50mm prime 1.4 Lens: New to the forum but not to photography. Using digital about ten years. I plan to purchase a 50mm prime 1.4 soon for my Canon 5DIII. Shoot a variety of photos from...

GA shooter Loc: Rising Fawn, GA

New to the forum but not to photography. Using digital about ten years. I plan to purchase a 50mm prime 1.4 soon for my Canon 5DIII. Shoot a variety of photos from landscape to portraits to gardens. Seldom shoot sports or children. Torn between the Canon 1.4 and the Sigma 1.4. Cost not a major factor. Anyone with an opinion out there? I've read most of the reviews and a few individual reviews some of which have had focus issues with the Sigma.

Big Stopper Loc: London

Welcome to the forum GA shooter. I also have the Canon 5Dmk 3 and also the Canon 50mm 1.4 prime and love it. I have no experience of the Sigma though so cannot help with that.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

GA shooter wrote:

New to the forum but not to photography. Using digital about ten years. I plan to purchase a 50mm prime 1.4 soon for my Canon 5DIII. Shoot a variety of photos from landscape to portraits to gardens. Seldom shoot sports or children. Torn between the Canon 1.4 and the Sigma 1.4. Cost not a major factor. Anyone with an opinion out there? I've read most of the reviews and a few individual reviews some of which have had focus issues with the Sigma.

I'm a Canon guy as well and I just happen to believe that Canon knows best how to make lenses for it's own camera.

I hear lots of great things about Sigma and they make excellent lenses I'm told but I stand by my belief.

Good luck

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

Take a look at the Sigma 50mm 1.4 ART lens that is coming out. I need a fast 50 for my D800 and heard this was due out soon. Waiting on the reviews.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

tradio wrote:

Take a look at the Sigma 50mm 1.4 ART lens that is coming out. I need a fast 50 for my D800 and heard this was due out soon. Waiting on the reviews.

This is said to likely become the lens to beat. Some say it may go past the Canon and challenge the Zeiss. But it is still early.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2014/01/08/sigma-50mm-f-1.4-art-targets-zeiss-otus-ignores-canon-l-nikon-glass

beng69

I recently purchased the Canon 50mm f/1.8 lenses after reading many reviews of the two f/1.4 lenses you mentioned and the f/1.8 on Amazon and several other sites, including Canon's own site. There were numerous complaints of focusing issues with all three lens. There were also complaints of poor build quality (autofocus failing after a few month or a year) with both Canon lens. I finally gave up in frustration and bought the f/1.8 lens for $100. I decided that if I was risking a problem with any of the three lenses, I rather waste $100 than $400+. I've had the lens for a few weeks, and no major problems so far, although the autofocus may be off a tiny bit. If you want a 50mm lenses with no bad reviews, and are willing to spend about $1,000 more, buy the Canon f/1.2. JMHO!

I was trying to focus on the Queen

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

You will have the lens for a long time. If time is not pressing, wait for the new Sigma to come out and get some use. It sounds really nice. Otherwise, go with the Canon. I have the Canon 50 1.4 and love it. I have had no focusing problems at all.

GA shooter Loc: Rising Fawn, GA

dsmeltz wrote:

You will have the lens for a long time. If time is not pressing, wait for the new Sigma to come out and get some use. It sounds really nice. Otherwise, go with the Canon. I have the Canon 50 1.4 and love it. I have had no focusing problems at all.

Thanks for all the input. Think I will wait for the Sigma ART.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

GA, I have never used a Sigma, but read several revues after a few users stated that it costs more than the Canon, but was worth the extra cost.
My reviewer of choice is "TheDigitalPicture". I find his reviews to be very real world and I trust his experience. Make sure you read both reviews before deciding, if you have not already done so.
I do own the Canon 1.4, and it's well received with VERY smooth bokeh, that's important to me.
You did mention portraits on your FF. for a FF I would look at the 85 1.8 for a nicer compression at the same cost. It might be a better lens, though not as fast. I own both, the 85 for portraits, and the 1.4 for low ambient light shots. The 1.4 is of course a better all-rounder lens.
To go to a 1.2(50 or 85), personnally it's only worth it if you are a pro wedding or portrait guy unless you just want it.
GA, good luck. ;-)
SS

olcoach Loc: Oregon

Welcome to the forum. You will not find a better lens than the Canon 50mm for the price. I don;t know anything about the Sig.

GA shooter Loc: Rising Fawn, GA

SharpShooter:

I also own the Canon 85mm 1.8 and love it! Great background blurr and good for daytime photos of flowers where I can stop it down to get a little more DOF. Thanks for your input.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

GA shooter wrote:

SharpShooter:

I also own the Canon 85mm 1.8 and love it! Great background blurr and good for daytime photos of flowers where I can stop it down to get a little more DOF. Thanks for your input.

Your welcome, anytime. ;-)
SS

pappy0352 Loc: Oregon

Welcome to the site. I just upgraded from the 50 1.8 to the 1.4 and love it. I take this lens everywhere I go.

Pappy

NMR Loc: Edmonton, Canada

If cost is not a factor, I would recommend checking out the Canon 50mm F/1.2 lens. It is truly awesome. While I'm a Nikon guy, I have several friends (pro photogs) who swear by them and get stunning results. Those lenses are about as good as it gets for Canon.

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

I bought a Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 for adapting to micro four thirds. Paid $5 for it in excellent condition - it's definitely worth 20 times that for image quality. The same size lens made for micro four thirds would probably cost $300 or $400. I'm sticking with used Canon lenses for primes.