Canon EF 50mm f/1,4 USM or Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM ?

[koti]

Im looking for a fast portrait lens for my 40D. I would like beautiful bokeh and sharpest possible images (obviously) This will be only my second lens - Ive been using my 40D with 17-55 f/2.8 for the past year. I read that the canon 50mm f/1.4 has problems with delivering sharp images up untill f/2 and some (at fredmiranda.com) even say its completely useless below f/2. The Sigma on the other hand is known to have focusing problems and its a bit more pricey...but its supposed to have nice bokeh and its supposedly sharp even at f/1.4
What do You guys think? Or maybe theres something else outhere in the same price range that Im not aware of ? What would You choose ?

[adam75south]

you might wanna check out the 85mm f/1.8 if you want sharp with good focus.

i've owned the canon 50 1.4 but i never thought of it as a sharp lens.

[koti]

you might wanna check out the 85mm f/1.8 if you want sharp with good focus.

i've owned the canon 50 1.4 but i never thought of it as a sharp lens.

Yep, thats what I hear about the canon 50 f/1.4...
The 85mm would give me 136mm on my 40D so its kinda useless :-/
Ive changed my mind around completely since yesterday and now Im onto the 70-200 f/4 L IS. I figured that I will have a lot more uses for a sharp tele (they say its extremely sharp) then for a fast prime. Im walking around the 70-200 f/4 IS for over a year now and I think Im ready to spend the money so I guess the prime will wait for now.

[adam75south]

useless is a pretty harsh word. focal length and portraits are pretty irrelevant. it really only matters how much space you need between you and the subject and how tight you wanna go on their face.

as far as portrait lenses go, i'm not sure you can beat the 85 1.8 for the price...besides maybe the 100 f/2.

here's 85mm on a 40d
http://www.adammedders.com/photos/462860047_p28Yx-XL.jpg

and for the hell of it
155mm(248mm) on a 40d
http://www.adammedders.com/photos/418627218_ophoW-O.jpg

[koti]

The second shot is awesome - thats why Im getting the 70-200 f/4 L IS :D

[dorin]

i had them both on 40d, and the canon left almost immediately i received the sigma, yes you may have problem with the focus, i did, but a quick trip to sigma service and you will love that lens!

[24Peter]

While I love my 70-200 F4 L IS, there's a big difference between the DOF (and to some extent bokeh) that you can achieve with that lens vs. either of the 50mm lenses you started this thread with. The 70-200 does have it's place for people pics, but if good portraits are your primary concern, then a fast prime lens is really the way to go. Either the Canon or Sigma 50mm lenses or Adam's suggestion for the 85 1.8 or 100 F2 are better choices (even on a 40D).

With regard to the difference between the 50mm lenses, your initial assessment is correct: Canon not much good below F2.5 and Sigma (like the 30 1.4) has focus issues. (It's worth noting however the Canon is excellent in terms of sharpness @ F4 or above and dorin may be correct regarding a trip to Sigma service for the focus issue.)