Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM Lens $414 at Abes of Maine

Can any of you camera buffs tell me how this would compare to a Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM which is about $40 less expensive. The average Amazon review is a half star higher for the Canon brand. I'm torn between the two. I have a APS-c camera and am confused as what the effect of a the Canon not being a compact lens means exactly.

According to Photozone.de review : Canon score higher than Sigma
Canon F1.4 USM
http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/564-canon50f14ff?start=1
SIgma F1.4 EX DG HSM
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/522-sigma50f14eosff?start=1
I only have very short experience with Sigma unit( try it at store - My 1st impression is :It's kind of heavy( compared with Canon) and better build.( then you have to bear the weight) However I feel the auto focus speed is slower than Canon 1.4 USM. So I still pick the Canon F1.4 USM instead. But if you want detail comparison- better look other professional test report better.
BTW . .bobatkins.com also list the Canon 50mm F1.4 USM one of the "Best lenses for Canon EOS under around $600"
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/reviews/best_canon_eos_lenses.html
- I am not expert but just share my little experience with you..

BTW. According to manufacture specification:
"Designed for use with full frame digital cameras. May also be used with smaller APS-C size sensors with a corresponding effective increase in focal length to about 75mm with most cameras"
Ben's listing "Features Sigma's Hyper-Sonic Motor and is for smaller chip APS-c or 4/3 digital cameras" seems like indicate it's for APS-C not FF. But actually it is design for FF camera but can be used with APS-C camera..

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/50mm-f14-ex-dg-hsm-sigma

Get whichever has the better warranty and service.
Without checking that I'm more interested in the canon f1.4

I've seen two different 50mm comparisons between the Sigma and Canon and one scored the Sigma better while the other scored the Canon better, so they are very close in performance. I would lean toward the Sigma because it had less vignetting with the two largest apertures (F/1.4, F/2). Lets face it that's why you buy a prime lens is for the bokeh (out-of-focus blur) so I would look for the best performance with the largest aperture. When trying to achieve bokeh you're using large aperture prime lenses and large apertures like F/1.4 and F/2 are susceptible to vignetting and focus issues due to the shallow depth of field. Although the Sigma seems to have the edge with image quality the Canon seems to have less issues with the auto focus problems. It seems that a certain number (some guess 25%) of the Sigma's have to be sent to the factory with the camera body where they calibrate the the lens to the camera body which is a real bummer if you are one of those people. Large aperatures have such a shallow depth of field that the slightest error will make the lens front or back focus.

After reading several reviews of both the Sigma and the Canon I decided to buy this Sigma. It seems to have better image quality at large aperature. I hope it comes well calibrated for my Canon 2Ti.

Welp, DO remember my Canon comment if it doesn't.
XD

..jk

Wait a second now Interloper, the Sigma had a 3 year warranty while the Canon was only 1 year. I'm holding you to your recommendation.

Check this site- They posed the photo form both Canon and Sigma. It looks Canon lens got better image no matter large aperture or small

http://www.pbase.com/peter_dumont/sigma_50mm_f1_4

Thanks Ghost.
You got it Goob.

XD

http://www.pbase.com/peter_dumont/sigma_50mm_f1_4


Wow, that comparison at "pbase" was disturbing. I don't understand, the photos by Peter Dumont are night and day as to which lens is better and they also contradict results from reputable review sites. Not knowing the photographer's reputation I regard the source, Peter Dumont, as somewhat questionable but it did make me reconsider my purchase. After doing more research it seems the inconsistent focus accuracy with this lens may be more common than I initially understood. People who have a good "copy" of this Sigma 50mm absolutely love it but those that don't are miserable. The build quality is outstanding for the price with the Sigma but if it doesn't focus well what's the point. My other concern, which I was unaware of, is that when buying second party lenses you potentially run the risk of the lens becoming incompatible with future camera bodies since Sigma reverse engineers (vs. licenses) manufacturer AF routines. I read enough concerning comments about the Sigma that I canceled my order. Abe's of Maine canceled my it with no issue at all, I've always been happy with this retailer!


It was very torn with weather or not to buy this lens. Most reviews loved it but I felt that if I ended up with a "copy" that didn't focus well I'd be miserable and wasn't willing to take the risk. This most influenced me to canceled my order.

www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-50mm-f-1.4-EX-DG-HSM-Lens-Review.aspx

Thanks Ghost and Interloper

We!!
Ain't that nifty.