Author: | | 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. | | |