Sigma 50 f/1.4 Art Lens Should be Amazing

mackguyver said:
unfocused said:
It may just be me, but I can't get at all excited about any 50mm lens. I just find the focal length uninteresting. I suppose it has to do with how we "see" images, but I find myself composing most shots at either the wide or long end.
I'm drawn to the 24mm focal length myself, but for me, there's a distinct challenge in using the 50mm. It's so "normal" that it takes a lot of work to make distinctive photos with it. I think I remember reading something about Cartier-Bresson having felt that way and it stuck with me.

It would be logical. If I am not mistaking, when he was shooting for himself, Cartier-Bresson only used a 50mm lens. He thought that by always working with the same focal would help it become as an "extension" of his eye. Looking at his work, I can only agree with him.
 
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I wouldn't be surprised if this new Sigma will surpass the Canon L glass in terms of performance. Both their new 35mm and 24-105mm have done just that. I think if this 50mm can get within 80% - 90% of the performance of the Zeiss 55mm Otus.. That would be quite a feat.

Forget about the price of the Otus for a second.. How many reviewers have claimed the Zeiss 55mm Otus as being the best DSLR lens E-V-E-R? :o Quite a number of them. I'm thinking the Sigma 50mm will come in around $750 considering the 35mm version comes in around $900. And if you think you're going to get a Zeiss 55mm Otus copy for $750. It's not going to happen.

Would the Sigma be worthwhile if it has 80 - 90% of the performance of the Zeiss Otus at their price level? Sure! A 2014 Mustang/Corvette are hot cars and totally great. But they are not Ferraris. Whether you like Ferraris or not. There is a reason why you pay a premium.

And that's a great comparison. The lenses will be for two different markets. A pro photographer making $100k+ plus a year shouldn't sweat about a $4k, near-perfect lens. Especially if it's used often for the next 5 years or more. The pro should make an easy $30k a year from using that lens.

I love Sigma for coming out with amazing glass and going for the best. And all for a very reasonable price. ;)
 
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surapon said:
Dear Friends.
Do I need to dump My Old/ Awesome Sigma 50 mm. F/ 1.4 EX, DG, HSM now, And Get this New Sigma Art Lens soon ?
Surapon

I think when the 50mm art comes out, it will be in a different class and price range, much like the 50 f/1.4 v. the 50 f1.2. If Canon today came out with a new L lens, I don't think the f/1.4 would go down in value...

I say keep it... if you got a good copy that works really well, don't let it go.
 
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Sigma must have pretty good intel on the likes of Canon and Zeiss. I mean Sigma dropped their 35mm on the table just before the Canon 35 IS; they appear to be doing the same with their 50mm, and they even claim to have been shooting to nearly match the Zeiss Otus, which was just announced a few months ago. Sigma must have known about the Zeiss long ago if they were aiming for it. Then again Nikon had a new 58mm ready to drop as well... Is it common for manufacturers to know what the competition has in development/testing?
 
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Solar Eagle said:
Is it common for manufacturers to know what the competition has in development/testing?
I think it is very common ... coz all the companies I've ever worked with, always kept an "eye" on the competitor's future developments ... it would be foolish not to know what your competition is up to. Also, there is the possibility of insider info leaking out to the "highest bidder".
 
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Rienzphotoz said:
Solar Eagle said:
Is it common for manufacturers to know what the competition has in development/testing?
I think it is very common ... coz all the companies I've ever worked with, always kept an "eye" on the competitor's future developments ... it would be foolish not to know what your competition is up to. Also, there is the possibility of insider info leaking out to the "highest bidder".
Maybe they know some secret website that publishes Rumors about Canon products? What would you call that?

Yankin you chain a little. I'm sure they do look into these things, but of course the competition may also be consulting with outside... consultants. And they file public patents... Heck, they send press releases.
 
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TexPhoto said:
Rienzphotoz said:
Solar Eagle said:
Is it common for manufacturers to know what the competition has in development/testing?
I think it is very common ... coz all the companies I've ever worked with, always kept an "eye" on the competitor's future developments ... it would be foolish not to know what your competition is up to. Also, there is the possibility of insider info leaking out to the "highest bidder".
Yankin you chain a little.
???
 
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RGomezPhotos said:
I wouldn't be surprised if this new Sigma will surpass the Canon L glass in terms of performance. Both their new 35mm and 24-105mm have done just that. I think if this 50mm can get within 80% - 90% of the performance of the Zeiss 55mm Otus.. That would be quite a feat.

Well it didn't surpass any of the new standard L glass from Canon though, not the 24-70 II nor the 24-70 f/4 IS and it doesn't seem it surpasses the Tamron 24-70 VC either. And the crazy thing is it weighs more than any of them and is only f/4!

And the 35L is pretty old. We will see how it fair against a new 35L.

That said yeah the 35 they made does sound pretty awesome and this new 50mm may really be something.
 
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LetTheRightLensIn said:
RGomezPhotos said:
I wouldn't be surprised if this new Sigma will surpass the Canon L glass in terms of performance. Both their new 35mm and 24-105mm have done just that. I think if this 50mm can get within 80% - 90% of the performance of the Zeiss 55mm Otus.. That would be quite a feat.

Well it didn't surpass any of the new standard L glass from Canon though, not the 24-70 II nor the 24-70 f/4 IS and it doesn't seem it surpasses the Tamron 24-70 VC either. And the crazy thing is it weighs more than any of them and is only f/4!

And the 35L is pretty old. We will see how it fair against a new 35L.

That said yeah the 35 they made does sound pretty awesome and this new 50mm may really be something.

It should be said, for fairness sake, that the Canon 24-105 is T/5.1 while the Sigma is T/4.2. The Sigma is effectively 2/3 EV brighter than the Canon.
 
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LetTheRightLensIn said:
Viggo said:
Dylan777 said:
As much as I love my 50L II, I will give this 50mm ART a try - I'm impressed with Sigma 35mm art

I seemed to have missed the announcement of the new 50 L 8)

50 1.0L (50L I) replaced with the 50 1.2L (50L II)

The mk II is only at the same aperture. The 200 f2.0 is not a mk II although it replaced the 1.8. And it is also marked, or not marked, on the lens itself.
 
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jdramirez said:
surapon said:
Dear Friends.
Do I need to dump My Old/ Awesome Sigma 50 mm. F/ 1.4 EX, DG, HSM now, And Get this New Sigma Art Lens soon ?
Surapon

I think when the 50mm art comes out, it will be in a different class and price range, much like the 50 f/1.4 v. the 50 f1.2. If Canon today came out with a new L lens, I don't think the f/1.4 would go down in value...

I say keep it... if you got a good copy that works really well, don't let it go.

Thanks, Dear my friend jdramirez.
I have a great Old Sigma 50 mm, With Very Lucky = Perfected AF. for all my 5 EOS. Bodies.----BUT, If the Review come up with IQ = Canon 50 mm. F/ 1.2 L , and the price under $ 800 US Dollars, I might Try--If I like, I might Trade in with the new ART Lens.
Well You are right, I use this Awesome sigma 50 mm . just yesterday, 1 day, to try with my new EOS-M---Most of the Time, I use Canon Ts-E 24 mm. F/ 3.5 L MK II for every days Photos, and 70-200 mm F/ 2.8 L in another Camera., And If I want to shoot Portrait Photos, Canon EF 85 MM. F/ 1.2 L MK II is a must.
Have a great day, Sir.
Surapon
 
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