FIRST IMPRESSION:
Who knows Sigma who knows usually also the excellent quality of workmanship. So also with the 50mm f / 1.4 (the third my Sigma lens) - here rattles nothing, the materials feel valuable and also the switch for the AF / MF feels valuable and not give the impression as if it is equal to plans to adopt. When a lot of me at once the weight of the lens on unpacking. If one is the Canon 50mm 1.8 used, then the weight difference is quite noticeable. I felt the greater weight when taking neither a hindrance or too heavy. After a short familiarization phase, the camera and lens is calm and balanced in the hand.
It is also gratifying that the Sigma is a well-padded case, in which the lens can be safely stored and a lens hood is supplied. At Canon, we studied the unfortunately in vain, I buy no lens of the L class.
Optical performance:
Now we come to the important points that have moved me to change. First, here is one positive to report on the imaging performance of the sigmoid colon. The images are displayed very detailed 'even if you zoom into it (here I could I tested Canon 1.4, also compared to 1.8, not convince' the images shown in direct comparison less clarity and details on).
The color reproduction, I feel very comfortable at Sigma, so the colors are indeed creating a vivid, though not completely satiated. The colors appear in a warm tone. Who is too much, which can subsequently desaturate also via software or via Picture Style of the camera. To me, however, the very convenient for my kind of photography. At Canon, however, they appear somewhat neutral partly sluggish.
The contrast was also very good, even in backlit scenes, the Sigma 50mm 1.4 could make a good impression and objects were clearly visible.
Chromatic aberration (color fringing) could be heard in backlight situations yet (even at full aperture). But even this can be removed with appropriate software and make me not a major problem.
Sharpness:
The sharpness at maximum aperture is in my copy right. While it is a bit soft at close range, but I had almost expected when a lens with this light intensity. Also the Canon here shows slight weaknesses. Hides you from the other hand (about Aperture 1.8) the sharpness of the sigmoid colon is absolutely convincing and I can save myself a subsequent sharpening via software in most cases.
BOKEH:
For me the crucial buying point which has caused me to change and in which the Canon 50mm 1.4 simply drew the short straw (where this assessment is, of course, very subjective and may vary from buyer to buyer).
For buyers who can not do much with this concept, here is a brief definition: Bokeh (. JAP 'Boke' fuzzy, blurry ') [1] is a term used in photography concept to the subjective, aesthetic quality of blurred areas to be marked in a photographic image, which are projected from a lens. It is not about the strength of the blur, but about how the blur areas look. (See. Wikipedia 'bokeh').
The bokeh of the sigmoid colon can be described as very quiet and smooth. Disturbing image elements can blur it reliable and draws attention to the essence of the image. Even with more difficult background with many disturbing elements, knows how to convince the Sigma. In my tests, it has consistently performed better than the two Canons.
Benefits the Sigma come here also 9 diaphragm blades, whereas Canon uses only 6 fins. Ie for photographing that also when stopping down the lens light spots are still represented circular, where the Canon tends to represent angular points of light.
THE AF
For Sigma and its buyers probably the biggest problem child. Again and again one hears in conjunction with Canon of front focus or back focus problems in Sigma.
From backfocus problems I can not report on my copy, but from a Fronfokus at maximum aperture of approximately 0.5 cm -1cm at close range. Here the focus has sometimes stood next to it and I had to readjust. In the distance (from 1.5 m) but it fits perfectly even at maximum aperture.
Generally, I have the impression that the AF of my sigmoid colon is occasionally a diva. So it creates the lens now and again not on the first try or from a certain side angle focus on the subject, they focused on the other hand again, the image is sharp (own camera shake hereby excluded).
Here it must be clearly said that the Canon of the much more reliable companion when it comes to AF.
So I have taken some time to make friends with the behavior of the sigmoid colon. Meanwhile, I can do that, however good and the Committee of the images has been significantly reduced. By that I mean: that you should take your time for this bright fixed focal length in order to rule out a possible incorrect focus of one's own fault can (and I here want beyond the means that it is not even on the lens that focuses simply wrong and it I had quite a few).
It is also gratifying that can intervene and manually refocused during AF operation. For me, a good solution for bitchy AF (where I often focusing directly manually).
The speed and volume of the sigmoid colon are for my purposes absolutely fine. In return for the Canon 50mm 1.8, the Sigma is very quickly in terms focus the. A pump of the AFS, as I know him from the small Canon is no longer struck me ever since.
In conclusion remains to be said on the subject AF that joy was somewhat marred by the otherwise beautiful lenses. The EX quality, as I know from my old 28-70 2.8 EX, therefore could not convince fully.
For this purpose there is ultimately a point deduction in the evaluation.
Just because the lens for professional line EX ranks, one should here can expect already to get a working lens after purchase - without having to first send it for adjustment.
CONCLUSION:
Image quality, color reproduction and Bokeh have me ultimately led the Sigma Canon preferable. Here outweigh the benefits for my kind of photography too much, as I would have returned the lens due to the AF problems for me. Here, then, each buyer must ultimately decide which factors it favors. Considering compensate or correct the weak point AF and white it, Sigma provides a powerful light and strong companion for the camera bag.
From me there, after a long Eingewöhnphase, 4 out of 5 stars for the Sigma.
