Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

[nsfour]

BHphoto is selling it for $369 and I wonder if anyone has seen it go any lower in the past?

[thericyip]

A lot of distortion on this lens... just get the 50mm f/1.8 II. If you really want 1.4, then get the Sigma.

[nsfour]

A lot of distortion on this lens... just get the 50mm f/1.8 II. If you really want 1.4, then get the Sigma.

Really? I have read some review of this lens but never heard any distortion issue on this lens. Doesn't Sigma have focusing issue?

[kay188]

Really? I have read some review of this lens but never heard any distortion issue on this lens. Doesn't Sigma have focusing issue?

The Sigma 50 F/1.4 itself does not have a focusing issue when being used.

However, every lens is different, and every body is not exactly the same. When using third party lenses, even OEM lenses it really depends on the lens and body if there's any problems.

I have tested a 135L before I bought it, and it had severe back focusing issues. I used a Canon XTi, and 7D to test it too!!
When I bought my Sigma 50, focus was pretty much spot on, and this is coming from me using a 2006 body.

The Canon 50 F/1.5 is a okay lens, but not the best. If you're going to buy that, then you're better of in spending just a tad bit more for the Sigma 50.

[jayt90]

A lot of distortion on this lens... just get the 50mm f/1.8 II. If you really want 1.4, then get the Sigma.

Distortion is very low for Canon and for Sigma. What else would you expect with a refined 100 year old design?
http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/canon_50_1p4_c16/page4.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/sigma_50_1p4_c16/page4.asp

[thericyip]

Take a look. http://photo.net/equipment/canon/ef50/

All I'm saying is that the Canon 50mm f/1.4 isn't really worth the money. I'd rather just use the 50mm f/1.8 and save up for the Sigma. Other than less distortion, the lens has a much better build quality. I like the bokeh from the Sigma more as well.

[bhrm]

Sigma also has a 10 year warranty, and Gentec the distributor and repair centre is in Markham. Great service and great turnaround time!

I have a 30 and 85mm f1.4 and they had focus issues brand new but 24 hours later from Gentec, they are spot on and accurate.

[nsfour]

Thanks guys. I'm trying to upgrade my 50mm 1.8II to 1.4, but it doesn't look like a good idea. I do not mind to save up for the Sigma and indeed I spent a lot of time reading about the Sigma, but the focusing issue mentioned on different forums kept me away from taking it into serious consideration. I'm in Edmonton Alberta (I know my signature says Toronto and i will fix that later on), sending it to Markham for service will be a pain in the neck. What is the best way to test whether or not if the lens has focusing issue?

[kay188]

Thanks guys. I'm trying to upgrade my 50mm 1.8II to 1.4, but it doesn't look like a good idea. I do not mind to save up for the Sigma and indeed I spent a lot of time reading about the Sigma, but the focusing issue mentioned on different forums kept me away from taking it into serious consideration. I'm in Edmonton Alberta (I know my signature says Toronto and i will fix that later on), sending it to Markham for service will be a pain in the neck. What is the best way to test whether or not if the lens has focusing issue?

Dude, just get the Sigma. If you're buying it in the store, they SHOULD be able to let you choose your lens.

How to check for focus issue? Just take a picture?...

[jbnc_]

I've owned the sigma 50 1.4 and i LOVED it. I would still have it right now if it wasnt stolen :<. To me it was WAY better than the canon 1.4

There was a definite focus SHIFT in the sigma though (ie the focus plane would move if you stopped it down, not talking about front or backfocus) I even sent it to calibrate at gentec. This shift is due to the lens not having a floating element and the 50L suffers this same fate. This is due to the design of the lens and every single copy will have this behavior to some degree. Whether you notice it or not would depend on how close to the minimum focusing distance you shoot at.

This was never a problem for me as i got accustomed to adjusting the focus ring slightly to accommodate depending on the distance from my subject and the aperture i was working with.

Here is a test chart. Be warned: don't judge the lens by this alone as you may not even notice this effect in real world situations

http://focustestchart.com/focus21.pdf

[Outphase]

I own the 50mm 1.4 only because I needed a lens at the 50mm range. I can tell you that its probably my least used lens in my lineup. Pretty soft at 1.4 and not really super sharp until around 2.8 - f4. On the other hand (completely different lens I know), the only sigma i've ever owned (sigma 30mm 1.4) was razor sharp at 1.4.

[ryan_lau100]

I own the 50mm 1.4 only because I needed a lens at the 50mm range. I can tell you that its probably my least used lens in my lineup. Pretty soft at 1.4 and not really super sharp until around 2.8 - f4. On the other hand (completely different lens I know), the only sigma i've ever owned (sigma 30mm 1.4) was razor sharp at 1.4.

Like all lenses there are varying degrees of sharpness with each copy. My Canon 1.4 is extremely sharp at 1.4. The build isn't very nice but the results are amazing. Just try them out in store and make sure the copy is good.

I've seen really great results from Sigma lenses but every person I know that has one complains because the AF is always hit and miss. You can argue that the 10 year warranty allows you to recalibrate it if it goes out of wack but its a big PITA to keep doing that.

[dslrnewb]

If you are not dead set on FT AF and don't mind spending a bit more I say get this with a $20 adapter and stop the lens at f/2 to see some sharp pure lens action (on a FF camera)
Anybody selling theirs used LMK ;)

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/BRAND-NEW-NIKON-NIKKOR-50mm-f-1-2-AIS-MANUAL-FOCUS-LENS-/230701631015?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item35b6e38627


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q8vyDpvKE8

[mk5gti]

x2 on the sigma 50mm 1.4

I am a happy Sigma customer as well, was using the 30mm when i use crop, sold it to match the 50mm with the FF

i can tell you that if its wasn't the brand name/3rd party name, there will be more people buying the sigma.

[newrival]

Sigma also has a 10 year warranty, and Gentec the distributor and repair centre is in Markham. Great service and great turnaround time!

I have a 30 and 85mm f1.4 and they had focus issues brand new but 24 hours later from Gentec, they are spot on and accurate.

Is the calibration covered by warranty and will Gentec do it for free even if I purchased the lens from another company?

[bhrm]

Is the calibration covered by warranty and will Gentec do it for free even if I purchased the lens from another company?

as long as it was purchased from an authorized dealer in canada, yes its 10 years.

Make sure you drop off your camera with the lens too, especially Canon's. The variance and definition of "within specs" for Canon is ridiculous.

[AudiDude]

Thanks guys. I'm trying to upgrade my 50mm 1.8II to 1.4, but it doesn't look like a good idea. I do not mind to save up for the Sigma and indeed I spent a lot of time reading about the Sigma, but the focusing issue mentioned on different forums kept me away from taking it into serious consideration. I'm in Edmonton Alberta (I know my signature says Toronto and i will fix that later on), sending it to Markham for service will be a pain in the neck. What is the best way to test whether or not if the lens has focusing issue?

The reason why I ditched my 50 1.8II was no FTM focus, and slower focus. The Bokeh was killing a few shots. Not sure what body you are using, I am using a 7D so I can adjust for each lens which means I don't have to send anything in for calibration. If you do have lenses that work great with your body and purchase another camera that doesn't have the ability to micro adjust, you will find your whole world just changed. Three different bodies on my lenses caused all my lenses to feel like three different group of lenses.

I also found that with the micro adjustment, if you want it deadly accurate, especially at large apertures, it cannot be the same if the subject is really close or really far. It gets more complex with zoom lenses.

[kemestry]

I'm desperately looking for a Sigma 50mm 1.4 at a reasonable price. Anybody know if Gentec their distributor sells them?

[SENSEI]

I'm desperately looking for a Sigma 50mm 1.4 at a reasonable price. Anybody know if Gentec their distributor sells them?

Gentec does not sell to the public. You are screwed into buying from the Canadian rip off retailers in Canada if you want their 10 year EX warranty. :mad:
Other option is to look for one used. As long as it has some of receipt, you can transfer the warranty without problems.