New Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens
A Sigma lens more expensive than the Canon equivalent lens? Not possible, you say. Consider the new Sigma 50mm f/1.4 lens expected to be in retail shops in July. The lens effectively becomes an 80mm medium telephoto lens (35mm equivalent) on digital cameras with APS-C size image sensors.
The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 has a minimum focusing distance of 45cm (17.7”) and has maximum magnification of 1:7.4. A HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) ensures a quiet and high-speed AF as well as full-time manual focus override.
The lens also features a 9 blade aperture with a f/22 minimum f-stop. The filter attachment size is 77 mm. Dimensions are 84.5mm × 68.2mm. Weight is 520g. It will be available with Sigma, Canon, Nikon, Pentax, and Sony mounts.
Sigma lists the following distinguishing characteristics:
- Standard lens with large maximum aperture of f/1.4
- Creates sharp images with high contrast and ensures superior peripheral brightness
- Incorporates molded glass aspherical lens, perfectly correcting coma aberration and creating superior image quality
- Super multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting
- Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) ensuring silent, high-speed AF
Sounds good so far. However, the pre-order price (in stock) for the new Sigma 50mm f/1.4 is US$499.00 US$479.00 on Amazon USA.
Canon already has four 50mm lenses. They are listed below with prices from Amazon USA for comparison.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM - US$1,300.00
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM - US$325.00
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II - US$89.74
Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 - US$255.98
Canon’s ‘plastic fantastic’, the f/1.8 version, has long been a favorite with budding Canon photographers thanks to it’s large aperture, pleasant bokeh and low price. However, it lacks the Canon USM motor and metal barrel causing more experienced photographers to go for the more expensive f/1.4 version.
Sigma’s HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) is on par with Canon’s USM. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 is smaller at 73.8mm x 50.5mm, weighs less (290g), and has a low-cost 58mm filter size. Will the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 lens performance relative to the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 justify the extra size/weight and a whopping US$174 price difference? In the end, performance will be the deciding factor for most photographers.
Note: Photos have already been posted on DPReview. Bokeh looks very smooth. You be the judge.
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It’s a shame this lens back focuses on full frame canon cameras when you focus past 10′ (3m). I’ve even had the lens calibrated and my body checked. I also tried a second copy of the lens and it performed identically. On crop cameras like the 40D my lens is fine, but that’s not good enough, this is not a “DC” lens according to Sigma.