Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens for Canon EF

Consider this a preliminary review. Ill update it as things evolve. When I first got this lens, I went out and took a variety of photos in a variety of conditions using my D810. The photos did not have the sharpness I was expecting based on my experience with the outstanding Sigma 50mm Art lens I have been using. Even a casual inspection of the photos showed severe front-focusing. I tried connecting it with my Sigma USB port device (purchased 11 months ago when I got my Art 50mm), but learned that the USB device was now dead. I had only used it once, back when I first received my 50mm. Got the focus dialed in then, and havent used the USB device since. I dont know if the 24mm somehow killed the USB device, or if it just died on its own over the last 11 months, but it was dead. The particular symptoms were that I could plug it in, the on-computer software would recognize it (little green "port" light on screen would come on), but the on-device indicator light would not come on and no functionality was accessible. Called the (very helpful) people at Sigma, talked through the issue, and they concluded there was no option but to send it (the USB device, that is) in for warranty service. As of this writing, it is off at Sigma. I am told they have a 48 hour turn-around in their warranty department, so I expect it back any day. I decided to try the on-camera AF fine tune to see what I could get out of this lens. See the attached photo. I discovered that my subjective conclusion of front focusing was correct. I also discovered that the extent of the front focusing was so extreme that even at the limit (20 units) of the cameras adjustment, there was not quite enough to cure the problem. My intention is to wait until I receive the USB device back from Sigma and then try that. Hopefully I will be able to get these focus problems resolved. If not, I will be quite disappointed. I have had amazing results with the 50mm Art from Sigma, and was really hoping to get similar results from the 24. For now, Im calling this a "Three Star" review. Depending on how things turn out, I expect it will either go to "One Star" or "Five Stars". Update #1: I received my repaired USB dock back from Sigma today. By all appearances, they just replaced it, but either way, the dock now works perfectly with my 50mm, but it still does not connect to my 24mm. I am sending the 24mm back to Amazon for replacement. Well see if the replacement lens solves the problem. Update #2: I received my replacement 24mm from Amazon yesterday, and spent several hours working through focus calibration in my studio. My initial reaction is disappointment. The prior problems with connection to the USB dock are resolved, but so far I do not find this lens living up to the reputation of the 50mm. Not by a fair amount. The sharpness is just not there. Im going to run some more tests, but unless things turn around, this one is going back. Update #3: Decided to try the lens out on a shoot. Took a few hundred action shots in a martial arts environment. Overall performance was better than I expected. Im not a real technical guy, so I dont know about all the details. My "by eye" conclusion is that if you stop this lens down to at least f/4 it becomes acceptably sharp. Wide open? Not so much. My final conclusion is that I am going to keep it, but that it does not have that "magic" that the 50mm ART delivers. The 24 is an "ok" lens.

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I bought this lens to work side by side with my 50mm f1.8 AFS from Nikon and 70-200 f2.8 VR II. The lens is built very, very well, and is made mostly of metal and high-grade plastics that will withstand years of use. But buyer be warned; a lot of copies of this lens have autofocus issues out of the box. My copy struggled to focus on my subject, and was often confirming focus when indeed it was nowhere near such. Fortunately Sigma makes a USB dock to correct this, however my copy of the lens still had some trouble nailing the focus even when I manually did so. Also of note, Sigma gave me false information when contacted about the focusing problems. I was told the lens I was given was a grey market lens and my warranty would be invalid and void if I had any issues going forward. However when inputting the serial number on their website to check warranty info, my warranty was valid according to their system. Be careful. Otherwise, the lens is extremely sharp. Sharper than Nikon and Canons equivalent lenses and for a third of the asking price. That’s a major feat and Sigma really got this lens right in almost every way. If only the autofocus wasn’t so off out of box this would have gotten five stars.

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I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS LENS! However, my three star review does not go to the company that sent me the lens, they were 5 star amazing. The reason I give this three stars is because the lens was very soft when I got it. I feel like sigma being a very reputable company, should be able to have their lenses in focus and not soft. I had to order the USB doc and update it in order to have it be in focus. Once updated it was clear as any Canon L series I have or have used. But I feel its not cool to have to spend money on a lens and then spend extra money to update it because Sigma cant get its focus right when it comes to you out of the box.

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