Canon 35mm 1.4L vs Sigma 1.4 ART

Hey Everyone!
I lost my password and it had been awhile since I was a user so it looks like I have to start over :/
I am in a stick spot, and remembered the awesome folks here on POTN, and figured id shoot a question and see what happens.
I sold my 28mm 2.8, old version today, as well as my Pentax SMC Takumar 50mm 1.4, to fund a 35mm prime purchase.
I have someone willing to sell me their Sigma 35mm 1.4 for $500, because of some major scratch and dent on the outer part of the lens filter threads. I see the Canon 35mm going for $750 in excellent condition on Ebay. I have done TONS of research, and when I went to do more, I saw all the possible search links were purple (meaning I've already looked at them) I shoot mainly events, which are almost always dimly lit music venues, or festivals. Autofocus is newer to me, as I always skimped and bought the best, fastest MF primes I could get. I've sold them all, as I really can't afford to miss shots when I'm getting paid! SO...my question is:
Has anyone experienced the Sigma who has previously had the Canon 35mm, and if so, what is your overall impression?
Is the AF really that spotty? I Like the idea of a time tested lens, which the Canon is, but there's that part of me that would risk the amazing IQ of the Sigma for a potentially poor lens. Can anyone help me out here??

A local friend has a well worn copy of the 35L, and it shoots just as great as the day he got it.
As for myself I own both the 24L II and the 50L lenses. They take great photos.
Sigma has not lured me away from the Canon camp, mainly due to their lenses size and weight.

As far as your dilemma, if it were me, I would go with the new optics in the Sigma lens.
Just make sure the lens is not de-centered and AF is spot on by taking many test photos, etc.
The new 35L II is getting rave reviews, but it has a full msrp of $1,800
While it is great, I don't know if the photos it produces are $900 worth of a difference.

Good luck with your choice.

Don't forget that the Sigma Art lens, unlike the older EX series lenses works with the Sigma dock. This allows you to set up MFA at four different focal distances. This should solve most minor AF issues and makes the Sigma Art, Sport, and Contepoury lenses of Sigmas Global Vision range a very good proposition. The Canon only offers the one MFA setting, so you pays your money and takes your choices.

Alan

Sounds like the seller's 35A has been dropped if the filter thread is bent. Personally, I wouldn't buy it. You might have trouble unloading the bent lens if and when you want to sell.

I'm in much the same dilema. Want a 35mm but the Sigma, while great price, doesn't wow me. Bokeh is not great and to my eyes, images from this lens seem to be too red for some reason. The Canon offering is nice but a little pricey and maybe too pricey.

Maybe try and find a good 35L ver 1 that is sharp wide open. Or save a bit more and get the Sigma that isn't bent or scratched.

Tough devision....that's why I haven't bought a 35mm.

It's a tough choice with both lenses being excellent! What has me hesitant is the negative reviews of the Sigma. I wonder, how many people have the lens and have no problems, and how many have poor copies? The price difference is only $250 more, though resale would be very difficult. A new Sigma goes for the same price as a used Canon. I know the Canon has more CA, as I rented it for a few days, and it is all over the place! Easy to fix in Lightroom, but still a nuisance. For $750 or so dollars I could have either, but the what ifs are killing me! Incredible optics with less reliability, or...very good optics with surefire reliability and durability....I know this is a dilema probably every photographer has come to, with different lens choices at some point. I love the 35mm field of view, and if I didn't need AF, I would just buy the Samyang! $750 is too much for me to coin toss on, but I suppose I am in no rush

My experience is that Canon lenses are a bit better at focus performance in all categories against the 3rd parties, especially Sigma. I just find that I can trust a Canon to get on tough subjects faster, work in lower absolute light and deliver less misses.

So my approach in general is that if there is a certain type of lens I want (like a fast 35mm prime or a 24-XX general purpose zoom) I will buy the Canon version if one is available.

Next I would consider third party if there was a clear advantage of something (which I have not found, so far)

And finally I will definitely buy a third party lens when Canon does not offer something directly comparable. The example here would be the Sigma 120-300/2.8 zoom lens. I own that lens because there is no Canon zoom lens of any kind that reaches 300mm at f/2.8.

I've previously owned the 35L, 35 art and 35 IS and the art lens was the best by far IMO. It was terrible initially but after I ran it through the dock it was amazing. If you do go the sigma route save yourself a headache and buy the dock straight off the bat

Thank you all for your advice! I am deciding to go with the Canon, for $750 Mint condition on ebay. I know the optics are not as nice, but I need reliability and durability, and I know that the canon delivers that, as well as incredible images! If the sigma updates their AF motor in a 2nd version, I will gladly take the dive and get it! Until then, I will be taping my new lens in gaffers tape in case I sell it down the road, and enjoying my first "L" lens

Carlhoggphotography wrote in post #17824238
Thank you all for your advice! I am deciding to go with the Canon, for $750 Mint condition on ebay. I know the optics are not as nice, but I need reliability and durability, and I know that the canon delivers that, as well as incredible images! If the sigma updates their AF motor in a 2nd version, I will gladly take the dive and get it! Until then, I will be taping my new lens in gaffers tape in case I sell it down the road, and enjoying my first "L" lens

Gaffers tape won't protect well enough, you need to coat it in Plasti-Dip just to be on the safe side

All joking aside, congrats on getting one of the "legendary" Canon primes (part of the original Holy Trinity of primes). You've made a GREAT choice! Despite being surpassed by newer offerings, the 35L takes some of the most awesome looking photos. Just glue it onto your camera, snap away, and enjoy!

Hahaha! i'll do what I saw on a "Photography Hack" list, and just slide a beer coozy over my lens, removable foam cover, and waterproof too
What else in in the Trinity? 35-85-135? I do have a Rokinon 85mm 1.4, which is just amazing for what it is, and I'm debating selling my 100mm macro (non-is) and buying a used 135mm f2, and sticking some extention tubes on it when I want to play with macro. I love the separation, and compression of longer lenses, but don't use the macro as much as I used to! Hopefully my 35mm gets here before Christmas, I like to send out CD's of holiday photos to my family after it's all said and done, and 50mm is just too tight indoors, hence the 35! Thanks again for all of your help!