Review: Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

[candyman]

Here's what I've been waiting for - a 50L to 50A comparison from SLR Lounge

I think it's enough to convince me to cancel my pre-order. The Sigma is sharper, but not shockingly so, and the Canon's bokeh is slightly better (IMHO). The Canon also appears to have ever-so-slightly better contrast, while the Sigma has better CA control, but again, only by a hair.

The other thing I've learned is that you'll have buy the USB dock to enable full time manual focus (which I guess isn't standard for Sigmas). That's crappy.

The 50L has killer build quality and USM in a much smaller package and I don't think the Sigma is worth 950 of my dollars for such subtle differences at f/1.4 in what for me, is a portrait lens.

I guess I can't cancel it till the 24th, so I'll keep my mind open until then, but I think I'm going to cancel and resume the 50L II vigil

The differences are little, very little. I can understand while you own the 50L not spending money on the Sigma. I would not spend 500 euro more (here in the Netherlands) for the 50L while the difference with the Sigma is so little. So as a starter for the 50mm, my choice would be the Sigma.

 

[mackguyver]

Here's what I've been waiting for - a 50L to 50A comparison from SLR Lounge

I think it's enough to convince me to cancel my pre-order. The Sigma is sharper, but not shockingly so, and the Canon's bokeh is slightly better (IMHO). The Canon also appears to have ever-so-slightly better contrast, while the Sigma has better CA control, but again, only by a hair.

The other thing I've learned is that you'll have buy the USB dock to enable full time manual focus (which I guess isn't standard for Sigmas). That's crappy.

The 50L has killer build quality and USM in a much smaller package and I don't think the Sigma is worth 950 of my dollars for such subtle differences at f/1.4 in what for me, is a portrait lens.

I guess I can't cancel it till the 24th, so I'll keep my mind open until then, but I think I'm going to cancel and resume the 50L II vigil

The differences are little, very little. I can understand while you own the 50L not spending money on the Sigma. I would not spend 500 euro more (here in the Netherlands) for the 50L while the difference with the Sigma is so little. So as a starter for the 50mm, my choice would be the Sigma.

That's very true - if I didn't own the 50L, the Sigma would be my choice, but as I have purchased, sold, and re-purchased(!) the 50L, I think I'll stick with it.

Update: B&H allows you to cancel online now (finally!) so the deed is done.

 

[jdramirez]

As good as... isn't blowing it out of the water. If it is true.... well I can't believe it to be true.

I'm speechless.

Here's what I've been waiting for - a 50L to 50A comparison from SLR Lounge

I think it's enough to convince me to cancel my pre-order. The Sigma is sharper, but not shockingly so, and the Canon's bokeh is slightly better (IMHO). The Canon also appears to have ever-so-slightly better contrast, while the Sigma has better CA control, but again, only by a hair.

The other thing I've learned is that you'll have buy the USB dock to enable full time manual focus (which I guess isn't standard for Sigmas). That's crappy.

The 50L has killer build quality and USM in a much smaller package and I don't think the Sigma is worth 950 of my dollars for such subtle differences at f/1.4 in what for me, is a portrait lens.

I guess I can't cancel it till the 24th, so I'll keep my mind open until then, but I think I'm going to cancel and resume the 50L II vigil

 

[bereninga]

Here's what I've been waiting for - a 50L to 50A comparison from SLR Lounge

I think it's enough to convince me to cancel my pre-order. The Sigma is sharper, but not shockingly so, and the Canon's bokeh is slightly better (IMHO). The Canon also appears to have ever-so-slightly better contrast, while the Sigma has better CA control, but again, only by a hair.

The other thing I've learned is that you'll have buy the USB dock to enable full time manual focus (which I guess isn't standard for Sigmas). That's crappy.

The 50L has killer build quality and USM in a much smaller package and I don't think the Sigma is worth 950 of my dollars for such subtle differences at f/1.4 in what for me, is a portrait lens.

I guess I can't cancel it till the 24th, so I'll keep my mind open until then, but I think I'm going to cancel and resume the 50L II vigil

I agree that if I had the 50L, I'd stick with it. But for a first-time buyer of a high end 50mm, I think the Sigma would be the better choice. The price difference is very difficult to ignore.

 

[Viggo]

Here's what I've been waiting for - a 50L to 50A comparison from SLR Lounge

I think it's enough to convince me to cancel my pre-order. The Sigma is sharper, but not shockingly so, and the Canon's bokeh is slightly better (IMHO). The Canon also appears to have ever-so-slightly better contrast, while the Sigma has better CA control, but again, only by a hair.

The other thing I've learned is that you'll have buy the USB dock to enable full time manual focus (which I guess isn't standard for Sigmas). That's crappy.

The 50L has killer build quality and USM in a much smaller package and I don't think the Sigma is worth 950 of my dollars for such subtle differences at f/1.4 in what for me, is a portrait lens.

I guess I can't cancel it till the 24th, so I'll keep my mind open until then, but I think I'm going to cancel and resume the 50L II vigil

I agree that if I had the 50L, I'd stick with it. But for a first-time buyer of a high end 50mm, I think the Sigma would be the better choice. The price difference is very difficult to ignore.

Pretty surprising to me this, it seems to be very opposite from other places. And corner performance is the problem with the 50 L for me. If it had the same sharpness across the frame as it does in the center I would never sell it.

 

[JustMeOregon]

Here's what I've been waiting for - a 50L to 50A comparison from SLR Lounge

I think it's enough to convince me to cancel my pre-order. The Sigma is sharper, but not shockingly so, and the Canon's bokeh is slightly better (IMHO). The Canon also appears to have ever-so-slightly better contrast, while the Sigma has better CA control, but again, only by a hair.

The other thing I've learned is that you'll have buy the USB dock to enable full time manual focus (which I guess isn't standard for Sigmas). That's crappy.

The 50L has killer build quality and USM in a much smaller package and I don't think the Sigma is worth 950 of my dollars for such subtle differences at f/1.4 in what for me, is a portrait lens.

I guess I can't cancel it till the 24th, so I'll keep my mind open until then, but I think I'm going to cancel and resume the 50L II vigil

Maybe I'm wrong, I just very quickly scanned the SLR Lounge review, but isn't he limiting his pixel-peeping to primarily the center of the frame? And isn't it the center of the frame where the Canon 50L is strongest?

 

[mackguyver]

Pretty surprising to me this, it seems to be very opposite from other places. And corner performance is the problem with the 50 L for me. If it had the same sharpness across the frame as it does in the center I would never sell it.

It does limit off center compositions, but neither of my copies have been as soft as the test charts would indicate and I find the middle 1/2 of the frame is acceptable wide open. If I need to put something critical in the outer parts of the frame, I'll either crop or stop down to f/2. At f/1.2, any shots that turn out soft are more likely my fault, not the lens' fault

Maybe I'm wrong, I just very quickly scanned the SLR Lounge review, but isn't he limiting his pixel-peeping to primarily the center of the frame? And isn't it the center of the frame where the Canon 50L is strongest?

No, you're right, but I still have no regrets on the cancellation. $950 is still $950 and I have the 24-70 II for the subjects I shoot where corner sharpness is necessary (landscapes, buildings) and I'd be stopping down to at least f/11 for them anyways.

 

[Viggo]

Pretty surprising to me this, it seems to be very opposite from other places. And corner performance is the problem with the 50 L for me. If it had the same sharpness across the frame as it does in the center I would never sell it.

It does limit off center compositions, but neither of my copies have been as soft as the test charts would indicate and I find the middle 1/2 of the frame is acceptable wide open. If I need to put something critical in the outer parts of the frame, I'll either crop or stop down to f/2. At f/1.2, any shots that turn out soft are more likely my fault, not the lens' fault

Maybe I'm wrong, I just very quickly scanned the SLR Lounge review, but isn't he limiting his pixel-peeping to primarily the center of the frame? And isn't it the center of the frame where the Canon 50L is strongest?

No, you're right, but I still have no regrets on the cancellation. $950 is still $950 and I have the 24-70 II for the subjects I shoot where corner sharpness is necessary (landscapes, buildings) and I'd be stopping down to at least f/11 for them anyways.

I have had 4 copies of the 50 L and they have all been great and VERY similar in all aspects. And I didn't like the off center sharpness, I kind of always want it to be the corner performer the 85 L is at the biggest apertures. And it seemed like the Sigma would cover that, but, hm, I'm not preordering at least P

 

[jdramirez]

I think what I was hoping for was f2.8 performance of the 50 f1.4 at f1.4 with the art.

 

[JustMeOregon]

...but I still have no regrets on the cancellation. $950 is still $950 and I have the 24-70 II for the subjects I shoot where corner sharpness is necessary (landscapes, buildings) and I'd be stopping down to at least f/11 for them anyways.

Makes sense... I'm sweating my pre-order of the 50A too. But I don't have a 50L to fall-back on (just a Canon 1.4 that I can't stomach using wider that 2.0) so I'm going to stay-the-course with my Sigma pre-order...

 

[mackguyver]

...but I still have no regrets on the cancellation. $950 is still $950 and I have the 24-70 II for the subjects I shoot where corner sharpness is necessary (landscapes, buildings) and I'd be stopping down to at least f/11 for them anyways.

Makes sense... I'm sweating my pre-order of the 50A too. But I don't have a 50L to fall-back on (just a Canon 1.4 that I can't stomach using wider that 2.0) so I'm going to stay-the-course with my Sigma pre-order...

I think I'd keep the pre-order, too. The 50 1.4 is a sweet lens, but I found that it had very little contrast until f/2 as well. The build quality of the Sigma looks like it will be a really nice upgrade, though I think the size change will be a bit shocking for you.

 

[JustMeOregon]

...I think the size change will be a bit shocking for you.

I'm sure that you're right! I guess I'll have to exercise my arm as well as my wallet...

 

[jdramirez]

Ignore all this... I'm talking to myself to see if I want to bother...

So the 100L is my favorite lens at the moment... If the 50 art's performance is on par with the 50L... then I'm looking at this difference in quality.

Obviously the amount of light coming through is different, but that doesn't make a difference in a studio setup because I control the light...

So the center performance of the 50L at 1.4 is blown away by the 100L at f/2.8... no surprise there... and I do find that f/2.8 can be limited... and I'd like to go with a bigger aperture... so do the amount of times I find f/2.8 not acceptable worth the $950?

Or maybe I'll just nut up and get the 85L mkii. Damn it.

 

[Dylan777]

Ignore all this... I'm talking to myself to see if I want to bother...

So the 100L is my favorite lens at the moment... If the 50 art's performance is on par with the 50L... then I'm looking at this difference in quality.

Obviously the amount of light coming through is different, but that doesn't make a difference in a studio setup because I control the light...

So the center performance of the 50L at 1.4 is blown away by the 100L at f/2.8... no surprise there... and I do find that f/2.8 can be limited... and I'd like to go with a bigger aperture... so do the amount of times I find f/2.8 not acceptable worth the $950?

Or maybe I'll just nut up and get the 85L mkii. Damn it.

"nut up and get the 85L mkii" and be done with It will blow your 100L out of water.

 

[Viggo]

+1 for the 85 L, it makes a snapshot of your trashcan look like a pro commercial shot ;D

 

[Badger]

I love all these new options coming to market! It seems if you already have a 50L no big deal, keep it. Question is, will anyone still buy the 50L for an extra $600 over the 50A? Is the bokeh $600 better if you don't already have the 50L? Not so sure.
50A is now on my list (along with a bunch of other lenses). Starting my letter to Santa now!

 

[Viggo]

I love all these new options coming to market! It seems if you already have a 50L no big deal, keep it. Question is, will anyone still buy the 50L for an extra $600 over the 50A? Is the bokeh $600 better if you don't already have the 50L? Not so sure.
50A is now on my list (along with a bunch of other lenses). Starting my letter to Santa now!

We will see loads of used 50 L's in the following months, here it's now only 200 usd more than the new 50 Art.

 

[Dylan777]

I love all these new options coming to market! It seems if you already have a 50L no big deal, keep it. Question is, will anyone still buy the 50L for an extra $600 over the 50A? Is the bokeh $600 better if you don't already have the 50L? Not so sure.
50A is now on my list (along with a bunch of other lenses). Starting my letter to Santa now!

To be honest, if I don't have 50L yet, this new Sigma is very tempting. I can't believe I just said that :-X

 

[Dylan777]

+1 for the 85 L, it makes a snapshot of your trashcan look like a pro commercial shot ;D

I know Canon has another lens that can make this trash can looks even BETTER.... take a guess ;D

Thanks Viggo

 

[CarlMillerPhoto]

Here's what I've been waiting for - a 50L to 50A comparison from SLR Lounge

I think it's enough to convince me to cancel my pre-order. The Sigma is sharper, but not shockingly so, and the Canon's bokeh is slightly better (IMHO). The Canon also appears to have ever-so-slightly better contrast, while the Sigma has better CA control, but again, only by a hair.

The other thing I've learned is that you'll have buy the USB dock to enable full time manual focus (which I guess isn't standard for Sigmas). That's crappy.

The 50L has killer build quality and USM in a much smaller package and I don't think the Sigma is worth 950 of my dollars for such subtle differences at f/1.4 in what for me, is a portrait lens.

I guess I can't cancel it till the 24th, so I'll keep my mind open until then, but I think I'm going to cancel and resume the 50L II vigil

Here's a more scientific comparison of sharpness. Seems the Sigma vs Canon L decision is really sharpness vs. bokeh, respectfully. If I had a 50L I probably wouldn't sell, but since I don't, I'm still super excited about my preorder

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=941&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=2&LensComp=403&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=1