This lens, apart from the price, is exactly what I wanted! I could not be happier.
-This lens was paired with my Canon Rebel XTi/400D. As such, this review is based on my experience with the lens on the rebel. If you would like to see some of its capabilities you may visit my Flickr page: [...]
I'll start off with the pro/con itemization first:
Pros:
- Very, very sharp - even at f/1.4! Much more so than the Canon f/1.4. It's comparable to Canon's f/1.2 "L" series, and may be arguably sharper. It's definitely sharper at anything above f/1.8.
- Color rendition is spot-on. It doesn't lie to you. If it's a somewhat gloomy picture, ie, lots of gray, that's how it's going to come out. If you shoot in RAW (which you do if you are looking at this lens) you can always boost the color if you don't like it. Personally, I'd rather have accurate color than exaggerated color.
- It's HEAVY! Yes! That is a PRO in my book. Honestly, I don't understand why people list the weight as being a con! For me, it was a relief to feel how heavy and robust it actually was. Words cannot explain the feeling you get, if you're like me, when you first take it out of the box. Personally, I felt like I was holding a gold brick.
- The "HSM" works very well. AF is fast, accurate, and always spot on. The only time I've ever seen it "seeking" is either in very very low light or where I cannot keep the AF point on the subject (shaky hands), ie, one blade of grass, a stick, small leaf, etc.. That's user error. Maybe I got lucky, or maybe people just like to write bad reviews, I 'dunno! No focus issues here.
- Bokeh. This lens completely nukes anything that's more than a few inches out of the DoF at f/1.4. It's creamy, as others have said, and it's not distracting like some of Canon's stuff. Canon's 50mm f/1.8 creates harsh, blown out pentagons. Not pleasant.
- Accessories. If you're trying to decide between this Sigma and the equivalent Canon f/1.4, and the price is the deciding factor, forget it. You get a very nice, belt-looped case with ample padding and a place holder. You also get a "flower petal" style lens hood that would easily run you 50 bucks if you bought it from Canon. The accessories you get, along with nicer (in my opinion) pictures, cancel out the price difference.
Cons:
- Filters. Yes, yes, the filters are huge and pricey. It's not really a con so much as something you should "know about". A good M/C CPL is going to run you between 80 and 100 bucks. Can't stomach that? Buy a different lens. Simple as that.
- A tad slow? I've been testing it against the 18-55mm EF-S lens, the 'kit lens', and as far as I can tell, the kit lens is a little faster at f/5.6 and 50mm. Maybe it's just because the kit lens is so cheaply made it lets in more light through spaces and whatnot.
- (maybe) AF speed changes? If I put the lens cap on, the lens will sometimes move at a decent speed through the range and then go 2x faster back to infinity. I really don't know if this is normal or not, it may or may not be. I'll list this as a "maybe" con. Either way, it's still very, very fast.
-[...]Yes, it cost me more than the entire camera package. It is very expensive, it's also very much worth it. If you can't shell out the big money for this lens, get yourself a Canon f/1.8. It's worth a lot more than 80 bucks, but it's not as great as this Sigma.
In conclusion, I'd like to point out that if you do purchase this lens, and you do get a bad copy, you can/SHOULD send it to Sigma and have them recalibrate it. If you send it back to Amazon for another one, you're likely to have the same problem and it's also likely to take the same amount of time.
If the name alone is steering you away, don't let it! It's a great lens, honestly, truly.
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This Item  Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $248.00 | $199.00 | $82.00 | -45% $220.00 New Price: $399.00 | -35% $909.00 New Price: $1,399.00 | $499.00 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11 | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11 | Get it May 9 - 13 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 7 | Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Auto focus | ||||||
| Picture quality | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Image stabilization | ||||||
| Sold By | kamiyuto | Amazon.com | YONGNUO | BluebirdSales | Minty Gadgets (we track serial numbers) | est est |
| lens type | Standard | Macro | Standard | Telephoto | Standard | Standard |
| compatible mountings | Canon EF | Canon RF | Canon EF | Canon EF | Canon EF | Canon EF-S |
| lens design | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime |
| focus type | Ring-type ultrasonic | Auto Focus | Auto/Manual | Auto Focus | Ring-type ultrasonic | Ultrasonic |
| minimum focal length | 50 millimeters | 50 millimeters | — | 50 millimeters | 50 millimeters | 30 millimeters |
| max focal length | 50 millimeters | 50 millimeters | — | 50 millimeters | 50 millimeters | 30 millimeters |
| fixed focal length | 50 millimeters | 50 millimeters | 50 millimeters | 50 millimeters | 50 millimeters | 30 millimeters |
From the manufacturer
50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
The Perfect Standard Prime
Sigma''s 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM is high quality, professional optics and you’ll know it the minute you pick it up. In the past few years, camera manufacturers have overlooked the need for a reasonable fast prime lens that is compact enough for everyday use, yet provides the necessary image quality to meet the highest expectations. Now, with the advent of the APS-C cameras, the long popular 50mm focal length takes on double duty as a portrait length lens of approximately 75mm on most of the small chip cameras.
Dimensions (Diameter x Length): 84.5 x 68.2 mm/3.3 x 2.7 in
Weight: 505g / 17.8oz.
About Sigma
Since 1961, and with the recent introduction of Sigma Global Vision, we have worked toward one single, simple goal: To hold ourselves to the highest standard of design & manufacturing of imaging products. Photography is all we do. And it’s all we’ve done. So you can rest assured that it’s something we know extensively and care deeply about. You have a vision. We’ve made it our mission.
- Fast, large aperture standard lens
- Molded glass aspherical elements
- Carrying case, lens hood, front & rear caps
- Sony and Pentax mounts are discontinued
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Things to know BEFORE Buying Sigma 10-20mm Lens
✅ Before You Buy!
Reviews with images
Difficult to beat in the 50mm space under $300
(Images taken on a Canon Rebel T7i, with no or minimal editing. The Rebel series are some of the "lowest end" bodies this lens should be used for, since the Rebel series does not have microfocus adjustment. ie: a "worst-case scenario".)First, let me preface by saying that if you do not yet own an F/1.4-1.8 50mm lens, this is a phenomenal choice. Many choose the 50mm as their first lens invenstment, and this will certainly give you a clear understanding of the difference between good glass, and mediocre glass. (Fair warning: Once you get a taste, there's absolutely no going back...) If you are a professional, or already have another 50mm, such as the popular Canon F/1.8, you would be much better served by the Sigma 50mm F1.4 *ART* version. The features, AF, and clarity on the Art version are well worth it for someone willing to invest, but the quality difference between other popular "fast" 50mm's and this lens isn't great enough, in my opinion, to justify owning both.The Good:-The copy I received is quite well-calibrated, as shown in the first image-The sharpness of images in proper focus is astounding for the price point-The Bokeh at wider apertures is absolutely phenomenal-It is extremely well-suited to portrait photography. Easily capable of intermediate to pro-level portraits in the right hands-The autofocus is fast enough for standard applications-The look and feel are very premium-There is very little vignetting, even compared to some higher end lensesThe Bad:-The chromatic abberation is noticable, especially evident in the calibration image. Lower quality, less-sharp lenses tend to hide it better, but the sharpness often makes it more apparent. Lenses of the same class appear to perform better in this area most of the time-The autofocus often has difficulty "locking in" at wider apertures, and can often feel a tad sluggish, with moving subjects. Naturally, this problem is less apparent at higher apertures.-The autofocus is also louder than expected when shooting video. At times, even appearing "rough",, or "jerky", with noises, to boot. I have heard some say that this problem goes away, with use, but time will tell-There is no way to calibrate the lens via software like you can with the Art version and a USB tether adapter. If your copy needs calibrating, and your camera body doesn't support AF microadjust, you may need to send it in for servicing. (luckily, this copy is just fine, but your mileage may vary, as the tolerances during manufacturing are extraordinarily tight, and even high-end lenses sometimes need an assist)Overall, the positives greatly outweigh the negatives for the majority of users, and I am quite satisfied with this lens, and I will definitely be purchasing the 17-35mm Art version, for wider angle shots, such as landscapes, or street photography. I would say it outperforms the vast majority of 50mm primes out there in most areas, and is a fantastic choice for the burgeoning freelancer looking to get serious, or advanced hobbyist looking for a worthy addition to their glass arsenal. As I mentioned earlier, if you're a professional, you really should opt for the Art version, as almost every negative mentioned has been addressed in that version (for a price).Happy shooting!
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2009
This lens, apart from the price, is exactly what I wanted! I could not be happier.
-This lens was paired with my Canon Rebel XTi/400D. As such, this review is based on my experience with the lens on the rebel. If you would like to see some of its capabilities you may visit my Flickr page: [...]
I'll start off with the pro/con itemization first:
Pros:
- Very, very sharp - even at f/1.4! Much more so than the Canon f/1.4. It's comparable to Canon's f/1.2 "L" series, and may be arguably sharper. It's definitely sharper at anything above f/1.8.
- Color rendition is spot-on. It doesn't lie to you. If it's a somewhat gloomy picture, ie, lots of gray, that's how it's going to come out. If you shoot in RAW (which you do if you are looking at this lens) you can always boost the color if you don't like it. Personally, I'd rather have accurate color than exaggerated color.
- It's HEAVY! Yes! That is a PRO in my book. Honestly, I don't understand why people list the weight as being a con! For me, it was a relief to feel how heavy and robust it actually was. Words cannot explain the feeling you get, if you're like me, when you first take it out of the box. Personally, I felt like I was holding a gold brick.
- The "HSM" works very well. AF is fast, accurate, and always spot on. The only time I've ever seen it "seeking" is either in very very low light or where I cannot keep the AF point on the subject (shaky hands), ie, one blade of grass, a stick, small leaf, etc.. That's user error. Maybe I got lucky, or maybe people just like to write bad reviews, I 'dunno! No focus issues here.
- Bokeh. This lens completely nukes anything that's more than a few inches out of the DoF at f/1.4. It's creamy, as others have said, and it's not distracting like some of Canon's stuff. Canon's 50mm f/1.8 creates harsh, blown out pentagons. Not pleasant.
- Accessories. If you're trying to decide between this Sigma and the equivalent Canon f/1.4, and the price is the deciding factor, forget it. You get a very nice, belt-looped case with ample padding and a place holder. You also get a "flower petal" style lens hood that would easily run you 50 bucks if you bought it from Canon. The accessories you get, along with nicer (in my opinion) pictures, cancel out the price difference.
Cons:
- Filters. Yes, yes, the filters are huge and pricey. It's not really a con so much as something you should "know about". A good M/C CPL is going to run you between 80 and 100 bucks. Can't stomach that? Buy a different lens. Simple as that.
- A tad slow? I've been testing it against the 18-55mm EF-S lens, the 'kit lens', and as far as I can tell, the kit lens is a little faster at f/5.6 and 50mm. Maybe it's just because the kit lens is so cheaply made it lets in more light through spaces and whatnot.
- (maybe) AF speed changes? If I put the lens cap on, the lens will sometimes move at a decent speed through the range and then go 2x faster back to infinity. I really don't know if this is normal or not, it may or may not be. I'll list this as a "maybe" con. Either way, it's still very, very fast.
-[...]Yes, it cost me more than the entire camera package. It is very expensive, it's also very much worth it. If you can't shell out the big money for this lens, get yourself a Canon f/1.8. It's worth a lot more than 80 bucks, but it's not as great as this Sigma.
In conclusion, I'd like to point out that if you do purchase this lens, and you do get a bad copy, you can/SHOULD send it to Sigma and have them recalibrate it. If you send it back to Amazon for another one, you're likely to have the same problem and it's also likely to take the same amount of time.
If the name alone is steering you away, don't let it! It's a great lens, honestly, truly.
-This lens was paired with my Canon Rebel XTi/400D. As such, this review is based on my experience with the lens on the rebel. If you would like to see some of its capabilities you may visit my Flickr page: [...]
I'll start off with the pro/con itemization first:
Pros:
- Very, very sharp - even at f/1.4! Much more so than the Canon f/1.4. It's comparable to Canon's f/1.2 "L" series, and may be arguably sharper. It's definitely sharper at anything above f/1.8.
- Color rendition is spot-on. It doesn't lie to you. If it's a somewhat gloomy picture, ie, lots of gray, that's how it's going to come out. If you shoot in RAW (which you do if you are looking at this lens) you can always boost the color if you don't like it. Personally, I'd rather have accurate color than exaggerated color.
- It's HEAVY! Yes! That is a PRO in my book. Honestly, I don't understand why people list the weight as being a con! For me, it was a relief to feel how heavy and robust it actually was. Words cannot explain the feeling you get, if you're like me, when you first take it out of the box. Personally, I felt like I was holding a gold brick.
- The "HSM" works very well. AF is fast, accurate, and always spot on. The only time I've ever seen it "seeking" is either in very very low light or where I cannot keep the AF point on the subject (shaky hands), ie, one blade of grass, a stick, small leaf, etc.. That's user error. Maybe I got lucky, or maybe people just like to write bad reviews, I 'dunno! No focus issues here.
- Bokeh. This lens completely nukes anything that's more than a few inches out of the DoF at f/1.4. It's creamy, as others have said, and it's not distracting like some of Canon's stuff. Canon's 50mm f/1.8 creates harsh, blown out pentagons. Not pleasant.
- Accessories. If you're trying to decide between this Sigma and the equivalent Canon f/1.4, and the price is the deciding factor, forget it. You get a very nice, belt-looped case with ample padding and a place holder. You also get a "flower petal" style lens hood that would easily run you 50 bucks if you bought it from Canon. The accessories you get, along with nicer (in my opinion) pictures, cancel out the price difference.
Cons:
- Filters. Yes, yes, the filters are huge and pricey. It's not really a con so much as something you should "know about". A good M/C CPL is going to run you between 80 and 100 bucks. Can't stomach that? Buy a different lens. Simple as that.
- A tad slow? I've been testing it against the 18-55mm EF-S lens, the 'kit lens', and as far as I can tell, the kit lens is a little faster at f/5.6 and 50mm. Maybe it's just because the kit lens is so cheaply made it lets in more light through spaces and whatnot.
- (maybe) AF speed changes? If I put the lens cap on, the lens will sometimes move at a decent speed through the range and then go 2x faster back to infinity. I really don't know if this is normal or not, it may or may not be. I'll list this as a "maybe" con. Either way, it's still very, very fast.
-[...]Yes, it cost me more than the entire camera package. It is very expensive, it's also very much worth it. If you can't shell out the big money for this lens, get yourself a Canon f/1.8. It's worth a lot more than 80 bucks, but it's not as great as this Sigma.
In conclusion, I'd like to point out that if you do purchase this lens, and you do get a bad copy, you can/SHOULD send it to Sigma and have them recalibrate it. If you send it back to Amazon for another one, you're likely to have the same problem and it's also likely to take the same amount of time.
If the name alone is steering you away, don't let it! It's a great lens, honestly, truly.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2013
Top reviews from other countries
Alessandro M.
Il cinquantino che sognavo!
Reviewed in Italy on March 8, 2016
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Reviewed in Italy on March 8, 2016
Images in this review
BJC
A missed gem of a lens excellent on full frame and practical for portraiture on a crop sensor..
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 5, 2015Nico Moser
In dieser Preisklasse ohne Konkurrenz
Reviewed in Germany on January 30, 2014