It's time for a 24mm prime lens. I am apparently obsessed with this focal length after looking at my metadata. Out of the 34,285 images I've taken this year between 16-200mm, a considerable percentage of them were locked in at 24mm. I put a spreadsheet together to better illustrate this information for me...but it was honestly shocking to see how much I favor this focal length and how little I use 50mm.
Here is some of my EXIF data:
So yeah...a 24mm is happening, but I find myself in a bit of a conundrum. Optically and technically, the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens is much better lens than the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM - as it should be since one is considerably newer than the other. However...I have quite a bit of experience with Sigma primes and I am not very happy with their autofocus accuracy consistency.
My Sigma 50mm Art was hit/miss on my 7D Mark II/6D/5D3. For whatever reason, it's also hit/miss on my 5D Mark IV and works pretty reliably on my 1DX Mark II.
My Sigma 85mm Art was so incredibly inconsistent that I sold it and got the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM. I took a step back in overall image quality, but the autofocus has been so reliable on the new Canon, that I didn't even care...it was a marginal difference at best anyway.
With the Sigma 24mm Art priced at $850 and the Canon at $1550 I could save $700...that's a healthy amount of money and the only reason I'm really considering it at all. But I'm so worried about the autofocus accuracy.
Primary use:
I'm really leaning toward the Sigma right now because of the massive savings. It seems to be a superior lens in every way except for the lack of weather sealing and the potential for autofocus problems. While weather sealing probably won't be a problem because I'll just slap on a weather sealed lens, the autofocus scares me. I would love to hear about everyone's experiences with the autofocus on this lens. I've used this lens several times and actually had a pretty good experience with it, but that was in the bright sun and in a pretty well-lit room. How does it work in low light? How has the accuracy been over time?
Thanks for any help. I'm looking to pull the trigger by late July at the latest before my next race in Chicago. I have a wedding coming this weekend and MIGHT order it before then just to test its low-light...hmmm...maybe I just made the decision for myself. LOL
Here is some of my EXIF data:
- 24mm = 12.8%
- 35mm = 3.5%
- 50mm = 4.8% (not sure why I own two 50mm primes if I use them so seldomly now.)
- 85mm = 34.4%
- 135mm = 12%
So yeah...a 24mm is happening, but I find myself in a bit of a conundrum. Optically and technically, the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens is much better lens than the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM - as it should be since one is considerably newer than the other. However...I have quite a bit of experience with Sigma primes and I am not very happy with their autofocus accuracy consistency.
My Sigma 50mm Art was hit/miss on my 7D Mark II/6D/5D3. For whatever reason, it's also hit/miss on my 5D Mark IV and works pretty reliably on my 1DX Mark II.
My Sigma 85mm Art was so incredibly inconsistent that I sold it and got the Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM. I took a step back in overall image quality, but the autofocus has been so reliable on the new Canon, that I didn't even care...it was a marginal difference at best anyway.
With the Sigma 24mm Art priced at $850 and the Canon at $1550 I could save $700...that's a healthy amount of money and the only reason I'm really considering it at all. But I'm so worried about the autofocus accuracy.
Primary use:
- Wedding/Event (typically low light)
- Detail Shots
- Dual Pixel AF on APS-C video (focal length is about perfect for my video setup)
- Astrophotography
I'm really leaning toward the Sigma right now because of the massive savings. It seems to be a superior lens in every way except for the lack of weather sealing and the potential for autofocus problems. While weather sealing probably won't be a problem because I'll just slap on a weather sealed lens, the autofocus scares me. I would love to hear about everyone's experiences with the autofocus on this lens. I've used this lens several times and actually had a pretty good experience with it, but that was in the bright sun and in a pretty well-lit room. How does it work in low light? How has the accuracy been over time?
Thanks for any help. I'm looking to pull the trigger by late July at the latest before my next race in Chicago. I have a wedding coming this weekend and MIGHT order it before then just to test its low-light...hmmm...maybe I just made the decision for myself. LOL