Nikon 50MM F1.4G vs. SIGMA LENS 50/1.4 EX DG HSM

[JPvanRooyen]

Hi There guys, it's me again.

I looking at buying my first lens, and ive done some research on prime lenses.

I've decide that i want a 50mm lens and now iI'm stuck again.

Between the Nikon 50MM F1.4G & SIGMA 50/1.4 EX DG HSM which one would be a better buy, as i see the Sigma is a few moola extra.

Is there a huge diffenrece between the two that would justify the price gap between them?

[peterah]

I have not used the Sigma but have used the Nikon and found it to be extremely sharp and delivered great colours - I could not fault it at all. Having an aperture of f/1.4 results in a very narrow DoF so I usually used it stopped down to between f/2 and f/2.8.

If the f/1.4 is not required you could also try the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 which is also a super lens at a much more affordable price (in fact I think it is downright cheap for what you are getting).

[John Deakin]

I have owned 3 Nikon 1.4G's. I was never completely happy with any of them as they weren't particularly impressive, in fact I preferred the earlier D version. I'm not a sigma fan, however, I had read so many up beat reviews about their 50 1.4 that I ordered one. My choice would be the sigma, and yes I feel it is worth the slightly higher price. Its the only none nikon lens in my bag, its there for a reason .

[EttVenter]

Yeah, I've used Nikon's 50 1.4G as well, and I really wasn't all that impressed. Then I did some research on Sigma's 1.4, and it's said to be better than Nikon and Canon's offerings. The Sigma is the next lens on my list, for sure

[style121]

The Sigma is apparently sharper than the Nikon at larger apertures (f/1.4). I own the Nikon and use it on a DX format camera, and it is a beautiful, fun lens to shoot with, but images at 1.4 aren't incredibly impressive. The Bokeh on the Nikon is better than the Sigma though. I suppose ultimately you should try them both and see which suits you, but for me, the size, weight and price of the Sigma put me completely off.

[cagenuts]

JP, I see you shoot with a crop camera. Now traditionally the 50mm lens was always considered the focal length on a full frame body that best portrayed/captured a scene which was a close as the Cheetahs came to winning on the weekend to that viewed by the naked eye.

So what I'm getting to is have you considered the Sigma 30mm instead?

[JPvanRooyen]

JP, I see you shoot with a crop camera. Now traditionally the 50mm lens was always considered the focal length on a full frame body that best portrayed/captured a scene which was a close as the Cheetahs came to winning on the weekend to that viewed by the naked eye.

So what I'm getting to is have you considered the Sigma 30mm instead?

LoL.. Your posts always crack me up Hilton.

I've considered the Sigma 30mm and the Nikon 35mm lens, but at this moment I'm leaning towards the 50mm, as I used my 18-55 standard kit lens, took some shots @ 35mm and 50mm to see which I preferred the most, and had a look at previous photos I've taken and most are done at +- 50mm.

What I'll probably do before I buy; is hire both a 50 and 30 from ODP and test them to see which is better.

[cagenuts]

I was being serious but nonetheless

Yeah good idea to rent both lenses, only way for sure. You're obviously after that thin depth of field or low light capturing ability?

[JPvanRooyen]

I was being serious but nonetheless

Yeah good idea to rent both lenses, only way for sure. You're obviously after that thin depth of field or low light capturing ability?

I know you were serious.

I'm after both the low light capture and the thin DOF, and I think its a great lens to see in which dirrection my next lens will be.

[cagenuts]

Ok, just making sure a 60mm macro would not suffice for portraits?

[Leo Theron]

What do you want to photograph? If you cannot answer this - any lens will do…


If you WANT a 50 - buy a 50. In my book, the 35/1.8 will give you a more useful angle of view - about 'normal'. If you know what normal is…


Test? Use the GAFFER TAPE method.

- Set your kit lens on 35 - tape it to that focal length. Use for a week.

- Set your kit lens on 50 - tape it to that focal length. Use for a week.

Compare results. See what you are happy with.


Only ONE lens? Nikon 35 1.8.

[Alvin]

i can vouch for the sigma 50 f1.4 - its highly regarded

[JPvanRooyen]

@Hilton: no portraits for me.

@Leo: at this moment in time im not specifically into ant photography, but i do like, street-, landscape-, and abstract photography. I did do the "tape down" method you told me to, and i prefer shotting at 50mm then 35mm.

I see you say the F1.8, is there a reason why not f1.4?

@Alvin: Thanks alvin.

[swainsons]

I have read lots about how good the Sigma is, but dont own one so wont comment. I own the 50mmf1.4 AF-D and SUPER happy with it. Anything above f2 is razor sharp. I use mine mostly for landscapes. You should do a comparison on DXOmark and see.. interesting that the 50mmf1.4AF-D outperforms the Zeiss 50mmf1.4 ZF2...

Good luck with your decision.

[walterpike]

The Sigma 50mm has a reputation for being the best around. I do have a 50mm nikkor, but the Sigma is on my list - for after I have recovered from buying the D800

[swainsons]

Here is comparison on DXOmark of the major players in the 50mm f1.4 arena. Seems the AF-D version nudges both the Sigma and the G version of nikon by a small margin.

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/en....ma/(camera3)/0

Regards

[JPvanRooyen]

Here is comparison on DXOmark of the major players in the 50mm f1.4 arena. Seems the AF-D version nudges both the Sigma and the G version of nikon by a small margin.

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/en....ma/(camera3)/0

Regards

Thanks swainsins, and to all the others for the help, I really appreciate it.