Which Nikon 50mm to buy?

[dirtsniffer]

Hey guys, I have been mostly shooting friends and family so far with my new d90 so I'm thinking about buying a decent portrait lense. I was looking at the 50mm F1.4, but being new and all, would I notice a difference over the much cheaper 50mm F1.8?
I'm pretty broke too, and am mostly looking for shallow DOF.

How much faster will the in lense focus motors be on the F1.4 compared to the autofocus motors inside the d90? enough to care?

I don't really know to much about sigma or the sorts either, do they have anything comparable?

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Mitsu3000gt]

The 50mm f1.8 AF-D and 50mm f1.4 G AF-S will focus roughly the same speed on your D90. Maybe a bit faster for the 1.4 - it isn't the fastest focusing lens out there, thats for sure. The 50 1.4 is very good optically, but not built like the other new primes recently released, like the 24/1.4, 35/1.4 and 85/1.4.

If you're on a budget, it's hard to beat $130 for the 50/1.8 D. It's pretty good at f1.8, and REALLY gets sharp around f2.2, perfect by f2.8. It's pretty amazing for the price.

However, 50mm will be a 75mm equivalent on your D90, so you might also consider the 35/1.8 G. It's even better than the 50/1.8 and is a little quicker to focus with AF-S. It will give you a 50mm (actually 52.5mm) full frame equivalent.

Somewhere between 40 and 50mm full frame equivalent is widely agreed upon as roughly what the human eye sees in terms of camera lenses & field of view.

Sigma's 30/1.4 has very mixed reviews. Some members here are very happy with theirs, but others have gone through multiple copies and been very disappointed (including Thom Hogan who tested 2 different copies in a row and both were very bad). I would take the Nikon 35/1.8 over the Sigma 30/1.4 unless you absolutely needed that tiny bit wider aperture. The Sigma is more expensive, too (double).

Sigma's 50/1.4 is about as good as the Nikon 50/1.4 IF you get a good copy. It's also more expensive than the Nikon version.

So, in short, I would recommend you pick up the Nikon 50/1.8 AF-D or the Nikon 35/1.8 G. Both are huge bang for the buck lenses and if you're broke, that sounds like just what you need. If you want to pay 2-4 times what those lenses cost, you will get 2/3 of a stop wider lens and maybe 10% better performance optically.

[Go4Long]

I LOVED my 50mm 1.4 AF-D...just to put it out there...and in the used market you can have it for cheap cheap cheap.

The new AF-S is a better lens, but realistically, the amount it's better for the price isn't going to make it worth it...

Another lens in the focal range that I really liked is the 35mm 2.0 AF-D. Focused rediculously fast for an AF-D and made for some very nice pictures.

I had a Sigma 30mm 1.4 for a few days (bought it just to play around with and then sold it) and had a good experience with it. But as mitsu mentioned, sample variation has always been Sigma's Achiles Heel. Like the 35 1.8 G it's a DX lens...not that it matters to everyone, but it is something to think about if you plan on upgrading...although if you buy it used it does hold it's value fairly well.

[C4S]

50 F1.8 la.. best for your buck ...

Otherwise, 50 F1.4D is good, since yours is D90.. may not worth to buy the G version.

The Sigma one, I am impressed, it is actually very good, great colour/bokeh, compare to Nikon/Canon/Sony ( I dont hv the G .. and I am not talking compare to the 1.2L) However, focus .. is somehow "missing" (not accurated)

For some reason, Sigma one is expensive .. ( $650!! )


I still suggest Nikon 50 F1.8 or F1.4D.

[AccentAE86]

I haven't used a D90, but on my D700, the 50 1.4G focuses a LOT slower than the 50 1.4D. A LOT. I was wanting to upgrade when the G was released, until I tried one and was quite surprised at how slow the focus motor was. It is also a lot bigger than the D version. Optically they seemed very similar. I was hoping for less halation (that dreamy look) on the new version but it doesn't seem to be the case.

I generally use my 50D at f/1.8, because this is where the halation totally disappears by. I use it at f/1.4 when I really need light, or if the halation doesn't detract from the image.

I haven't owned the 50 1.8 personally, but from what I've seen it seems like a somewhat decent lens. I've had a couple of second shooters working for me use it (clem24 was one) and what I noticed the most is the jagged and uglier bokeh, and the tendency to produce a LARGE magenta coloured flare quite easily. Baiscally, it has sharpness but that's about it's only strength. Personally, I think the 1.4D is worth the extra, but NOT the 1.4G. Besides, the D version has dropped in price since the release of the G.

[Gibson]

^^ That's interesting, when I had my D700 I always thought the 1.4D was a little slow and figured the G would be a tad quicker. Weird.

No complaints about my 50mm 1.4D even though the design is ancient and I do very rarely actually shoot at 1.4. Solid lens, but I too have never used the 1.8 so I can't comment.

[Mitsu3000gt]

The 50 1.4 G focuses pretty fast but it's not super fast. There is a large number of people who maintain the 50 1.4 AF-D on a decent body is the fastest focusing 50mm Nikon makes. Personally I think they're about the same. Again, it's more than double the price of the 50/1.8, so unless you are fairly picky or have plans to go full frame, it probably isn't worth the extra cash if you're on a budget. At $130 the 50 1.8 AF-D is basically disposable IMO, and its so cheap that most people have one even if they only use it a couple times a year (like me haha).

[dirtsniffer]

Thanks for all the input, I appreciate the unbiased (atleast more than a sales guy) opinions. I think I'm going to pick up the 1.8D because it's just so cheap. Or maybe the 1.4D if i knew where to get one used. Once I start work in May I can upgrade and only have wasted a 50-100 dollars. Almost like renting it. I'll keep all the recomendations as well :D

[blitz]

I'd much rather have a 35mm 1.8 on a D90 than a 50mm 1.4. Great lens for the price.

Hard to go wrong with the 50mm 1.8 though. Cheap small and works on full frame/film if you ever go one of those routes.

[Idratherbsidewayz]

Side note, where do you guys buy your used lenses?

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by blitz
I'd much rather have a 35mm 1.8 on a D90 than a 50mm 1.4. Great lens for the price.


That is what I'd do. If the 35/1.8 was out when I bought my 50 I'd have just got that instead. Also, it's only $195 at B&H, because our dollar is above par right now. That's $65 cheaper than locally, and only $70 more than the 50/1.8. They're out of stock right now though.


Originally posted by Idratherbsidewayz
Side note, where do you guys buy your used lenses?

Most people get them by browsing the for sale sections on related forums, like the camera section here on beyond, Nikonians, Fred Miranda, etc. Ebay is fairly popular too.

[msommers]

Honestly man, you can pick up a used copy of a 1.8 for 100 bucks. I love mine.

I love my Sigma 30mm 1.4 more though :p

[AccentAE86]

Since you specifically asked about focusing speed... I took vids of the 50 F/1.4 D and 50 F/1.4 G and put them side by side. The 50 G is on a D300 body, and the 50 D is on a D700. The D version goes from infinity to MFD back to infinity before the G can even reach MFD. It's over twice as fast.

http://vimeo.com/20761074

I've always been really impressed with the 50 1.4D focusing speed. The only lens that is close is my Canon 17-55.

[Mitsu3000gt]

The 50 D will also AF much faster on a D700 than it will on the OP's D90 as it uses a higher torque screw drive motor. The 50 D is a very fast focusing lens regardless, though. I'd venture a guess that the 50 G with AF-S tracks better than the 50 D, but that is one thing I haven't tried for myself yet.

[uptown.]

The 35mm f/1.8 on the d90 is the same as having a 50mm on a full frame camera. Its a more expensive then the 50mm but its worth it imo

[dirtsniffer]

I picked up a 50 1.8D off of kijiji for 100 dollars tonight :) loving it already

[dirtsniffer]

does any one have experience ordering from B&H? I'm thinking about ordering a tripod and am wondering if I will have to pay duty for the stuff. thanks

[Mitsu3000gt]

Originally posted by dirtsniffer
does any one have experience ordering from B&H? I'm thinking about ordering a tripod and am wondering if I will have to pay duty for the stuff. thanks

I've spent thousands at B&H, they are awesome. It's pretty much the go-to store for Americans.

During the checkout process, you can see the shipping options. The ground shipping options calculate duties for you, so there are no surprise costs when it arrives. The far better option (and often cheaper or the same price) is to use either UPS Worldwide Express or UPS Worldwide Saver. They are 2-3 day shipping methods and there is absolutely no duty or brokerage. You must, however, pay GST COD when it arrives.

Before you buy a tripod though I would recommend checking out www.feisol.net. Exact same quality as brands like Gitzo, but usually a bit less money. I've got one and I'm thrilled with it.

Also, their prices on things like filters, memory cards, and lots of other accessories can be as much as 75% cheaper than in Calgary, so if you need anything else, definitely have a look so you can have it all shipped together.

Oh, one more thing - B&H will only deliver to the address attached to your payment method if you don't live in the USA. This was slightly annoying for me because I typically have things delivered to my workplace, because nobody is ever home at the typical delivery times.

[Go4Long]

I've also had good experiences with B&H, only thing I've heard of issues with is people receiving product that had clearly been previously opened, but that is much more common with Adorama.

I've had filters for my filter set up for the 14-24 on back order at B&H since January though :(

[.norco.]

I dont feel like making another thread, but i was looking for some advice. Im still learning and what not on my d3100 with the 18-105 i picked up when i got the camera.

Now im looking at getting another lense and the 50mm 1.4g seems like it would be a solid choice.. but also the 1.8d seems like a really good deal too... the price difference is pretty big between both of them and i dont want to regret buying one and not the other.

what do you think??

[dirtsniffer]

I'm enjoying my 50mm 1.8d. I was actually using it today and I really enjoy it. And because I picked it up off kijiji for 100 bucks it's pretty hard to regret because if I ever get to the level where it no longer meets my needs (I probably won't) I can sell it for the same price and upgrade to a nicer lense.

One cost saving tip I learned was you can pick up a set of extension tubes and reduced the minimun focal distance of the 50mm from 50cm down to around 10 cm. So you can make a pretty good macro lense for less than 300 bucks.

[.norco.]

hmm, also looking at the 35mm f1.8G too....

:nut:

[blitz]

35mm 1.8.

Best DX prime out there IMO.

[.norco.]

yeah i think im going to go with the 35 1.8.. Seems like the best bet

[.norco.]

Picked up the 35mm 1.8, got 4 shots in then batt low came on :whipped: :whipped: :whipped: :whipped: :banghead: