Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art

As I made the move to full frame, the decision to add a 50mm lens to my photography equipment came about fairly easy.  I had the wide angle end of the spectrum covered with my 14-24mm lens but then there was a big gap to my next lens, an 85mm.  35mm seemed like it would be too close to the 24mm end of my wide angle.  On a full frame camera, the 50mm would be similar to a 35mm on a crop sensor, which had been my "walk around" lens.

So I knew I wanted a 50mm and at first, I assumed I would just go with Nikon and their 50mm f/1.4 lens.  But then I started reading about Sigma's new "Art" line of lenses and I became a bit intrigued and curious and the more I read, the more I began to doubt that the Nikon lens was the best option for me.  There is a price difference of approximately $500 (I've seen it range from $400 to $600) between the two lenses and that kept me from making an immediate decision.  I was also a bit concerned with the size and weight of the Sigma when compared to the Nikon 50mm.  I hemmed and hawed and researched for four months before I purchased this lens.  The last thing I wanted to do was regret my decision.  I was ready to press the button and order the Nikon but then I came across yet another article raving about the Sigma and that threw me back over to the other side.

The lens arrived on my front porch about three weeks ago and it's been on my camera almost nonstop.  I'm very happy with my decision.  I do have to say that the first day I used it, I was viewing the photos on my camera and I was kind of bummed because they didn't blow me away but then I uploaded them to my computer and I was wowed.

Here's an example.



That photo is a crop of the image below.



By the way, I love that crop.  I think it belongs on the cover of something.  Maybe a book or a CD.  Something.

So work has been a little busy this week.  I didn't get home until 9:00 Monday night and then last night, it was 9:30.  I hope to have Memorial Day off.  We shall see.