where there’s smoke there’s forum fire
I wouldn't worry too much with the Sigma 50mm. Sigma's top notch lenses are really top notch. The 50mm & 85mm are probably the best of their line-up. There is a huge difference with the Gold ring Sigma's. That said, I would test the hell out of them right when I got it to make sure the focus is spot on.
Take a look on Flikr for for the sigma 50 to see the bokeh. I know I have ran across many x-mas light type photos.
I have the 1.4D and to me the only other one of interest is the Sigma. The 1.4D is wonderfully small, the reason to change is to get the smoothness of the sigma and the 1.4g just sits in the middle. The lack of aperture ring is also a killer. One day, when the scratches get too bad, and the front element finally drops out of my battle scared D, i will probably try a sigma (and then buy another, cared for, D when i get tired of carrying the sigma about)
I had previously the Sigma 50/1.4 and sold it to get the Nikon 50/1.4G, mut say I am happy with Nikon. The sigma was big and heavy (even though it wasn't so much issue for me). The thing that bothered me most with Sigma was focusing, even with D7000 and adjusting the focus didn't work, if I changed the focus to be spot on in short distances it wasn't on longer and vice versa, with Nikon no issues, it just works.
Not saying the Sigma is bad, but with Nikon it is just no issues what so ever. I did actually have the Sigma 70-200 2.8 and changed that to Nikon 70-200 2.8 VRII and happy with Nikon as well, but that was bit different since the Sigma wasn't the OSM version, but now with Nikon, it is amazingly sharp compared to Nikon. I used to believe that you can get same quality of pictures for less money with Sigma, but now I am only buying Nikon lenses, they just keep on not letting you down.
How about Zeiss 50mm. Has anyone used either the makro-plannar 50mm/f.2.0 or planner 50mm/1.4?
Hi guys
I went out and bought the Nikon 1.4G after reading this thread, many other sites and conducting my own shoot tests.
The Sigma is one phenomenal beast of a lens, a 77mm dia and 1/2Kg of weight, wow! The sheer amount of light it captures is amazing. The bokeh is indeed better on the Sigma. The build quality is also at par with Nikon if not better. My dealer (whom I trust) told me that this lens is a big hit with those shooting 1080 videos on Nikon bodies.
I chose the Nikon 1.4G because in my test shots it did provide better edge to edge sharpness, something I need when putting the subject away from the centre (happens often), also because I can't risk getting a bad apple Sigma lens (there are reports of this being a persistent problem) and finally cause I need a lighter 50mm, already have lotta heavy lenses. The bokehn is also pretty world class on it, though not as buttery as on the Sigma.
Right now I'm on D2x, once I move to an FF body (if the powers that be at Nikon decide to finally come out with a D800) I will need even better edge to edge sharpness. But if ever I get tired of the Nikon 1.4G or want to try a more "arty" product the Sigma 1.4 it'll be.
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