Focus rings on various lenses? (Range and feel)

I have only used a Sigma 17-70, a Canon 18-55(kit lens), and a 50mm 1.8 (nifty fifty). The only one that I remember having an OK focus ring on was the Sigma. I can't really compare it to what I have now because I don't have the lens, but I am wondering how much range (how far can you rotate the ring) you get out of higher quality lenses. Also how it feels.

The nifty fifty is horrible. You can't even rotate it a full 90 degrees on such a small lens body.

So, how far can you rotate something like the 50mm Sigma 1.4, Canon 1.4, Canon 1.2L? I thought they'd have a lot more play.

Do you mean the rate at which the focus changes (i.e. rotation from near to far)? Or the quality of the focusing ring itself?

The majority of AF lenses don't have a significant rotation through their range as they're not designed for a lot of MF use. The exception are macro lenses, where MF is common, and you may have to turn close to 360 degrees for the full range. It typically makes AF slower on these lenses though, but it's a worthy compromise.

As for focusing rings, once you get beyond the budget and kit lenses most of the focusing rings are OK. Some are narrow and quite loose feeling however normally still precise enough, others are more damped or sometimes feel a little "rough" to turn. The 18-55 and 50 F/1.8 are probably two of the more horrible focusing rings, most lenses are much better.

bump

All the USM lenses have, at minimum, a decent focus ring that is miles better than the nifty fifty or the kit lens. Most any lens designed for MF-only has a top-notch focus ring.

amongst AF lenses i find the sigmalux's focus ring acceptable

the worst are those focus by wire lenses, ie 85L

The focus ring on the canon 50 1.4 is disgusting compared to most lenses..that being said it is a LOT better than the nifty and the kit lens.

Go check out the feel of some manual focus lenses. 50's used to have nice, big focus throws.