Sigma 50 mm f/1.4 Art

[Kayaker72]

The first real review of this lens is out and it looks to be as good as advertised. I've really enjoyed my Canon 50 mm f/1.4. But I really don't use it faster than f/2, so being able to use the Sigma at f/1.4 would be a huge selling point. The size and weight are detractors, but if this lens is truly this good, the size and weight would be worth it. Plus, it takes 77 mm filters, which I already have.

If this review was for a 24 mm lens I'd pre-order in a heartbeat. Considering I just bought the 35 mm Art, I'll have to think if I really need two primes only 15 mm apart. It seems like people tend to to go with either the triumvirates of 24 mm, 50 mm and 135 mm or 35 mm, 85 mm, 135 mm and right now my primes are 14 mm, 35 mm, 50 mm, and 100 mm.

Edit. Just compared and SLRGear has the 50 f/1.4 actually sharper than the 35 f/1.4 at equivalent apertures. BTW, I will probably only keep one of the 35 mm and 50 mm primes I currently have, not both.

[Busted Knuckles]

Yep, this in on my list to strongly consider.

I am still jumping back and forth on my 24-105. It need to be repaired or replaced. I might end up w/ 2 Sigma (50 and 24-105), 1 Tamron and only 1 Canon (70-200) for the full frame. the 18-35 1.8 has my APC budget worried. Hard to believe.

[Kayaker72]

I bought my first two non-Canon lenses in March. The Rokinon 14 mm UMC and the Sigma 35 Art. Both are good lenses. I am already getting shots I love with the Rokinon. The jury is still out with the Sigma. I need to shoot with it more. But the AF speed is slower than I had expected (somewhere between the 24-105 and the 50 f/1.4) and I've yet to get shots I love with it. But a good test will be next weekend at my niece's 1 yr birthday party.

But, overall, there are starting to be a lot of good options out there.

Regarding the Sigma 50 Art. I'll wait to see the price. I do like the "normal" perspective.

[Sean Setters]

I find I don't use the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 terribly often. It's not a focal length that I gravitate toward. However, I've found it extremely useful for shooting events. The relatively wide angle (on a full-frame body) coupled with the wide aperture makes it ideal for indoor event shooting.

[Kayaker72]

Came in at $949.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/N...aspx?News=9471

[Sean Setters]

Preorder submitted at 2:15am CDT. ;-)

[Kayaker72]

Great! If it is as good as the slrgear review, it should be a heckuva lens for under $1,000. I've pre-ordered one too. I plan on bringing it in and keeping one of the 35 Art, EF 50 f/1.4 and 50 Art. The other two will be sold/returned.

[Sean Setters]

I plan on keeping the 35mm f/1.4 Art....but I just took some product shots of the EF 50mm f/1.4 to be used in an eBay auction.

[Kayaker72]

35 f/1.4 A, 50 f/1.4 A, and EF 85 f/1.2. That will be a pretty nice collections of primes for your portraits!

I don't think I shoot enough low light or shallow DoF to justify a prime at both 35 mm and 50 mm. Of course, I may change my mind one I have both in hand

BTW...SLRgear/Imaging Resource has now reviewed the 55 f/1.4 Otus. So they now have some side-by-side comparisons. From their review, seems like the 50 A compares very well.

[Busted Knuckles]

I am toying w/ the idea Sigma, not sure I use 1.4 50mm enough to swing the $900. The few times I might really need the uber sharpness renting sounds like a better solution.

hmmmm I wait until Sean tell us what he finds in real world usage.

Mike