Which 50mm (with AF) is best from f/1.4 - f/2.0?

[switters]

The 50L needs to be used wide open, at f 2.0 - 2.8 the extra cost is for the bokeh. Also focus shift can be an issues at those f stops.

The 50L is awesome, but damn you pay for that little extra. Stopped down the 50/1.4 is 95%+ of the 50L. I have no experience wit the sigma 50.

That's the problem: I primarily want to use the 50mm from f1.4 to f/2.8. I have the 24-70 II and it is amazing at f/2.8 and 50mm, so there's not much point in me having a fast 50 if I can't use it wide open.

 

[RLPhoto]

50L.

 

[spinworkxroy]

For me it was the opposite.
I had both the Canon f1.4 and the sigma f1.4. I've done many tests both in the real world and test charts and maybe my Canon is a great copy but the sigma is anyways significantly less sharp when zoomed in.

I've already sent the sigma together with my body to sigma for calibrations twice, even did my own Focal calibrations at home and no matter what I do, the sigma can't hold up with the Canon.

Granted the sigma has much nicer bokeh but I'd rather it be sharper. In the end I sold the sigma

 

[EvilTed]

Just get a Sigma 35mm F/1.4, it's slightly wider but easier to use than the 50L and you can get really impressively sharp shots @ F/1.4, unlike the 50L @ F/1.2 which is a dreamy hazy look (you can always soften a sharp lens but not the other way around).

If you have the 24-70 II, you'll love the Sigma

ET

 

[Brock]

Thanks everyone for your replies. What I've gathered so far is:
— The Sigma 50/1.4 is probably the sharpest at f/1.4 of the bunch, and nearly a match for the 50L's bokeh
— The 50L has better build quality, weather sealing, bokeh and possibly microcontrast and color
— The Sigma is prone to AF issues

I have the Sigma 35 and it's an excellent lens. It did take two copies to get a good one, though; the first front-focused badly.

I'm trying to decide whether the additional cost of the 50L is worth it. Sounds like I might be better off trying for a good copy of the Sigma 50 first.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44FqqE6ukjY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uaOC-q6nP8

IMO the L seems to have better contrast & more pleasing colors (how a lens can effect the colors is beyond me, but that's how it looks to me).

the Canon 50 1.4 looks like a good lens too, but I've read that the particular USM motor used in it is ancient & prone to breaking down. The 1.2L has the full time manual adjust high end USM motor, but because it's such a heavy lens focuses slightly slower than the 1.4. The sigma also seems to have more vignetting & chromatic aberration compared to the L from the reviews I have read.

 

[charlesa]

50 L ... and it always turns into a pissing contest it seems!

 

[J.R.]

the Canon 50 1.4 looks like a good lens too, but I've read that the particular USM motor used in it is ancient & prone to breaking down. The 1.2L has the full time manual adjust high end USM motor, but because it's such a heavy lens focuses slightly slower than the 1.4. The sigma also seems to have more vignetting & chromatic aberration compared to the L from the reviews I have read.

I broadly agree with the post but there are fact which are quoted wrong and need correction. The 1.4 also has full time manual focus and the reason why the 1.2L focuses slowly is because it is focuses by moving the lens elements in the front unlike the lens design for other USM lenses - not because it is heavy.

 

[skitron]

50 L ... and it always turns into a pissing contest it seems!

You can basically get both the Sigma 35 plus the 50 1.4 lens of your choice for the price of the 50L.

And given the technical warts of the 50L that come with the good, I guess a lot of opinions end up getting expressed?

 

[EvilTed]

I had both a 50 F/1.8 and a 50 F/1.2L - prefer the Sigma 35 to both of them easily

ET

 

[dtaylor]

Then there's the Sigma 50/1.4. I've heard it might be the sharpest of all at f/1.4, but it's extremely prone to AF problems (which I'm not willing to deal with).

Not any more than other fast primes. When I tested mine against a stationary target it was more consistent in AF then Canon's 50 f/1.8 and 50 f/1.4, and just slightly less consistent then Canon's 85 f/1.8. It is on par with the L in terms of IQ and offers amazing bokeh, but is cheaper and lighter. I would recommend the Sigma out of all of them.

 

[infared]

I have a Sigma f/1.4... Love it!
I have all "L" and Zeiss lenses...but I think this is soooo much more than the Canon f/1.4...and most of what the Canon "L" is..without the bulk or cost. The Canon can be finicky, too. I have a good copy, and in real-world shooting it is just fine. Although, I agree it would be cool if this lens was rereleased in the Art Series...bet it will be...but not for a while.

It's on sale here at a reliable retailer for $369. Can't beat that!
http://www.buydig.com/shop/basket.aspx?sku=SG50F14EOS&act=add&rmsg=&cpn=&sks=SG50F14EOS,&

I paid $450 and I am still happy!

 

[switters]

Hey everyone,

I already have a Sigma 35 and it is indeed an amazing lens.

But I tend to prefer the 50mm focal length. The Canon 50/1.4 has been okay, but it's rather uninspiring compared to the Sigma 35. Perhaps I'll just stick with the Canon until Sigma releases a new 50/1.4 in the art line. I noticed that they released a 30/1.4 Art lens for APS-C today, as well as 3 mirrorless Art lenses. Wish they would have done the 50/1.4 instead!

 

[jasonsim]

My vote would go to the Canon 50 f/1.2L. I've not tried the 50mm f/1.4, but have had three Sigma 50s. The first two were terrible. The last was very good, but decided to stick with the 50L for the weather sealing and build quality.

Here is a sample at f/2.8:

Here is one at f/1.8:

 

[Zv]

I never even thought that Sigma might release a new 50 1.4! Interesting, I was about to finally change my nifty fifty for the Canon 50 1.4 mainly because I'm sick of waiting for Canon to pull their thumbs out. Damn nifty I have is really sharp around f/2.8 but I like to shoot wider like f/2 ish and its not great that wide.

Or should I buy the Sigma 35 and a 135L and say to hell with fifties?

 

[RS2021]

Wide open f/1.4 taken with the basic Canon EF 50 f/1.4 lens.

Full frame and the center crop (she signed the release forms just fine once I held the food back for a day or two). Not an artistic effort, just a snap to test the lens.

Had to sharpen it on LR, but this is good performance wide open (f/1.4) given the low price.