Well, the first reports and tests of image sharpness are coming in for the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM.

Let me just put it this way: the lens is SO SHARP, people are rumor-ing that Sigma actually designed the lens as a 50mm f/1.2, and limited it to f/1.4. The sharpness is on par with CZ. (And when I say CZ, I mean Carl Zeiss, baby!)

Basically, both the Canon and Nikon 50 1.4's just got SERVED, and the Canon 50 1.2 is going to have some major competition especially in the value department. At $499, the Sigma is un-beatable. Contrast is fantastic. Distortion / aberration is not bad at all. Color of course may not be what a Canon L lens is, but I've never had a problem getting fantastic colors out of my two pro Sigma lenses so far...

At least, that's what the PRELIMINARY REPORTS are showing. So only time will tell, but so far things are looking VERY good.

100% crops:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/86658347@N00/

bokeh:

http://bbs.kakaku.com/bbs/10505011993/SortID=7939174/ImageID=70329/

As soon as I have $500 to burn, I'm getting "in the waiting line" for this lens. It looks like all FOUR of my equipment repairs are going to cost me less than $200 total, so I guess I could celebrate that by spending $500, right?

=Matt=

PS: Nikon may make an announcement tomorow...