Soldato
About to order one of these lenses for my D700, but after having focus issues with some older Sigma lenses, it would be nice to hear from some actual user experiences of this promising lens!?
About to order a Sigma 85mm 1.4!
- Thread starter An Exception
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Associate
Well I'd say go for it and if you get one with focusing problems return it to the retailer for a replacement, or you could send it in to Sigma for calibration with your camera body.
I have a 30mm 1.4 and I think it's a little off, but it's not noticeable in any of my photos so I'm happy enough with it. But now that I'm not using it much I may send it and my camera body in to get done what I just suggested.
Don't forget that Sigma also offer a 3 year warranty if you register your lens within 30 days which makes it even more enticing to purchase one.
Maybe I'll get enough cash together to get an 85 myself
I have a 30mm 1.4 and I think it's a little off, but it's not noticeable in any of my photos so I'm happy enough with it. But now that I'm not using it much I may send it and my camera body in to get done what I just suggested.
Don't forget that Sigma also offer a 3 year warranty if you register your lens within 30 days which makes it even more enticing to purchase one.
Maybe I'll get enough cash together to get an 85 myself
I have one Sigma lens. 20mm f1.8
Aside of the noisy focusing (for those who care, I dont) and the huge 82mm filter thread meaning filters cost you a small fortune, its a perfectly good lens and one of my landscape and rock concert workhorses.
Aside of the noisy focusing (for those who care, I dont) and the huge 82mm filter thread meaning filters cost you a small fortune, its a perfectly good lens and one of my landscape and rock concert workhorses.
Cheers Calum, just ordered mine and should get it tomorrow. I'll post up a few samples tomorrow assuming I get a good copy.
Associate
I maybe ordering an 85 1.4 shortly too , depending on finances and if i can stop buying hifi stuff.
^^^
I bit the bullet after reading the below review.
http://hofferphotography.com/2010/11/16/my-sigma-85-f1-4-vs-canon-85l-review/comment-page-1
I bit the bullet after reading the below review.
http://hofferphotography.com/2010/11/16/my-sigma-85-f1-4-vs-canon-85l-review/comment-page-1
Caporegime
I REALLY want this lense 
I REALLY want this lense
Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it.
I've considered getting it a few times, but I've waited for the 24-70 to be announced. Now it's been announced at a million quid, I dunno what to do
Soldato
Got one, lovely lens. Don't use it that much though
I got the Sigma 85 1.4 for the Canon and its one of my favourite lens in my line up. I would avoid using UV filters on them though as it made the AF motor spaz out like a jackhammer resulting in blurry shots. Thought it was a faulty HSM mech but it works perfectly when I removed the filter.
Man of Honour
Not tempted to save for the Nikon version? Yeah it's £300 more or so but it's unquestionably better and you're already spending enough on the Sigma it'd be something I'd want to make a one time purchase for me and just spend the extra on something I won't need to replace
Caporegime
Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it.
I've considered getting it a few times, but I've waited for the 24-70 to be announced. Now it's been announced at a million quid, I dunno what to do
Quiet you!
Just got it, but it seems it has backfocus, needs -10 to be spot on. Not sure whether to return it or get it calibrated under warranty.
That aside, below are my initial thoughts...
Build and weight.
I'm not used to dealing with a lens of such size and weight. I'm used to being able to hold my camera one handed without shake if I need to, with this lens I can't without getting a blurry image at or below 1/160. I also use a lens pouch on a belt for fast lens changes, this lens with the petal lens hood made this more difficult due to it's length and girth. Much of this problem was resolved by using the APSC lens hood extender as a lens hood instead of the petal lens hood. I like to use a lens hood to protect the from element.
Size comparison
I feel the 'Keg' would be more lens than I could handle.
AF
Focus speed is nice a quick, I'd say nearly as fast as my 85 1.8 on a D700, so good enough, and also focus's well in very low light to, both of these areas are very important to me, the slower AF speed of the 1.4G kind of put's me off, although no doubt I'm sure it's a great lens.
IQ
Due to the extra heft etc. I would send this lens straight back, but the IQ is gorgeous! Really really pleased with IQ, love the bokeh and sharpness at 1.4. Some CA but that doesn't worry me.
Below are some samples and 100% crops. ISO's are not that low, so there might be a little grain.
That aside, below are my initial thoughts...
Build and weight.
I'm not used to dealing with a lens of such size and weight. I'm used to being able to hold my camera one handed without shake if I need to, with this lens I can't without getting a blurry image at or below 1/160. I also use a lens pouch on a belt for fast lens changes, this lens with the petal lens hood made this more difficult due to it's length and girth. Much of this problem was resolved by using the APSC lens hood extender as a lens hood instead of the petal lens hood. I like to use a lens hood to protect the from element.
Size comparison
I feel the 'Keg' would be more lens than I could handle.
AF
Focus speed is nice a quick, I'd say nearly as fast as my 85 1.8 on a D700, so good enough, and also focus's well in very low light to, both of these areas are very important to me, the slower AF speed of the 1.4G kind of put's me off, although no doubt I'm sure it's a great lens.
IQ
Due to the extra heft etc. I would send this lens straight back, but the IQ is gorgeous! Really really pleased with IQ, love the bokeh and sharpness at 1.4. Some CA but that doesn't worry me.
Below are some samples and 100% crops. ISO's are not that low, so there might be a little grain.
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Well I'd say go for it and if you get one with focusing problems return it to the retailer for a replacement, or you could send it in to Sigma for calibration with your camera body.
I have a 30mm 1.4 and I think it's a little off, but it's not noticeable in any of my photos so I'm happy enough with it. But now that I'm not using it much I may send it and my camera body in to get done what I just suggested.
Don't forget that Sigma also offer a 3 year warranty if you register your lens within 30 days which makes it even more enticing to purchase one.
Maybe I'll get enough cash together to get an 85 myself
What camera are you using this on? I'm seriously considering this as an addition to the kit lens on the Canon 550D but the focus issues are making me wonder if the Canon 28mm F1.8 might be a wiser choice.
Soldato
I myself have the Sigma 85mm F/1.4, its a nice lense and also think it suffers from backfocus. Its a a very bokeh and the reach is good without having to making clients feel like its in their face.
^^^
Have you micro-adjusted (AF-finetune)?
Also why not get it calibrated?
Have you micro-adjusted (AF-finetune)?
Also why not get it calibrated?
Finally got to venture outside with it today.
The background is pretty distracting, but the 1.4 helps, as otherwise it would be really UGLY.
The background is pretty distracting, but the 1.4 helps, as otherwise it would be really UGLY.
Associate
Really nice isolation of the subject but I can't help but feel the bokeh is not very smooth looking and slightly detracts from the picture. You can't fault it on value though.
Saying that your first test shots have nicer bokeh so perhaps it is just an unfortunate background?
Saying that your first test shots have nicer bokeh so perhaps it is just an unfortunate background?