[DSims]

I bought the Nikon variant two weeks ago and find the lens to be amazing. There's a touch of PF on super-bright specular highlights but apart from that it's the best lens I've ever used.

Apart from the cat on the pergola all the pictures shown here have zero added contrast and clarity. The cat on the pergola has a contrast setting of -15 and a clarity of +10. I don't remember why it ended up like that as it probably wasn't needed. There's almost no sharpening in LR5 as well.

The light is really pretty on #2.

---------- Post added 06-20-14 at 11:04 PM ----------

The DA*55 isn't sharp at F/1.4, or even really F/2.

On the other hand if I'm buying a lens to use at F/1.4 I would like the bokeh to be nice.

In practice the good sharpness is very noticeable at f/1.6 and f/1.8. My FA*85/1.4 is similar in this characteristic.

The bokeh is highly dependent on the background - it can either be extremely beautiful or unusually harsh.

the Sigma and Otus but as far as the rest go it's way ahead.

Perhaps this is true - the Sigma didn't exist when I compared. The DA*55 puts all the F/FA 50s to shame (not counting the macro, which is a different beast altogether). It certainly beats the FA43 too (except in color rendering).

---------- Post added 06-20-14 at 11:11 PM ----------

The DA*55 on APS-C is really "up against" 85mm lenses on FF so it's not really fair to compare the lenses until the Sigma 50mm A is available for the Pentax system. Interesting but kind of invalid at the moment if you get me.

Good point.

[Edgar_in_Indy]

I need to get some cats to test my lenses!

Seems like they do a better job of staying still than my kids do!

[Stagnant]

FA 50 is barely usable at F1.4 and it is quite sharp at F2.8. DA Lim 35 performs better when wide open. I would not mind having a 50 mm which is sharp through out the range. The size and the price do no not matter that much, as long as it is not Zeiss Otus kind of deal. Any info regarding the K-mount version of this lens ?

[ElJamoquio]

The full frame review is up.

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM | A ("Art") - Full Format Review / Lens Test Report - Sample Images & Verdict

"So, in summary, "Highly Recommended" - again - and better than all the other 50mm lenses that we have tested to date."

[Edgar_in_Indy]

"So, in summary, "Highly Recommended" - again - and better than all the other 50mm lenses that we have tested to date."

But it's a Sigma, so how good can it really be? At least that seems to be the standard disclaimer around here.

[panoguy]

But it's a Sigma, so how good can it really be? At least that seems to be the standard disclaimer around here.

You a funny man, Mr. Bond...

...AND NOW YOU DIE!

(My Sigma 18-35 Art is "wonderfulness" with a short zoom range!)

[Edgar_in_Indy]

You a funny man, Mr. Bond...

...AND NOW YOU DIE!

(My Sigma 18-35 Art is "wonderfulness" with a short zoom range!)

Maybe I should change my signature: "Does my Sigma threaten you? Good." (said in a sinister voice)