Sigma 35mm 1.4 Art vs Canon 35mm 1.4L ii

Would like your opinions between these two.. is there an $800 difference there? thanks and hope all is well.

James Crockett wrote in post #18462202
Would like your opinions between these two.. is there an $800 difference there? thanks and hope all is well.

If you are a paid event / wedding pro, and a fast 35mm is your thing, i.e. you are a 2 camera 85/35 wedding photog, then, and basically only then, is the 35Lii 'worth' it. In all honesty, I own the 35Lii, and the 35F2 IS, and when I'm not shooting weddings, I will 'almost' never use the 35Lii as either the 24-70 F2.8 is more useful, or the 35F2, with IS, and with great rendering, is lighter and a great alternative.

The other truth of the 35Lii is that it won't ever miss focus if you use a double cross type AF point on any modern Canon camera - again, if this is a wedding, it is an expensive no brainer - but a no brainer nonetheless - and if you have ever gone through 1000 pictures, finding the best 400 to send to your clients, photos that are not tack sharp are an automatic delete - this very quickly makes you sour on any lens that is missing even occasionally.

The Sigma 35 Art is clinically sharp, but it doesn't have the hit rate of the Canon - therefore, at some price discount it is worth it for most people and for others there is no price discount that makes it worth it.

I would look for a used one, in a private sale, keep and shoot it for 3 months, and then sell it if you are not happy - you will not lose much if any money.

Since the 85 1.4Lii IS has been announced, and the rumoured 50L IS and 135 L IS are strongly rumoured to be coming in 2018, I think it is important to consider the issue of IS and if you are handholding while shooting. Many people will say that IS is not important on FL such as 35mm - as an owner of a 5DSR, I could not disagree more strongly - thus the 35F2 IS that I mentioned above - there is also the Tamron 35&45 IS 1.8 lenses that should be on your radar. Even if both the Sigma 35 1.4 and the Canon 35Lii 1.4 are without question 'sharper' than the 35F2 IS, they are sharper when measured using a tripod - not hand held.

you can't quantify 'worthiness'. what it's worth to someone may not worth the same to you.

For hobbyist, I think it is ok to get the Sigma 35mm f/1,4. It is value for money for me.
For professionals (I define professionals as getting paid to shoot), Canon 35mm would have zero compatibility issues like AF inaccuracy, etc.

at the end of the day, we have to ask ourself, "is this tool good enough for the job?"

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the canon 35mm 1.4L ii is $1450, and it is worth the price. the sigma 35mm 1.4 art is $650, and it is also worth the price.