Is the sigma 50mm f/1.4 really that much better than the Canon 50 1.4?

[Aharami]

Im looking at purchasing a 50mm prime. My two options for my XSi are the Canon 50mm 1.4 and the Sigma 50mm 1.4. The Canon is an old design and rather soft wide open (but center sharpens up considerably at 1.8). The Sigma is much newer design and it much sharper (corner to corner) at 1.4. But at 1.8, the Canon catches up to it a lot.

The sigma looks like the better lens, but the Sigma is much bigger/heavier than the Canon and I'm afraid it will put my tiny XSi out of balance. Also the sigma is much more expensive. I can get the Canon for $370 new, but the sigma is $499 everywhere. $130 is nothing to sneeze at.

Is the sigma worth the $130 more?

 

[Gooberlx2]

Have you considered the 50mm f1.8? It's nowhere near as good as either of your mentioned options, but it's only like $100. It also sharpens up as you stop it down.

http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/415-canon_50_18_ff

 

[jpeyton]

If you're shooting wide-open, the Sigma is a lot better.

 

[Aharami]

Have you considered the 50mm f1.8? It's nowhere near as good as either of your mentioned options, but it's only like $100. It also sharpens up as you stop it down.

http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/415-canon_50_18_ff

yea i have, but after looking at sample pics, I dislike the bokeh

 

[Aharami]

If you're shooting wide-open, the Sigma is a lot better.

i already have a 17-50 f/2.8, so yea, I'll be shooting at 1.4 - 2.0 with the prime. I've found that most of my shooting happens at wider apertures.

 

[Aharami]

just not sure about the size. it's gonna be MASSIVE on my XSi

 

[jpeyton]

i already have a 17-50 f/2.8, so yea, I'll be shooting either at 1.4 - 2.0 with the prime. I've found that most of my shooting happens at wider apertures.

No question; get the Sigma. It will be much better than the Canon between 1.4-2, in terms of sharpness and bokeh.

If anything, more people compare the Sigma 1.4 to the Canon 1.2, and the Canon 1.2 is a beast as well.

 

[speedy2]

just not sure about the size. it's gonna be MASSIVE on my XSi

Lol. It looks huge. But the XSi is a toy anyway.

 

[foghorn67]

Lol. It looks huge. But the XSi is a toy anyway.

I loved it when I used to have Rebels with big lenses. They look sexy. Reminds me of some airplanes with huge engines or something.

I'm not a huge fan of Sigma's, but this 50 is a gem. If you get one out of calibration, I heard it's worth the hassle of sending it in to get it set.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

Why not get the Sigma 30mm f/1.4? It's smaller, but still pretty big, and AFAIK is cheaper than the Sigma 50. I loved mine when I had one. Sold it when I moved to full-frame. 30mm is a lot more useful focal length on a crop body than 50mm.

 

[angry hampster]

Canon 1.4 is POS. Mediocre build quality, terrible autofocus, and horrendously soft corners.

 

[Aharami]

Lol. It looks huge. But the XSi is a toy anyway.

aren't all cameras, provided you're not making money with it?

I ordered the sigma from B&H. After the front focusing issues with my Sigma 10-20, I'm a little apprehensive about getting a good copy. I leave for Hawaii on Monday and dont have time to send it in to Sigma for calibration. All I can do is drive up to nyc and swap it for another copy and hope for the best.

 

[AkumaX]

how's the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 anyway?

 

[slashbinslashbash]

how's the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 anyway?

As I said above, I loved mine. I want to get rid of my Canon 50mm and step up to the Sigma, but I have been putting it off.

 

[speedy2]

aren't all cameras, provided you're not making money with it?

I meant that in terms of size and construction.

 

[Aharami]

yay anniversary gift from the wifey (plus mine for her. I think I got the better value)

 

[AkumaX]

lucky you