A tale of two Sigmas (50mm)

I have small gap in my lenses. I have the Sigma 18-35 and 70-200. I'd really like to toss a 50mm in there. I just shoot in general and sometimes 50mm seems to be needed. Is it work the big price difference to get the new Art 50 over the older 50mm?

Heya,

Since you shoot "in general" and "sometimes" want 50mm, then no, the $275 Sigma 50 F1.4 is more than adequate probably.

Very best,

As a fellow 'in general' and 'sometimes' shooter, I will vouch for the old one. Very good lens for the price.

Though I do go shoot sporadically, I still like the best quality I can get. I know I should prob hit the local camera store and do some on camera tests. I'll get more active once winter is done, and I get some other projects out of the way.

The problem of the old HSM Sigma 50mm was more the accuracy of the focus than the image quality. Mine is enough sharp at f/1.4-f1.6 on most of the image, with great colour & contrast. The new ART seems to focus a lot better (+ at top optically), but the price & weight are not in the same category...

Titi

I tried the old 50, the one I had, had focusing issues.. that being said, people raved about it even before the 50A, so if you can get a good one that's a great value.

FWIW, the Art is $100 off Adorama this weekend (see the Marketplace forum for details).

You could always be adventurous and try one of my favorite cheap lenses, the Zeiss 50 1.4 ZE. It's MF but is an amazing piece of glass especially stopped down a bit! You can find used copies around $450-$500.

The old sigma was known to have focus issues. Some were amazing others were amazingly terrible (and honestly I'm a sigma fan boy).

Might I suggest a different route? Have you ever thought about replacing your 70-200 with a sigma 50-150 OS?

Don't want to get rid of my 70-200, then I'd be trading wanting 50mm for then needing 200mm. This lens is mainly for a site me and a friend have for cigar reviews. I wanted something with a shorter working distance then the 70-200. I've been messing around using 12mm of extension tubes on the 70-200 to see how that would work. Also considered getting the Sigma 70 or 105.

The Sigma Art most certainly still has randomly missing focus.

Optically, not in the same league.

Comparing the older Sigma 1.4to the Canon, the Sigma is probably a hair better optically with slightly worse AF than the Canon.