eke2k6 wrote:
Guys, do you know of a cheaper alternative to this lens? it could even be manual focus. I'm really interested in the extra 8mm of compression and the smoothness of the bokeh, but I just don't see myself spending $1600 for a single 50mm-esque lens. Not that I don't think it's worth it, but the value proposition for me is not there.
eke2k6 wrote:
Guys, do you know of a cheaper alternative to this lens? it could even be manual focus. I'm really interested in the extra 8mm of compression and the smoothness of the bokeh, but I just don't see myself spending $1600 for a single 50mm-esque lens. Not that I don't think it's worth it, but the value proposition for me is not there.
Always impressed with everyone's photos in this thread. I remember well the negativity directed at this lens when first released. Haven't posted much recently but here's a body painting shot from New York. Don't know if this image would be allowed so posting a link to be safe.
Nikon d810a, 58g, f1.4, 1/250, iso400
Joe Marquez wrote:
Always impressed with everyone's photos in this thread. I remember well the negativity directed at this lens when first released. Haven't posted much recently but here's a body painting shot from New York. Don't know if this image would be allowed so posting a link to be safe.
Nikon d810a, 58g, f1.4, 1/250, iso400
My experience with this lens is mostly negative. I tried three copies and found it not to focus very reliably. When fine tuning for a certain distance it was o.k. (sharpness is really not that good wide open, but acceptable at f2 and up in my opinion), but focus consistency lacked for other distances. I needed to overshoot a lot to get a good shot. Focus is very slow, too. I prefer the FE50/1.4 from Sony or the Sigma Art with Nikon. I know that people didin't choose the Sigma Art due to the combination of sharpness and rendering, but I got to like it. The image above with all the lights in the tree shows a strong outlining of the bokeh balls, which is not to my taste at all. But to everybody his own.
Holger wrote:
My experience with this lens is mostly negative. I tried three copies and found it not to focus very reliably. When fine tuning for a certain distance it was o.k. (sharpness is really not that good wide open, but acceptable at f2 and up in my opinion), but focus consistency lacked for other distances. I needed to overshoot a lot to get a good shot. Focus is very slow, too. I prefer the FE50/1.4 from Sony or the Sigma Art with Nikon. I know that people didin't choose the Sigma Art due to the combination of sharpness and rendering, but I got to like it. The image above with all the lights in the tree shows a strong outlining of the bokeh balls, which is not to my taste at all. But to everybody his own....Show more →
I do love the 58/1.4, as it is very unique. The rendering wide open is somewhat similar to my 50 Nocti f/1.0 in focus fall off. Of course there are many other lenses that are sharper and feel more clinical. I have the 50/1.4 and 50/1.8 as 50mm is my favorite FL. Still the lens I pick up is the 58mm particularly for portraits.
You are right that this lens must be calibrated accurately, as there is a focus shift between f/1.4 and f/2.8. Once calibrated the lens is sharp wide open albeit lower contrast which is ideal for portraits. Of course closing the lens down gives a spectrum of different looks. At f/5.6 and 8 the lens is very sharp and great for landscapes.
As mentioned in another thread in face/eye detection, the 58/1.4 is great with AF-C in Auto area. This is surprisingly accurate. I have recently had about 95% success rate here.
Couple shots, one closed down f/8, and another f/2.2
Joe Marquez wrote:
Always impressed with everyone's photos in this thread. I remember well the negativity directed at this lens when first released. Haven't posted much recently but here's a body painting shot from New York. Don't know if this image would be allowed so posting a link to be safe.
Nikon d810a, 58g, f1.4, 1/250, iso400
Holger wrote:
My experience with this lens is mostly negative. I tried three copies and found it not to focus very reliably. When fine tuning for a certain distance it was o.k. (sharpness is really not that good wide open, but acceptable at f2 and up in my opinion), but focus consistency lacked for other distances. I needed to overshoot a lot to get a good shot. Focus is very slow, too. I prefer the FE50/1.4 from Sony or the Sigma Art with Nikon. I know that people didin't choose the Sigma Art due to the combination of sharpness and rendering, but I got to like it. The image above with all the lights in the tree shows a strong outlining of the bokeh balls, which is not to my taste at all. But to everybody his own....Show more →
My copy is fairly sharp at f/1.4, especially at environmental body shot distance. At MFD, its is sharp enough. My voitlander 58mm is sharper in the middle at f1.4 at MFD. Actually, I have not seen the bokeh balls with strong outlining as the example of the photo above with the 58G. However, I would get that kind of shot if I use the voitlander 58mm, which is known to generate outline bokeh balls.
As for focus reliability, the 58G is very reliable on my D600 after AF fine tuning and fast enough to capture moving toddlers (unless when they're moving toward me at warp speed) . However, I noticed if I AF fine tune using test chart, I would get back focus issue when used in real photos of people (stationary). I have since dialed back the AF fine tuning and fine tuning using test shots on people faces instead and have gotten much better and consistent results.
khoido77 wrote:
Actually, I have not seen the bokeh balls with strong outlining as the example of the photo above with the 58G. However, I would get that kind of shot if I use the voitlander 58mm, which is known to generate outline bokeh balls.
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but was this picture shot with the 58G? I thought it was an example for the Helios-44. I haven't seen these outlined bokeh balls either with my 58.
Sorry if this is a stupid question, but was this picture shot with the 58G? I thought it was an example for the Helios-44. I haven't seen these outlined bokeh balls either with my 58.
The EXIF says 58/1.4, but better to ask... thx!
Markus
Markus,
It may be that there is a particular distance that outlining may occur. I see that transition from focused to totally blurred is where I see the 'ring'. I have not noticed this in mine either, but that does not mean it will never happen. MY 55/1.2 S does this far more often. By the way, for this shot, it does not bother me at all. It is very nice. I like it.
akul wrote:
It may be that there is a particular distance that outlining may occur. I see that transition from focused to totally blurred is where I see the 'ring'. I have not noticed this in mine either, but that does not mean it will never happen. MY 55/1.2 S does this far more often. By the way, for this shot, it does not bother me at all. It is very nice. I like it.
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akul wrote:
Other options would be
1. 55 mm / 1.2 SC ( I have S version, but SC has better coating )
2. 50mm /1.2 ? Don't own this but looks nice
Luka, I thought so too and tried several "bokeh shots" of the christmas tree setting my 58 to f/1.6, but just couldn't reproduce this "donut-bokeh". Don't get me wrong, I really like webisweb's picture above, the bokeh really adds to the shot. It's just that this kind of bokeh is what I'd bought certain MF lenses for, you know what I'm talking about... The 58G was acquired for the cream.
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eke2k6 wrote:
I own it, but it's not in the same league bokeh and compression wise, going by samples on this thread. I'm even willing to go MF for this look. For now, until I can justify the Nikkor.
For what you want to achieve, I guess Luka's right suggesting the 55/1.2 and 50/1.2 lenses, even cheaper would be the aforementioned Helios 44 (which produces wonderful swirly bokeh from background highlights, I just ordered one from ebay) or maybe also the Nikkor 50mm f/2 AI, I think I paid 60€ for mine and I really like what I got for the price. But all these lenses will produce outlined bokeh balls from point lights in the background, like in webisweb's shot above.
Another lens that comes close to having nice buttery smooth OOF rendering is the Sigma 50 non-Art. However, if it is specifically THE "58G look" you're after, options like the Voight don't please you, and you think about getting the 58G later anyway, maybe your best option now'd be to wait a little longer and just go directly for it. It's a wonderful lens.
I haven't seen these outlined bokeh balls either with my 58.
The 58G was acquired for the cream. 
