Sigma 85mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for Canon EF

The image quality is what you expect from sigma art! The compression is beautiful and the bokeh is creamy. I love using this for portraits so much. It’s a heavy boi but that doesn’t stop me from loving it. The price was right and I’m so happy to have this. Been using it for about 4 years now and plan to spend many more with it!

Disappointing

I bought this on the basis of several 5star reviews and have been seriously disappointed by the poor focus in over a hundred studio portrait images. I had previously used the "Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM" lens for portraiture and it gave pin sharp images so that even in full length portraits, the veins in the eyes were in focus when viewed close up in Lightroom. With the same camera (Canon EOS 5D Mk III), the same studio lights and the same subject, there were very, very few images where focus was good, using this Sigma lens. Yes the images could have been displayed on a computer screen but could not have been enlarged on Super A3 paper. As others have said, Canon lenses sometimes struggle to focus in dim light, as did mine, but once my Canon lens did lock on, ... MoreI bought this on the basis of several 5star reviews and have been seriously disappointed by the poor focus in over a hundred studio portrait images. I had previously used the "Canon EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM" lens for portraiture and it gave pin sharp images so that even in full length portraits, the veins in the eyes were in focus when viewed close up in Lightroom. With the same camera (Canon EOS 5D Mk III), the same studio lights and the same subject, there were very, very few images where focus was good, using this Sigma lens. Yes the images could have been displayed on a computer screen but could not have been enlarged on Super A3 paper. As others have said, Canon lenses sometimes struggle to focus in dim light, as did mine, but once my Canon lens did lock on, focus was precise. In comparison, this Sigma lens was much faster in focussing but focus was seldom accurate enough for potential enlargements.

Dream portrait lens

I love Sigma lenses and this is a dream for portrait work. So bright and so rugged. It is a dream lens. Particularly wanted for the wide aperture after persevering with mid range zooms. The is almost zero chromatic aberration which cannot be said for zooms. Feels like a battleship compared to Canon lens - really well built. Delighted with it.

Excellent build, reliability and results!

I managed to get an excellent condition second-hand lens, hardly used and in perfect working order. This Sigma 85mm is a quite heavy, but that is simply down to the components and glass used. It produces excellent results, the picture quality is outstanding and a superb choice for portrait photography. I have experienced some "searching" when using AF, but this can be easily rectified with the immediate manual override feature if needed. Manual focus can be a little unforgiving as the focus ring is very rigid and the cylinder range extremely tight, however when used correctly, delivers amazing results. Aperture range and bokeh are excellent, providing distinct focal wash and crystal clear target areas. I am very happy with this lens and would highly recommend it.

Fantastic Lens

My professional photographer friend has one of these and he says he rarely uses anything else. I am photographing high speed performers in dark conditions where we cannot use a flash. The light capturing capacity of this lens makes a big difference. Of course it has a shallow depth of field when the aperture is wide open which can make it difficult to focus on the right spot but its autofocus is good and this visual effect is great. It does not have vibration reduction VR technology. It is heavy. With fixed focal length it produces very high quality images but if you want to frame your shot you have to run back and forth or crop it in post-processing. However the quality of the results make all this worth it. I highly recommend this to anyone wanting super high ... MoreMy professional photographer friend has one of these and he says he rarely uses anything else. I am photographing high speed performers in dark conditions where we cannot use a flash. The light capturing capacity of this lens makes a big difference. Of course it has a shallow depth of field when the aperture is wide open which can make it difficult to focus on the right spot but its autofocus is good and this visual effect is great. It does not have vibration reduction VR technology. It is heavy. With fixed focal length it produces very high quality images but if you want to frame your shot you have to run back and forth or crop it in post-processing. However the quality of the results make all this worth it. I highly recommend this to anyone wanting super high quality images, particularly in an indoor setting with natural light.

Rivals the Canon 85mm f/1.2 in Every Way

I'll just copypasta an answer I gave about this lens already:[The Canon 85mm f/1.8 and the Sigma 85mm f/1.4] aren't even in the same ballpark. The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 is more equally compared to the Canon 85mm f/1.2 II.Great sharpness even wide open, beautiful bokeh, [and] great colors. In my opinion, the Canon 85mm f/1.2 II beats the Sigma in produced colors, is about even on bokeh with a SLIGHT upper-hand, and is actually worse in AF speed and sharpness until about f/2.8.However, if you're not shooting on a full-frame camera, the Canon 85mm f/1.8 is actually a very good option. Since a crop sensor hits the sweet spot of a lens, the Canon 85mm f/1.8 shines. It has faster autofocus than the other two and, thanks to the sweet spot effect, is almost on par in bokeh ... MoreI'll just copypasta an answer I gave about this lens already:[The Canon 85mm f/1.8 and the Sigma 85mm f/1.4] aren't even in the same ballpark. The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 is more equally compared to the Canon 85mm f/1.2 II.Great sharpness even wide open, beautiful bokeh, [and] great colors. In my opinion, the Canon 85mm f/1.2 II beats the Sigma in produced colors, is about even on bokeh with a SLIGHT upper-hand, and is actually worse in AF speed and sharpness until about f/2.8.However, if you're not shooting on a full-frame camera, the Canon 85mm f/1.8 is actually a very good option. Since a crop sensor hits the sweet spot of a lens, the Canon 85mm f/1.8 shines. It has faster autofocus than the other two and, thanks to the sweet spot effect, is almost on par in bokeh and beats them both in sharpness until f/2.5 or so.Summary: If it's a crop sensor OR you're looking for lightning-fast AF for sports or the like, Canon 85mm f/1.8 is a great choice. For full-frame users, the Canon 85mm f/1.8 is out-shined by the Sigma f/1.4 and Canon f/1.2 in every way except AF speed. For price compared to quality, the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 is the real winner - being almost on par or better in every way as the Canon 85mm f/1.2 II, it becomes a question of if you're willing to pay double for an arguably small and limited marginal increase in quality.

Sigma 85mm 1.4 lens

I have owned two Sigma zoom lenses previously, the 10-20 and the 24-70 2.8 and was disappointed in both, replacing them with the Nikon 24-70 2.8 and Nikon 14-24 2.8. Those Sigma lenses just did not meet the sharpness and contrast I needed as a professional photographer. I read all the reviews I could find on 85mm 1.4 and 90+ percent all raved about it so I decided to go for it and it had been a long time since I was so excited a bout a lens, it is just beautiful. Solid construction and focuses quickly and accurately with great sharpness and contrast. The only thing I would change is the manual exposure lever/switch on the left side of the lens just where your thumb would rest as it too easily can be slid into manual focus and with the almost silent auto focus it is ... MoreI have owned two Sigma zoom lenses previously, the 10-20 and the 24-70 2.8 and was disappointed in both, replacing them with the Nikon 24-70 2.8 and Nikon 14-24 2.8. Those Sigma lenses just did not meet the sharpness and contrast I needed as a professional photographer. I read all the reviews I could find on 85mm 1.4 and 90+ percent all raved about it so I decided to go for it and it had been a long time since I was so excited a bout a lens, it is just beautiful. Solid construction and focuses quickly and accurately with great sharpness and contrast. The only thing I would change is the manual exposure lever/switch on the left side of the lens just where your thumb would rest as it too easily can be slid into manual focus and with the almost silent auto focus it is almost unnoticable. I would like some locking switch there. I may even put some tape over it. Other than that she is a beauty.

This Sigma 85mm lens does not work on autofocus with my Cano

Pros:Cons: I was told by the buydig staff that this lens would work great with my Canon 7D. It does NOT !!! And, it takes forever to focus on AF, if at all. Staff lied !!!Other thoughts: After ordering this lens I had several deaths in my family and was unable to check this lens out for over a month. When I called to report the problem I was told that I could not return it and had to contact the manufacturer. I'm disgusted !!! So it sits in the box !!! I wish that I would have spent the extra bucks and purchased the Canon lens from Canon instead of the Sigma lens from this company. Never again !!!

Value trumps brand name

I own several canon L lenses but this sigma version locks on faster than canon's own f1.2. Got fed up with all the hunting and out of focus shots with the canon that it had to go. I love 85 mm as a focal length, so thought I would take a punt on the sigma. Not only does it look better mounted, it also comes with a proper lens hood and is easier to attach to a camera body. The canon is quite fat in comparison and a small point I know, but it wasn't the easiest to attach to my 5D. Very impressed with initial test shots, accurate focus and lovely bokeh. Is even excellent at f1.4 and sharpens up as you step down. As the price of original brand continues to rocket I will definitely consider sigma for future purchases.

Very good

Of course a little bit of hesitation while ordering through this site that offers prices way lower than any "official" dealer or salespoint and that show a lot of negative reviews about ordering here - mainly concerning service and communication throughout the delivery stage. Still I ordered a Sigma 85 1.4 Art for Canon and received it about 8 or 9 working days later (the site mentioning "generally between 6 and 8 working days). The lens was in its original package with additional bubble wrap and shipping box. The lens is exactly what I expected and what it would have been if I ordered through an official dealer or shop.I would definitely buy here again. As it is grey import there is always a little chance that you might have some extra hustle in the case you need ... MoreOf course a little bit of hesitation while ordering through this site that offers prices way lower than any "official" dealer or salespoint and that show a lot of negative reviews about ordering here - mainly concerning service and communication throughout the delivery stage. Still I ordered a Sigma 85 1.4 Art for Canon and received it about 8 or 9 working days later (the site mentioning "generally between 6 and 8 working days). The lens was in its original package with additional bubble wrap and shipping box. The lens is exactly what I expected and what it would have been if I ordered through an official dealer or shop.I would definitely buy here again. As it is grey import there is always a little chance that you might have some extra hustle in the case you need to return it under warranty - how realistic is it to buy at 30% lower price and to expect the highest possible service. But then again this lens is top notch, high quality so expect to receive a fantastic piece of glass, in my opinion the chance of anything going wrong is neglictable and it's well worth the "risk".