Canon 50mm f/1.4 vs Sigma 50mm f/1.4

I <3 my sigma 50. The build quality over the canon variant is worth the additional $$. IMO, the only reason to worry would be about the focusing issues (front/back), but that's one quarrel that both lenses have issues with. As mentioned before the bokeh of the Sigma is remarkable. It stays on my camera 85% of the time.

I received my f/1.4 50mm Canon lens yesterday and have been "shooting" everything in sight since.

Overall, I am quite pleased with it. It mostly lives up to the many reviews that I've read.

It is the perfect size for my 40D. I didn't want another 77mm lens, my 17-55mm f/2.8 is enough. It has a great feel, I was expecting lighter but it's quite nice.

I find my copy to be quieter during AF than many have stated and I expected but I have nothing similar to compare it to.

I find the AF to be fast enough to keep me happy, I can't see what others may want in the way of speed.

Yes, it's soft wide open but the bokeh is also very good wide open. It performs best from 5.0 to 8.0 for most shots but then I had already read that it would.

Initially I thought there may be a back focus problem but I found it was my technique, not the lens.

I hope to get out later and walk around snapping some real world shots with it.

No regrets not buying the Sigma.

You won't have regrets about not buying the Sigma until you try the Sigma...then expect regrets. At least, after owning it, there's no way I could go back to the Canon 50/1.4.

Perry Ge wrote in post #8230000
The 85L does take getting used to, but when you nail it...hot damn. Be sure to try some full body shots close to wide open with a distant background, the results are jaw-dropping.

Your jaw will drop seconds before you pass out... Indeed the 85L produces STUNNING colors, bokeh and sharpness. All at f1.2+

Jman13 wrote in post #8256700
You won't have regrets about not buying the Sigma until you try the Sigma...then expect regrets. At least, after owning it, there's no way I could go back to the Canon 50/1.4.

Unless you try my 50f/1.4 ...

silvex wrote in post #8256801
Unless you try my 50f/1.4 ...

Does yours have a different optical formula that makes the bokeh spectacular? Because that's why I love the Sigma...it has nothing to do with sharpness or anything...it's the beautiful rendering, that rivals ANY lens I've used.

Jman13 wrote in post #8256854
Does yours have a different optical formula that makes the bokeh spectacular? Because that's why I love the Sigma...it has nothing to do with sharpness or anything...it's the beautiful rendering, that rivals ANY lens I've used.

Even the 85L ? Would love to see some samples.

silvex wrote in post #8257024
Even the 85L ? Would love to see some samples.

Bokeh wise, yes, I think the Sigma 50 f/1.4 rivals the 85L. The 85L's color is a little better, but there's something special about the way the Sigma renders images.

A few samples from mine:

I've owned both. I really wanted the 50L, but decided to give the Sigma a shot. I dislike the finish on Simga lenses, but I couldn't dismiss the reviews & the quality of pics I was seeing.

My copy had a slight front focus, and not all that sharp wide open. But the bokeh is beautifully creamy (just the way I like it), I've seen samples, but its different when they are you pics. The Canon EF was nice, but the Simga has impressed me. It has satisifed my desire for a 50L... at least for now.

I sent it in for calibration, which I was dreading, but acutally didn't mind because if that comes back better, than I wil be a very happy Sigma 50 1.4 owner.

Well this is my EF50 f/1.4

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yihochin wrote in post #8257155
I sent it in for calibration, which I was dreading, but acutally didn't mind because if that comes back better, than I wil be a very happy Sigma 50 1.4 owner.

Please let us know. I sent my former sigma 30s (I had 2 dud copies) twice to sigma for calibration, and both came back front focused. Honestly, despite the nice service, after the 2nd shipment back to sigma, it got tiring. Afterwards I got 35L and had been happy since.

Ed - wide open, up close, the Canon 50 isn't too bad...but I do see rather nice green rings around several of the specular highlights in your shot. Those become more pronounced as you stop down. Two of the 4 shots I posted are not wide open (the first and third). I've owned the Canon 50...it's a very solid lens, and a very nice lens, and I have taken some wonderful pics with the Canon 50/1.4. But it really isn't quite in the same league as a good Sigma 50, IMO. I'm glad you enjoy yours...you do look to have a very nice copy.

Here are some that I had forgotten...no PP on my late Cat's shots

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I can see the green rings in the top left of the last picture (lady at Samy's), I don't know whether to get the Canon or spend a little more and play focus roulette with Sigma.

I have a 1000D so my focussing system is not the best anyway... decisions decisions.

What about the comment at http://www.lensrentals​.com …a-50mm-f1.4-hsm/for-canonabout front and back focussing depending on subject distance. Is that generally true?

MintMark wrote in post #8257528
I can see the green rings in the top left of the last picture (lady at Samy's), I don't know whether to get the Canon or spend a little more and play focus roulette with Sigma.

I have a 1000D so my focussing system is not the best anyway... decisions decisions.

What about the comment at http://www.lensrentals​.com …a-50mm-f1.4-hsm/for-canonabout front and back focussing depending on subject distance. Is that generally true?

It is not true of my copy. Mine's dead on at all focus distances. I know several other people here have perfectly focusing copies as well.