For what it's worth, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art is quickly becoming one of my favorite, go-to lenses. It really is a fantastic lens.

On my recent two-week beach vacation I wanted to be able to capture environmental shots (landscapes) and portraits (possibly in low light). I took my 5D III and 4 lenses - the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8, Canon EF 17-40mm f/4, Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art and Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art.

If I can only bring one portrait lens with me, right now it is the Sigma 50mm Art for three reasons:1) The focal length is an ideal compromise between a perfectly-suited-for-portraits 85mm+ focal length and something that's too short for my tastes, 2) the image quality is superb at nearly any aperture below DLA, and 3) it seems to nail focus on relatively static subjects extremely well.


Amanda on the Beach by budrowilson, on Flickr

I really enjoy my 85L II - but the Sigma is a more practical tool for a myriad of situations.