Six weeks ago, I hopped into my car to drop a few packages off at FedEx and then came home holding a bag containing a Sigma 50 1.4 Art. This is the kind of thing that happens when I am kid free and have to drive past a camera store.
Everyone who knows me well knows that I like lenses and, more specifically, that I love Canon L lenses. My first L lens, like most photographers, was the 24-70 2.8L and, half a year later, my husband snuck a Canon 35 1.4L lens into my Easter basket and, after that, it was game over. Since that Easter, I have collected a large collection of L prime lenses but, despite this, I just really love that 35L. So much so that sometimes I shoot entire weddings with it.
But! As any creative person knows, sometimes you just need to shake things up a bit. I already owned a Canon 50 1.4 and, on that July morning, I walked into Bedford Photo to test a copy of the 50 1.2L, left the store after comparing the Sigma 50 Art and the 50 1.2L and, halfway home, turned around and bought the Sigma. And since then? I have used it a ton and, the more I use it, the more impressed I am with it.
So! Today! Here are five things I just really love about this lens!
One: Backlight.
The Sigma 50 Art handles backlight like a boss. It doesn’t hunt in backlight situations and just works like a champ every time. It’s amazing.
Two: Smoke Bombs.
Building off of backlight, the Sigma handles interesting lighting situations really well. At Abbey’s senior session, we used smoke bombs and, while Abbey held the smoke bombs, I surprised myself and reached for the Sigma 50 instead of the 35L (who was still dirty from smoke bombs on the Fourth of July). I stood inside of the smoke during this series and the Sigma did not miss focus a single time. If I had been using the 50 1.2L, I would have missed at least a third of the shots – not because I was doing anything wrong, exactly, but because the focus is not as tidy.
Three: Holy. Sharpness.
The Sigma 50 Art is the sharpest lens that I own. I am consistently impressed by how razor sharp images with this lens are. I’m not the biggest pixel peeper but, when I do get picky with my images taken with the Sigma, they are always sharp.
Four: The Focal Length.
As a tried and true 35mm lover, I still really, truly love the 50mm focal length. While I love my 85 1.2L, I prefer being close to my subjects and really enjoy that I can maintain a close distance to my clients with the 50mm. With the 85mm, I often feel too far back and, as we all know, the 35mm distorts. The distortion is cute for lifestyle and children and babies but, when used on brides and seniors, that quirkiness takes a turn for bad really quickly.
Five: Consistency.
All of my images taken with the Sigma 50 Art are consistent and, as a wedding photographer, I can’t even express how awesome it is to have a reliable lens at this focal length.
Honestly, there are only two things I would change about my Sigma: First, the lens cap is horrible and always falling off. Second, the bokeh is a bit lacking and took some getting used to. The bokeh from the Sigma 50 Art is extremely smooth, almost like someone took a butter knife to the background and patted it down. I love the unique bokeh of Canon’s 50mm and, because of this, had a really hard time adjusting to the bokeh on the Sigma. But! Because I own some serious bokeh beasts (including my third favorite lens, the 85L), I don’t feel that I am missing out on anything unless I see an incredible image taken with the 50 1.2L (just being honest!). While the bokeh on the Sigma 50 did not make my heart race from the start, I have really come to love the quietness of the bokeh and think that it adds a bit of charm to my photographs that other lenses do not. This lens is a great alternative to Canon’s current line-up of 50mm lenses and it has made a great addition to my camera bag! And I’m a total enabler but I say if, if you are eyeing this lens, go for it. The price point for this lens is awesome and, over a month later, I’m still surprised (in a good way!) by the images this lens helps me create.
Weddings | Engagements | Seniors | Families | Personal
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