Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art Lens Review (“stroke of genius”, PetaPixel)

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art
Image courtesy PetaPixel

PetaPixel published their review about the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM lens, a lens that easily competes with the 4 times more expensive Zeiss 55mm f/1.4 Otus ($3,990). On the other hand, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 sells for [shoplink 20221]$949[/shoplink].

The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 was tested on a Nikon. Never the less I think the results speak for themselves. It’s more a real-life review than a lab-graph-engineerical one. From the conclusion:

[The Sigma 50mm f/1.4] focuses very quickly and is deadly accurate, the bokeh is creamy, comatic aberration or even ghosting are a non-factor and the contrast is near perfect.

The only crappy thing about this lens is deciding whether or not to buy it. If you shoot 50mm at all and you’re in the market, buy. Simple. But if you’re like me and tend to shoot wider or tighter, I think I’m going to wait for the Sigma 85mm.

The fear for me was that Sigma’s 35mm was an aberration — a one hit wonder. But this amazing 50mm is proof that Sigma’s new lens line is anything but a one-off stroke of genius.

There is more in PetaPixel’s review, as many sample pics and detailed review reports about various aspects of the Sigma 50mm f/1.4.

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art [shopcountry 20221] sig50

  • Aperture Range: f/1.4 to f/16
  • One Molded Glass Aspherical Element
  • Three Special Low Dispersion Elements
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Floating System & Large Diameter Design
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor
  • Rounded Nine-Blade Diaphragm
  • Thermally Stable Composite Material
  • Brass Bayonet Mount
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

You Can Already Order A Book About The Canon EOS 7D Mark II

Canon EOS 7D Mark II

It’s already possible to order a book on the Canon EOS 7D Mark II. The book is scheduled to be available for 9/27. The text in the pic above says:

  • Canon EOS 7D Mark2 Owner BOOK
  • Publisher: Motor Magazine
  • Release Date: September 27, 2014
  • Deadline: September 27, 2014
  • Planned tax Price: 1,650 yen

It appears the successor of the [shoplink 337]EOS 7D[/shoplink] will eventually have the moniker “Mark II”. Let’s hope for some specs to appear soon.

[via digicame-info]

Canon Wireless Flash System How To


Canon Wireless Flash

Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT

Canon Professional Network Europe posted an article on Canon’s wireless flash system.

Canon’s wireless flash system means that you can fire two or more Speedlites together without any cables linking them.

Working with multiple Speedlites gives you creative control over your subject lighting. A main light can be used away from the camera, and other units can be used to provide backlighting or illuminate the background.

It has been possible to work with two or more flash units almost since the day they were invented. However, the problem has always been getting the exposure correct. Just synchronizing the flash outputs is not enough. You also need to control each output to give the correct amount of light for the subject.

Read the article at CPN –>>

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A New Audacious Sigma Lens That You Might Not Want To Miss (150-600mm DG OS HSM)

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Sigma announced a new lens, the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM. And it gets better: the new Sigma is a weather sealed and image stabilised lens, made for sport photographers. Well, it’s almost 3kg but you get a phenomenal zoom, especially if you’re using a crop sensor (240-960mm equivalent).

It’s available for Canon/Nikon/Sigma mounts for the time being. Price has yet not leaked. The specs:

Manufacturer Sigma
Model 150-600 mm f / 5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Lens Type Telephoto zoom
Focal 150 – 600 mm
Light intensity f / 5 – 6.3
Field of view 16.4 – 4.1 for
The focus of 260 m
Maximum magnification 1: 5
Minimum aperture 22
Number of diaphragm blades 9
Auto focus AF / MF
The design 24 elements / 16 groups
Filter Size 105 mm
Macro No
Stabilization Yes
Available mounts Canon EF
Nikon F
Sigma
Dimensions 290.2 x 121 mm
Weight 2860 g
Additional Information Release date: 05/09/2014

The news came from SonyAlphaRumors | Optyczne. More images of the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM and lab charts (click on images):

2 Great Deals On Canon Gear (60D & 6D kits, both with Pro-100 printer))

Canon gear

Adorama has 2 very good Canon gear deals online.

  • Canon EOS 60D with PIXMA PRO-100 printer + Canon SG-201 Photo Paper)- on sale for $599 after $350 mail-in rebate (total savings sum up to $736.41)
  • Canon EOS 6D with the well-regarded EF 24-105mm f/4L IS lens & PIXMA PRO-100 printer – on sale for $1,999.95 after $550 mail-in rebate. This kit includes (total savings sum up to $1005.36):
    • Canon EOS-6D Digital SLR Camera Kit with EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens (Regular $2499)
    • Canon PIXMA PRO-100 Professional Photo Inkjet Printer (Regular $398)
    • Canon SG-201 Photo Paper Plus Semi-Gloss, 13×19″, 50 Sheets (Regular $38.41)
    • Toshiba 16GB Class 10 SDHC Memory Card, Black (Regular $9.95)
    • Slinger Bag, Single Strap Backpack / Shoulder Bag, Black (Regular $59.95)

Information about how the mail-in rebate work can be read here.