Nifty Fifty
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 p.3 #2 · 'Wow' factor lens treat | |
Mystik wrote:
I mean if you're questioning how a compact $200 lens compares against the center part of a larger $2,000 lens, then I think we know what the answer will be.
You might, but I'm pretty clueless when it comes to digital photography, and in almost every forum, people keep assuring me that the dynamic range decreases in crop mode. To be honest, that doesn't quite make sense to me when viewing on a screen (which has fewer megapixels than the image anyway), but that's not the point here. In any case, I'd personally be interested to know if I'd perceive any differences in the overall view. I don't think so, but thinking isn't knowing, and if the GM actually looks better, knowing that would immediately put its weight into perspective, since it essentially has a 1.8/75 lens built in 😃. This isn't keeping me up at night, but if anyone happens to have the GM and also one of the lightweight 1.8 or 2.0/75 lenses, I'd appreciate a 1:1 comparison image. But as I said, it's not that important in the end.
Mystik wrote:
The fact that the two lenses are even in the same conversation says a lot though.
But what does that mean? In my case, it simply means I'm interested in whether the 1.2/50 GM can actually replace a 1.8 or 2.0/75 in crop mode. Price is irrelevant to me at this point. It's not about choosing between lenses or which one offers the better value for money.
Mystik wrote:
I think the main question to ask is whether the technical differences matter enough to rationalize both the cost and the size/weight
No, that's precisely not what I'm talking about. Because 75mm isn't an alternative to 50mm. But even if you meant that statement to refer to comparable focal lengths. I already own the GM, and three years ago, when I didn't return it but kept it, I already answered this question for myself, and I would answer it the same way again today, by the way. Yes, it's worth the cost and the size/weight to me. Simply because there's no smaller, lighter and/or cheaper alternative. Alternative in the sense of a 50mm lens with the same rendering and autofocus.
Mystik wrote:
For my the ttarisans 75 is more a compact alternative to my 85GM, and if I were to be honest with myself, from what I've seen so far, it feels like the ttarisans can do most of what I've done on the 85GM for 10 years
I completely agree. But 50mm isn't just my favorite focal length, it's my only focal length for full-frame (I do own a Nokton 1.2/35, but I only bought that for when I want to shoot in square format again, because on 24x24 it's equivalent to a 2.8/80 on 6x6), and I don't want to compromise on that; I want the lens that I like best in terms of image quality. However, the 1.2/50 GM is really my limit, because with the A7iv it weighs the same as my 500c/m with the 2.8/80 Planar. I couldn't have justified anything heavier than my old 6x6 camera to my conscience.
Mystik wrote:
I have my American Fenders but fully acknowledge that the Chinese Squiers can do just as much at a fraction of the cost.
I would do the same. I only really like the 1.2/50 as the only GM anyway. And if there were a Chinese (or wherever) 1.2/50 with autofocus that delivered comparable image rendering to the GM but cost only half as much, I would have bought it immediately, even if the autofocus was worse and it lacked an aperture ring. I'm not a brand fanatic; I couldn't care less whether the lens says GM, Air, or whatever. But I am a fan of the results the 1.2/50 GM delivers. And if that's what I want, then I have to accept the size, weight, and price, even if it's through gritted teeth. But I'm sure that if I were a gear junkie like most people here, with three or more cameras and ten or more lenses that I constantly buy, sell, and then buy again, I would prioritize things differently. Especially if I had to lug all that stuff around in a backpack. But I'm Nifty Fifty and in the end I don't need anything other than 50mm, and 95% of the time I leave the house with only one camera and one lens anyway.
Ultimately, as I have written several times, it is a personal decision, because everyone's circumstances and needs are different.
PS: I took a look at your Flickr and believe it or not, I like the photos you took with the Nikkor 2/40 the best by far, purely in terms of image style. So much for the GM. 😉
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