Sigma 50-150 2.8 - A great portrait lens

[cunparis]

Hi recently got the 50-150. First copy front focus horribly, visible even viewed on screen (without zooming in). Second copy is near perfect. Focal point is just a bit towards the back end of DoF but it's ever so slight and it helps to blur the background so I don't mind. I think most people who think their lens is soft at 150 2.8 really have focus issues. Even mine that front focused, I noticed that the subject's eyes would be soft but the ring on her finger would be incredibly sharp to use an example. The lens is very sharp at 150 2.8 *IF* if focuses correctly. I wish Sigma would get their quality control together.

You'll find samples from my 2nd copy here, all 100% crops (about half the image) taken at 150 2.8 (maybe a few at 100mm in there but I don't think so):

http://www.advweb.com/tmp/50-150_2/2/

Also, the min focus distance is 1m but that's for 50mm. At 150mm it will front focus at 1m and that is "normal" for this lens (that's just how it is). I find at 1.5m the focus is fine. Sometimes I like to shoot real tightly cropped portraits so I have to watch out for that so I'm not too close.

You can see here a focus chart comparison of copy 1 vs copy 2:

http://www.advweb.com/tmp/50-150_2/1/

however note that since I'm at the min focus distance (1m) the test is NOT valid. The first copy front focused on 100% of my portraits from any distance so there is no doubt it was defective.

If you want to try one, I strongly suggest ordering from a company with a very liberal return policy. Amazon is the best that I know of (and cheapest) with B&H being second. There are a few reviews at Amazon:

Nikon version:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HPMP6A/104-8704416-8739922?ie=UTF8&tag=advanwebamazocom&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000HPMP6A

Canon version:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HPOQKS/104-8704416-8739922?ie=UTF8&tag=advanwebamazocom&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000HPOQKS

Returning mine was a breeze with amazon and I didn't have to pay shipping charges.

Let me know if you have any questions about the lens.

-Michael

[cunparis]

here's my favorite crop:

http://www.advweb.com/tmp/50-150_2/2/DSC_0075.jpg

[K1W1]

Can you resize the image a bit please so that it doesn't cause havoc with peoples screen settings.
1200 pixels wide is probably more than enough for most viewers.
Thanks.

[cunparis]

If I resized then you wouldn't be able to see if it's sharp or not. I didn't realize this software wasn't able to keep from expanding the window like that, it's a problem with the software. And finally, this software doesn't allow me the ability to resize it once it's posted.

[corndog]

You cant just delete the image from the host and upload a 100% crop at 1024x768 or smaller?

[cunparis]

I can't because I have already linked to it in other messages.

This is a problem with the forum software. At other sites I haven't had a problem.