Canon 35 f1.4L MkII vs Sigma 35 f1.4 Art

[Sporgon]

Holy smokes

Art vs L II

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=994&Camera=979&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=829&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

L I vs L II

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=994&Camera=979&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=121&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

35 L II vs 200 f2 both wide open. ;D

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=994&Camera=979&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=458&Sample=0&SampleComp=0&CameraComp=979&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

Careful, the Canon mk2 lens is shot on the 5Dsr, the others are on 1DsIII

Wait a minute. I have asked many times and been told that 5ds/r advantage is ONLY resolution. They will NOT increase IQ or sharpness. So now what? We changing our opinion on this?

The 5Dsr has the AA cancelled. Previously on cameras with AA (all the Canon) Brian used level '1' sharpening, a la DPP. I find that level 1 doesn't overcome the softening of the AA. I was referring to careful on the clarity, not the CAs.

 

[wockawocka]

I tried mine out yesterday (Mkii) and I can't say I'm that impressed (at this stage).

Still has focusing inconsistencies of the old model but is much better at focusing (and acquiring) in low light.

I suspect though that the weight of the lens holds it back. It is appreciably heavier than the mk1 and makes the 24-35 Sigma more appealing. But until I've used them all in heavy use it's more about how I feel with the lens than actual practical results.

Focusing inconsistencies ? I have never experienced that even with the old. What body are you using?

On the 5DSr - Wayyyy above minimum shutter speed too. 1.8 and 1.6 can miss focus several times in a row, then absolutely nail it.

Focusing on the couple, point was on their faces, confirmed AF but it focused elsewhere. Same issue I had with the 35 mk1

Either it's me or there's something about 35mm and Canon af points, or something else. It's really fristrating because if I'd used any other Canon lens to get this shot I wouldn't of had the issue. I can say this because I only get this specific issue with 35mm Canon lenses.

 

[wockawocka]

Then in low light it's REALLY good to focus. ( These are 1.8 )

So WTF is going on I've no idea. I call it the Vampire lens.

 

[wockawocka]

1.8 again.

The issue is it just says F*** you whenever it feels the need to. No reason behind it.

 

[Viggo]

Thanks for the examples!

It looks weird with AF misses. Is it Ai Servo or One Shot? Well, either way it's weird. I often swap Cases with the AF and have One Shot ready with a custom button, but only the Sigma's give those misses.

 

[ben805]

AF:
Consistency and Accuracy have been 100% on my 5D3, it feels quicker than the old 35L and no issue with low light focusing.

Sharpness:
Center to Border sharpness of my new 35L II is sharper than my old 35L, 100L IS Macro, 85L II, and 70-200 2.8 IS II, it is fantastic wide open @f/1.4 and I see very little improvement stopping down.

Bokeh:
It's as good if not better than my old 35L

Colors and Contrast:
Looks similar to my 85L II

CA and Colors fringing:
Undetectable in high contrast subject or background

Lens flare:
Well controlled, no complaint here.

Vignetting:
Similar to 35L

Price:
Given the optical quality I think it's worth it, would have been a bargain if Canon drop the price down to $1500


Test samples:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/13715639@N07/


Summary: Honestly I was underwhelm with the result I saw from petapixel before I received the new 35L II, fortunately it has exceeded my expectation so far.

 

[Viggo]

Ben805, Welcome to CR!

And many thanks for your examples. I think it looks fantastic! I see the difference in color and contrast even on my phone, compared to the old which I know to great extent. I'm definitely buying one! And a cat!

 

[caMARYnon]

Like wockawocka said, an example from ben805 (thank you) with strange focus behaviour - see first attach
In the second attach is a crop from petapixel with more visible cromatic issues canon vs. sigma.

 

[Viggo]

Strang behaviour or miscalibrated lens/camera combo?

 

[wockawocka]

Strang behaviour or miscalibrated lens/camera combo?

TBH the price they're asking I expect it to focus correctly out of the box.

I should be able to buy a lens, fit it to the body, select my focus area, shoot and have an in focus image. Not take several hoping one will nail it. The differences are too inconsistent to be a fault with the body / lens combo but more a design issue of the lens itself.

It's too early to tell that this is the case with the 35L mkii but we'll see what other users report over time. I will say that I'll be majorly pissed if I spent all that money for a lens with the same af issues as the Mk1

 

[GMCPhotographics]

Strang behaviour or miscalibrated lens/camera combo?

TBH the price they're asking I expect it to focus correctly out of the box.

I should be able to buy a lens, fit it to the body, select my focus area, shoot and have an in focus image. Not take several hoping one will nail it. The differences are too inconsistent to be a fault with the body / lens combo but more a design issue of the lens itself.

It's too early to tell that this is the case with the 35L mkii but we'll see what other users report over time. I will say that I'll be majorly pissed if I spent all that money for a lens with the same af issues as the Mk1

What focus screen were you using? If it's stock, you would have no way to know through the view finder if it's nailed it's focus or not. Spot focus is essential too.

Welcome to the "world of hurts" AF issues with shallow depth of field fast primes. The best result I get is with a 5DII with a fine focus screen and "looking" too see if it's nailed it or not (one shot...no AI servo). Or with a 5DIII with the spot focus AF choice. This seems very reliable...but it's easy to hit an eye lash and miss the eye. It happens...get over it. Most AF systems are calibrated for f2.8 accuracy and I'm using f1.2 and f1.4 glass...so it's going to be hard work regardless.

If you think you can pick up a camera and f1.4 lens with no learning curve time investment and expect it to AF perfectly every time...then welcome to the real world. Af systems aren't magic...they rely on technology and this is the current state of the art. This is as good as it gets bud.

 

[Viggo]

Strang behaviour or miscalibrated lens/camera combo?

TBH the price they're asking I expect it to focus correctly out of the box.

I should be able to buy a lens, fit it to the body, select my focus area, shoot and have an in focus image. Not take several hoping one will nail it. The differences are too inconsistent to be a fault with the body / lens combo but more a design issue of the lens itself.

It's too early to tell that this is the case with the 35L mkii but we'll see what other users report over time. I will say that I'll be majorly pissed if I spent all that money for a lens with the same af issues as the Mk1

Any lens on any body needs to be properly calibrated. If it's a consistency issue remains to be seen. But I must admit I find it hard to believe this isn't the best 1.4 AF lens ever made.

 

[wockawocka]

The issue isn't calibration though. A lot of the time it hits focus as it should. Then it misses focus completely.

Ruling out user error this is an inconsistent issue with varying degrees or inaccuracy. Calibration won't address that.

 

[Viggo]

The issue isn't calibration though. A lot of the time it hits focus as it should. Then it misses focus completely.

Ruling out user error this is an inconsistent issue with varying degrees or inaccuracy. Calibration won't address that.

is it with any focusing point?

I haven't experienced it with mk1 like you have and I owned 6-7 of them, some are sharper than others, but the AF has been fantastic. Can't remember if I had 35 L mk1 on the 5d3, but used it on 5d1, 5d2, 1d3 (which was innacurate itself, lol) 1d4 and now the 1dx. But you're right calibration is out of the question if it's inconsistent. I had a MAJOR issue with that and the Art lenses.

 

[AE-1Burnham]

This lens is very exciting and though I never have thought I needed a 35mm (between my 24 1.4 and 50 1.2) -- this is a whole new league! ...I just wanted them to update my holy trinity (Ls 24, 50, 135)!!

Regarding focusing a 1.4 (and stopped down to 1.8 even) takes technique people! Even if the AF hits and even in servo: your breathing, your stance, how you depress the shutter button, and all other factors including subject movement massively impact focus (esp. at the distance in the "mock-up" portrait above). Practice practice practice -- AF won't solve these challenges.

Happy shooting!
-John

 

[JoFT]

What might be even more interesting is a comparison with the new Zeiss MILVUS 2.0 35mm...

 

[ben805]

The issue isn't calibration though. A lot of the time it hits focus as it should. Then it misses focus completely.

Ruling out user error this is an inconsistent issue with varying degrees or inaccuracy. Calibration won't address that.

AF accuracy and consistency have not been an issue with the 35L II, I haven not done any microadjustment to the new 35L II because the margin of error is way too small to cause any concern, especially if it's only 1 out of 100 shot get missed. I had more misses from 70-20 2.8 IS II or 100L IS Macro than the 35L II, most of the time it could be due to either the camera itself or could be user error. When I looked at the overall AF consistency the 85L II is far worst in comparison.

 

[ben805]

Like wockawocka said, an example from ben805 (thank you) with strange focus behaviour - see first attach
In the second attach is a crop from petapixel with more visible cromatic issues canon vs. sigma.

As you can see from this shot, it is clearly due to user error on my part, you would get the exact same miss if you're focusing on a wall with very little to no contrast, had i aim the AF point higher onto the eye/pupil the miss would have been avoided, this is most definitely not a strange focus behavior, rest assure.

 

[ben805]

I tried mine out yesterday (Mkii) and I can't say I'm that impressed (at this stage).

Still has focusing inconsistencies of the old model but is much better at focusing (and acquiring) in low light.

I suspect though that the weight of the lens holds it back. It is appreciably heavier than the mk1 and makes the 24-35 Sigma more appealing. But until I've used them all in heavy use it's more about how I feel with the lens than actual practical results.

it is possible that the inconsistency is due to your camera as well, if possible mount your lens on your friend's 5D3 or 7D2 and give it a spin to see if the issue is persistent. All my lens got a big bump in AF consistency when i upgraded from 5D2 to 5D3.

 

[TeT]

Like wockawocka said, an example from ben805 (thank you) with strange focus behaviour - see first attach...

That first picture is a product of F 1.4 and a focus point beyond the closest eye... The lead eye is not the focus point.