Another 50mm Sigma VS Canon thread

I just want to share my experience with you guys. I finally did it, I purchase my 50mm lens 2 days ago. I went to my local photographic equipment store and had a chance to compare both Canon and Sigma lens. At that point I was prepare to buy whichever lens that perform better regardless of price. First, I tried the canon 50mm 1.2L and was wowed with the color, clarity and the bokeh. CA was quite horrible though at f1.2 aperture. After shooting several frame with the Canon, I tried the Sigma 50mm 1.4 lens. Again, wowed by the clarity, color and bokeh. CA at f1.4 was on par with canon which is horrible. Comparing the image, I concluded (in my opinion) the Canon 50mm 1.2L was not worth the $1000 difference. I would say that IQ and built wise (again, in my opinion) they are both the same. I came home smiling with Sigma 50mm F1.4 attached to my 5D MKII. Yes, the AF performance on Sigma is bad compared to Canon. Also, I have yet to experience the famous focus shift so far. I've been shooting at F1.4 all the time so far.

Bought the Sigma used myself last week and it arrives today. I hope my experience is as good as yours!

I did have to dial +15 for back focus AF adjustment though.

A possible fix for sigma primes' erratic focusing

2400 x 847

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If I hadn't of sold my last 50mm i would try it ... I got a new one coming in 2 days but if that's off i wouldn't dare open it up. Interesting to see how many it could help.

Just bought one about a month ago and love my sigma. I bought brand new due to the focus issue other people have. I don't think I have ANY focusing problems thank god!

I just confirmed my focus problem. Focusing is good at mfd up to a certain distance (I haven't measured the exact) and bad beond that. Well, I supposed I will get it calibrated. FYI, not pissed off as I anticipated that I got what I paid for. Will be pissed off if this problem happening to a brand new Canon 50mm 1.2L :-p

Just got my Siggy 50 this week. So far, I think dialing in +15 is the way to go. I haven't had a chance to shoot with it a lot, yet, but so far here's the good and the bad:

Good:
*build
*AF speed
*bokeh

Bad
*sharpness

So far, it just seems softer than I expected. At 1.4 it's super soft, and starts to get a little better at f/2, and at f2.8 it's seems about as sharp as my old 24-70L (which never really impressed me, hence why I no longer own it). Maybe I'm comparing it too harshly since, lately, I've been shooting primarily with my 35L and my 70-200L II. Was I expecting too much from this lens? Is the 50L much sharper?

Mine worked straight out the box with no issues. In fact I have never had a problem with any Sigma lenses I have purchased.

nope, when I tested the 50L it was also soft. That was one of the reason I did not get the 50L.

my 50L works really good, even on close distances theres no focus shift.
I think it depends on whether you get a good copy or not

here is a 100% Crop from that picture
focus was on the right eye with 5D2 and i cannot complain about it

i had the Sigma 50mm and the Canon 50mm and if i have to choose between those two i would pick the Canon. Sigmas autofocus isnt that reliable as the Canons.
i ended picking up the 50L because of its weather-sealing and his massive construction.

For some stuff- I've noticed a dramatic improvement by shifting from using the viewfinder to using liveview for it. Just sayin, in case it helps someone.

I got a sigma on Tuesday and sadly it front focuses, but the IQ was absolutely amazing and I loved the contrast too!! I'm having mine calibrated

Ze.Dong wrote in post #14326103
A possible fix for sigma primes' erratic focusing

2400 x 847

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Simply open the rear mount, take off one or two or three thin copper rings depending on how much the AF is off.

In my case, before I did this fix, I need to MA +10 for my sigma 50, +12 for sigma 30. Even after that, My two sigma lens can't focus correctly if I focus at more than 5 meters away.

After I remove all three rings of both lens, focusing of these two lens become much more consistent, whatever close or faraway.

It may work for some one. But i can't guarantee it will work for all sigma primes.

I tried this on mine...Focus improved massively at 1.4 at around 15meters or closer....focusing past that distance though was impossible.

I do have a Mk3 now though, so it might be worth trying again

MattD wrote in post #14342768
I tried this on mine...Focus improved massively at 1.4 at around 15meters or closer....focusing past that distance though was impossible.

I do have a Mk3 now though, so it might be worth trying again

I forgot to mention this point:by doing this fix, you lose focus at infinity. But in practice, it should not matter so much. At least I have not taken such a picture.