Sigma 50 mm F/1.4 HSM

[JDub02]

Link

According to Amazon.com, Sigma is releasing the above lens on July 10th for $500. Not nearly as cheap as I was hoping for, but still the cheapest (only?) super-fast portrait lens that will autofocus on the D40.

As much as I would *love* to have this lens, I'm starting to think that I'd be better off selling the D40 and buying a D80 with a "nifty fifty". I think I'd come out pretty even in the end and have a better camera. Thoughts?

 

[jpeyton]

The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 sold so well because Canon/Nikon don't have anything at the focal length and aperture speed for that price.

But with Canon and Nikon both having 50mm f/1.4 lenses around $300, Sigma will have a hard time selling these for anything higher (even with the HSM focusing).

 

[JDub02]

So you think the price is going to drop like a rock once they snag the "early adopters"?

$200 is about the price where I think it's a no brainer to keep the D40 and add this lens.

 

[jpeyton]

No way it'll be $200, I expect it to be $400 like the 30mm f/1.4.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 sold so well because Canon/Nikon don't have anything at the focal length and aperture speed for that price.

But with Canon and Nikon both having 50mm f/1.4 lenses around $300, Sigma will have a hard time selling these for anything higher (even with the HSM focusing).

yeah, it's interesting their price point. Not sure if that's just the MSRP pricing though, in which sigma sells far cheaper than it. But it can't really undercut the 30mm, wouldn't make sense.

I do hope it out performs the canon. Maybe canon will update to ring USM one day.

 

[xanis]

I would love to get my hands on that... but not for $500. I'd probably pick it up if it was in the neighborhood of $200-300.

 

[tfinch2]

Not for $500 fucking dollars.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Not for $500 fucking dollars.

Does that mean they multiply?

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: foghorn67

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Not for $500 fucking dollars.

Does that mean they multiply?

Yes.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Half way to a EF 35 1.4L?

Meh.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Yes.

Put 200 dollars in a velvet lined box. Set up some mood music. Let the dollars fuck, and bam, 500 damn dollars.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: foghorn67

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Yes.

Put 200 dollars in a velvet lined box. Set up some mood music. Let the dollars fuck, and bam, 500 damn dollars.

I'm gonna try that. Does Barry White work? Maybe some Marvin Gaye? Maybe put a bottle of wine in the box to loosen things up.

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: randomlinh


yeah, it's interesting their price point. Not sure if that's just the MSRP pricing though, in which sigma sells far cheaper than it. But it can't really undercut the 30mm, wouldn't make sense.

I do hope it out performs the canon. Maybe canon will update to ring USM one day.

Agreed. Canon's 50 f/1.4 is a decent lens, but the focusing is so terribly inaccurate compared to anything Sigma makes with HSM, and frankly I prefer the build feel of Sigma EX to Canon consumer lenses.

 

[punchkin]

Originally posted by: angry hampster

Originally posted by: randomlinh


yeah, it's interesting their price point. Not sure if that's just the MSRP pricing though, in which sigma sells far cheaper than it. But it can't really undercut the 30mm, wouldn't make sense.

I do hope it out performs the canon. Maybe canon will update to ring USM one day.

Agreed. Canon's 50 f/1.4 is a decent lens, but the focusing is so terribly inaccurate compared to anything Sigma makes with HSM, and frankly I prefer the build feel of Sigma EX to Canon consumer lenses.

No, Sigma's focusing accuracy is a joke compared to even the worst Canon lenses in this regard. Sigma is legendary for focusing problems on Canon bodies. The real problem with the 50mm f/1.4 is the very poor optical performance wide open and the fact that it's fairly prone to breakage for the price.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: punchkin

Originally posted by: angry hampster

Originally posted by: randomlinh


yeah, it's interesting their price point. Not sure if that's just the MSRP pricing though, in which sigma sells far cheaper than it. But it can't really undercut the 30mm, wouldn't make sense.

I do hope it out performs the canon. Maybe canon will update to ring USM one day.

Agreed. Canon's 50 f/1.4 is a decent lens, but the focusing is so terribly inaccurate compared to anything Sigma makes with HSM, and frankly I prefer the build feel of Sigma EX to Canon consumer lenses.

No, Sigma's focusing accuracy is a joke compared to even the worst Canon lenses in this regard. Sigma is legendary for focusing problems on Canon bodies. The real problem with the 50mm f/1.4 is the very poor optical performance wide open and the fact that it's fairly prone to breakage for the price.

I've never had a real issue w/ focusing accuracy on my Sigma. But I would not say HSM is better than USM. I will say QC sucks with Sigma, so you have to be willing to do some leg work.

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: angry hampster

Originally posted by: randomlinh


yeah, it's interesting their price point. Not sure if that's just the MSRP pricing though, in which sigma sells far cheaper than it. But it can't really undercut the 30mm, wouldn't make sense.

I do hope it out performs the canon. Maybe canon will update to ring USM one day.

Agreed. Canon's 50 f/1.4 is a decent lens, but the focusing is so terribly inaccurate compared to anything Sigma makes with HSM, and frankly I prefer the build feel of Sigma EX to Canon consumer lenses.

I've, along with many others, never experienced focusing problems on 50mm f/1.4 lens. On the other hand, Sigma's prime lens is well known for AF problems.

 

[randomlinh]

I just noticed on dprview they actually did list an MSRP of £379.99 which makes the $499 sound about right... damn. Sorry Sigma, you're going to have to have a miracle lens to convince me. I was so excited too.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
I just noticed on dprview they actually did list an MSRP of £379.99 which makes the $499 sound about right... damn. Sorry Sigma, you're going to have to have a miracle lens to convince me. I was so excited too.

sigma lens : MSRP : Adorama

10-20 : $730 : 499
30 : $640 : 399
18-50 : $670 : 419
50-150 : $1050 : 750
bigma : $1390 : 969

adorama has the 50/1.4 listed at $500 right now. i can't see that as being anything more than socking it to early adopters by charging them MSRP. wait a month and i bet the price comes down a lot.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: randomlinh
I just noticed on dprview they actually did list an MSRP of £379.99 which makes the $499 sound about right... damn. Sorry Sigma, you're going to have to have a miracle lens to convince me. I was so excited too.

sigma lens : MSRP : Adorama

10-20 : $730 : 499
30 : $640 : 399
18-50 : $670 : 419
50-150 : $1050 : 750
bigma : $1390 : 969

adorama has the 50/1.4 listed at $500 right now. i can't see that as being anything more than socking it to early adopters by charging them MSRP. wait a month and i bet the price comes down a lot.

Well, the MSRP would equate to about $740 US.. which puts $500 right around par. But I hope you're right and it does what the 30 did and drop. I don't think it'll go below the 30 unless it's a POS lens, heh.

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: punchkin

Originally posted by: angry hampster

Originally posted by: randomlinh


yeah, it's interesting their price point. Not sure if that's just the MSRP pricing though, in which sigma sells far cheaper than it. But it can't really undercut the 30mm, wouldn't make sense.

I do hope it out performs the canon. Maybe canon will update to ring USM one day.

Agreed. Canon's 50 f/1.4 is a decent lens, but the focusing is so terribly inaccurate compared to anything Sigma makes with HSM, and frankly I prefer the build feel of Sigma EX to Canon consumer lenses.

No, Sigma's focusing accuracy is a joke compared to even the worst Canon lenses in this regard. Sigma is legendary for focusing problems on Canon bodies. The real problem with the 50mm f/1.4 is the very poor optical performance wide open and the fact that it's fairly prone to breakage for the price.

I've owned four Sigma lenses. All four were EX, two were DC (for cropped bodies). Two primes and two zooms. Never had a problem with any of them. Two of them helped me win competitions.

 

[punchkin]

Originally posted by: angry hampster

Originally posted by: punchkin

Originally posted by: angry hampster

Originally posted by: randomlinh


yeah, it's interesting their price point. Not sure if that's just the MSRP pricing though, in which sigma sells far cheaper than it. But it can't really undercut the 30mm, wouldn't make sense.

I do hope it out performs the canon. Maybe canon will update to ring USM one day.

Agreed. Canon's 50 f/1.4 is a decent lens, but the focusing is so terribly inaccurate compared to anything Sigma makes with HSM, and frankly I prefer the build feel of Sigma EX to Canon consumer lenses.

No, Sigma's focusing accuracy is a joke compared to even the worst Canon lenses in this regard. Sigma is legendary for focusing problems on Canon bodies. The real problem with the 50mm f/1.4 is the very poor optical performance wide open and the fact that it's fairly prone to breakage for the price.

I've owned four Sigma lenses. All four were EX, two were DC (for cropped bodies). Two primes and two zooms. Never had a problem with any of them. Two of them helped me win competitions.

The occasional Sigma fanboy occasionally pops up with stories of perfect focusing for Sigma lenses and the reverse with Canon, even though Sigma has well-known focusing issues, as well as well-known compatibility issues, due to their refusal to license the EF or EF-S mount.

 

[fatkorean]

Here is a picture I saw of it. It is a huge lens compared to the canon 50 1.4

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/897/sigma50mmez1.jpg

-fk

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: punchkin


The occasional Sigma fanboy occasionally pops up with stories of perfect focusing for Sigma lenses and the reverse with Canon, even though Sigma has well-known focusing issues, as well as well-known compatibility issues, due to their refusal to license the EF or EF-S mount.

I currently own one Sigma lens and three Canons, including an L-series lens. Don't be so quick to call me a fanboy

Have you never heard about massive problems with Canon's 24-70L backfocusing several inches? This was a major issue for thousands of users. I'm not saying Sigma makes perfect lenses every time, but Canon sure as hell doesn't either. Even the Virgin Mary had to take a dump from time to time.

 

[Deadtrees]

Originally posted by: angry hampster

Originally posted by: punchkin


The occasional Sigma fanboy occasionally pops up with stories of perfect focusing for Sigma lenses and the reverse with Canon, even though Sigma has well-known focusing issues, as well as well-known compatibility issues, due to their refusal to license the EF or EF-S mount.

I currently own one Sigma lens and three Canons, including an L-series lens. Don't be so quick to call me a fanboy

Have you never heard about massive problems with Canon's 24-70L backfocusing several inches? This was a major issue for thousands of users. I'm not saying Sigma makes perfect lenses every time, but Canon sure as hell doesn't either. Even the Virgin Mary had to take a dump from time to time.

True but the fact that Sigma lenses tend to have more AF problems remain the same.