So...Canon or Sigma 50mm 1.4

Caporegime
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So guys...

They both go for roughly the same price.

Whats arguments for each one? I read in places the Sigma has a better IQ?

Any decent direct comparisons around? :) Also will a Sigma work with a 5d2 and series?

Cheers all,
Jake
 
Sigma is a little sharper wide open, but quality can be inconsistent between models (back/front focus issues). Canon is smaller, lighter and focusses ever so slightly faster.

Up to you really :p
 
I looked into this for ages and the Sigma results just seemed better to me. I've only just got hold of one and it's a lovely bit of kit. It's solid and quite large but I like that. At the moment I haven't used it a great deal so not many examples to show, none of any quality either. Focus seems pretty good so far, not as quick as my old 85mm f1.8 but pretty nippy.
 
sigma over here and no focus issues.. if youre worried try before you buy or sigma will sort it under warranty pretty quick.

when i was reading up before buying and main points where the sigma had better sharpness wide open, the canon has the old "USM" system.

apparently the canon gets better stopped down, but thats not really the reason you want a 1.4 to have to stop it down is it.

the bokeh on the sigma is lurrrrrrrvely imo.
 
I don't have either the Canon or the Sigma, but the Nikon 1.4 is far smaller and lighter than I expected, and to be honest, in my opinion it's too small. It feels cumbersome to hold the camera.

In that respect alone I'd have paid the extra for the Sigma, and it is apparently the slightly better all-rounder too. When buying I didn't think it would be worth the £100 or so extra, but in hindsight I probably would have splashed the extra. Don't get me wrong, the Nikon is an excellent lens and other than the size of it, I've no complaints... just that niggling thought at the back of my mind that maybe I ought to have swung the other way.

Ironically I do have several other Sigma lenses (the excellent 150mm 2.8, the 30mm 1.4 which is my favourite lens, and the 17-70mm... which is very average overall, but a good kit lens replacement for a crop body), yet I passed on the opportunity at maybe their best lens.
 
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I tried both and have kept the Sigma and returned the canon. Liked the chunkier feel of the Sigma, v sharp and better bokeh. Worth ~£80 difference to me.
 
I have the canon, mainly because i have lost faith in sigma and the too many issues i had with them over several lenses.
 
See, I had a Sigma 10-20 before, and it was fantastic. From the looks of it, when you get a good Sigma...you get a REALLY good one.

Will the Sigma work on a Canon 5D II?
 
Phate what was the combination to the safe you robbed recently? You just took delivery of a 24-70 and now this!!!

I think you need to start giving some answers Mr. :D
 
I've been driving myself insane over this for 2 months now. I'm getting one when I get my back pay in 26 days (not that I'm counting :D) and I really don't know which to get. As has been said, the Sigma is supposedly sharper and has nicer bokeh and the Canon is older but most that have it haven't had anything bad to say about it.

Personally I want a lens I can take out of the box and use, and not have to send it off for calibration/replacement, which is making me lean towards the Canon as I haven't seen anyone mention faults with them. I've got 3 Sigma lenses, two of which are fantastic (12-24 & the 105 macro) but the 70-300 is a horrid lens.

Unless I'm convinced otherwise I'll probably get the Canon (and it's a bit cheaper). 200mm2.8L for Christmas too :D
 
You should try them both and then decide. Its what you think of using them and seeing the results that matter. I have had problems with canon lenses in the past, although it seems this is more common with sigma.

As the canon is cheaper, it is bound to sell more copies - it doesn''t make it better.

Try before you buy, and then decide I say.
 
One thing to bear in mind with the Canon, is that the focus motor can apparently get easily damaged by knocking the front of the lens... You've already been waiting for a while, another week IF you have to get the lens calibrated wouldn't be the end of the world would it? Personally I'd rather have the best than buy something lesser just because it's more convenient.
 
One thing to bear in mind with the Canon, is that the focus motor can apparently get easily damaged by knocking the front of the lens... You've already been waiting for a while, another week IF you have to get the lens calibrated wouldn't be the end of the world would it? Personally I'd rather have the best than buy something lesser just because it's more convenient.

Yeah, that's true enough. I'd like the sharpness of the Sigma as that's pretty much what it's about. If the colours don't suit your taste as much as what comes out of the Canon, that could be edited in PS too I suppose.
 
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