Before purchasing I informed myself thoroughly, especially in terms of resolution and sharpness - because in this area had my existing range of lenses for a few weaknesses. Important to me large apertures are also made and the f / 4 of my standard zoom frequently no longer sufficed. At the same time I do not take more than 2 lenses along for the ride, which is why this should then also be particularly good.
The Sigma has initiated in almost all tests and reviews a surprise - not least because of the sharpness at maximum aperture. As you look at an f / 1.4 only if one buys it is also very often photographed at full aperture a very important feature.
Just to illustrate the intensity: in bright sunlight and ISO100 a photo in Aperture 1.4 is nearly always overexposed - without stopping down or filter is not in strong daylight brightness.
1. MATERIAL AND HANDLING
The Sigma looks significantly smaller after unpacking, but also longer than expected. Compared my 50mm f / 1.2 FB is significantly more compact construction.
It consists of a good mix of materials with satin metal applications and affects overall very valuable.
The design is minimalist, and working through the black color also very classy.
The lens hood is beautifully designed and is very easy to set up by means of appropriate markings - something you will not find for example at Canon.
Pleasant also is moderate with 67mm filter diameter which coincides with many other lenses.
2. COMPATIBILITY
One of the biggest drawbacks of third party lenses is possibly not 100% compatible with the algorithms of various DSLR. Beforehand I had read it in the case of this lens, although no longer to be the case, but I have a focus test using the Spyder LensCal subjected tools out of the box once on the EOS 5D Mark III. It was exactly in focus and had accordingly not be adjusted - what is really at the extremely narrow focus zone at f / 1.4 power.
Alternatively, Sigma offers a USB dock including software, with which you can vote every newer lens from the A / C / S series exactly to his camera model.
So far I can not report anything derogatory about compatibility.
3. IMAGE QUALITY
I will use the lens quite extensively in the next few weeks on a long journey, but nonetheless already taken numerous pictures with it.
The image quality is very good even at full aperture, and is very impressive sharply in light Stopping down to f / 4-f / 5.6. Even fine lines and details are recorded, also contrast and color reproduction are outstanding.
The vignetting is clearly visible on the KB format - the same but I know already from other short-focus lenses. This can rausrechnen or used as a stylistic device.
Chromatic aberrations are very well controlled and only hard edges visible. More can hardly believe I require, but that one has to best test yourself - I see the seams as well as not.
Overall, it is the image quality was my best lens in this focal length range, it provides a picture quality that you would expect from a more expensive lens. Whatever the measurement results of DxOMark prove: the only better FB in the area up to 70mm, therefore, the Zeiss Distagon 55mm Otus - but it is priced on a different planet and also has no AF.
4. CONCLUSION
I am very happy that I came after a long research on this objective, and it also no compatibility issues with the Canon system has more. This will be in addition to the 50mm f / 1.2 lens is my most-used there by the high light intensity and the moderate wide angle gives me a very broad range of applications. Especially important to me, because I almost always leave the flash at home and more carrying heavy bin.
So I can no more criticisms really only again express my satisfaction and recommend it to anyone who is interested in a reportage lens and interest in the range of 35mm this lens has to look again. Sigma is here apparently a big hit.
UPDATE 20/01/2014 v.:
Even after several weeks use I am still very happy, and the lens has become my new standard focal length (approximately 50%) due to its sharpness, resolution and the imaging scale, in addition to the 50mm (40%) and the 70-200mm zoom (10%) which I still use parallel. After more wide-angle, it no longer calls me, and after yet another unspeakable zoom lens with undefined angle schonmal not more.
It's amazing what you can accommodate in the angle of view of 35mm at the KB format, mainly arise very beautiful arrangements - where I noticed that I has become significantly less waste in my recordings have.
