Sigma 50mm F1.4 Art Lens: Is It Worth $950
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- čas přidán 22. 05. 2014
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Since Sigma announced the 50mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Lens people have been toughing it as the sharpest thing since sliced bread, not that sliced bread is sharp. The major question in my mind is wether or not a 50mm lens is worth almost $1,000.
The Nikon 50mm F1.4 clocks in at only $439 with the Canon F1.4 being $399. This new signma on the other hand is more than double the price of these other 50mm's. It really is hard to wrap your head around the price difference but is the quality there.
As soon as AllensCamera.com got in their first copy they gave me a call to come in and unbox and sniff the lens. This is a mini review of sorts with sample images only, not real world shooting situations. As you know I like to really test my gear in the real world opposed to shooting charts and test images. In this case I set up some very simple shots which give me the ability to let you pixel peep all you would like at my files.
First things first, this lens is built extremely well. It feels great in the hands and does not remind you of the lower end Sigma glass. Sigma has spent the last two years focusing on upping their game. Stepping up not just the quality of their products but the quality control.
Simply holding on to and sniffing this lens gives you a sense of how well it is put together. It focuses smoothly, the buttons feel great and not flimsy and the glass looks solid.
The simple tests I did prove how sharp this lens really is. It leaves you with very clean images almost wide open. I say almost wide open because at 1.4 it is very difficult to get tack sharp focus. Having such a shallow or narrow depth of field makes getting tack sharp images almost impossible.
I have explained many times before that just because you have the ability to open up to 1.4 doesn't mean you should. I know you spent a lot of money to get that but where these lenses shine is at 2.2 to 2.8. They are so much sharper at 2.8 than any 2.8 on the market.
My hope is to get a full on test unit in my hands and use it in the real world and not in a testing situation. But based off the quick tests I did and looking at the images this lens seems to be extremely sharp. Sharp is one thing but is it worth the price?
It always comes down to can you afford it. If you can afford the price than by all means it's a fantastic lens. If you don't have the money to drop on it than I have absolutely no issue recommending the Nikon or Canon 1.4 for far less money.
My plan in the future is to put this lens up against the Nikon 58 1.4 and the Canon 50 1.2. I know they are not the same focal lenses but I think it would be a fun little shoot out. I will also put it against the 50 1.4's from Nikon and Canon and see what we come up with.
If you are looking to pick up any Sigma Lenses please check out AllensCamera.com. Allen has supported me and this website since day one. He is a mom and pop store that has been in business for over 30 years and wins on quality and customer service. Please give them a call for any NEW or USED camera gear from any manufacture.
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Does this guy shoot raw by any chance?
I think his shirt shoots raw.
Nice to finally see another product review. You got carried away with current events and whatever else for a while.
I got this lens and it misses the focus very easily when taking landscape photos so when doing so it might be wise to double check that the focus ring is at Infiniti and not a bit before
I've had it for about a week now and can tell you it's amazing. I'm a canon gal who loves her L series lenses and to be quite frank with you I was skeptical of sigma. But you have to understand the sigma corporation has undergone a lot of changes over the past few years. They've really stepped up their game and introduced higher quality control measures. I was seriously going to buy the 50 mm f1.2, even though my experience with that lens seemed as if it were soft. But then I started hearing all this hype about sigma's new art lens so I checked in to the lab reports and looked at sample images. I mulled over the idea of buying sigma for a few days (again I'm a chick who loves her L glass) and decided to bite the bullet so to speak and get one. Must say I'm pretty impressed and glad I made the purchase. This lens is tact sharp and even faster auto focus speed the the f1.2, at least in my experience. I'm a night life photographer so fast autofocus makes my job that much easier.
is it better than the 50mm 1.3 L series from cannon?
Cizko Quevedo you mean the 50mm f1.2. And yes it is better. Sharper and the colours just "pop".
yea i meant 1.2.... dang i wanna try that lens out now... I shoot on the Mark3 on a 50mm 1.2....
Cizko Quevedo trust me it's awesome :)
I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT F STOP SHOULD I USE FOR LOW LIGHT?
Hi Jared, hope you find the time to answer this, do you set up Lightroom any particular way to get such fast loading times? Sure your D4s has smaller files than my D800 but even so I think ~10s to load a photo is a bit much (plus more to zoom in 1:1). I think my PC should be fast enough I have a 3.2ghz hex core with 8gb ram and a RAID 0 HDD array.
Thanks,
Tom
IDC what anyone says, I absolutely looooove your intro so please don't EVER, EVER, EVER change it?! And I mean that literally... EVER! Thanks for all you do, Jared!
Hi Jared, a question: there's some kind of software plug in that leave all the sharp pixels as they are and makes every bokeh pixel more blured that they are?
I noticed that Lightroom couldn't recognise the make of this lens? I've also had this problem with my Nikon and Sigma lenses in which Lightroom doesn't display the make of the lens. Has this been a problem for you?
Bought a second hand Canon 50mm 1.8ii for $50! Im perfectly happy with it.
pity Canon decided to skimp on quality on the updated lens when the MK1 had a metal mount and was less plastic and more fantastic.... nowadays they seem to make their cheaper lenses in China while holding up the ridiculous price tags for lenses that are the same quality as a chinese ramen noodle box. In case Canon fan boys will jump on me for this, I'm also a Canon owner and I can't stand the BS Canon sometimes throws at their own customers.
do they sell the lenses that you've done sniff test and wind tunnel test?
I've been catching myself saying "fro knows photo" a couple times a day recently... think I've been watching this channel to much lol
Bruno Genevcius lol.
Hey Jared, How does the image quality compare to nikon 85mm 1.4g or 58mm ?
Hey can I use this on dx cameras from nikon ?
do you buy all the gear you unbox? or does allens' let you unbox em?
Jared Polin Is this lens also compatible with Nikon Full-Frame cameras?
how about to compare with a 300 dol. canon 1.4 ?
I do Street photography / Portraits , What would you go with Sigma 50MM F1.4 Art or Sigma 35MM F1.4 Art for everyday use?
+Marcus Sanchez idk if its ideal for street its heavy and massive
35MM
Love this lens. Had it for Canon and now got it for Nikon. Wont leave the home without it.
7:18 fluorescent tube lighting is one of the most flattering you can have. Why do you think retailers use it in their stores?!
Awesome review.... I shoot a lot of street dance videos... U reccomend this 50mm or the new 50-100mm art lens? I'm shooting with a canon 70d
how about the back front issue? with canon
Can I use it with new sony A7 and A7r
I absolutely love that you said what you did at 5:30, Jared. So many people blame the lens when they can't get a crisp shot at 1.4 (and wider apertures). unless it's flat, it makes sense that your full subject won't be in focus, especially shooting a subject with multiple focal lengths, such as facial features. Lenses have a "sweet spot" a few clicks above their widest aperture for "tack sharp" images. This one's must be 2.8 :)
your photo meta data suggest that the photos were taken with a nikon camera?? i was not aware that the sigmat 50mm F1.4 Art was available for the nikon mount yet ? I thought it was only Canon mount for now ???
Jared Polin, it is purple fringing I think, because when you shot the next photo it has a bit of green fringing. Purple fringing in the near background de-focused area and green fringing in the near foreground de-focused area
I have the non art 50mm Sigma 1.4 EX DC HSM and have no problems with it, except landing some shots hand held at f1.4 and f1.8 (due to shaky hands)
I've been shooting with this lens since it came out... I've used it on several different bodies including the brand new D810. This lens really is a cut above the rest (with auto focus) It's fast, sharp, nice bokeh, and all the rest of the hype. However, it's also big and heavy and doesn't have weather sealing. I'll be keeping it for special occasions, but for my normal daily use I still grab my old tried and true 50mm f/1.4 AF-D on the D3s... I guess sometimes it just the way things feel.
Nice review. I am glad I got a sigma 50mm 1.4 art, its a great piece of kit
How is this even considered a review? You didn't even taste test it at all.
+Martijn Frenks I'm taking it that the joke went over your head?
I'm going to be honest. Most of his videos are completely irrelevant to any interests I have, but I just admire how he speaks and explains things. He's so great.
Old Sigma 50mm 1.4 or Canon 50mm 1.4?
WHen are you doing a shooting tour?
Hi jared, why do you use Quick Books?
Would this be a good lease for newborn photography?
is this good for cropped sensor Cameras like the Nikon D7100
I had it for Canon 550D and 70D. And yes, I got fantastic images.
The Sigma 50mm ART is a retrofocus design that tries to achieve better performance than any dual gaussian design could achieve. I believe the Zeiss Otis takes a similar approach which currently is the gold standard. Thats what drives it size just like wide angle designs for a SLR. For those who think its too expensive for a normal lens may not think much of this focal length since it was the default kit lens for so long. Probably because a reasonably fast prime with a simple design was possible. I for one really enjoy this focal length and I'm willing to pay more to get a lens that performs at this focal length as other advanced designs due at 85mm, 135mm, 35mm or what ever. When you compare it to others that are best in class at their focal length its not overpriced. Whether you like length or not the weight while heavy is no more than other great lenses for the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II or 85mm f/1.2L II to pick two. So if it delivers as promised and is sharp as claimed it will be worth its cost. then its up to each one of us to decide to make the purchase or not.
Ive been talking to some of my fellow photogs in facebook groups and some of them say the sigma art lense after a thousand clicks is failing to focus properly and sigma is not sure why. They are having sigma swap out the electronics hoping it will fix the problem. (Owner commented that it was so bad that even AF correction was insufficient.)
Hope this sheds some light on those that may be wondering about their build quality. I want a 85mm 1.4 that is sharp like this but doesn't cost 2500 dollars.. I do think the 50mm from Sigma is a good value.
Hey there! great videos!
which camera and lenses should i get?
a7s or 5diii?
I shoot indoor sports (see my videos)!
James Archer I'm doing photos for a tour and videos for myself.
was thinking of getting the 35mm art lens vs 50mm art and the 25-105 4 art lens… for a setup with a 5d mark 3… Whatcha think?
No weather sealing gasket on the back Jared Polin :(
I'm sure it performs well though.
no
for one reason
it cant render colors accurate
yellow tint all over the photos
I shoot GIf with this lens. Sharp as hell.
It looks like in the images of the guy at the store, the focus is on the left eye. Looked much sharper to me than the right.
Four years later, and I just picked the lens up new for 500. Hopefully it will prove a wise purchase...
CANON 50mm f1.8 , sweet at 125.00, even sweeter used at 50.00😎
Or shoot manual and buy an old ROKKOR 58mm f1.2 for about 250.00. It’s bokeh is fabulous. Lens is tack sharp too.
So the ART series is different from the Sigma Ex Dg Hsm???
Yes
Hella yes
What are you shooting on to get that 1440 resolution?
The D4s is shot at 1080 and I upscaled it since the screenflow portion is 1440. I rather upsize the 1080 than downsize the screenflow.
Jared Polin it s cool to have 1440p videos
Pretty sharp lense, but idk maybe in the future some more interesting photographs to look at? Lot of lens reviews with really boring subject matter for the "sharpness tests", would love to see some more interesting subject matter in the future man!
If you still want to see photos taken with a Sigma Art 50mm then check my IG: Alexbastiansen
I am a automotive photographer, and I have fallen in love with this lens
Alexbastiansen good stuff
Such overexposure. Much professional
A lot of people shoot slightly overexposed for editing purposes. It's pretty normal.
Will Davis What is it good for? When I take pictures, I usually go for underexposure
And you are right to not over expose. Other guy has no clue...
He probably over exposed to show everyone the sharpness.
I'll buy that for a dollar!
what does the sniff test have to do with a lens?!
lol:)
Just bought a D7100 and a Tamron 70-200 from Allen's, and more specifically Brandon! Nice lens! I'll stick with my $200 50mm 1.8g for now...saving up for that 24-70 2.8! Keep the videos coming Fro! Good work!
any chance sigma will make f 1.8 or f 2.0 art lenses?
zero chance. developing a lens cost a boat load of cash. have multiple production lines for lenses aiming at the same market puts a dent in the profit margin. the 50mm 1.4 art is cheap enough that it would compete with any 1.8 or 2.0 "art" lens they will make.
if they were like canon and nikon and charged over $2000 for this thing, then there would be a point in making a cheaper lens for the lower price market. .
Keep Us Posted on that, Maybe do a comparison of this one Vs the non ART version of Sigma's 50 1.4
I love these art lenses but im more then happy with my old sigma 50mm 1.4. Now if and when they make a new 85mm 1.4 ill be happy
This lens is better value than the Nikon 58mm f1.4
Nikon has a 58mm lens...?
Crystal Chai Yea
We saw this at the Los Angeles Photo-Show. So sharp. Problem. It was not available.
That 105 macro shot at the end though!
I miss videos with Allens in it D:
!! Its very good, but why shooting with high ISO
Don't forget to pay extra for the silly Sigma dock if you ever want to update the firmware.
I somewhat doubt that an Anti-Aliased 16 Megapixel Bayer Filter is the best Sensor to test an Lense like this
Hey Jared.... would you buy this GREY market? I can save $300.
Boka?
great unboxing, great lens
great review
Gah that "Fro knows photo" thing you do is annoying as hell! its soooo lame!
So what you are saying is I should do it more?
Jared Polin Probably get rid of it all together, so many people bagging you out on other photography channels such as DigitalRev. Seems to be the source of everyones annoyance.
Jared Polin Other than that i like watching your vids
identacle
Then skip it, or don't watch it at all, you fucking pleb.
identacle I paid $100 + 13% Tax in Canadian Dollars for a New SMC PENTAX 50mm. F/1.4 SMC "Super Multi-Coated Lens from Pentax Co." better than any Sigma or Nikkor 50mm. F/1.4 Multi-Coated Lenses!!!! This is a Sigma 50mm. F/1.4 Lens Multi-Coated "NOT" any Superior "SMC Pentax Co. Super Multi-Coated 50 mm. F/1.4 Lens". This Sigma 50 mm. F/1.4 Lens although an extremely Fast-Lens is the Greatest "Rip-Off" of the 21st Century is ALL Japanese Optical Camera Engineers know that this Sigma 50 mm. Multi-Coated Lens can only be a maximum of "$100 Dollars U.S. + Taxes, thats it". Watch out People of the "Digital Camera Age, "Sigma" has become the Rip-Off BIG TIME Digital Camera Lens Age, this Lens is "NOT" worth any $950 U.S. Colossus-Price Tag maid for Millionaire-Idiots of the Ages. You can get a Tamron or any other Manufactured Nikkor, Canon or Pentax 50 mm. F/1.4 Multi-Coated Lens equal to this Rip-Off Sigma Lens in Performance++++ for only $100 Dollars New U.S. + Taxes and NOT another penny more!!!!!!
the purple fringing was replaced with green fringing!
great work thank you
I would buy something else. Got the Nikkor 50mm F1.8 and that is all the 50mm I need on my Nikon :)
Exactly... Nikon bodies are shit to start with so why waste money sprinkling glitter on them?
KiwiPokerPlayer LOL
KiwiPokerPlayer
Lol, the 50 1N8G is a really good glass m8
KiwiPokerPlayer Well, their image quality is really good, the best according to DxO mark.
KiwiPokerPlayer We got a Canon fanboy over here
It looks like a pretty good lens. Not sure if it's worth $950 though.
I noticed more chromatic aberration than I would like to see
If you're looking for a portrait lens for a Full Frame body, go for the 85 1.8 AF-D or the 1.4 AF-G.
The 85 1.8 G is actually a pretty significant improvement over the old D version and I sold my 50 1.4 G and bought the 1.8 G due to the 1.4's slow focusing, bad fringing issues and terrible focus shifting at fast apertures. But then again, that could just be that I had a bad copy. Still, I found the 1.8 G to be just as sharp as the 1.4 @ 1.8.
Don't think I would spend much money for this lens, im satisfied so far with my 50 f/1.4 and the f/1.8 from canon. I'm saving money right now to afford a couple of profoto B1 xD.
its not worth it considering the canon 50 1.4 is much cheaper at about 1/4 to 1/3 of the price.
damn. i keep spending money and expanding my dry cabinet after watching your video ALL THE TIME. =/
"It doesn't feel like there is any plastic in this thing at all" *Plastic-like sound of lens cap falling on table* hahahaha
I wouldn't call checking out bokeh, pixel peeping. It's a totally legit thing to quality check on and not a nit picky thing.
Optics are good but the focus is a mess. Even with the dock sometimes very off. I think this is the only thing that makes me hesitant about buying Sigma again.
I got a brand new from a renowned Stockholm Photo Store 🏬 for $275 including a B+W 77mm UV filter.
Brian looks tired. Give him a day of FFS! :)
Sniff test? What next? Pee on it?
on your face
You should pit it against the Zeiss Otis 50mm f/1,4 too!
Is it Worth the Money ? value is not always measured in money but how it renderer the image or how it performs that has more walue than the price for some photographers
Bigger companies out there? AFAIK, Sigma is the biggest lens manufacturer in the world, and has been for a while.
I think he meant "generally more reputable" in reference to Zeiss.
Don't say "it's not camera's fault it's not the lens' fault," it can be, and actually quite often, especially with third party.
what`s a JIF file :D
+Viktor Sopko it's the peanut butter of files!
That's how it is pronounced. www.cnn.com/2013/05/22/tech/web/pronounce-gif/index.html
I don't like the "fro knows photos" that u say, it sounds really kiddy. and u don't sound professional. i always can't wait to for u to go on with what you want to say.
gold
LOL at the Bald creepy clerk staring at you and the camera
I hope sigma gives you one of this lens for free with all the promos you're giving them.
I would sell my canon 50 1.4 so for 700$ i would buy this 50mm ... i own the 17-35mm and its freaking great ..
kek, the keemstar of photography
good lens!!!!
Jared's worst nightmare is going bald. He has so much invested in his domain name.
Recorded in 1440p? Thats nice. hahaha
No doubt sigmas are nice but canon glass holds its value so well I don't have a reason to go to third party lenses....just my $.02
You don't know what you are saying. This sigma is away and better than the Canon and Nikon in this range.
Hahaha Mr. Clean should be cleaning Not creeping lol
6:55 That's not Brandon Stanton. Hehehe! *rimshot*
Comparing this lens to existing 1.4 offerings from Canon, Nikon, and Sigma is not even fair. It pretty much decimates all of them on all scientific measurements, chromatic aberration, light transmission, vignetting, distortion, and sharpness. On these fronts the Sigma is better in nearly all cases than the Nikon 50 1.4G, Nikon 50 1.8G, Nikon 58 1.4G, Canon 1.4, and the Canon 1.2L. It achieves nearly identical results in these tests to the Zeiss Otus 55 1.4 It is a newer optical formula and includes both low dispersion glass and aspherical glass. So, if you don’t need the benefits it offers don’t buy it. It’s as simple as that. But to suggest the current crop of 1.4 lenses are in the same league as this one is pretty misleading. It, along with the Zeiss 55mm break new ground in lens design. They are both amazing, period.
One shot with this lens and I saw the fringing so your test sucks, other than that this lens is awesome, other companies charge double for such a lens, it nearly beat the otus.
Yes...it is.