Is the Sigma 50mm 1.4 REALLY soft at 1.4?

the sigma 50mm is claimed to be slightly sharper than then canon 50mm 1.4, but we're talking only barely sharper. However, you don't buy the sigma for the sharpness; you buy it for it's smoother bokeh compared to the canon 50mm 1.4. The 50mm 1.2 is significantly sharper than the sigma in the center.

DreDaze wrote in post #15037452
the canon 50mm f1.4 costs $100 less than the sigma 50mm f1.4....

I obviously meant Canon L...

Seems ok to me. Here's a random one I just took of my cat's whiskers.

SOOC w/ no editing:

TheLensGuy wrote in post #15038094
I obviously meant Canon L...

Not if you're talking about pricing. The L is f/1.2...you're paying for a faster lens + L build + a few other things.

If you're trying to compare apples to apples, it should be the Canon f/1.4 vs the Sigma f/1.4. At which point, you're not paying 2-3 times more for a Canon...You're actually paying less.

TheLensGuy wrote in post #15038094
I obviously meant Canon L...

it makes no sense to compare it to the L...

I just sold a good copy of the sigma 50mm lens and it was very acceptably sharp at 1.4 and impressively sharp at 2.0. It did require a small amount of MA on my 5D3 but after that I was happy.

Here's a shot at 1.4

JLai81 wrote in post #15038106
If you're trying to compare apples to apples, it should be the Canon f/1.4 vs the Sigma f/1.4. At which point, you're not paying 2-3 times more for a Canon...You're actually paying less.

They're more or less the same price, Sigma has a hood and a case at its price... once you add those to the Canon you're at the same price as the Siggy usually...

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …unetsukiphoto/7​518285506/

KenjiS wrote in post #15038182
They're more or less the same price, Sigma has a hood and a case at its price... once you add those to the Canon you're at the same price as the Siggy usually...

True. Forgot about those separate extras.

My Sigma 50 is soft at 1.4 where as my Canon 50 1.4 is fairly sharp at 1.4 and is noticably sharper than the Sigma.

It shouldn't be soft at 1.4 - either get it calibrated at Sigma or try another copy and hope its better. I went through 3 copies to find one that was perfect on my 5DC. It's worth the hassle as when you get a good copy, it's one hell of a lens - build quality and bokeh (subjective opinion) is better than the Canon 1.4.

All shot wide open and not that far off from MFD where critical focus is essential: -

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/pridash/5790413​929/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/pridash/5819279​126/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/pridash/5796882​283/

JLai81 wrote in post #15038096
Seems ok to me. Here's a random one I just took of my cat's whiskers.

SOOC w/ no editing:

Cropped w/ no editing:

Those seem soft or OOF to me, or is this what this lens does at 1.4?

Try using Manual Focus or Liveview Contrast Detection Focus(use Live Mode not Quick Mode). That should eliminate any Focus errors. If it gets sharper, you need to use AF Microadjustment, or have the lens calibrated.

The-Digital-Picture.Com says the Sigma is sharper: http://www.the-digital-picture.com …omp=0&FLIComp=0​&APIComp=0

SLR Gear also says the Sigma is sharper:

Live view is a tough thing on a 5Dc But I will try manual focus. Good idea.

WT21 wrote in post #15039510
Live view is a tough thing on a 5Dc

So is AF Microadjustment.

Maybe you are expecting too much. The depth of field is VERY narrow at f/1.4 You will only get part of the subject in focus. Like maybe only one eye. Or in the case of the cat above... the whiskers are in focus and both eyes are not.

WT21 wrote in post #15039369
Those seem soft or OOF to me, or is this what this lens does at 1.4?

Top picture or second picture? Second picture is zoomed in at moving whiskers...plus when you go in that closely, everything is going to look soft and you can often start to see slight color fringing.

If you're saying the top picture is soft around the whiskers, then I don't know...Looks good from my end.