bqq100 wrote:
I'm also looking to pick up fast 50mm prime, and I've noticed that the 1.4G was absent from the discussion so far. Is the 1.8G that much better to not even consider the 1.4G?
I think it's largely a matter of performance vs. value. The 1.8G is very similar performance wise to the 1.4G and half the price.
bbvaj wrote:
I should have mentioned it, I am looking for portraits on full frame...
how much focus throw does makro planar have at portrait distances for good MF ??
"focus throw"?? I've never heard that term before (and I've been a photo hobbyist since 1973 & taken a few college classes in photography)...what does it mean?
i am by no means 100% sure if the word "focus throw" is appropriate... I meant to say how much zoom ring turn is available for accurate manual focusing. some lenses reach MFD to inf in 90deg and some in 270deg the longer the better for precise manual focus.
macro lenses tend to use majority of that zoom turn for relatively close distances and at portrait distances they are very difficult to focus manually.
Thanks a lot guys... I do not know much about it can anyone confirm if this is the Voigtlander 58mm f/1.4 you are talking about. I really like the samples from it and would like to give a try also is that price ok for it or can i get a better deal?
bbvaj wrote:
Thanks a lot guys... I do not know much about it can anyone confirm if this is the Voigtlander 58mm f/1.4 you are talking about. I really like the samples from it and would like to give a try also is that price ok for it or can i get a better deal?
There are too many reports of erratic AF with the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 for me to be excited about it, it has a beautiful rendering style for portraits though IMO.
In terms of autofocus, my Sigma 50 is one of the most reliable lenses I have. It's on par with the Nikon 60 2.8 Micro in terms of hit rate and accuracy.
Interestingly enough, the Sigma 24 1.8 is probably the least reliable, and my Tokina 50-135 are the 2nd least reliable.
anyway to the OP, focus confirmation functionality is pretty good, I use it with my AIS 35/1.4 pretty reliably. But the AIS 55/1.2 is not reliable for me... I mean wide-open for both.
I will prefer long-throw, in my experience i found it difficult for me to do MF with short-throw lenses. That's one reason to stay away from the makro-planar
There are two versions that I know of, SL and SLII. SL has chrome rings with no chip while SLII is all black and chipped. It's a fantastic lens, get it.
