Thanks to the many people who have posted here! I bought the lens and have used it a bit. Like others, it's a love-hate relationship right now. Lots of people say "you have to know how to use it", but haven't summarized this well. Would I be correct and complete in saying:
1. Don't take photos any closer than 5 feet if you want sharpness
2. If the subject isn't right in the middle of the frame, stop down f2
3. If the subject is not a full body portrait or further back, stop down to f2
4. Swirly bokeh at f1.4 only
The colours are amazing with this lens and I love the bokeh and 3D effect.
I also own an 85mm f1.4 Sigma and a 50mm 1.8 S. This lens still feels different and has its place.....more artistic than the 50mm f1.8 and more character than the Sigma 85 (though both are great).
One other question.....in order to improve subject sharpness at f1.4, are you stepping back for depth of field on the subject and then cropping? This would make sense if you're in an open enough area that the background is still blown out despite increasing the subject to camera : subject to background ratio much. I see some great subject in-focus shots (with the full-body in focus) and blown out backgrounds at what appears to be a close subject to camera distance. From these distances, I don't know how the depth of field supports an all-body in-focus shot without stepping back and cropping. Or am I missing something?!!!
I'll suggest the great images from GoroMajima, Elijah, Hardcore, Anitrone and Twistacatz as examples although there are many more in this thread which are truly awesome and have me wondering.....how?!!!
Loving this lens for the nature peeking shots! I still need to find the magic with portraits vs my other lenses but will look forward to meeting that mark soon.
urbanwild wrote:
Thanks to the many people who have posted here! I bought the lens and have used it a bit. Like others, it's a love-hate relationship right now. Lots of people say "you have to know how to use it", but haven't summarized this well. Would I be correct and complete in saying:
1. Don't take photos any closer than 5 feet if you want sharpness
2. If the subject isn't right in the middle of the frame, stop down f2
3. If the subject is not a full body portrait or further back, stop down to f2
4. Swirly bokeh at f1.4 only
The colours are amazing with this lens and I love the bokeh and 3D effect.
I also own an 85mm f1.4 Sigma and a 50mm 1.8 S. This lens still feels different and has its place.....more artistic than the 50mm f1.8 and more character than the Sigma 85 (though both are great).
Thanks!!!
(first post)...Show more →
I think your summary is fair. I like to use this lens at 1.4 from at least 6 feet. If closer I will stop down a bit. For tighter portraits wide open I will use my Sigma 50 Art or Nikon 105 1.4e.
I love this lens and also understand why others may not.
Spectro wrote:
I think your summary is fair. I like to use this lens at 1.4 from at least 6 feet. If closer I will stop down a bit. For tighter portraits wide open I will use my Sigma 50 Art or Nikon 105 1.4e.
I love this lens and also understand why others may not.
Fantastic images as always.....especially the second one! If you don't mind sharing, I've long wondered if you purposefully shoot with cropping in mind? I'm guessing you also do gaussian blur in addition to the f1.4?
urbanwild wrote:
Fantastic images as always.....especially the second one! If you don't mind sharing, I've long wondered if you purposefully shoot with cropping in mind? I'm guessing you also do gaussian blur in addition to the f1.4?
I love your work - thanks!
hi, thanks !
So, no cropping, no additional blur. f/1.4.
If you want sharpness, bring the light
