start=1
Canon 1.2L: http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/472-canon_50_12_5d?start=1
Sigma 1.4: http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/522-sigma50f14eosff?start=1
Be advised that these tests are all on FF bodies. There is a website section for crop bodies, but the only data they have on these three lenses is with an 8 MP sensor (an old 350D). I've omitted that.
I'm not saying that hard data is the only thing to rate IQ with. User experience is vital, of course. I defer to the forum for that.
But the data says that once you hit F/2, there really isn't a compelling sharpness argument to use the 1.2L over the 1.4, so I bought the 1.4. No alarms and no surprises. It's up with the 85 F/1.8 as one of the highest [performance divided by cost] lenses you can buy, IMHO.
Advise against the Canon 50 F/1.8 as it is a super duper cheap build, and it's also slow & loud at focusing.
I firmly agree with those folks calling for the 28mm or 35mm lens instead if your intentions are a single lens for walkaround. On your crop, a 50mm will be a portrait length and not a walkaround length.
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Thanks for all the comments and advices guys!!
I think I'm leaning towards the Sigma now. But I really want the f/1.2 50L too!! just not sure if its the right investment right now since its my first 50mm and first "aftermarket" lens.
The reason I choose the 50mm focal length as my first lens is because I like shooting street photography and I shoot quite a bit at that focal length.
I think I'm leaning towards the Sigma now. But I really want the f/1.2 50L too!! just not sure if its the right investment right now since its my first 50mm and first "aftermarket" lens.
The reason I choose the 50mm focal length as my first lens is because I like shooting street photography and I shoot quite a bit at that focal length.
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GEEo said:
If you're going Canon, you'll be much, much less disappointed with the 1.4 lens. I NEVER miss with the 1.4, but the 1.2L is just too hit and miss. I don't know why, but it is.
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bdunbar79 said:
Still can't decide which one to choose!! Lol
I wus reading about the Canon 50mm f/1.4 somewhere last night and some people were saying that the Canon has a tighter field of view than the Sigma? Is it because it has a smaller glass or it's not an exact 50mm?
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I found another 50mm f/1.4 that I'm very interested with. Has anybody have experience with the Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 lens?
Do you recommend it? How the image quality?
Is the Manual focus only Lens really make a big difference?
Just curious if it's worth the extra cost over the sigma or canon.
Do you recommend it? How the image quality?
Is the Manual focus only Lens really make a big difference?
Just curious if it's worth the extra cost over the sigma or canon.
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GEEo said:
I think the Canon 1.4 is going to be the best bet. The Zeiss isn't better enough than the Canon, so why pay more than $350ish or so? I'd say given the performance of the Canon lens, it couldn't be worth the extra cost.
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The Zeiss looks awesome tho! love the all Metal Look of it.
After seeing some more Street shots on the Canon 50mm f/1.4 I'm impressed of the Lens can do. This lens is gunna be mostly for Street and some portrait use.
I dunno what I'm gunna end up with theses 3 50mm f/1.4 lenses.
After seeing some more Street shots on the Canon 50mm f/1.4 I'm impressed of the Lens can do. This lens is gunna be mostly for Street and some portrait use.
I dunno what I'm gunna end up with theses 3 50mm f/1.4 lenses.
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I'm another +1 on the idea that 50mm is not quite wide enough to be versatile. Even on my full frame, I'm leaning toward a 35mm for my walkaround.
I've got the Canon 50mm f/1.4 and I recommend it wholeheartedly. Even when it's soft, it has a great look to it. Yes it has weaknesses under f/2, but even below f/2 it still retains a lot of the character that has made it one of the best selling primes of all time.
For me, the thing that really makes the 50 f/1.4 is the reliable focusing (under reasonable conditions, of course). Focus comes first. The prospect that a lens might have any trouble with focus (relative to the Canon 50 f/1.4) would completely rule it out for me. It's just not worth the hassle of focus issues for minor increases of IQ or build. Just IMO though.
That said, if you were able to find a focus-reliable copy of a Sigma... I agree it would be worth considering (based on the reviews).
I've got the Canon 50mm f/1.4 and I recommend it wholeheartedly. Even when it's soft, it has a great look to it. Yes it has weaknesses under f/2, but even below f/2 it still retains a lot of the character that has made it one of the best selling primes of all time.
For me, the thing that really makes the 50 f/1.4 is the reliable focusing (under reasonable conditions, of course). Focus comes first. The prospect that a lens might have any trouble with focus (relative to the Canon 50 f/1.4) would completely rule it out for me. It's just not worth the hassle of focus issues for minor increases of IQ or build. Just IMO though.
That said, if you were able to find a focus-reliable copy of a Sigma... I agree it would be worth considering (based on the reviews).
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B
benherman
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The canon 1.4 is very susceptible to damage. This is due to the old poorly designed front element focusing gearing and drive. I treat my gear well, mine still broke after a few years. Was gonna cost half it's price to fix two parts, not one but two parts. I bought the sigma, it is sharper and much better built. Research it.
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Oh yes, all the (imperfect) 50mm choices. I feel your pain. If you are really interested in 50 on crop maybe you could add the Ed Mika choices into the mix. With his adapters you can use two of the excellent old Canon manual focus lenses for the FD system. Those are pretty special lenses in my experience and his adapter/conversion kits are great. I bought the chipped adapter for my 500mm FD lens and it's great quality. He writes here in the forum as well and is a nice fellow up in Canada.
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benherman said:
You speak the truth. The 50 f/1.4 creates some beautiful images, but you have to take extra safeguards with it. Things you wouldn't even think about, like storing it in infinity mode, front element always pointed up, etc... Mine is in the shop right now...and I'm not guaranteed I'm going to get it back in one piece. After this whole ordeal, though, I will still likely replace it with another copy.
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Whenever I pick up the Canon 50 1.8 or 1.4
I feel like I'm gonna break the damn thing!
I happen to own both. The 50 1.4 focus ring is starting to make grinding noises after less than a year. I slammed my 50 1.8 in a car door once (long story) and it's holding together just fine, but has the worst IQ of the bunch at 1.8. The Sigma has onion ring bokeh and focus / QC issues. The 50 1.2 is heavy and expensive. Your best bet is to flip a coin or consult the I Ching.
I feel like I'm gonna break the damn thing!
I happen to own both. The 50 1.4 focus ring is starting to make grinding noises after less than a year. I slammed my 50 1.8 in a car door once (long story) and it's holding together just fine, but has the worst IQ of the bunch at 1.8. The Sigma has onion ring bokeh and focus / QC issues. The 50 1.2 is heavy and expensive. Your best bet is to flip a coin or consult the I Ching.
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Hey guys I know I haven't posted for quite a while now.
On my 50mm I decided to wait a couple months more and picked my self up a 50mm f/1.2 L for christmas
Here's some sample shots I've taken so far. (feel free to critique please be honest)
EOS 7D 1/30, ISO 800, f/1.2
EOS 7D 1/200, ISO 400, f/1.2
EOS 7D 1/2, ISO 100, f/4.5
EOS 7D 1/200, ISO 400, f/1.2
On my 50mm I decided to wait a couple months more and picked my self up a 50mm f/1.2 L for christmas
Here's some sample shots I've taken so far. (feel free to critique please be honest)
EOS 7D 1/30, ISO 800, f/1.2
EOS 7D 1/200, ISO 400, f/1.2
EOS 7D 1/2, ISO 100, f/4.5
EOS 7D 1/200, ISO 400, f/1.2
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