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Archive 2010 · Nikon 50/1.4 vs. 50/1.8 vs. Sigma 50/1.4?

  
 
Kit Laughlin
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Nikon 50/1.4 vs. 50/1.8 vs. Sigma 50/1.4?


Hello all

I will have my new D3s in hand momentarily and did not expect to—so have no CF cards, and no lenses!

So, here in Canada, I will just have to buy something to play with! Now, the 50m lens is about the only focal length I don't have, and after reading reviews in various places, I am inclining to the Nikon 50/1,8 (low distortion; very sharp; light (not that this matters on a D3s); only half a stop slower than ƒ1.4, and costs peanuts!

Please try to convince me that one of the ƒ1.4s is a better choice.

TIA, KL



Oct 21, 2010 at 11:19 PM
luminosity
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Nikon 50/1.4 vs. 50/1.8 vs. Sigma 50/1.4?


My 50/1.8 has always been good to me. Steady, reliable and it never complains. It's a rock.


Oct 21, 2010 at 11:22 PM
Avi B
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Nikon 50/1.4 vs. 50/1.8 vs. Sigma 50/1.4?


Sure it's a better choice. But it also costs 3x as much... I'd just get the nifty fifty and be done with it.



That didn't help did it?



Oct 21, 2010 at 11:22 PM
Jammy Straub
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Nikon 50/1.4 vs. 50/1.8 vs. Sigma 50/1.4?


The f/1.4 is a better choice

Did that convince you? The f/1.8 is pretty much disposable, get it and see if you like the FL, when the f/1.2G comes out maybe you'll want one...



Oct 21, 2010 at 11:24 PM
edl415
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Nikon 50/1.4 vs. 50/1.8 vs. Sigma 50/1.4?


There's nothing wrong with the 50/1.8, it's light, sharp, and cheap. But since I got the 50/1.2 AIS, I mainly use my 1.8 as a lenscap for one of my other bodies.

All joking aside, it's a perfectly fine lens for what it costs.



Oct 21, 2010 at 11:28 PM
CGrindahl
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Nikon 50/1.4 vs. 50/1.8 vs. Sigma 50/1.4?


http://lh5.ggpht.com/_YajwMTB6j0w/TMDSkFWUwqI/AAAAAAAADzs/r65MesO7qcQ/s800/GateLatchBW.jpg

Or you could play with the 50 f/1.2 AI-s.. wide open.



Oct 22, 2010 at 12:34 AM
Jammy Straub
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Nikon 50/1.4 vs. 50/1.8 vs. Sigma 50/1.4?


You know my lens through 3 years of photography school was a 50mm f/1.8, those 50's are versatile. The 1.8's tend to be a bit more busy in the OOF areas and you can do some nice things with them.


Oct 22, 2010 at 12:41 AM
sylvesterii
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Nikon 50/1.4 vs. 50/1.8 vs. Sigma 50/1.4?


I have shot the 50 1.8D, 50 1.8 E Series, 50 1.4D, 50 1.4G, and Sigma 50 1.4. If the sigma has accurate focus, then there is no need to look elsewhere. If you don't have time to ensure you have a sigma that works perfectly, then either the 50 1.8 if you don't mind bokeh that is a bit busy, or the 50 1.4D stopped down to 1.8 would be my choice. I have no love for the 1.4G. Perhaps it was the copy I used, but it wasn't any sharper, contrasty or faster to focus than the 1.4D. I wouldn't use either at less than 1.8. So the only reason not to choose the 1.8 would be if you are very critical of bokeh. I chose to keep the Sig 50 (which still needs to be sent in for adjustment) and the 50 1.8 to fill in when I need to make sure I get the shot.


Oct 22, 2010 at 12:45 AM
Kit Laughlin
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Nikon 50/1.4 vs. 50/1.8 vs. Sigma 50/1.4?


Curtis.... don't be a bad boy. I have had the full range of Lieca and Zeiss lenses between 15 and 180 at one point...

No, it has to be AF this time. And as far as the Siggy goes, the LCD is good enough to check focus with, I think, to see if it's a good one.

Still on the fence here.



Oct 22, 2010 at 01:26 AM
CGrindahl
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Nikon 50/1.4 vs. 50/1.8 vs. Sigma 50/1.4?


I couldn't resist Kit. My love affair with these old manual focus lenses is very much animating my photography at the moment. That said, i understand that for some kinds of shooting only an AF lens will suffice. I'm interested in what others have to say on the subject, as well as what you eventually decide. Frankly, though I owned the 50L during my days shooting Canon, I was less than excited about the focal range until I began playing with Nikon's venerable 50 f/1.2 AI-s. Frankly, I doubt I'll ever want an AF version in that range... but to each his or her own. Good luck with your inquiry.


Oct 22, 2010 at 02:09 AM
Jammy Straub
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Nikon 50/1.4 vs. 50/1.8 vs. Sigma 50/1.4?


Kit Laughlin wrote:
Still on the fence here.


Make sure you like the OOF rendering of the Sigma, it's different in that it's more guassian than most 50's, it almost looks like a longer focal length. I think it looks nice for people photography, but I don't like it for general non people shots. I like some jazz in my 50's boke, I'd be ecstatic if Nikon just copied the 50mm Minolta Rokkor f/1.2 and made if AF

(OT, but it seems that's what Voigtlander did with the 58mm f/1.4 Nocton lens they make, it looks just like the Rokkor in its rendering, I think the block diagrams are almost identical.)



Oct 22, 2010 at 02:22 AM
Kit Laughlin
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Nikon 50/1.4 vs. 50/1.8 vs. Sigma 50/1.4?


Curtis, if I was thinking MF, I'd also be thinking ZF... and that's a slippery slope indeed (I used to have the 50/2 MP, and the cheaper 50/1.4 is a great lens, too). I have put an ad on the B&S board; just waiting to see what pops up!

Cheers, Kit



Oct 23, 2010 at 09:27 AM
nerdybob
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Nikon 50/1.4 vs. 50/1.8 vs. Sigma 50/1.4?


I had the 50mm f1.8D and the 50mm F1.4. Both are good. I eventually sold my 50 F1.8 and kept the F1.4.

The only reason I did that is because I wanted critical sharpness and the 50mm F1.4 can do it at F1.8. At F1.4, it's JUST ok.

Same thing with the F1.8 lens. I remember I needed to either stop it down to either F2 or F2.2 to achieve my minimum standard of critical sharpness. I also remember the F1.8 version is sharper than the F1.4 version if both were shot wide open.

It's been a while since I used the 50mm F1.4 and I was actually shooting with it today on my D700. Once again testing it at F1.4 and F1.8. Same conclusion,the 50mm F1.4D needs to be at F1.8 for very sharp photos and I will only use F1.4 in specific situations.

Now, I might be exaggerating about the sharpness issue a bit. The 50mm F1.4D and 50mm F1.8D are sharp enough wide open unless you are really crazy picky like me. ( I shoot weddings so it matters to me)



Oct 23, 2010 at 07:11 PM
ishootsports3
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Nikon 50/1.4 vs. 50/1.8 vs. Sigma 50/1.4?


having had the 50 1.8 and the 1.4 afd ill say the following, both are killer, both are a great buy
the 1.4 is a little more solid for whatever reason, its a treat
the 1.8 is a great little lens and honestly the 150 you save by going with it instead of the 1.4 are more than enough to make it my choice



Oct 23, 2010 at 08:41 PM
vchowdhary
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Nikon 50/1.4 vs. 50/1.8 vs. Sigma 50/1.4?


Get the 50 1.8 Kit. Step down to 2.0 or 2.8 and you are set. Have had 3 and all have been average at 1.8 but all perform great past 2.0

Had 3 because my first camera didnt have the micro-adjust feature so had to change them out.



Oct 23, 2010 at 09:16 PM
Kit Laughlin
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Nikon 50/1.4 vs. 50/1.8 vs. Sigma 50/1.4?


Hello all,

found a brand new 50/1,8 here for $150... I'm set now.

cheers to all, Kl



Oct 23, 2010 at 09:47 PM
Adam73
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Nikon 50/1.4 vs. 50/1.8 vs. Sigma 50/1.4?


I have and love my 50mm F1.4D but I would like the 1.4G. The G has 9 aperture blades verses the D's 7 blades. Creamier Bokeh from the G.


Oct 24, 2010 at 12:41 AM





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