which f/1.4?

It's time for me to upgrade my thrifty fifty. My choices:

Sigma 30mm f/1.4: I think I prefer 30mm over 50mm on my XT. The ridiculous focus issues have me worried though. It's about $390 on sigma4less and about $500 on B&H and probably about the same in a brick and mortar. Should I gamble at sigma4less?

Sigma 50mm f/1.4: This new lens seems to be getting great reviews. Hear it has more pop than the Canon. About $500 no matter where you go.

Canon 50mm f/1.4: Cheap and proven through the test of time. Image quality isn't much better than the 50 f/1.8 though.

I have a lot of things to consider here....any thoughts?

El Duderino wrote in post #6437633
It's time for me to upgrade my thrifty fifty. My choices:

Keep th enifty...

You can, as long as you are aware that you apparently may have to try more than 1 copy, or have it calibrated.

Personally, I have tried one, but it didn't do anything for me. It focused fine, but I didn't like the images it created.

I've tried two different ones so far, but it doesn't beat the 50L, and is about the same size. BTW, it does have a little focus shift when focusing close, not a lot, but it is outside the expected DoF range at F/2, at least, with the two I tested. I found there is a 1 cm focus shift at about 50 cm distance at F/2. This is handheld however, as I couldn't set up a tripod for thorough testing. OTOH, no such thing with the 50 F/1.8 Mk II, 50 F/1.4 and 50L I tested at the same time.

If at all, and if noticeable at all. Bokeh is supposed to be better, but for bokeh I think you would buy another lens, rather.

Difficult. I'd rather go for the Sigma 50 F/1.4 than for the Canon for shooting at large apertures (up to F/2.8 ), provided F/1.4 is needed and F/2 is not enough (aperture at which 50 F/1.8 becomes very good). OTOH, images seem more clear with the Canon F/1.4 from F/4, or have more definition, than with the Sigma, shooting in difficult lighting conditions. Shooting in difficult light conditions is my main use for such a lens, so I can't really tell you how it behaves in good light.

What do you need it for, the question really becomes, I think.

Personally, I would continue saving and get a 50L....

Kind regards, Wim

Look- I have no real experience with any of them, other than having played with a 50/1.2 and lusting terribly after it, but from my obsessive reading it looks like the Canon 50/1.4 isn't THAT soft at 1.4- maybe you should go looking at f/1.4 pictures on pixel peeper and see if it will meet your needs.

I love the images from my Sigma 30mm, the only problem is it's mis-focusing right now. Grr.

If you get a good copy I think you'd love it. Perfect focal length for a crop and the IQ and bokeh etc is wonderful.

Go with one of the Sigmas (or both). Better optics, better build. But the 30 EX is the one to go with IMO.

If you like 30 better than 50, you already answered your question. If I were in your shoes I'd get the 30/1.4 and keep the 50/1.8 since its cheap

30 on a 1.6 crop is a great FL. I loved my Sigma 30. I'd still have it if I hadn't sold my 20D.

angryhampster wrote in post #6438763
30 on a 1.6 crop is a great FL. I loved my Sigma 30.

a 30EX is pretty cool on a aps-h camera too. it gives some pretty obvious vignetting which can be used for framing. quite a swell effect - not everyone will like it though.

Jaetie wrote in post #6440326
a 30EX is pretty cool on a aps-h camera too. it gives some pretty obvious vignetting which can be used for framing. quite a swell effect - not everyone will like it though.

Yea I used mine once or twice on the 1DII's at work and liked it better than the 28 f/1.8 we've got. Wish it didn't create a circle on a full frame. Sigma really needs to make a good, fast wide angle lens for full-frames.

I'd get the sigma 30 EX 1.4 if the focal length appeals to you - I have had no trouble with mine at all, straight out the box, and I got one of the first at POTN. You just need to be prepared to send it in for calibration, or buy from a store with a good return policy - or buy a used one that is certfied as working properly. ( Mine's not for sale... !)

I'd also keep the 50 1.8 II - after all on the used market you won't get much for it, and as you say unless you need f/1.4 there is little more to offer with the EF 50 1.4 - except better build quality and better AF. My 50 1.4 is sharp wide open, I use it as a portrait lens, for indoor use, and am delighted with it. I upgraded from the 50 1.8 because I wanted the f/1.4 and the better AF, the bokeh is considerably better too - I always found that of my 1.8 rather 'chunky'. Remember also that a bit of softness on a portrait lens is no handicap, most subjects actually benefit aesthetically - except young kids who usually have naturally flawless complexions anyway.

The sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX did appeal to me, and if I hadn't just bought my canon f/1.4 I might have waited for it, but to be honest it's too big, it's overpriced for what it is, and it doesn't offer enough in the IQ department to justify the extra expense and quality control concerns.

Having used both focal lengths, I find that for portrait use I prefer the 50mm (and 85mm) to that of the 30mm sigma - but that's just me...I won't be getting rid of it as I'm sure in a month or a year or so my needs and interests will shift. I like the sigma more as a 'standard prime' for walkabout use, as it comes close to my old 50mm on my all manual film camera back in days of yore. I prefer the 50, the 85, and even my 70-200, as portrait lenses.

Sfordphoto wrote in post #6438286
If you like 30 better than 50, you already answered your question. If I were in your shoes I'd get the 30/1.4 and keep the 50/1.8 since its cheap

This is a biggie right here...what focal length are you after?? 30 or 50?? If you perfer the 30 FL, another option to the Sigma is the Canon 28 1.8. It's not as fast, but I think the USM on the Canon is going to give you a lot more reliable focusing.

If you're after the 50 FL, I think the 50 1.4 is a nice upgrade from the 1.8. You get a much better build, full time manual focusing (which may not mean much to you if you don't MF), and a better auto focus motor. Yes, the two copies of this lens I've had were somewhat soft at 1.4, but they sharpened up very nicely by 1.8 or so.