Review - Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC Art

[FECHariot]

Great review as always Dustin. I'm wanting to want this lens, but I feel the urge to upgrade to full frame in the future will never stop haunting me. So it's hard to spend that kind of money for a lens that simply won't do once that happens.

 

[arcer]

Thanks for another great review, Mr. Abbott. I have loved your reviews as they are much more relatable than other reviewers and there's a sort of familiarity of how you describe the handling and performance of a lens. Even though I'm not the target market of this lens, it was interesting to read your reviews which piqued my interest towards using this lens a fair bit.
I got the muscle to carry this beast around as I have endured handholding the 200F2 for a few hours in an event once, so I'm not worried of the weight. But is the ergonomics of the lens really comfortable? I'm not sure if I miss it (I read your review a few times), but you only mentioned about it being quite front-heavy and the unfortunate placement of the tripod foot with the zoom ring. It's not that the 200F2 was super comfortable btw, you got to grow (some muscles) to love it until it breaks your wrists.
Asking cause I'm not able to find a display unit atm.

On a side note, seeing that you have been using the EOS 80D, I wonder why CR didn't share your review of the camera on this site. Or will you be writing a more intensive one as you learn more about it?

 

[Cory]

I would say yes, but just be aware that you are moving into a very different size class of lens. It produces beautiful results, but you are going to feel it in your wrists compared to your other class.

Thank you, Sir. Might just do it and through your site of course.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Thanks for another great review, Mr. Abbott. I have loved your reviews as they are much more relatable than other reviewers and there's a sort of familiarity of how you describe the handling and performance of a lens. Even though I'm not the target market of this lens, it was interesting to read your reviews which piqued my interest towards using this lens a fair bit.
I got the muscle to carry this beast around as I have endured handholding the 200F2 for a few hours in an event once, so I'm not worried of the weight. But is the ergonomics of the lens really comfortable? I'm not sure if I miss it (I read your review a few times), but you only mentioned about it being quite front-heavy and the unfortunate placement of the tripod foot with the zoom ring. It's not that the 200F2 was super comfortable btw, you got to grow (some muscles) to love it until it breaks your wrists.
Asking cause I'm not able to find a display unit atm.

On a side note, seeing that you have been using the EOS 80D, I wonder why CR didn't share your review of the camera on this site. Or will you be writing a more intensive one as you learn more about it?

I don't think the handling is a deal breaker, at all, but it isn't a particularly well balanced lens for most APS-C bodies (might be better with a battery grip attached). You just need to use both hands most of the time, as it does strain your right wrist some if you are just holding the camera grip with one hand.

The 80D review isn't up here because I haven't had time to format it for the site yet. Probably next week.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

I would say yes, but just be aware that you are moving into a very different size class of lens. It produces beautiful results, but you are going to feel it in your wrists compared to your other class.

Thank you, Sir. Might just do it and through your site of course.

That's kind. Thank you.

 

[GHPhotography]

Can anyone comment on the AF focus speed of this lens compared to a Canon 70-200 or the 85 1.8? I am potentially going to pick this lens up for indoor sports.

Thanks!

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Can anyone comment on the AF focus speed of this lens compared to a Canon 70-200 or the 85 1.8? I am potentially going to pick this lens up for indoor sports.

Thanks!

A bit slower to rack through the whole focal range, but quick for typical minor adjustments. Don't expect the focus system to be as sophisticated as the 70-200, though.

 

[GHPhotography]

Can anyone comment on the AF focus speed of this lens compared to a Canon 70-200 or the 85 1.8? I am potentially going to pick this lens up for indoor sports.

Thanks!

A bit slower to rack through the whole focal range, but quick for typical minor adjustments. Don't expect the focus system to be as sophisticated as the 70-200, though.

Thanks for your reply. How would you compare the focus speed to the 85 1.8? My main use would be basketball and volleyball, to give you an idea of the movement it would need to track.

 

[TWI by Dustin Abbott]

Can anyone comment on the AF focus speed of this lens compared to a Canon 70-200 or the 85 1.8? I am potentially going to pick this lens up for indoor sports.

Thanks!

A bit slower to rack through the whole focal range, but quick for typical minor adjustments. Don't expect the focus system to be as sophisticated as the 70-200, though.

Thanks for your reply. How would you compare the focus speed to the 85 1.8? My main use would be basketball and volleyball, to give you an idea of the movement it would need to track.

Understand that I'm working on two year old memory here (that's the last time I owned and/or used an EF 85mm f/1.8), and when you use the word "track" I think AF Servo, and, frankly, that's not what I used the EF 85mm f/1.8 for. I felt that my copy of the EF 85mm f/1.8 wasn't as accurate as the rest of my kit in one shot mode (which was the reason I sold it).

I did shoot some tracking sequences on the 80D with the 50-100 and I got perfectly fine results. At the same time, if you want the absolute best in focus, it would be hard for me to recommend a Sigma lens on a Canon body (though I had great results with the 150-600 Sport). I felt I got better than average results for a Sigma with the 50-100 ART, but still not top tier. That's about all I can say...

 

[GHPhotography]

Understand that I'm working on two year old memory here (that's the last time I owned and/or used an EF 85mm f/1.8), and when you use the word "track" I think AF Servo, and, frankly, that's not what I used the EF 85mm f/1.8 for. I felt that my copy of the EF 85mm f/1.8 wasn't as accurate as the rest of my kit in one shot mode (which was the reason I sold it).

I did shoot some tracking sequences on the 80D with the 50-100 and I got perfectly fine results. At the same time, if you want the absolute best in focus, it would be hard for me to recommend a Sigma lens on a Canon body (though I had great results with the 150-600 Sport). I felt I got better than average results for a Sigma with the 50-100 ART, but still not top tier. That's about all I can say...

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I will probably have to rent one for a couple weeks and see how well it works, I have the 70-200 is ii but I would like something that lets in more light. On paper the 50-100 looks perfect, aside from Sigma's less that stellar AF reputation.

 

[rwvaughn]

Can anyone comment on the AF focus speed of this lens compared to a Canon 70-200 or the 85 1.8? I am potentially going to pick this lens up for indoor sports.

Thanks!

I shoot a combination of Canon crop and full frame bodies. I was very excited for the release of this lens; read Dustin's review with hope, and have rented the Sigma 50-100 to see how the AF would work for indoor high school sports - basketball, wrestling, volleyball.

The 70-200 IS ii L is too long on the 7Dii when sitting matside at wrestling and likewise can be too long when standing at the goal line under the basket for basketball. It's perfect on my 5Diii. The 1.8 aperture of the Sigma was awesome, but shooting in AI servo mode on the 7Dii does not produce enough keepers that are sharp or properly focused - it just does not keep up with the Canon body - disappointing.

Anyone who has shot in a high school gym knows that they are not well lit and this Sigma lens lives up to Sigma's reputation of being poor to perform in low light. I had hope, but it was quickly shattered. I really did want this lens to be promising, but using it for nearly a week during the local high school open gym sessions has convinced me that the Tamron SP 85 with VC is the better option for matside wrestling images.

The Sigma is stellar in environments that are well lit, or situations where there is not fast movement of the subject. It truly is a nice portrait lens and can take the place of three primes in a crop shooters bag. Just be aware it's not going to do well in an action setting.

I guess I keep holding my breath that Tamron follows suit and produces something similar to the 50-100 in their new SP line or produces a 135mm with VC. As Dustin has said Tamron seems to have a better grasp of Canon AF algorithms than Sigma does my experience backs his summation up in that regards.

 

[stpr]

The Sigma is stellar in environments that are well lit, or situations where there is not fast movement of the subject. It truly is a nice portrait lens and can take the place of three primes in a crop shooters bag. Just be aware it's not going to do well in an action setting.

To be fair it excels where an "Art" lens should. A real "Sports" lens which fits your needs has yet to be revealed of course (or never will).

 

[vscd]

What I don't like is that they have the Zoomdirection from Nikon, so that the longest focallength is left and the shortest right... that's sometimes really annoying while using it together with some Canonzooms ;(

 

[noncho]

I also had a chance to use Sigma 50-100 Art on APS-H Canon 1D Mark IV body and the results were impressive - no problem with covering lager senson (as I expected).

An important question is what can be used for such an interesting lens. My personal opinion is that the most appropriate use is a dynamic story, where you need a high-end lens for APS-C sensors. In challenging lighting the combination of aperture and focal length would be irreplaceable. I regret that I was unable to try the performance for a concert photos. It’s nice for portraits and photo shoots, where eliminates the need for few 50 and 85/100 mm for example. But usually for shooting under controlled conditions the photographer can cope with a much lighter prime lens.

Sigma 50-100 Art is a great lens even more impressive than 18-35 1.8. As seen on the tests it should be considered as a combination of several prime lenses between 50 and 100 mm with aperture of F1.8.

The only disadvantage that is not mentioned in the Dustin review is the minimum focus distance(3.12' / 95 cm), which is quite long, especially on the short end.

Here is my full review with a lot of pictures in different situations(sports, street, photoshoot), including test versus Canon 85 1.8 and Sigma 50 1.4 art:
http://www.nonchoiliev.com/blog/4120

 

[AJ]

I also had a chance to use Sigma 50-100 Art on APS-H Canon 1D Mark IV body and the results were impressive - no problem with covering lager senson (as I expected).

An important question is what can be used for such an interesting lens. My personal opinion is that the most appropriate use is a dynamic story, where you need a high-end lens for APS-C sensors. In challenging lighting the combination of aperture and focal length would be irreplaceable. I regret that I was unable to try the performance for a concert photos. It’s nice for portraits and photo shoots, where eliminates the need for few 50 and 85/100 mm for example. But usually for shooting under controlled conditions the photographer can cope with a much lighter prime lens.

Sigma 50-100 Art is a great lens even more impressive than 18-35 1.8. As seen on the tests it should be considered as a combination of several prime lenses between 50 and 100 mm with aperture of F1.8.

The only disadvantage that is not mentioned in the Dustin review is the minimum focus distance(3.12' / 95 cm), which is quite long, especially on the short end.

Here is my full review with a lot of pictures in different situations(sports, street, photoshoot), including test versus Canon 85 1.8 and Sigma 50 1.4 art:
http://www.nonchoiliev.com/blog/4120

Thanks for the link! Very useful information.

 

[Ah-Keong]

Thanks for the detailed review.

I was previously considering the Canon 85mm f/1.8 or the Tamron until I come across this Sigma 50-100mm.
Very sharp!

Maybe I should add a battery grip for vertical grip.