Sigma 35mm f1.4 or canon 35f2IS + canon 85mm f1.8

Hi All,

I have about 900ish socked away in my camera gear savings account, and am looking for advise on getting some new gear.

Currently own:
Tokina 11-16
Canon 50mm 1.8ii
Sigma 70-200 f2.8 OS

I dont really ever use the 50 as it just doesnt focus well in low light and not good wide open. Not opposed to selling and looking at a different 50mm.

So I have a gap in my lineup from 16mm to 70 mm(considering I dont use my 50mm 1.8ii). I borrowed my brother in laws Canon 35mm f1.4L and I fell in love with it. Ive been shooting with it at f1.4- f2.0 and love it for the focal length, minimum focus distance and low light capabilities (both with wide aperture that actually produces keepers, and with focus accuracy in low light). I have shot 5 weddings so far and do plenty of portrait work, though I dont do photography for a living by any stretch.

Im looking at these options:
1. Sigma 35 1.4 = $899 (only good to me if produces keepers at f1.4 and AF good in low light)
2. Canon 35mm f2IS and canon 85mm f1.8 = $870 (not sure if the canon 85mm f1.8 would be useful since i have that FL covered in 70-200. Is it sharp wide open?)
3. Other options?

Thanks,

John

If you like the 35L wait till they have a 15% on canon refurbish. I would pick the 35 1.4/sig 1.4 over the 35 ISf2 for low light.

kipliq wrote in post #16513941
If you like the 35L wait till they have a 15% on canon refurbish. I would pick the 35 1.4/sig 1.4 over the 35 ISf2 for low light.

Thanks! I could possibly offer my brother in law cash for his. It seems reviews are that the sigma IQ wise rates higher than the canon L, however, the canon L is absolutely better than I expected in focusing in low light. Not sure how or if the sigma tops the canon in low light accuracy.

johnandbentley wrote in post #16513890
3. Other options?

Sigma 18-35mm f1.8

gremlin75 wrote in post #16514119
Sigma 18-35mm f1.8

I thought about that. Is it as good as the 35 prime? I use my tokina 11-16 at the long end, so could dump that and just use a lens like this for landscape to wider portraits.

Are you planning to upgrade to FF? If not, you could save some $ and get the new Sigma 30mm.

riotshield wrote in post #16514267
Are you planning to upgrade to FF? If not, you could save some $ and get the new Sigma 30mm.

Not a bad idea, however, Ive read a lot of comments (maybe some are merited, some arent) that the sig 30 was hit or miss as far as getting a copy that was good and that it wasnt the sharpest wide open. As far as full frame, I would like to upgrade my 50D at some point, but with how fast Canon pumps out DSLRs, I dont want to target a specific model or FF vs Crop....maybe when the 5Dmk V comes out, Ill snag a used 5Diii=).

johnandbentley wrote in post #16514241
I thought about that. Is it as good as the 35 prime? I use my tokina 11-16 at the long end, so could dump that and just use a lens like this for landscape to wider portraits.

Think of it as the 35 prime, which also goes to 18

The Sigmas I've tried were not very good under artificial or low light conditions. If you have a chance definitely try the lens out in the conditions you most likely find yourself shooting in.

D 550D wrote in post #16514554
Think of it as the 35 prime, which also goes to 18

HAHA, pretty much the same here. It's good at 35mm wide open and gets even better as you stop down. Check out some reviews on it. Really a great lens for crop shooters

johnandbentley wrote in post #16514008
Thanks! I could possibly offer my brother in law cash for his. It seems reviews are that the sigma IQ wise rates higher than the canon L, however, the canon L is absolutely better than I expected in focusing in low light. Not sure how or if the sigma tops the canon in low light accuracy.

Had 2 sigma copies, the 2nd was good in normal sun light but horrible in other lights and low light it was bad.

On crop, definitely the 18-35.

I just made this exact decision; was between the Sigma 35 1.4 and the Canon 35 2.0 IS and Canon 85 1.8. I decided the latter. I am on full frame, so the Sigma 1.8 zoom wouldn't work. If you're crop and staying on crop, I'd go with the sigma. But full frame or crop with full frame in site, I'd go with the canon combo. So far these two are amazingly sharp, especially the 35 2.0 IS.

Thorrulz wrote in post #16514567
The Sigmas I've tried were not very good under artificial or low light conditions. If you have a chance definitely try the lens out in the conditions you most likely find yourself shooting in.

Mine focuses perfectly in extremely low light, although its not going to win a speed race in those conditions

I've tried were not very good under artificial or low light conditions.

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