The Sigma 50mm EX DG HSM vs the Sigma 50mm F1.4 Art lens by Jack Howard

About Jack Howard: Jack Howard first picked up an SLR camera as a teenager years ago and has been exploring the photographic process ever since. Starting in the wet darkroom and now exploring cutting-edge digital imaging techniques, he's thoroughly embraced the evolution of the photographic process. 
Jack is Sigma Corporation of America's New Media Specialist, where he blogs, builds community, and shares his passion for photography with loyal and future Sigma customers every day.


The Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM | A sets the new benchmark for fast standard prime lenses for full-frame DSLRs, and is offered at a very fair price for its total performance. And the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM, originally introduced in 2008, is still in production; and it remains an exceptional fast fifty designed for both the performance and build expectations of professional photographers at a price that puts it well within reach of enthusiasts looking for both fantastic optics, and a pro build quality. Choosing either one of these full-frame Sigma 50mm F1.4 stablemates over an OEM lens is a wise choice. Choosing which one is exactly right for your bag really is basically a matter of budget, plus weight and size considerations. But either way, adding one of these Sigma 50mm F1.4s to your kit is a great idea.

To repeat, the Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM is still in production, and ships for a pretty fantastic street price,  especially right now with $100 Instant Savings through February 28th.  

The original high-performance 50mm F1.4 

At 3.3” x 2.7” and weighing in at 17.8 ounces, this lens is heavy and stocky. Packing eight elements in six groups, it close focuses to 17.7 inches at 1:7.4 magnification. Nine rounded aperture blades and an aspherical element make for pleasing defocused and focused image elements, while a full-time manual-focus ring allows for on-the-fly adjustments.



The Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG HSM | A was announced last year and has been the talk of the photography world ever since. 

The Sigma 50mm F1.4 SG HSM Art Lens

Pairing world-beating optics and imaging performance with a hypersonic motor for fast, quiet AF, along with four zone microtuning, wrist-flick Manual focus override and firmware updates via the USB Dock, this lens has already gained a number of prestigious awards, and earned tons of positive reviews from the most demanding photographers around the world. Physically, it is a very large standard lens, at 3.4” x 3.9 inches and weighing in at 28.7 ounces. Much of that weight comes form the 13 elements in 8 groups, so it is a more complex optical design. Super low dispersion glass and super multi-layer lens coatings, along with nine round aperture blades renders photographs with extraordinary image quality. Field distortion is virtually non-existent. Demand is still incredibly high, and supplies are still very limited thanks to its very fair street price but both the Nikon and Canon mounts are in stock at SuperDigitalCity and ready to ship!


So, really, what it comes down to is total performance, budget, physical size considerations, and availability to determine which Sigma 50mm F1.4 is right for you. Especially when offered with Instant Savings, like it is right now*, the 50mm EX DG HSM is an incredible bargain for a lens of this caliber. And it is ten ounces lighter, and overall noticeably smaller, both in the hand and when hauling a camera bag. The 50mm F1.4 DG HSM | A lens is larger and heavier, as it is designed with an eye first and foremost at performance above all else. It is heavy, but it is balanced, and even though it is priced significantly more than the 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM, it is still more economical than the OEM lenses it leaves in the dust in terms of overall performance and value. 

This is a world-class lens. Worldwide demand remains incredibly high, because photographers and videographers have truly fallen for all this lens offers. Whether you choose the original high-performance 50mm EX or the incredible new Art 50mm, you’ll be adding a fantastic fast F1.4 standard prime to your kit, and both ship with a four-year Sigma USA warranty when you buy from SuperDigitalCity! 

At F4 here both lenses show great focal plane sharpness on the flowers in the foreground and lovely background rendering. But when going wide open to F1.4, the Art lens definitely outperforms the EX version. 

The Art 50 has the edge in close-focusing
over the original EX 50mm.

The same scene captured
with the EX 50mm.

Jack's book, Practical HDRI, 2nd Edition, High Dynamic Range Imaging Using Photoshop CS5 and Other Tools is now available through many bookstores and online book sites.

Congratulations to Laura Johnson!

Big congrats are in order for Laura Johnson who was the winner in our Erin Manning Holiday Giveaway!  Laura has won the Erin Manning Home Studio Lighting Kit by Westcott, with 2 lights, 2 stands, 2 softboxes, PLUS a DigiTent and instructional DVD! We can't wait to see the great images you take with the kit, Laura, so @ us on Twitter, post on our Facebook wall or leave some images in the comments here!
And a big thanks to everyone who entered! 

The Erin Manning Home Studio Lighting Kit by Westcott 

It's that time of year again and for those of you with a photographer on your gift list, the choices can be daunting; there's a lot of great gear out there! But never fear, don't lose your holiday cheer because SDC is here with our Holiday Gift Guide! We've made our own list and checked it twice, it's got the best, most giveable gifts that any photographer would love to unwrap. There's something for every budget, even a few stocking stuffers. So don't stress, there really IS a great gift for everyone!

For the photographer who wants to carry their gear in style, we love the Mini Messenger from Tenba. Sturdy and stylish, this gem holds an SLR body, 2-3 lenses and your flash attachment plus other smaller accessories. And speaking of gems, it comes in 7 colors! At just under $100, a great value! $93.95

The Mini Messenger from Tenba

For the travel photographer on your list, the Tenba Shootout Backpack is just the ticket! This backpack is roomy and comfortable enough for a long hike, yet sleek enough for a high end wedding. At just under $200, a terrific value. 

The Tenba Shootout Backpack

Got a portrait photographer on your list? They're probably hoping for a LumiQuest location/portrait kit! Includes the Soft Box III, FXtra gel set and TWO Ultra Straps in one lightweight kit that can go anywhere, so put it under the tree! $94.95 price tag makes this kit a must!

The LumiQuest Location/Portrait kit

We love the MeFoto DayTrip tripod. This small tripod is in two sections and can support up to 8.8 pounds making it a great choice for P&S, mirrorless and compact DSLRs. A single action ballhead, mini arca-swiss style plate, 8 sassy colors and carrying case with shoulder strap round out this great gift package! $119.00

The MeFoto DayTrip tripod

Want a gift that keeps on giving? How about a Hoodman H Line SDHC card? Rugged Hoodman quality plus a lifetime guarantee? This gift gets our vote! 

The Hoodman H Line SDHC card

From X-Rite comes this time (and headache) saver, the ColorChecker Passport. This handy tool fits in your bag and contains three targets so you can get your color just right. Also allows you to use any shot to create a profile, saving time in your workflow later.

For the photographer that likes to wear her/his heart (and love of photography) on their tees, these fun camera/photography themed tees and totes over at the The PhotoBrigade are iconic and cool. Pick one up for yourself when buying gifts!

For the pro or serious enthusiast, we love the Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art Lens. This new iteration of the 50mm captures subjects crisply with beautiful bokeh. Free the inner artist in your favorite photographer with this premium prime lens! $949.00

Good things DO come in small packages! Check out these stocking stuffers! 

 The LumiQuest Pocket Bouncer will fit in your pocket so of course it’s a perfect fit for a stocking! Soften harsh flash with this 90 degree angle redirect. The whole thing folds flat! $26.95

See the Light Vol 6 Natural Light at Events

All of us get invited to parties and events. If the hosts know you are a photographer, they may think, "Hey, he’s got a nice camera, let's ask him to take some photos." I see quite a few photographers at events with their flash units on top of their cameras with the latest modifier on it. I always chuckle a bit because I've always hated how those photos look. They're mostly the "Everyone say cheese" variety. Instead, go without a flash and use the available light in the venue. Sure, it may be horrid, dark or yellow or green, but make do with what you've got. Look for authentic expressions and interactions.... Pump up your ISO, take it off Auto and look for a story. 

Light, expression, environment.

"Wonder"

My friend Ken and his wife had a party for their new daughter. And even though they never asked me to photograph the event, whenever a close friend invites me to an important event, I try to capture a few images for them. So as I watched him walk around the venue with his pride and joy, I noticed that when he faced his daughter toward the Western windows, this beautiful light would frame her face. So I simply placed myself in a position next to one of the tables so I could capture her awash in beautiful light as she gazed over her father's shoulder. Some photographers may ask someone to stand in good light and I can understand that method. But my preference is to just

let it happen organically. Light, expression, environment.

Congratulations to the winner of the Ready for Anything Giveaway!

Congratulations to Ron Veiner, the winner of our LumiQuest Ready for Anything Giveaway! Ron won the Ready for Anything kit, so he’s getting the ProMax system, (including the 80/20 ceiling bounce), the FXtra gel holder system, and the Ultra Strap, all in a lightweight storage wallet.

Bummed you didn’t win? We’re a LumiQuest authorized dealer, so visit our site and you can get Ready for Anything too!

The Ready for Anything kit from LumiQuest!

See the Light Series Vol 5: Natural Light with Mark Kitaoka

"I only use natural light..."

Yup I remember saying that very same thing in an intentionally arrogant tone. Truth be told, I didn't know how to use artificial light whether it was from a strobe or hand held flash. Sure I had dabbled with them, but didn't understand the first thing about using either very well.

I began my photographic journey doing street shooting. No artificial light, no reflectors, no scrims, just what being in the right place at the right time had put before me. After that initial fear of shooting strangers going about their daily lives wore off, street shooting became invigorating. Looking for the 'right' person, in the 'right' situation, in the 'right' light meant being visually vigilant and above all being patient. To this day it is still my favorite type of photography, but I've been both blessed and cursed to not have the time to pursue it as often as I have in the past.

So for the next couple posts, I want to talk about shooting tips in natural light whether you're street shooting or creating a portrait.

I have developed my own rule for shooting whether by natural or artificial light. I call it "The LEE" principle: Light, Expression, Environment. Make sure your image tells a story either using light, expression or the environment and you're on your way, but your best shots will incorporate all three factors. Let’s look at the LEE principle in available light/street shooting.

How to get over the jitters about photographing strangers on the street is an article all unto itself, so I won't go into it here. The main elements you should consider when looking at potential street scenes:

1. Tell a story, including the environment is as important as your subject. If you frame too tight, you lose the story in the shot. If you want to go in tight you can always crop, but try to get the entire story in camera. Park yourself in an interesting place and WAIT.

As I was waiting for a musician I was photographing I decided to hang out on Market Street in San Francisco. After about ten minutes I noticed this interesting man

approaching the bus stop, so I simply waited until he got into a position where I could frame him with the art across the street. Light, expression, environment.

"Suspicious"

2. Observe the light and determine what you hope to achieve before taking a shot.

For this image I went into San Francisco one Saturday morning and waited as I watched people crossing California Avenue on Kearny Street. I waited until I observed these five people walking and snapped the image as they were in this formation. It was almost noon so I knew the subjects would be silhouetted, but that was my plan for this shot. Light, expression, environment.

"Intersection"

3. Wait for the right action or expression. Remember a great expression with bad light or a boring environment will not get you the shot you want.

Window shots are my favorites and this one was taken during a street fair. I had to wait 15 minutes for the sun to travel to an angle to light the two women and the dog as they watched the people in the fair below their apartment. I was quite worried that this shot would be missed if they moved from the window. But I waited until the sun was just right and took this shot. Light, expression, environment.

Off the street, the LEE principle still works:

I literally HATE any time in the early morning. So getting up before 11:00AM takes an act of Congress or the potential for gorgeous light. In this case the two models in this photo were simply asked to run through a field of grass at around 7:00am amid gorgeous fog. When the light is diffused like this, the whole world seems gorgeous. Because the environment and light are almost a sure thing, your direction to the subject for expression and activity will make or break your shot. Light/expression/environment.

"Bliss"

Bodies of water make incredible reflectors! In this shot I had the subject in a rowboat and asked her to row parallel to the sun. I wanted her backlit to give an angelic feeling to the image. I asked a fellow photographer to spray water from a garden hose into the air and spot metered on her hair to give me the exposure I needed for the light. Light/expression/environment.

"Enchanted"

My friend Russell was dismantling the recording studio he had operated for over 30 years. He asked me to photograph the process so he could have memories of his decades of recording so many artists. I told him that the story would not be complete without taking an environmental portrait of him, so I wandered around his studio to find the right spot. In his upstairs storage room was an old chair surrounded by lots of gear being packed and was lit by window light. Light/expression/environment.

"Fin"

In the next two installments, I'll talk about natural light in event shooting and reflectors. Happy Shooting!

Enter the Ready for Anything Giveaway from SDC and Lumiquest!

“Be prepared.” That’s not just a motto, they’re words to live by! But if you’re a photographer, being ready for anything could mean a confusing and expensive array of gear and accessories. Check out the Lumiquest Ready For Anything Kit! This compact and efficient kit contains the ProMax system, a 6 piece set up that is built around the “80/20” bounce and also includes the Fxtra, a gel holder with an assortment of gels to balance your flash and the Ultra Strap which can be used with the kit as well as to securely attach photographic anything to anything else! 

Click here to enter!

You can win this kit, valued at $90, by entering the Ready for Anything Giveaway on our Facebook page! We're a Lumiquest authorized dealer, which means we carry the full line of Lumiquest products on our site.

Never worry you won’t be prepared for whatever kind of light you encounter on a shoot; with LumiQuest’s Ready For Anything kit, you’re covered!