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Archive 2016 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

lukeiam
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

I'm pretty recent to the Nikon camp and so far loving the experience and especially the files. I shot Canon for a while, then played with Sony FF, but ultimately settled back to a crop Sony and FF Nikon. One thing I liked about the Sony FF camp was the Zeiss 55, which is phenomenal and cheap. I enjoy the 50 1.8G lens, but wouldn't mind an even better performer. I like the 50mm FL.

What's comparable? Maybe the Sigma Art 50? The 58G is probably out of my league. I have the 28/85G lenses and just love their rendering. I don't see much to suggest the 50 1.4G is worth it over the 1.8 since I'm not shooting faster than F2. Thanks!

Sep 20, 2016 at 09:39 AM

RSHPhotography
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

The Sigma ART is by far the best 50mm lens for Nikon.

58mm if you like its artistic flair. No other 50mm by anyone does what that lens does.

Sep 20, 2016 at 09:42 AM

lukeiam
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

RSHPhotography wrote:
The Sigma ART is by far the best 50mm lens for Nikon.

58mm if you like its artistic flair. No other 50mm by anyone does what that lens does.

I read a few things about focusing issues with the 50 ART. Hyped-up review/forum stuff or maybe somewhat true? Of course, I'm asking n a forum!

And you think the 50 ART compares to the Zeiss 55?

Sep 20, 2016 at 09:49 AM

RSHPhotography
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

Never shot Zeiss but the 50 art is super sharp, super heavy and it feels like a hunk of lens. As long as you test in store and get a good one, I don't see the issue.

Sep 20, 2016 at 09:55 AM

BSPhotog
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

There isn't a best. Lots of different choices out there, but none that is head and shoulders above the others.

50mm f/1.8g if you want cheap/fast/reliable/bleh character
50mm f/1.8d if you want stupid-cheap
50mm f/1.4d if you want 1.4 and aren't afraid of CA, flare, and D lenses
50mm f/1.4 Art if you want clinical sharpness
58mm f/1.4g if money is no object and you like to brag on forums about the woody undertones of the bokeh flavor and sharpness isn't your absolute objective.

So what kind of 50 are you looking for?

Sep 20, 2016 at 09:55 AM

hijazist
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

It's very simple, Sigma Art if you want Otus-like acuity, or the 58 if you're more into rendering. I've used both and I love both. If you're into manual focus, there are many Zeiss options including the 50 1.4 or F/2 Melvis, 50 Makro Planar, and of course the Otus.

$ for $ nothing beats the 50 1.8g though

Sep 20, 2016 at 09:55 AM

webmstrk9
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

If you dont mind manual focus, the Zeiss 50mm f2 Makro

Sep 20, 2016 at 10:00 AM

CanadaMark
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

Nikon 1.8 G for cheap and very sharp, unbeatable value
Sigma ART for max sharpness if you don't mind the size/weight
Nikon 58G for best rendering/bokeh

I would probably only look at those 3 personally.

Sep 20, 2016 at 10:13 AM

Lauchlan Toal
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

In addition to what's been mentioned, if you want VR the Tamron 45mm f1.8 is worth looking at. As far as I know it's the only near 50mm stabilized prime for Nikon, is a solid performer, and offers near macro capabilities as well.

Sep 20, 2016 at 10:32 AM

lukeiam
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

Ok, excellent..Perhaps I need to see the ART to get a sense of its size before ordering (or buying here). May be pretty huge for my needs.

Sep 20, 2016 at 10:33 AM

lukeiam
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

Holy - the Sigma is 4X the weight of the Zeiss 55...Ugh

Sep 20, 2016 at 10:35 AM

Donzo98
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

crashwins wrote:
Holy - the Sigma is 4X the weight of the Zeiss 55...Ugh

Which Zeiss??

Sep 20, 2016 at 10:40 AM

webmstrk9
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

Sony Zeiss FE 55mm 1.8: 9.9 oz (281 g)
Sigma 50mm 1.4 F Mount: 1.79 lb (815 g)

Sep 20, 2016 at 10:49 AM

Joseph.
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

Best in terms of what? rendering? character? sharpness? weight? value? speed?

The "best of the best" for me, would be the Noct-NIKKOR 58 1.2 AIS. Look it up. There's nothing quite like it.

Sep 20, 2016 at 12:36 PM

Elisha82
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

The Sigma is stupid sharp wide open. Love it on my D750. Feels very well balanced.

Sep 20, 2016 at 03:17 PM

rw11
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

set the new 24-70 at 50 mm

and nobody mentioned Voigtländer

Edited on Sep 20, 2016 at 03:36 PM · View previous versions

Sep 20, 2016 at 03:21 PM

danh920
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

my personal favorite is the sigma 50mm 1.4 ex, mainly because I love the melty bokeh that it produces and its as sharp as any other 50 out there besides the art when you go 1.8 or smaller. Though it is a little wider for a 50 (shoots more like a 46 or 47mm). At $200ish its about as cheap as you'll get a 1.4 for as well.

Sep 20, 2016 at 03:35 PM

tzic
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

Best 50 in my opinion is the 1.8D No lens can beat this one overall:

- quality of the pictures taken with this lens
- its size and weight
- its sharpness
- its neutral rendering
- its fast AF speed
- and the less than 100usd price tag!

Nothing ok if you pixel peep at 100% zoom or more the sigma art can maybe a bit sharper

Sep 20, 2016 at 03:38 PM

Lee Saxon
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

58/1.2 Noct would probably be my vote?

Sep 20, 2016 at 04:13 PM

scottish
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Nikon's best 50-ish?

I haven't tried any of the more expensive options mentioned here, but I ended up choosing the Nikon 50mm 1.8D over the 1.8G. I got the G as I initially hated the D's strong chromatic aberrations. The G is sharper and quieter (but slower) to focus, but to me its rendering was lacking in character and bland, and I felt wasn't worth the extra space in my bag. Went back to the D and learned to accept its quirks as a part of its charm. As with any good marriage, it's a personal preference and I don't expect it would be the best choice for everyone.

Sep 20, 2016 at 04:50 PM

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