Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR USA

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

I was quite apprehensive about purchasing this lens based on many of the reviews I'd read. There seemed to be some quality control issues that, even after the release of a new iteration, still reared their ugly heads on occasion, but, with an engagement shoot scheduled for the weekend (I use a 7D in case anyone's wondering why I wanted a 50mm for portraits), I decided to take the risk. Let me tell you, after seeing the images I snapped with this baby, I don't regret the decision for a second!!

As many have already noted, getting sharp images at 1.4 can be tricky, but, at 2.0 and above, this thing is absolutely BEAST! The images are crisp, vibrant, and just flat out gorgeous. I'm a perfectionist, and I'm so used to spending several minutes in Lightroom tinkering with my shots, but, honestly, with this lens I did little more than add a touch of sharpening and call it a day! I can't compare this to the Canon 1.2 L as I've never had the chance to shoot with one, but as a former owner of both the 1.8 and 1.4, I can say that, for me, the Sigma easily outclasses them both in terms of image quality and construction.

Some may be put off by the size and heft, but I rather like it and feels it helps balance the weight of my 7D (w/battery grip). Considering my other lenses are a 17-40L and 70-200mm f/4L this is actually the lightest lens in my kit. :)

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

I was so hopeful after reading thousands of reviews that I would get a good copy but like many others this lens was 1.5" shallow on focus at 18", so at 5' you can imagine how off it would be. I looked in to the Sigma calibrating people talk about and it is $100 to send your body in with the lens to have them calibrate to your camera but reviews of that said it takes a long time and often doesn't come back any better. I returned this lens and got the Canon 1.4. Focus on it is perfect and it is much lighter weight. I dont think the colors are quite as good but when you shoot wide open focus is much more important than color.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

very nice

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

Wide-open, this lens is rather soft at the edges, but, when stopped down a little, it becomes very sharp across the entire image. If you use selective focus, the smoothness of the out-of-focus areas is superb. I think this lens, and the Sigma 30mm that I use on my APS-C camera, have the best bokeh of any of my lenses.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

For the price, this is a great lens. I use it for a portrait lens and it produces a great bokeh. I have noticed it will miss focus occasionally, but it is rare. I would purchase again. I was a little nervous about not sticking to a Canon lens, but I have been pleasantly surprised.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

I really love buying from B&H, There just one of those company's you can rely on... Now about this lens, first of all, please understand that "Not all photographer's are created equal" (in the same way that not everyone think's alike.) In other word's, when you look at a product trough the internet and read the review's of other buyer's, you should try to keep in mind that, the experience of that buyer is only that of hes own and can not be used as a "Doctrine" for starter's please under stand that not all buyer's have the same UNDERSTANDING AND KNOWLEDGE OR EVEN THE SAME USE for the PRODUCT!
This includes me, I can only speak of what I know and what I have experienced with the lens. The truth is, the lens is great for what it was BUILD for "a standard 50mm prime" and can be used as a "standard 50mm prime"!!! the QUALITY of the lens is good and and robust, Focus is normal meaning: that, if you know the right setting's for your camera in all types of weather condition's or lighting situation's, you will always have a nice focused shot. in my experience with photography the light is your len's best friend and only till you truly understand the theory of light will you really understand and grasp the power of the lens and yes the body of your camera! Aperture is all about the lens and at f1.4 you get a really nice bokeh! so in conclusion, If you are thinking of buying this lens, please understand this basic principal, that my experience will not be the same as yours and as far as this lens go's, well, it does what it was build for! really!

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

great all purpose lens for everyday use. the ultrasmooth focusing works great with canon 5d mark2.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

My old lens couldn't get to 1.4 so it had horrible bokeh. This lens is like a magic bokeh machine! The glass is so just so perfect. I get no noticeable chromatic aberration either. I wish I could just wrap myself in this glass and live there. The canon 50mm prime was my other choice but after feeling them both I have to say this one feels like it will last forever. It was worth the extra money.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

I bought this for use on a Canon 7d. At distances closer than 15 feet, it front-focused. Over 20 feet, it back-focused. I micro-adjusted the lens, but still continued to have less than 25% in acceptable focus...(even at f/2.5, not 1.4). I sent it back to Sigma...they reprogrammed and returned it...NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE. So I tried the cheaper Canon 50mm f/1.4. It focuses fine, and is very sharp, with superior corner sharpenss. So this is NOT my technique, or ability. This SIGMA lens is just plain finicky. If you wish to manually focus, using LiveView...go for it, as the center sharpness is wonderful. But on a Canon 50d, or a 7d, it is an autofocus nightmare, even after Sigma service. Not Recommended!!!

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

I really needed a fast lens video as well as stills. The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 fit the ticket. I was looking for that lovely shallow depth of field and this lens delivered. It's sharp, but not TOO sharp. The colors really resonate. Low light performance is great. I'm shooting on a Canon 7D and the Sigma holds up well in challenging light conditions. Gonna upgrade to the Canon 5d miii, and can only imagine the insane low light and shallow DOF that this lens will pull off!! It's not the fastest focusing lens, but for video it does the job. I don't do sports or action photography, so a super fast focusing lens wasn't necessary for me. I also like the fact that it comes with a case for the lens and a lens hood. Great value. One drawback is the focus ring is a bit tight. It's not very smooth. To rack focus shooting video can be a bit challenging on this lens. I'd recommend getting a follow focus to overcome this. That's why I'm only giving this lens 4 and not 5 stars. Love the matte black finish. I've been wanting to get this lens for a long time. Glad I did!!

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

The lens is great. I have used the canon 50mm line-up and this is a great option if you don't have the L-series funds. It produces wonderful bokeh, the focus is quick, the feel of the lens is great (I have big-ish hands), and the build is quite good. I'm not one to use a strap, so the weight of the lens is noticable through the day but that isn't too bothersome.

Personally, I think this sits between the Canon 50mm 1.4 and the 1.2, so if your not looking to spend the $1200 on the 50mm 1.2, consider this is a wonderful option.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

This lens has a great solid feel to it.
The Bokeh is creamy smooth but you do have to watch your depth of field a f 1.4. No focus shift at all. I think the pictures are on par with my canon 35 1.4 for sharpness on my 7d.
As usual B&H is great I order all my lenses from them.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

A lot of fixed lens for the price

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

I bought this lens knowing about the problems of inconsistent focus issues, just hoping that I would get a good copy. I tested it in a fashion shooting in Vegas, where luckly I was not the main photographer, because over 10 pics, 5 were out of focus ... So, I understood that I got a bad copy ..!!! If I was doing that shooting as main photographer, I would have lost the work ...
In any case, I was quite happy about the quality of the good ones that I got, but that was not enough for me to keep the lens. It returned to BH and I bought the more expensive but reliable 50 1,2 L series from Canon.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

Firts of all i used this lens on my 5d mk1 and it was not sharp at all and the af was horrible and not accurate. Than i change my camera for a 5d mk2 and now this is a completly different lens. Super sharp perfect colors and af is almost perfect (it is probably the 5d af that is bad)I really cant understand what happend but now this lens is almost always on my camera.

I use to have the Canon 50mm 1.4 wich was great and shaper at smaller aperture but @ 1.4 the sigma wins easelly.Plus the built quality on the sigma is a lot better.For me it is a big plus because i give a hard time to my gear.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

As a non-professional, I hope to use this lens for casual portraits and low light on my Canon 7D. It took a bit of trial and error to learn the in's and outs of shooting open, but the results are worth the efforts. Now for the if part.

This lens required the maximum [+20] micro focus adjustment on my 7D. If you don't have a body that supports lens micro focus adjust, you only option [short of exchanging the lens] is to send your body and lens off to Sigma for some lens tweaking. This is only a challenge for close up wide open shooting. The rest of the time it's all good.

As others have pointed out shooting open with an f1.4 lens requires that you have your act together (camera settings / technique) or you will be disappointed no matter what lens you buy. This fast prime wants to be shot open. It delivers killer bokeh.

Great Build (as good as "L" glass), Fast, Quiet Auto Focus, a sweet 80mm short tele on my 1.6x crop body. It is everything I was looking for.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

I'm using this lens on my Canon T2i. My first new copy from B&H had AF issues where it was front focusing by about 2 inches. Unacceptable for a lens costing [$]. I sent it back to B&H for a new copy, in which they have been very helpful. However my second copy is still just as bad. More front focus issues.It's really a shame. The build quality of this lens is fantastic, the optics are on point giving you a crisp and beautiful image. But I cannot justify spending this kind of money on a lens that has any issues at all. I will be sending it back for the Canon 50mm 1.4 to avoid any more of a headache. I would like to try a Sigma lens again when I have a body that has Micro Focus Adjustments.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

I ordered the Sigma 50 1.4 over the Canon because of the great reviews it gets as far as image quality compared to the Canon 50 1.4. First lens I got had focusing issues, it front focused and I could not fix it by adjusting with my camera. The second lens I just received doesn't even register to the camera. The contacts must be faulty. It's not worth the trouble sending it back over and over until you get a working one.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

Out of the box this has gorgeous color and contrast and fantastic bokeh, as these lenses are known for. Close focus is good to great. Distance focus is off, backfocusing 8" or so. Unless your focus is off proportionally the same amount at all distances, this cannot be corrected with lens AF micro-adjustment on Canon bodies (7D in my case). I'm left pondering whether I should send it back for a different copy or send it to Sigma to calibrate to my body. That's a nice service but then the lens is good for just one body, so much for swapping between this and the next body I buy. I've read they perform better on Nikon mount and a statistically insignificant survey of friends agrees, but that's hardly science.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon SLR:

Extreamly sharp on manual. Opened up to 1.4 slight front focus issue on auto. By slight like 1/4" which is enough to mess things up at 1.4. It also does not focus as fast as my Canon L. Other then that it's great. Easy manual focus, and over f2 maybe even 1.8 the front focus is not an issue. I shot domminos laying down on auto and would focus on one dot and the next one over would be sharp.