Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM review
Review Date : Mon, 1 Feb 2010
Author : Jon Tarrant
- Sample Photos: See sample image gallery
This high-specification Sigma prime comes with a price-tag to match, but does image quality meausure up? Read the WDC Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM review to find out
| Pros: | Imposing presence |
|---|---|
| Cons: | Distinctly heavy |
One of the nicest things about high-specification Sigma lenses is that they come with a padded pouch, instantly suggesting that the manufacturer feels the lens is worth protecting. Sigma's 50mm f/1.4 is no exception, boasting an enormous front element and a 77mm filter thread.
The lens tips the scales just over 0.5kg, which is almost twice the norm for an f/1.4 lens and closer to what might be expected for an f/1.2. In fact Sigma's lens looks a lot as if it ought to have the extra half-stop but its price is not far above the f/1.4 average. Though its size and mass might deter some, neither of those factors has been allowed to reduce its Design score in this review.
The manual focus ring is comfortably wide and nicely located to the fore, offering the ability to apply manual adjustments in AF mode. Automatic focusing is quick, accurate and works internally, without disturbing the focus ring, but it could be a little quieter. Manual focusing, whether applied in AF mode or selected using the AF/MF slider, is on the heavy side. A depth-of-field window is provided and marked for use with f/8 and f/16.
Resolution testing produced the classic ‘aerofoil' profile but with a steep ascent and decline that gives a very pronounced sweet-spot from f/2.8 to between f/5.6 and f/8, where the resolution stays above 0.4 cycles-per-pixel. This is a remarkable performance that is all the more impressive because it was sustained through multiple tests that included off-centre focusing.
There was very slight colour fringing at wide apertures but this went undetected in real-world pictures. The only enduring drawback after some time spent with this lens was its heavy manual focusing, which will probably be a minor consideration for most potential buyers.
Verdict
An amazing lens that is priced above the norm but delivers results that are similarly elevated. As it is available in a range of lens mounts, the greatest number of photographers have access to its immense power.
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Latest comments
August 12 20:17
HB KAHN
BASED ON YOUR ARTICLE I JUST PURCHASED THIS LENS FROM SUPER DIGITAL CITY. I HAVE BEEN USING A MANOLTA 50MM F1.7 FULL FRAME (NOT DIGITAL) BUT STILL GIVES GREAT CLEAR PHOTOS. YOUR REVIEW ON THIS SIGMA 77 THREAD FILTER SIZE 50MM F1.4 KNOCKED MY SOCKS OFF, HOPE YOU GUYS ARE CORRECT!..
August 17 21:40
HOWARD KAHN
I NOW HAVE THE SIGMA 50MM F1.4 AND HAVE COMPARED THE RESULTS AGAINST MY MINOLTA 50MM F1.7.....FIRST THE MINOLTA'S THREAD SIZE FILTER IS 50MM, THE SIGMA'S IS 77MM. SINCE THEY ARE BOTH FULL FRAME LENSES THEY CLOSE DOWN TO F2, BOTH DO THAT. I CAN NOT SEE A DIFFERENCE IN THE IMAGE QUALITY, BOTH ARE OUTSTANDING, HOWEVER, THE SIGMA GIVES A MUCH BRIGHTER IMAGE WITH BETTER COLORING EVEN WITH BOTH LENS AT THE EXACT SAME OPENING, HOWEVER, THEIR SHUTTER SPEEDS ARE SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT AS THE MINOLTA'S IS A LITTLE FASTER. YOU DO MUCH LESS EDITING TO THE PHOTO THAT YOU TAKE WITH THE SIGMA. I AM CONTRIBUTING THE FACT THAT THE SIGMA IS A DIGITAL LENS AND THE MINOLTA IS NOT, THAT LENS WAS INTRODUCED BEFORE DIGITAL CAM ON THE MARKET AND AS A RESULT, THE DSLR AND THE SIGMA COMMUNICATE MUCH BETTER, AND THATS THE BIG DIFFERENCE WHICH CAUSES THE SIGMA TO CREATE THE BETTER PHOTO...DO I THINK THE MINOLTA, THAT SHOPS HAVE OFFERED ME 50.00 DOLLARS FOR AGAINST SPENDING 500.00 FOR THE SIGMA IS A SMART WAY TO GO. IF YOU GOT IT, YES, IF YOU DON'T...DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND LOOK FOR THAT OUT DATED FULL FRAME MINOLTA 50MM F1.7....YES, IT WAS WORTH IT FOR ME TO GO WITH THE NEW SIGMA 50MM F1.4 LENS.... HB KAHN