Sigma Announces 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM

I don't get why $500 is so shocking. The 30 1.4 is $430 at BH, and it is an APS-C lens. $70 more for a similar FF lens seems to make sense to me.

I'd wait until I see it at B-H to see the real price. I think the Amazon $ is a shot in the dark at getting some pre-orders.

bacchanal wrote in post #5477095
I don't get why $500 is so shocking. The 30 1.4 is $430 at BH, and it is an APS-C lens. $70 more for a similar FF lens seems to make sense to me.

Um, because Canon's is cheaper?

_aravena wrote in post #5477129
Um, because Canon's is cheaper?

Time will tell, but I have a hunch that the Canon 50 1.4 and the Sigma 1.4 won't be in the same performance category.

bacchanal wrote in post #5477176
Time will tell, but I have a hunch that the Canon 50 1.4 and the Sigma 1.4 won't be in the same performance category.

I hope so

bacchanal wrote in post #5477176
Time will tell, but I have a hunch that the Canon 50 1.4 and the Sigma 1.4 won't be in the same performance category.

The Canon 50mm F/1.4 is a good performer for around $300, for $500 the Sigma would have to perform FAR FAR FAR better to command such a price different for my hard earned bucks.

Dorman wrote in post #5477550
The Canon 50mm F/1.4 is a good performer for around $300, for $500 the Sigma would have to perform FAR FAR FAR better to command such a price different for my hard earned bucks.

Agreed. Sigma's lenses are typically not smaller or lighter than their Canon counterparts. If the Sigma is the average Sigma size and weight and only performs somewhat better it won't be worth the spot in my gear bag let alone 35% more cost. I can convince myself to stuff in one more lens the size of a Canon 50mm 1.4 for those just in case applications, but the Sigma would keep some other gear out of my kit if I take it.

Dorman wrote in post #5477550
The Canon 50mm F/1.4 is a good performer for around $300, for $500 the Sigma would have to perform FAR FAR FAR better to command such a price different for my hard earned bucks.

Well tbh, I'm not as "attached" to my money (and I actually like mac & cheese). I'm the kind of sucker who will shell out for the 35L when I could be using the SIgma 30 1.4.

If the Sigma 50 improves on the two major (to me) shortcomings of the Canon (sharpness wide open, and AF speed), then I'll probably be buying the Sigma. I really like the 50mm focal length, and I've considered getting a 50L, but I don't want to spend that kind of money at the moment. $500 doesn't sound bad when you're comparing it to $1500! I'm toying with the idea of trading my 35L for a 24L and picking up the Sigma 50 (to accompany my 85 1.8 and 135L)...doesn't that sound lovely!

I think the Sigma will settle into the low $400's, upper $300's to be competitive with the Canon 50 f1.4. Only time will tell though, but wait until more of these lenses get out to dealers before completely writing it off. It might take a few months, but the price on this guy is bound to drop a considerable amount from Amazon's "$500" intro pricing.

bacchanal wrote in post #5477910
Well tbh, I'm not as "attached" to my money (and I actually like mac & cheese). I'm the kind of sucker who will shell out for the 35L when I could be using the SIgma 30 1.4.

If the Sigma 50 improves on the two major (to me) shortcomings of the Canon (sharpness wide open, and AF speed), then I'll probably be buying the Sigma. I really like the 50mm focal length, and I've considered getting a 50L, but I don't want to spend that kind of money at the moment. $500 doesn't sound bad when you're comparing it to $1500! I'm toying with the idea of trading my 35L for a 24L and picking up the Sigma 50 (to accompany my 85 1.8 and 135L)...doesn't that sound lovely!

I have no problem spending my money on gear that delivers what's important to me, hence my gear list. However for my uses I can live with the perceived shortcomings of the Canon 50mm F/1.4 and save on the expense. I'll probably be dropping my $500 on the new Tokina 11-16 instead as it's a more useful tool for my purposes. The 50mm for me would be a lightweight alternative for when I don't want to truck around my 24-70L.

It's listed at $499.94 at Canoga Camera and has an expected ship date of June.

I was going to purchase the 50L, but I still can't get over the additional $1k I'd have to pay to get it over my 50 1.4, If this one is that much better I'd be happy to buy it.

I too am curious as to why the front element is so large.

The Sigma 24mm 1.8 is only $325, the 28mm 1.8 is only $260 and the 30mm 1.4 is only $365. Seems like $500 is too high for the 50mm, it has to come down!

I would gather the 499 is sigma's MSRP. Which is never what their lenses sell for. I would not jump to any conclusions on pre-order numbers until the thing actually ships.

randomlinh wrote in post #5478194
I would gather the 499 is sigma's MSRP. Which is never what their lenses sell for. I would not jump to any conclusions on pre-order numbers until the thing actually ships.

Canoga is listing their selling price, not MSRP.