kimmosley

I recently purchased a a Mark III with a (manual focus) Zeiss Planar T 50mm f/1.4. I'm not able to focus quickly with it, nor does it seem exceptionally sharp when it is wide open. I have a few more days to exchange it at B&H... and am thinking of the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art. I'm not excited by the added weight, but it does seem like the best standard prime for action (candid pics of people). http://www.cameraegg.org/best-lenses-for-canon-eos-5d-mark-iii/ Am I missing considering any other lenses?

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

From what I have read, the Sigma seems like a fine lens. For about the same money you may want to consider the Canon EF24-70mm f/4 L IS. Excellent IQ and build, plus a very usable focal range. Of course, it is an f/4, not a 1.4, but the 5DIII does a very good job handling low light/high ISO situations.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

The Zeiss Planar lenses are not the lenses of choice for every shooter. They are , by today's standards, very difficult to use. They are fully manual, NO AF1. That fact alone sets the lens apart from most others. Many shooters today have no patience for manual focus. When used properly there are no more precise lenses on the market. You might try replacing the focus screen in your MkIII. That solution was what allowed me to get comfortable with manual focus lens. My original SLR had a split-screen type focus and allowed very precise focusing. It really made a big change for me to replace the screen in my 1Dx. It also made a huge difference in shooting macro. I appreciate AF but there are times when stock screens just don't make the grade. "Tack shape" is not synonymous with AF, it requires much work. You are working with both a great camera body and lens. You might look into a new screen, they cost only about $40.00, and are easy to change. GL

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Have you tried the Canon 50mm f1.4?

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

The Sigma 50 is a good solution - make sure to do a proper micro focus adjust.......

George Kravis

Hey, what's wrong with the Canon 50mm f1.4, which has performed very well for me at all apertures and distances?

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

I have the Sigma. Here is an example taken with a 6D on a tripod with a cable release. Considering your 5D has a close to the same sensor, you should expect similar results. This was taken at F/16, but since I have found the sharpest aperture for this lens to be F/9, so you could expect a little sharper image than this example. A little pp here, but nothing significant. Download it and take it to 100% zoom. Pretty sharp. When I bought this lens, the salesman, who also does weddings, was seriously considering replacing his 50mm Canon f/1.4 with this lens, said he liked the skin characteristics, giving more of a film look. I do not do portraits, so I could comment on that. I am really looking forward to doing some panos with this, as compared to using a 24mm. I little heavy, sure, but good glass comes at a price. I don't think you could go wrong with this lens, unless you want something w/ F/22 to provide a little more DOF, but image quality will be reduced. I find with a full size sensor, you can back up from your subject a little more, achieve your desired DOF and crop.

(Download)

imagesintime Loc: small town, mid-America

The optics on Sigma's new lenses is world class good. If you don't use a Canon camera, getting one of their lenses is a no brainer. Unfortunately, Sigma has never been able to reverse engineer Canon's auto focus programing to work in any consistent manner. Read this review -

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-50mm-f-1.4-DG-HSM-Art-Lens.aspx

His comments on auto focus are repeated by user postings all over the web. If you decide to buy one, check it carefully and often during your review period. Folks who have got a good one love it, but some of them report going through 3 or 4 copies before getting a keeper. Others just gave up.

kimmosley

Though the 5D Mark II has focusing screens made for it, the Mark III does not. Though this company in Taiwan alters a few Canon screens to fit the Mark III: http://www.focusingscreen.com/privacy.php Has anyone tried this? I'm thinking now of keeping the Zeiss lens and changing the screen.

OonlyBonly

:thumbup:

OonlyBonly

:thumbup:

kimmosley

OonlyBonly,

A few more words would help. Thanks!

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Kim, If I were gonna pay as much as the Sigma costs, I would pay the extra for the Canon f1.2.
Two things: 1, the Canon will probably hold a higher resale value. 2, you mention "action". Unless Sigma has worked on the 50's focus system, not sure I would want to trust/rely on the Sigma's focus reliability for shooting action. Probably just me! :lol:
SS

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Check carefully... many of those third party manual focus assist screens will make Spot Metering inaccurate and may effect other metering modes, as well.

Canon's own "S" screens to improve manual focus are plain matte fields... no split image finder at the center or micro-diaprisms (as are commonly found in the 3rd party screens). This allows the metering system to work correctly (a custom function is set to slightly correct the metering system with Canon's own screens).

However, as you have noted, there isn't one offered by Canon for the 5DIII (Eg-S fits 5DII and 6D, I believe). The reason is the active matrix focus screen in the 5DIII (same thing with original 7D and 70D... 1DX and 7DII have interchangeable screens, in spite of also having active matrix focus screens).

In addition to the website you noted, there is Katzeye, making replacement/manual focus screens.

But for about $400 you could have a pretty darned decent and good performing lens in the Canon EF 50/1.4.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

You may find this - http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/01/the-great-50mm-shootout - interesting reading ! ........