Comments about SIGMA 310101 - 50MM F1.4 EX DG HSM For Canon:

I bought this in hopes that the bad reviews of the lens weren't completely right. After several shoots with this including a birthday and Christmas, I am very disappointed.

First the lens is heavy duty and large, i like both of these attributes. Feels well built, nothing like the Canon 50mm f/1.8II. I haven't tried the Canon 50mm f/1.4, but it's next on the list.

The lens didn't suffer from any of the focusing issues that I seen in reviews. What it did suffer from was a very soft focus at f/1.4. So much so that I was convinced that it was a focusing problem. After using a focusing chart and tweaking the microfocus adjustments on my 7D, no change. It's just soft and too soft in my opinion.

Now it gets very shape once you stop down to a still relatively wide f/1.8, but here's the kicker. Why would I spend the premium on a lens to shoot at an f-stop that I could do on a lens that costs 100 bucks? It's certainly feels well made, but it just doesn't do what I bought it to do and that's shoot at f/1.4.

I'm gonna try the Canon lens, but I may have to go up to the 50L f/1.2. We shall see.

Comments about SIGMA 310101 - 50MM F1.4 EX DG HSM For Canon:

Having shot with the 50L, I can confidently say this lens the replacement of it beautifully. No focus issues, just a brilliant lens - great at all apertures, and the bokeh is remarkable!

Comments about SIGMA 310101 - 50MM F1.4 EX DG HSM For Canon:

I would say Sigma did a good job on this model. I am happy to have this product.

Comments about SIGMA 310101 - 50MM F1.4 EX DG HSM For Canon:

The image quality is better than the Canon 50mm USM f1.4 at wide open. The build quality is excellent. I like the fact that it is better than other 50mm f1.4 lenses. It also include the lens hood and a very nice lens case. Highly recommended to anyone.

Comments about SIGMA 310101 - 50MM F1.4 EX DG HSM For Canon:

No1

Comments about SIGMA 310101 - 50MM F1.4 EX DG HSM For Canon:

I bought this lens recently and used it for general purpose lens on a 3 week trip to south east asia. The lens is very quiet, focuses fast, and has one of the best bokehs in 50mm lenses. I have used Canon 50mm earlier, and this lens is better than Canon on all accounts except the size/weight. The construction is nice, it feels durable and glass quality is very good. One needs to be careful with depth of field since it is razor thin when the lens is wide open (and that is a great thing).

Since the lens has a lot of glass, in order to control performance when wide open, the lens feels heavy and is bigger than other 50mm lens.

Overall, a great lens to have.

Comments about SIGMA 310101 - 50MM F1.4 EX DG HSM For Canon:

Very good lens with many advantages. Let me start by saying that 1) yes it is heavier (relative to the Canon 50mm f/1.4) and 2) it has difficulty focusing in very dark environments.However, I like the weight b/c it feels sturdier and it is a bigger lens (77mm filter to reduce vignetting). If weight is really a concern, then go with the Canon, but the gear that I use are a Canon 500d, battery grip, and 430ex speedlight. That is a considerable amount of weight, but in all cases, weight was the least of my concerns- if you had a chance to get the best lens, but it was heavier, then why not go with quality? :)Advantages: 77mm filter to help reduce vignetting (darkening around the corners of a picture), 9 aperture blades to help with better bokeh (blurred backgrounds), it is a fast focus in adequate lighting and it has manual override focus during AF setting (I personally enjoy manual focus to define a controlled sharpness), and it is a very consistent lens from f/1.4 and up. Once again, I would choose a sturdy and higher quality lens over a factor of weight.Overall, the build quality is solid. You could pick it up and see that it would take quite a bit of force to really damage the outside casing. AF is very silent and I love the manual focus override. When taking portrait photos at f/1.4-2.8, isolating the subject is very good. f/5.6 is great at softening the face while all apertures above f/8 are great for landscapes[$] I planned on returning the lens the same week, but after using it on a landscape pictures as well as at a wedding, I found it was an excellent and fast lens. The Canon 50mmf/1.4 is out of the picture now.If you have a chance, try this lens out, you'll find there are plenty of advantages in comparison to the very few disadvantages. Go with the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 you will definitely be happy you purchased it.

Comments about SIGMA 310101 - 50MM F1.4 EX DG HSM For Canon:

Mostly used for 20 - 30 portrait shots. They look excellent but I will be using in a couple of different settings soon. Initial impressions is that this is a solid and impressive lens.

Comments about SIGMA 310101 - 50MM F1.4 EX DG HSM For Canon:

Very sharp lens, no problems with under or over focus on my Canon 7D camera. It also works well with a Canon 5D mark II. I highly recommend it.
Nice booke.

Comments about SIGMA 310101 - 50MM F1.4 EX DG HSM For Canon:

This lens focuses very quickly and the resulting pictures are very, very sharp.

Comments about SIGMA 310101 - 50MM F1.4 EX DG HSM For Canon:

I expect this lens better than Canon 50 f1.4, but it is not. I had just one day, I return it because it's always out focus when I wide open to F1.4, that is the main problem!!

Comments about SIGMA 310101 - 50MM F1.4 EX DG HSM For Canon:

You can have a lot of fun with this lens. It may not be very versatile but it forces you to get creative. I also have the 30mm which is better for all around shooting, but the 50mm is cool because you can keep a distance from your subject and still get a great shot.

Comments about SIGMA 310101 - 50MM F1.4 EX DG HSM For Canon:

This is one sharp lens. I own several Sigma and Canon lenses that I use with a Canon XSi and T1i.

Focus is quick, accurate and silent.

Although this is a large 50mm lens, the images I get are well worth the extra size and bulk in the camera bag.

This is now one of my favorite lenses along with my Canon 70-200/4 and my Sigma 150/2.8.

I no longer have any need for my Canon 50mm/1.8

Comments about SIGMA 310101 - 50MM F1.4 EX DG HSM For Canon:

The best 50mm f1.4 lens on the market. You will not be disappointed. Buy it now.

Comments about SIGMA 310101 - 50MM F1.4 EX DG HSM For Canon:

After using the Canon 50 f1.4, buying & selling it three times, I decided to check this lens. Despite reviews which made me nervous about focus issues I made the plunge. Great lens - absolutely quick and accurate focus, very sharp, and the creamy bokeh is wonderful. Larger than the Canon but I own the 70-200 f2.8 so that's not much to worry about.
Comes with a very useful zippered case with attachment to use on belt, as well as a hood - things which do not come with the Canon and make this a very good value.
Nothing I do not like about the lens. Buy it.

Comments about SIGMA 310101 - 50MM F1.4 EX DG HSM For Canon:

Great lens, no complaints. Fast, sharp, everything it says that it is.

Comments about SIGMA 310101 - 50MM F1.4 EX DG HSM For Canon:

I think the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 prime lens (310101) is a great lens. It feels perfect in my hands and I am very happy with the quality of the pictures that I take with it. I am still learning a lot about Photography and find that this lens to be a welcomed addition to my camera bag.