Review - Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM

[jhanken]

I would *love* to see Sigma take a stab at the Canon 24 1.4 next.

So true! I have the Sigma 50 and 85, getting me the 35 soon. Weird that I am becoming a fan boy.

 

[Pixel]

It's pretty fascinating to read the reviews for the Sigma but as for a current owner of a 35 1.4L, it would be a cold day in hell before I ever gave my "go to" L lens. It's worth it's weight in gold as far as I'm concerned. I'm happy you guys like the lens but I'll never trade a Canon FOR a Sigma. Not in this lifetime.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Justin: The review was a very good read. I would have loved to see side-by-side comparisions of your shots done with BOTH Sigma and Canon 35/1.4. That would tell the tale for me. BTW, does anyone already have such a comparison they could share? If one already exists, where may I find it?

 

[dswatson83]

Justin: The review was a very good read. I would have loved to see side-by-side comparisions of your shots done with BOTH Sigma and Canon 35/1.4. That would tell the tale for me. BTW, does anyone already have such a comparison they could share? If one already exists, where may I find it?

Here is a side by side review with those two lenses: http://learningcameras.com/reviews/7-lenses/87-sigma-35mm-f14-vs-canon-35mm-f14

 

[sdsr]

Hope Sigma updates their 50mm 1.4 to the same standard.
Sigma's on a bit of a roll i got a 30mm for my m4/3 camera last year that is really good.

I wish they would update their 50mm too. I had no interest in it until I tried the 35mm, which I liked so much I ordered the 50mm - only to receive a copy (brand new) that seemed to have every flaw I've read about. So I returned it and decided to stick with my Canon 50mm 1.4 for now.

As for Sigma being on a roll, lenstip fairly recently gave a rare (for them) rave review of Sigma's new 180mm macro lens. Has anyone here tried it? (I've only tried their 150mm macro, which I didn't much care for.)

 

[sdsr]

Justin: The review was a very good read. I would have loved to see side-by-side comparisions of your shots done with BOTH Sigma and Canon 35/1.4. That would tell the tale for me. BTW, does anyone already have such a comparison they could share? If one already exists, where may I find it?

This isn't quite what you're asking for, but The Digital Picture's review includes a bokeh-at-f/4 comparison of this lens vs Canon's three 35mm lenses and the Samyang equivalent.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-35mm-f-1.4-EX-DG-HSM-Lens-Review.aspx

 

[Quasimodo]

While I have not thought of the comparison in design to Apple, it made sense. In addition to its great optics it has as is mentioned in the review a great tactile feel.

 

[fox40phil]

I would buy it... If it has weather sealing... !

An expensive lens need this I think!

 

[JVLphoto]

I would buy it... If it has weather sealing... !

An expensive lens need this I think!

The current Canon 35mm f/1.4 L doesn't. Neither does the Canon 85mm f/1.2 L. I agree that weather sealing is preferred, but sometimes we just don't get that choice

 

[Loswr]

The current Canon 35mm f/1.4 L doesn't. Neither does the Canon 85mm f/1.2 L. I agree that weather sealing is preferred, but sometimes we just don't get that choice

There's always a choice.

 

[fox40phil]

I would buy it... If it has weather sealing... !

An expensive lens need this I think!

The current Canon 35mm f/1.4 L doesn't. Neither does the Canon 85mm f/1.2 L. I agree that weather sealing is preferred, but sometimes we just don't get that choice

Yes I already know this... but the Canon 35mm f/1.4 L is older... Sigma has the chance to build a modern best quality 35mm lens :O....!

 

[risc32]

zeiss doesn't offer weather sealing either. i guess they missed the boat.

 

[JVLphoto]

zeiss doesn't offer weather sealing either. i guess they missed the boat.

Yeah, what a piece of crap!

 

[brad-man]

Please, please rework the 85 into the art line. Then they can do a 24...

 

[Wildfire]

Justin, just curious about the photo labeled "Trevor Portrait". Was that lit with flash or natural light?

 

[JVLphoto]

Justin, just curious about the photo labeled "Trevor Portrait". Was that lit with flash or natural light?

Flash: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jvlphoto/8641936552/#

 

[Shane1.4]

Excellent review. I couldn't agree more. Simply incredible lens.

 

[Krob78]

Good review, sounds like another viable option. I've stayed on the canon path with regard to lenses except with my Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 and I really like it a lot... only because of my experience with it, would I be willing to try something like this, but I'd have to try before I buy... ;D

 

[marooni]

I tested Canon 35 f1.4 (that I own) and Sigma 35 f1.4 (that I jumped to buy immediately) and Canon lens has a more pleasing bokeh and image. I made the comparison on screen and paper (1000mmx700mm printed images).

Truly, the Sigma looks crisper, but I prefer a general beter looking image.
I made this comparison because I could sell my used Canon 35 f1.4 at the price of a new Sigma 35 f1.4 and I almost made the switch, but then I said to try the Sigma first.

I decided to keep my Canon lens from two reasons:

1. Sigma did not demonstrated yet that can make a working horse (I had a Sigma 50mm f1.4 and was extremely unreliable). I can`t afford to have bad working lenses or on repair for weeks in a row. This will be a disaster for me.

2. The images printed looked beter from Canon. The colours and general image are more appealing.

In the last years we are all looking at the numbers, but nobody looks at pictures anymore.

I got the idea that the Sigma is cheap, but I do not want cheap, I want the best Image and reliability.

And I am sure that all of you know what I am talking about.

 

[Quasimodo]

Excellent review. I couldn't agree more. Simply incredible lens.

+1