Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens f/ Olympus Four Thirds System
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Discontinued
The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens is a bright, 50mm standard lens with a large f/1.4 maximum aperture. Upon Olympus and other Four Thirds system digital SLR cameras, it is an ideal portrait lens-in 35mm camera terms, this is like a 100mm lens with a 20° x 13° field of view. Its large aperture allows for sharply-defined, contrasty images against nicely blurred backgrounds, and because it is originally designed for 'full-frame' 35mm cameras it produces superior peripheral brightness at all apertures on the 4/3 system.
Sigma's DG lens design corrects for various aberrations, specially coated to get the best color balance while cutting down on ghosting caused by reflections from the digital image sensor. The lens provides the utmost correction against lateral chromatic aberration, a serious problem for digital SLR cameras.
This lens also incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), which ensures a quiet and high-speed AF as well as full-time manual focus override.
- Outstanding medium telephoto lens for portraiture work upon 4/3rds cameras
- EX Lens series denotes excellence of engineering and new technology
- Molded glass aspherical lens element helps correct coma distortion
- Super multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting
- Silent, responsive high speed Hyper Sonic Motor provides full time manual focus override
- Rounded 9-bladed aperture diaphragm creates pleasing, circular out-of-focus highlights
Go To
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 50 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/1.4 Minimum: f/16 |
| Camera Mount Type | Four Thirds |
| Format Compatibility | Four Thirds |
| Angle of View | 46.8° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 1.48' (45 cm) |
| Magnification | 0.13x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:7.4 |
| Groups/Elements | 6/8 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 77 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 3.3 x 2.7" (8.38 x 6.86 cm) |
| Weight | 1.11 lb (505 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 14 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
92%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Durable (9)
- Easily interchangeable (6)
- Fast / accurate auto-focus (6)
- Strong construction (6)
- Consistent output (5)
Cons
- Heavy (6)
- Slow focus (5)
Best Uses
- Low light (7)
- Weddings (4)
- Landscape/scenery (3)
- Night photography (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Semi-pro photographer (6), Photo enthusiast (4)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (5)
Most Liked Positive Review
AF = horrible, MF = awesome!
Own a Olympus E-520 and this is lens number 3, my first prime. 50mm is a great focal length for portraits, even or maybe especially with 4/3 2x crop factor. And ...Read complete review
Own a Olympus E-520 and this is lens number 3, my first prime. 50mm is a great focal length for portraits, even or maybe especially with 4/3 2x crop factor. And portrait is indeed the catch word. Bokeh is fantastic, no doubt, but here's the problem: In a portrait shooting your "victim" moves unless it's made of stone. That means that the AF needs to adjust for every single shot which takes for ever and in low light conditions it doesn't work at all in 50% of my shots. Maybe it's the cr4ppy metering my camera does. I tried all modes, but the 'A' in AF in low light is still not existent. I have to adjust manually for almost every shot - since I'm not a MF-pro, half of my shots come our blurry. On the other hand, if you're used to MF you will love this lens. But be aware - it's a beast made of japanese glass. It's not the size, it's the sheer weight. My E-520 it totally out of balance. Build quality is excellent. Needs (pricey) 77mm filters. If you rely on AF, don't buy. If you have a thing for bokeh, beautiful protraits and know how to use your MF, you'll be overwhelmed. Night shots come out pretty decent.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
AF problems confirmed
I had read a lot of reviews on this lens before buying it and decided to try it out anyway on my Olympus E-300.
It offers great flexibility in low light conditions bu...Read complete review
I had read a lot of reviews on this lens before buying it and decided to try it out anyway on my Olympus E-300.
It offers great flexibility in low light conditions but the AF really did not work well, at least on my camera model. On S-AF it took a long time to focus and on half of the shots, it was not perfect. In C-AF, I could not recompose the image without loosing the focus on what I wanted to put the emphasis on.
For the rest, if you can go over theses problems, this lens is really great, image quality wise.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 14 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-14
Pros
- Durable
- Rugged
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens f/ Olympus Four Thirds System:
I bought this lens, because I wanted a better lens for taking baby shots, without using a flash. The autofocus is not that good in low light. I just set the focus to manual and it works fine. I have taken some great outdoor photos with it.
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Blurry Focus
- Heavy
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Night Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens f/ Olympus Four Thirds System:
Own a Olympus E-520 and this is lens number 3, my first prime. 50mm is a great focal length for portraits, even or maybe especially with 4/3 2x crop factor. And portrait is indeed the catch word. Bokeh is fantastic, no doubt, but here's the problem: In a portrait shooting your "victim" moves unless it's made of stone. That means that the AF needs to adjust for every single shot which takes for ever and in low light conditions it doesn't work at all in 50% of my shots. Maybe it's the cr4ppy metering my camera does. I tried all modes, but the 'A' in AF in low light is still not existent. I have to adjust manually for almost every shot - since I'm not a MF-pro, half of my shots come our blurry. On the other hand, if you're used to MF you will love this lens. But be aware - it's a beast made of japanese glass. It's not the size, it's the sheer weight. My E-520 it totally out of balance. Build quality is excellent. Needs (pricey) 77mm filters. If you rely on AF, don't buy. If you have a thing for bokeh, beautiful protraits and know how to use your MF, you'll be overwhelmed. Night shots come out pretty decent.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Lightweight
- Strong Construction
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Sports/Action
Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens f/ Olympus Four Thirds System:
I added this to my lens arsenal thinking I would use on and off for shooting sports. It has become my main lens. Basketball and wrestling shots are outstanding... clear and sharp. The lens is very fast and lets in plenty of light for indoor shooting with no need for flash or extreme ISO setting.
There is no issue with compatibility for use on my Olympus E-30. This is my first Sigma lens and I am extremely pleased with my purchase. My only regret is I didn't buy it sooner!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Blurry Focus
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens f/ Olympus Four Thirds System:
I had read a lot of reviews on this lens before buying it and decided to try it out anyway on my Olympus E-300.
It offers great flexibility in low light conditions but the AF really did not work well, at least on my camera model. On S-AF it took a long time to focus and on half of the shots, it was not perfect. In C-AF, I could not recompose the image without loosing the focus on what I wanted to put the emphasis on.
For the rest, if you can go over theses problems, this lens is really great, image quality wise.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Nice Bokeh
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Macro Photography
Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens f/ Olympus Four Thirds System:
I use this lens as my go-to for portrait sessions. Flattering compression and lovely, smooth bokeh. Olympus users unfortunately can't purchase a 50mm 1.8 that AFs on our camera bodies. I had used an old OM lens with a converter ring, but had to MF. This 1.4 is well worth the price. The only reason I would not give 5 stars is that it does "hunt" a bit to AF and I sometimes miss shots because of this. Overall it's sharp as a tack. Highly recommend.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Landscape/Scenery
- Night Photography
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens f/ Olympus Four Thirds System:
little soft at 1.4, Rokinon (Vivitar, Bower 85/1.4 is better) still very useful in low light, AF so,so...Spendy-I think Oly 50/2.0 will be a better choice.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Fast / accurate auto-focus
- Nice Bokeh
Cons
- Difficult to Clean
Best Uses
- Indoors/Low Light
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens f/ Olympus Four Thirds System:
I use an Olympus Esystem and until I purchased this product, I was using the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 lens.
For a price tag less than $500.00, this lens is capable of producing outstanding images and given a max aperture of f/1.4, it comes as no surprise that its one of the best low light lenses I have used.
I would recommend this lens to anyone who loves taking candid portraits of people.
Pros
- Easily Interchangeable
- Rugged
Cons
- Heavy
- Slow Focus
Best Uses
- Portraits
Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens f/ Olympus Four Thirds System:
Overall, Im pretty happy with it. Images come out pretty sharp. My only complaint, is that it's picky and slow to focus. Its also a bit noisy.
Pros
- Durable
- Easy to Use
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Family Photos
- Weddings/Events
Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens f/ Olympus Four Thirds System:
I use it mainly for portrait, the shallow dof allows for soft edges. With my e520 it is alittle slower than expected in low light.
Pros
- Great Features
- Great Picture Quality
Cons
- Heavy
- Slow Autofocus
Best Uses
- Close -ups
- Nighttime
Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens f/ Olympus Four Thirds System:
If you want bokeh on an Olympus DSLR, this is your lens... I use this lens primarily as a manual focus lens on my E-3, which I realize might be harder to do on the smaller SLRs.
The autofocus travels quickly and silently, but it is quite slow at actually locking on. However during its slight missteps trying to lock on it generally is already in focus so I just snap before it finishes focussing.
The body stabilized f1.4 is great for low light, at ISO 1600 and 1/4sec I could take pictures of subjects I couldn't even see properly
Pros
- Durable
- Rugged
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens f/ Olympus Four Thirds System:
It's nice but heavy, large, and you don't get the macro option like the zuiko 50mm. It has detail but the zuiko is beter in my opinion
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Sharp Focus
Cons
- Occassional slow focus
Best Uses
- General Use
Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens f/ Olympus Four Thirds System:
Very happy with the purchase
The short field of focus adds another
dimension to my photography over the
zoom lenses
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Quick Focus
- Rugged
- Sharp Focus
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens f/ Olympus Four Thirds System:
This is a great portrait lense. Well built, quick and sharp focus.
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Durable
- Easily Interchangeable
- Sharp Focus
- Strong Construction
Cons
- Heavy
Best Uses
- Portraiture
Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens f/ Olympus Four Thirds System:
As an amatuer photographer and hobbist I took a chance on purchasing this lens. I must say I may have been one of the lucky ones who got this lens with no Back Focus or Front Focus problems that other mounts (Nikon, Canon)suffer with. This lens is Super Sharp wide open with lovely Bokeh.
Two drawbacks with it are the Autofocusing on this lens isn't the fastest I have used and to some it may be too heavy.
I must say I am loving this Lens and you will too.
Displaying reviews 1-14
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What's in the Box
- Front & Rear Lens Caps
- Lens Hood
- 1-Year Worldwide Warranty + 3-Year Extended USA Warranty
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