Comparing the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 and the Nikon 50mm f/1.4

9 years 1 month ago #429605 by Steve Zahra
I'm looking at a 50mm 1.4 and on the fence with getting the Nikon or Sigma has a 1.4 too.  I would love to hear some opinions from other photographers here.  


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9 years 1 month ago - 9 years 1 month ago #429709 by garyrhook
I think that if you were to consider the ART version of the Sigma, you may have a contest. But given that they are the same price (less than $400) you probably can't go wrong with either.

But what do I know? I would never buy a 50mm lens.


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9 years 1 month ago #429854 by Luis Felipe
Why you would never consider to buy a 50 mm lens?


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9 years 1 month ago - 9 years 1 month ago #429906 by garyrhook

Luis Felipe wrote: Why you would never consider to buy a 50 mm lens?


For portraits they horribly misshape (to my eye) the face, making the nose appear bulbous and unnatural. I prefer a much longer focal length for this type of work.

For environment shots, it's not wide enough. I prefer shorter lenses for that purpose.

In both cases, for my style, the bokeh you get is either too much, or not enough.

I think it's the reason I look at many photographs and think, "meh". I just really don't care for that focal length. Yes, I'll use it when I have to (on my zoom) but I find that I seem to avoid anything around that range.


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9 years 1 month ago #430046 by Joves
The only experience I had with the Sigma was many years ago, and it was not good, but it was because Sigma had a lot of bad copies of it escape the plant. I got one and the focus was terrible, so I got another copy, again focus issues. So I sent it back to B&H, and got the Nikon lens. Since then the Sigma line has improved, but for me I will never go with one again, unless I see one used for a really good price, and not the 50mm. 


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9 years 1 month ago - 9 years 1 month ago #430053 by effron
I own the Nikon AF-S 50 f/1.4 and its pretty darn good on a full frame body. Usually those that don't care for it are crop camera owners, and it understandable.......:dry:


Edit: About Sigma, I owned the 105 f/2.8 macro and sold it after getting the Nikon VR version. Honestly, I don't think my macro photography improved a bit, that Sigma lens was stellar. I miss it today....
Same with the 150 f/2.8, I sold it upon getting the Nikon 200 f/4. I wouldn't hesitate buying Sigma glass. They make a highly regarded 30 f/1.4 you might consider in lieu of the fifty?

Why so serious?
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9 years 1 month ago #430486 by ShadowWalker
First choice will always be same brand as camera.  However in Sigmas defense, they have been producing some really strong glass in recent years.  If I had a killer deal, I would buy. 


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9 years 1 month ago #430748 by The Italian Guy
Stick with the Nikon glass IMO


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9 years 1 month ago #430771 by Stealthy Ninja
If you mean this: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1045458-R...mm_f_1_4_dg_hsm.html

The Sigma will destroy the Nikon.
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9 years 1 month ago #430823 by Roblane
How so?  


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9 years 1 month ago #430975 by garyrhook

Roblane wrote: How so?  


I think you can interpret that as "in every way" that matters: image quality. The ART lenses are quite well-regarded.


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9 years 3 weeks ago #433336 by Garbo
Yep agree

Nikon D300: 24-70 2.8 | 70-200 2.8 VR |Sigma 150 2.8 | 50 1.4 | SB-800
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