Canon 50mm 1.2L vs. Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art

[dkaplan74]

I recently picked up a Canon 50mm 1.2L. It is definetly a lovely lens. Would anyone swap for the 50mm Art? If so why?

[robdickinson]

The only reason to own the canon 50L is to shoot at 1.2

Thats its only real reason to exist.

if your happy shooting f1.4 then you bought the wrong lens.

[BobShaw]

A 1.2 at 1.4 is going to be better than a 1.4 at 1.4 or possibly even a lot more. Aside from that, one is a Canon and one is not.

[robdickinson]

A 1.2 at 1.4 is going to be better than a 1.4 at 1.4 or possibly even a lot more. Aside from that, one is a Canon and one is not.

ISO crops:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=403&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=0&LensComp=115&CameraComp=453&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

photozone:

f1.2L , http://www.photozone.de/canon_eos_ff/472-canon_50_12_5d?start=1  :


f1.4 :


The 1.4 is sharper in the centre and MUCh sharper towards the edges than the 1.2L at 1.6!

The 1.4 does have a touch more vignetting at 1.4 than the 1.2L at 1.4 but a lot less CA. The 1.2L also has a touch more distortion.


Now compare the 50L to the Sigma art :
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=403&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=1&LensComp=941&CameraComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0

[BernardLanguillier]

A 1.2 at 1.4 is going to be better than a 1.4 at 1.4 or possibly even a lot more. Aside from that, one is a Canon and one is not.

Most probably not. There are huge design compromises that have to be made to reach f1.2.

The Canon 50mm f1.2 is famous for its super sweet look (which is what matters for its informed users), but it is a poor lens technically at all apertures. It is absolutely not in the same class as the new Sigma.

On most brands, the f1.8 lenses are superior to their f1.4 bigger brothers at most apertures.

Cheers,
Bernard

[kholt]

I thought the main reason the Canon 1.2 existed was for bragging rights since Nikon can't match it with an AF design (or so goes the folklore regarding smaller size of F mount).  I have no idea if this is really true and who cares anyway.  Hey, if you got it, flaunt it.  Nothing wrong with that on Canon's part.  It does appear the 1.2 makes some compromise to get to such a large aperture based on the above data.  Speaking for myself, I'm lucky to get my Nikon focused accurately enough at 1.4.  If I had a 1.2 I'd have even more worthless mis-focused shots than I already have.....

Keith

[uaiomex]

Do the Art focusing collar turn the same direction Canons do?
TIA
Eduardo

[Sheldon N]

The Canon 50mm f1.2 is famous for its super sweet look (which is what matters for its informed users), but it is a poor lens technically at all apertures. It is absolutely not in the same class as the new Sigma.

Yep, exactly. I don't own the 50L because its sharp. I just love the look of the images it produces.

[Telecaster]

I thought the main reason the Canon 1.2 existed was for bragging rights since Nikon can't match it with an AF design (or so goes the folklore regarding smaller size of F mount). I have no idea if this is really true and who cares anyway.

You can mount an AIS Nikon 50/1.2 on any F-mount camera. Works fine given the issues with reasonably fast & accurate manual focusing on cameras not designed for this. If you've had the chance to give the Canon 50/1.2 a spin you may've noticed it doesn't actually offer any speed advantage at f/1.2 compared to 1.4, at least not on a 135 format camera. (The camera in Av mode may suggest a slightly faster shutter speed at f/1.2 relative to 1.4...but look carefully at the actual photos.) The same is true of other f/1.2 lenses, at least those I've used. You will get marginally shallower DOF, though. It's a distinctive look, and one that has appeal. Dunno why Nikon currently isn't interested in f/1.2...maybe they're just more practical-minded right now than Canon.   

-Dave-

[Ellis Vener]

Do the Art focusing collar turn the same direction Canons do?
TIA
Eduardo

Yes it does, at least the Canon version of the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 does.  I also preferred the feel of the manual focusing mechanism in the Sigma over  the EF 50mm f/1.4, it has a more positive feel. From closest focus to beyond the infinity mark with the sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG A lens is approximately a third of a rotation, but given the far larger diameter of  the Sigma's lens barrel the rotation covers a longer distance

[scooby70]

Speaking for myself, I'm lucky to get my Nikon focused accurately enough at 1.4.  If I had a 1.2 I'd have even more worthless mis-focused shots than I already have.....

Keith

The new Sony A7 cameras are wonderful for getting well focused wide aprture shots. Maybe mirrorless is the way to go to get the hit rate up but having said that I didn't have too much trouble with my old 5D and the old Sigma 50mm f1.4.

[NancyP]

Hey, I like my cheapo miltary-surplus (Beaufort Hall AFB, inscribed on its ugly little barrel) AIS Nikkor 50mm f/1.2, even though it is a PITA to focus and I use it with adapter on my Canon 6D. This is one of these lenses where the defect, hellacious spherical aberration wide open, can also be used as a feature. It is a perfectly fine and sharp lens stopped down to f/2.8 to f/5.6, and the lens you have is better than one still in the store. Sure, I lust after the Sigma Art. For the time being, I am using my trusty fossil. It needs to be at f/4 for astrolandscapes, though, the coma wide open has wider wings than the local harbinger of spring, the buzzard (turkey vulture - wingspan about 5 ft).

[uaiomex]

Thank you Ellis. I' m very glad it does. I bought a Tamron 24-70 2.8VC and it turns the other way. I'm selling it because it drives me nuts. Never ever I will buy again a third party lens turning "the wrong way"

Eduardo

Yes it does, at least the Canon version of the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 does.  I also preferred the feel of the manual focusing mechanism in the Sigma over  the EF 50mm f/1.4, it has a more positive feel. From closest focus to beyond the infinity mark with the sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG A lens is approximately a third of a rotation, but given the far larger diameter of  the Sigma's lens barrel the rotation covers a longer distance