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Sigma  EX DG HSM 50mm F1.4 Review RSS Feed

Sigma EX DG HSM 50mm F1.4

Sharpness 
 9.8
Aberrations 
 9.2
Bokeh 
 10.0
Handling 
 8.2
Value 
 9.2
Autofocus 
 9.0
Reviews Views Date of last review
22 101,633 Mon July 3, 2023
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
91% of reviewers $411.74 9.33
Sigma  EX DG HSM 50mm F1.4
supersize


Description:
Fast, sharp and solid build lense.

Lens Construction: 8 Elements in 6 Groups
Angle of View: 46.8 degrees
Number of Diaphragm Blades: 9 Blades
Minimum Aperture: F16
Minimum Focusing Distance: 45cm/17.7 in.
Maximum Magnification: 1:7.4
Filter Size: Diameter 77mm/3 in.
Dimensions: Diameter 84.5mm X Length 68.2mm
3.3 in. X 2.7 in.
Weight: 505g/17.8 oz
Buy Lens: Buy the Sigma  EX DG HSM 50mm F1.4
Price: $499
Mount Type: Pentax KAF2 (w/ in-lens AF)
Price History:



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Inactive Account

Registered: April, 2010
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 3,053

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: December 10, 2010 Recommended | Price: $480.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharp pictures; HSM; built like a tank; nice bokeh
Cons: Big and heavy for a prime

Optically and mechanically this is a superb lens. It is quick, quiet, and accurate when focusing even in low light situations. It is sharp in the center wide open and even sharper at f2, beyond f2 it is tack sharp from edge to edge. I chose this lens because it seems to be one of the best available in any mount at this focal range and because the motor on closest competitive pentax, the DA* 55 MM f1.4 SDM, is reported to be slower and less reliable than the motor on this one.

This focal length and this lens is great for portraits and indoors photography. Combined with a k-x you can get away with very good handheld photos even under very low light conditions such as candle lighting without a flash.

It also supports quick shift focus, which the FA 50 f1.4 does not, and the focusing ring moves smoothly which is nice for shooting video in poor lighting conditions.

If I could rate in half point increments I would probably give a 9.5 because the heft which is the lens’ only significant drawback IMHO because it can get to you some days. It seems that the weight is typical for Sigmas lenses, especially their EX line. The weight is not enough to make me want to exchange this lens for something lighter like the Pentax FA 50 f1.4. The experience I have had with this sigma so far has made me put the 30 mm sigma on my wish list despite its similar stature.
People also complain about the filter size being 77 mm, but as I don’t use any filters I don’t really view this as a drawback.
Other thoughts: Nice hood, not so nice lens caps the front one is easily knocked off and sometimes difficult to put on and the rear one is always difficult to put on although it covers all contacts which is nice, supports FF (but who knows if that will ever come in handy)
   
Veteran Member

Registered: August, 2007
Location: YMML
Posts: 1,879

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 25, 2010 Recommended | Price: $480.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: HSM, F1.4, sharp
Cons: none really

I've had my Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM for about a week now, brought brand new from a local brick and mortar vendor, and here are my thoughts on this lens
  • Size - it's big lens, with a 77mm front filter, so it's not the most discreet lens out there
  • Weight - there's a bit of heft to this lens, but it goes well with a gripped K-7
  • Build Quality - a Sigma EX lens, the build quality is nice and it feels solid and like it means business. The focusing ring has a bit more resistance than I would like, but it may loosen up a bit over time. The lens is a DG lens (can be used for FF), and hence the lens hood isn't as effective as it could be and can let in some stray light. A longer lens hood might help.
  • AF - fast and quiet, and much preferred over my screw-drive lenses. Focusing ring doesn't turn while AF focusing
  • Sharpness - centre sharpness from F1.4 is good, but the edges are a bit soft. From about F1.8 or so, starts to be sharp across the frame
  • Bokeh - really nice and creamy. However, there is a bit of "onion ring" bokeh that might not be to everyone's tastes
  • Image quality - there's a bit of a contrast loss wide open at F1.4, but stepped down to about F1.8 and beyond and it's not a worry. Otherwise, it's a sharp lens. Very happy with the images from it
  • CA/Fringing - haven't really noticed too much to bother me

The Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM, I like it!
   
Veteran Member

Registered: December, 2009
Location: Bucharest
Posts: 482

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: April 24, 2010 Recommended | Price: $550.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: excellent IQ, fast AF, good build
Cons: big and heavy

Excellent lens. Not much for street shooting due to appearence.

The lack of weather sealing and the bulk compared with the 55mm SDM and the FA 50mm respectively is counterbalanced by the faster AF and frankly more trust that HSM will not fail over time.

Regarding IQ, compared with the A 1.4 and the F 1.7 that i owned, the Sigma delivered consistently better results, not by a wide margin but still.

The affordable price (compared with the DA 55mm) earned the final 10 in my rating.

Some test photos here http://kytra.zenfolio.com/p196631905
   
Junior Member

Registered: May, 2009
Location: Chicago
Posts: 25

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: January 13, 2010 Recommended | Price: $500.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Fast, slient, sharp
Cons: expensive than FA 50 1.4

-Unbelievable sharp and creamy bokeh!
-Accurate focus and silence will beat DA*55 with no mercy!
-77mm fliter size will startle layman!
-No flaw in built quality!

Have been hesitating between sigma 50/1.4 and DA*55/1.4, finally bought this lense, brilliant decision!

Never changed lenses ever since I put this simga on!
   
Inactive Account

Registered: April, 2009
Location: New York
Posts: 2
Review Date: August 29, 2009 Recommended | Price: $499.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharpness and bokeh
Cons: not 50mm (46)

I got a very good copy and using it all time. Pros: F1.4 - F2.5 best standart lens.
   
Senior Member

Registered: August, 2007
Location: Perth, Australia
Posts: 268

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: August 25, 2009 Recommended | Price: $524.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Very sharp wide open, fast, focus spot on, very nice bokeh
Cons: Hugh! quick heavy and big filter

Just got this lens instead of the Pentax DA* 55mm. I've used DA55 for a week thanks to my mate who lent it to me.

Compare to DA55, this is shorter, but fatter, and heavier. I feel that the focus is slightly faster than the DA55. Hood is shorter, typical petal hood, unlike the hood on DA55, which i think got more character.

Anyway, the reason to buy this lens is because it provide a cheaper alternative to DA55, but also still provide:

Fast HSM quiet focus
Sharp at f1.4
Nice bokeh
Good build

I can live with the weight, overall size, 77mm filter and no weather seal.
   
Forum Member

Registered: February, 2009
Location: Finland, Vantaa
Posts: 95

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: May 12, 2009 Recommended | Price: $470.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Fast, super sharp, Hsm, nice bokeh, size in K20D, solid build, lense hood is good
Cons: Hmmm, maybe filter size 77mm..

-Best lense i own at this moment! I was amazed how silent this lense is, thanks to Hsm.
-Fast and accurate focus
-Bokeh is smooth and creamy.
-It´s sharp even at f1,4!
-Build quality is superb! Its like a tank
-Good flare resistant

I Just love this lense, it´s my favourite now. Good for walk-around lense, portraits and some special shots when it´s wide open.
I allmost bought pentax fa 50mm f1,4, but now i´m glad i got this.
Buy it, you wont regret it.
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