Sigmalux vs Canon 50 1.4

I've seen a few similar comparisons, but I figured one more can't hurt, right?

I recently acquired a copy of the Siggy 50 1.4 as I was never very happy with the Canon 50 1.4 bokeh. My Canon is quite sharp, I've got a good copy, its always been the bokeh that has bothered me.

I bought the Sigma used, but it had most of the warranty left. It had focusing issues on my 5D, so I sent it into Sigma and oddly they sent it to a company in Arizona for repair - it took almost a month but I've had it back for a while now and it focuses perfectly.

Bottom line - after calibration I'm very happy with its performance. The build quality is much better than the Canon but the real reason to buy this lens over the Canon is the bokeh - much smoother than the Canon, and much preferable IMO. Its not a Rokkor 58, but its good enough for me.

The Sigma is also wider than the Canon. I had to move forward and back to keep the compositon as close as possible between these lenses.

Hope some of you find this helpful....



Sigma 50 1.4 @ f/1.6....vs .....Canon 50 1.4 @ f/1.6....

nice lens! never realize that sigma bokeh is better than canon's..

Here's a close-up bokeh comparison at f/1.6....


Sigma vs Canon....

While I don't have my Canon 50/1.4 anymore, the sigma is a beauty when it comes to bokeh.

Here's a recent sample.

Oddly enough most people that are NOT into photography probably wouldn't notice the difference in bokeh. The side by side comparison would trigger questions but I think the bokeh of the Canon 50 f/1.4 is still very acceptable.

I like the canon better, personally, for the bokeh. I feel it's prettier
As for anything else. I can't tell the difference

Karl Johnston wrote in post #8339917
I like the canon better, personally, for the bokeh. I feel it's prettier
As for anything else. I can't tell the difference

To each his own I guess.

I've often found the Canon's bokeh distracting, especially the highlights.

Very nice. I couldn't see much difference between the two until you post the close up pictures. Much less distracting bokeh indeed.

Any reason why you didn't shoot wide open?

cedm wrote in post #8340663
Very nice. I couldn't see much difference between the two until you post the close up pictures. Much less distracting bokeh indeed.

Any reason why you didn't shoot wide open?

Wide open is where you will see a big difference. Not only will the Sigma's bokeh really shine, it will also blow away the Canon for sharpness. The Canon needs to be stopped down to get sharp, which totally defeats the purpose of getting a 1.4 lens in the first place.

The Canon 50 f/1.4 has been extremely accurate in AF for me. Yes the Canon f/1.4's bokeh isn't as creamy as the sigma version. However my particular copy wideopen is acceptably sharp.

After playing with f/1.2 I'm hooked on the 50L. Sharpness at wideopen it excellent and very little focus shift stopping down (the UX code I've been borrowing).

Bokeh is not the only reason why the Sigma 50 is better than the Canon 50/1.4.
The sig50 is very flare resistant, sharper (1.4-2.0), better contrast wide-open, quicker focusing and better build. The sig50 is closer to the 50L than the inferior 50/1.4. I've owned all 3 together at one point and my comments are based on my personal experiences.

Only if the sig50 lenses were QA'd properly from the factory, I'd imagine that more people would have it in their kit.

I don't see enough IQ difference there to justify the price difference.

Man, I hate this thread for making me want the Sigma 50mm f/1.4...

I swear, This forum is going to bankrupt me

Sigma 50mm F1.4 is one of the best third-party lenses, which beats Canone's. I have seen many samples compared on the Internet, Sigma is really fantastic.

norbelthomas wrote in post #8343378
Sigma 50mm F1.4 is one of the best third-party lenses, which beats Canone's. I have seen many samples compared on the Internet, Sigma is really fantastic.

I know that much, its between spending the $500 on the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 or the $1300 on the Canon 50mm f/1.2L to me..

I'm trying to figure if the 1.2 is really REALLY worth over twice the price to me