Canon 50mm f1.4/Sigma 50mm f1.4 I am caught in between purchasing these 2 lenses -- the Canon is about $350 and the Sigma is $499. However, the reviews on the Sigma are really good and make that lens more attractive than the Canon.If I chose the Canon, could anyone suggest what other accessories I need to purchase (filters, lens hood, etc.)?If I chose the Sigma, what are the necessary accessories?Thanks. Canon 50mm f1.4/Sigma 50mm f1.4 I am caught in between purchasing these 2 lenses -- the Canon is about $350 and the Sigma is $499. However, the reviews on the Sigma are really good and make that... » Read More Canon 50mm f1.4/Sigma 50mm f1.4 I am caught in between purchasing these 2 lenses -- the Canon is about $350 and the Sigma is $499. However, the reviews on the Sigma are really good and make that lens more attractive than the Canon.If I chose the Canon, could anyone suggest what other accessories I need to purchase (filters, lens hood, etc.)?If I chose the Sigma, what are the necessary accessories?Thanks. « Show Less
46359
the sigma 50mm f1.4 and i put a Hoya Super HMC 77mm UV filter on it. i love the lens.
46360
May I ask what lens you went with? I am debating the same issue. Thank you.
46361
Sigma, 1) Like the build and larger glass, 2) Sharp!, 3) Great focus, 4) Delivers like a lens that should cost double than the price.
46362
To clarify - and I know this is an old post - leaving the hood reversed will do nothing to protect the delicate af - it must be left on as if shooting.
46363
thank you for your recommendations. i've bought the hoya shmc filters for my lenses. they're great.do you have the sigma 50mm f1.4 lens? if yes, what are you shooting? do you flickr?thanks again.
790657
Mainly price. The Rokinon lenses are very good. I own a 35 and 24 Rokinon as well as some Canons. I think they perform extremely well.
916479
So despite it being a macro there's no problem with regular focusing?The 50mm 1.8 is really shoddy build quality, I think you're thinking of that. The 50mm 1.4 (3 times the price) is quite sturdy.I use the 28-105mm (the cheap one, not the L glass) I got this around the same time my friend got the 28-135, which looks like a better lens on the surface, yet he hated his and sold it. It's a much larger lens physically, while the 28-105 is really small, so that's something to consider. I also felt like mine focused better, although that wasn't an objective test. And it's half the price, which is nice. Something to consider So despite it being a macro there's no problem with regular focusing?The 50mm 1.8 is really shoddy build quality, I think you're thinking of that. The 50mm 1.4 (3 times the price) is quite sturdy.I use the 28-105mm (the cheap one, not the L glass) I got this around the same time my friend got the 28-135, which looks like a better lens on the surface, yet he hated his and sold it. It's a much larger lens physically, while the 28-105 is really small, so that's something to consider. I also felt like mine focused better, although that wasn't an objective test. And it's... » Read More So despite it being a macro there's no problem with regular focusing?The 50mm 1.8 is really shoddy build quality, I think you're thinking of that. The 50mm 1.4 (3 times the price) is quite sturdy.I use the 28-105mm (the cheap one, not the L glass) I got this around the same time my friend got the 28-135, which looks like a better lens on the surface, yet he hated his and sold it. It's a much larger lens physically, while the 28-105 is really small, so that's something to consider. I also felt like mine focused better, although that wasn't an objective test. And it's half the price, which is nice. Something to consider « Show Less
812302
Actually, I'm merely guessing on the focal length from your inquiry about the 17-55mm. Your choice will depend on how much reach you actually need.Some suggestions:At $80, the Canon 50mm f1.8 is very inexpensive with pretty good optics and a wide aperture. Focusing may be too slow for your needs but its so cheap it might be worth a try.The Canon 50mm f1.4 adds fast USM focusing and somewhat better optics.The Canon 85mm f1.8 is a good choice if you need more reach.The Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM get pretty good ratings and is a good choice if you're fairly close or need a wider view. Actually, I'm merely guessing on the focal length from your inquiry about the 17-55mm. Your choice will depend on how much reach you actually need.Some suggestions:At $80, the Canon 50mm f1.8 is very inexpensive with pretty good optics and a wide aperture. Focusing may be too slow for your needs but its so cheap it might be worth a try.The Canon 50mm f1.4 adds fast USM focusing and somewhat better optics.The Canon 85mm f1.8 is a good choice if you need more reach.The Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM get pretty good ratings and is a good... » Read More Actually, I'm merely guessing on the focal length from your inquiry about the 17-55mm. Your choice will depend on how much reach you actually need.Some suggestions:At $80, the Canon 50mm f1.8 is very inexpensive with pretty good optics and a wide aperture. Focusing may be too slow for your needs but its so cheap it might be worth a try.The Canon 50mm f1.4 adds fast USM focusing and somewhat better optics.The Canon 85mm f1.8 is a good choice if you need more reach.The Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM get pretty good ratings and is a good choice if you're fairly close or need a wider view. « Show Less
2152800
Great，I use the sigma 30mm f2.8 lens, it's just approximate 1 pound. I bought it cost $449 with 18-55 and sigma 30mm lens is 120 dollar~
1298396
The key thing to consider are the intital costs of the lenses. Secondly then know that the sigma CANNOT be used with a full frame camera (ex. 5D, etc) while the canon CAN be used. So if you are thinking about upgrading to a full frame camera, then get the canon. But if are going to stay with APC type sensor, then the sigma is much cheaper.
1966951
I don't think worrying about the fact that the Sigma won't work on a full frame body makes much sense. After all, on a FF body you would want something like the Canon 50/1.4 instead. A 30mm lens on a FF body would be like a 18mm lens on a crop body -- and I don't find myself wishing for an 18mm prime on my T1i.Even if you do upgrade to an FF body someday, you're pretty likely to keep your crop body, and so the Sigma would still be useful there.
155655
Love my Sigma. It is fantastic lens for the money. If video is a requirement, I recommend the Sony. The OSS makes for much better video. BTW - when I shoot video, I change to 16-50 lens with OSS.
916482
I personally think that he'd benefit more from purchasing the nifty fifty (50mm f1.8) to cover that range, and then also buy the 100mm f2.8. Honestly there is not a huge difference in terms of image quality between the 50mm f1.8 and the f1.4. The f1.8 does have trouble focusing in dark conditions, but for the price (and for a beginner) it is a great option and it leaves your budget open to get another lens.
1313304
I have owned both and they are great lenses with fantastic results. The Tokina will increase in length as you change focus, whereas the Sigma moves the glass when focusing within the body of the lens. If you plan to shoot insects or really up close, you may prefer to go with the Sigma (as I did). Another reason to go with the Sigma over the Tokina is if you plan to use a lens-mounted ring flash or similar. Although you can use these on the Tokina, I was concerned about extra stress on the plastic part of the lens that extends. Otherwise, you can't go wrong either way. I suggest visiting your local photography store that has these in stock to test out, or renting the lenses to try out and see which one you like before purchasing from Amazon. Good luck!
24765
I have no experience with Nikon or Nikon lenses. I do have & use regularly Canon 75-300 usm & canon is usm lenses. Both are fine lenses with beautiful results in situations where the subject is close enough for the focal lengths available. I also have & use more often a Sigma 50-500mm f/4.56.5 with Hsm & os. I am an avid birder & the Sigma is my choice. The added reach gives capability to get shots at longer distances with excellent results. The Sigma has a disadvantage in its weight. I regularly get excellent handheld shots even with Sigma 2X teleconverter giving excellent quality photos at effective focal length of 1000mm. This does require use of manual focus mode. I have no experience with Nikon or Nikon lenses. I do have & use regularly Canon 75-300 usm & canon is usm lenses. Both are fine lenses with beautiful results in situations where the subject is close enough for the focal lengths available. I also have & use more often a Sigma 50-500mm f/4.56.5 with Hsm & os. I am an avid birder & the Sigma is my choice. The added reach gives capability to get shots at longer distances with excellent results. The Sigma has a disadvantage in its weight. I regularly get excellent handheld shots even with Sigma 2X teleconverter giving excellent quality photos... » Read More I have no experience with Nikon or Nikon lenses. I do have & use regularly Canon 75-300 usm & canon is usm lenses. Both are fine lenses with beautiful results in situations where the subject is close enough for the focal lengths available. I also have & use more often a Sigma 50-500mm f/4.56.5 with Hsm & os. I am an avid birder & the Sigma is my choice. The added reach gives capability to get shots at longer distances with excellent results. The Sigma has a disadvantage in its weight. I regularly get excellent handheld shots even with Sigma 2X teleconverter giving excellent quality photos at effective focal length of 1000mm. This does require use of manual focus mode. « Show Less
714416
Here is a greast site for lens discussions. www.dpreview.com Go to the forum for Canon lens talk. The 50mm 1.8 is a great portrait lens. It's fantastic in low light conditions. Just treat it with utmost care as the build is not great and there have been many of a complaint on how easy it can fall apart. As a previous poster mentioned the EF-S 17-85 is a good choice. It has full time manual focus with IS. As an every day multi purpose lens this is a nice lens. I also have this lens. The only problem I have with it is the low light shots. It is too slow. If used with External Flash it is fine. That's why I bought the prime lens. I just have to use my feet for zoom. You are going to have a lot of fun using AV mode with the 50mm and playing around with WB and ISO. Enjoy!
1085529
The Canon 50mm 1.8f has a front filter of 52mm, where the 50mm 1.4f has a 58mm front filter thread. Not sure if the Lens includes adapters for both sizes since I do not work for them. I can't remember if adapters were included in the one I returned. Personally I don't think the lens is worth buying. Good luck, hope that helps.
1477491
Actually I find out the the much cheaper Canon 55-250mm IS lens which is on sale today for 144 bucks does a superb job of taking portraits as well. You can set it to 100mm to get equivalent of this lens (of course you can't go down to f2.8 but for your situation you don't want to) also you get an excellent telephoto lens - just not a MACRO lens but again that's not what you're looking for. I would save my 300 bucks and get that lens instead - I can tell you as i have both these lenses.
1966949
I almost decided in favor of Sigma, but then I realized that Sigma is made for a crop camera only. While I'm not looking to buy an FF one any time soon, when I do, it will be costly, so I wouldn't have the money to follow it up with expensive lenses, not to mention that a good prime is a good prime, which I expect to last me a long while... So that is becoming a big drawback for me...
1183540
I've never used the canon 85mm but the there is almost no difference in sharpness with th Sigma lens. The price difference is only justified by the lower F stop.
108983
The newer version with the C is the contemporary line of lens, sigma also came out with a art line.Basically it's much better then all of sigma previous lenses and some of the art line can even beat Canon's L glass at a fraction of cost. Quality control is also better so less bad apples make it pass inspection.Just read the reviews, you can't go wrong with a lens from the contemporary or art line.