14 DAY TRIAL // Sigma has announced its own version of one of the most popular standard lenses in the shape of the 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM. The good news for those who like having such primes in their bags is that Sigma's new product is the only one on the market to incorporate a Hyper Sonic Motor. Admittedly, Canon's 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM also has "hyper sonic" capabilities, but they are enabled by an "extra-small Micro USM," as the company mentions. Sigma's solution, on the other hand, boasts a regular, full-size motor, which should ensure a better AF performance.
Being a DG-class lens, the 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM is designed for 35mm full-frame DSLRs, but it can also work on APS-H and APS-C cameras. When mounted on such DSLRs, the picture angle is that of a 65mm lens (on cameras like the Canon EOS 1D Mark III), of a 75mm lens (on cameras like the Nikon D300) and of a 80mm lens (on camera like the EOS 40D).
Optically speaking, the lens benefits from a molded glass aspherical element that corrects the coma aberration. Moreover, the super multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting.
Back to the focusing part, the HSM allows for full-time manual focus. This means that photographers can rotate the manual focus ring in AF mode to achieve the desired results. By the way, the lens has a minimum focusing distance of 45cm (17.7") and a maximum magnification of 1:7.4.
The 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM will be available for Sigma, Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony DSLRs (if the camera does not support HSM, the lens will not work in AF mode), but Sigma has not provided any pricing or availability information.
Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM features:
Standard lens with large maximum aperture of F1.4. It creates sharp images with high contrast and ensures superior peripheral brightness. Incorporates molded glass aspherical lens, perfectly correcting coma aberration and creating superior image quality. Super multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting. Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) ensuring silent, high-speed AF.