Sigma 50mm F/1.4 EX DG HSM

[jerryph]

I just picked it up and started playing with it and all I can say is... wow.

Now I have the 85mm F/1.4, so I was expecting a lot, but the Sigma is sharp and VERY usable at F/1.4 straight out of the camera, and that bokeh is so pleasant, it makes the subject just pop off the image. The focal range is also a bit more usable than the 85mm in tighter locations.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3531/3718578572_fc9d9cdc8c.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2571/3718050185_ee3d7bd51e.jpg

[ebest]

I have the sigma as well as use it on the Alpha 350. Not as sharp as I expected though....but still usable.:)

[jerryph]

One has to understand that no lens at it's widest will be it's sharpest, but the Sigma 50mm F/1.4 at F/1.4 is damned sharp compared to other lenses in the same catagory. Maybe your expectations were not realistic? Another thing is that with this lens, your focus has to be 100% spot on else it shows up right away. I have not seen a lens so sensitive to this than this one... but once the focus is bang on, the results are tack sharp every time... at least with the one that is on my Nikon D700. By F/1.8 I get very sharp shots and it just gets better from there, but I often use the lens at F/1.4 the entire time it is on my camera.

I just completed a wedding and family BBQ photo shoot over the last 2 days and 90% of the time, the 50mm was the lens that was on my camera... I can do 50% of a wedding with JUST this lens... to me, that is amazing.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/3811006585_1b2af6e54d.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3459/3811821148_b1fbbb89a9.jpg

[jomanros]

Amazing! Great quality!!! Thank you for this precious tip!