Which 50mm 1.4 - Nikkor AF-S 1.4G or Sigma EX DG HSM?

[amachi]

I'm getting more and more convinced with the Sigma... Where do you bring the lens for calibration? Fixed on the spot? Tks.

3791 Jalan Bukit Merah #07-19 & 20
E-Centre@Redhill Singapore 159471
Tel:65-62739622
Fax:65-62746011

You need to make appointment first. Also, you need to leave your camera with lens for them to calibrate. If time permits, I guess you can wait there until the calibration done. Shouldn't take long really.

My suggestion is to wait there while they calibrate for you, because once it's done, you check it on the spot. In case you are not satisfied with the result, tell them directly and most likely they will re-calibrate it again for you until you are satisfied.

For my case, the technician even allowed me into his work area and calibrated in front of me. I am kinda fussy with the sharpness hence he took so long to calibrate for me :sweatsm:

 

[amachi]

I like the Nikon for its light weight actually... but it seems the Sigma's got sharper images...

Sigma 50mm is indeed very heavy (for a 50mm prime lens), but well that's the trade off

For me, I can live with that, image quality comes first hehe.

 

[smarc]

Address of the sigma servicing centre is in the warranty card.

Do a online register for the sigma lens you brought for 6 more months warranty.

http://www.apds.com.sg/contact.htm

Call up the servicing centre for an appointment, bring your camera & lens down to do a calibration, around 2-3 hours wating time, callect on the same day.

Mine Sigma 50mm at 1.4 perform a great different before & after calibration in term of sharpness when shooting at 1.4.

As I say sharpness is not all about why I choose the sigma, it is the better bokeh which on par with my Nikon 85 F1.4D that make me pay more.:thumbsup:

If people only want sharpness & lightweight, pay less for the old N50 F1.4D or 1.8 will do. What for spend a few hundred more to get a sigma? Same as why some pople rather pay more for the Zeiss while sharpness is the same?

Tks for all this great info bro!

 

[macchiato]

sigma

 

[smarc]

Address of the sigma servicing centre is in the warranty card.

Do a online register for the sigma lens you brought for 6 more months warranty.

http://www.apds.com.sg/contact.htm

Call up the servicing centre for an appointment, bring your camera & lens down to do a calibration, around 2-3 hours wating time, callect on the same day.

Mine Sigma 50mm at 1.4 perform a great different before & after calibration in term of sharpness when shooting at 1.4.

As I say sharpness is not all about why I choose the sigma, it is the better bokeh which on par with my Nikon 85 F1.4D that make me pay more.:thumbsup:

If people only want sharpness & lightweight, pay less for the old N50 F1.4D or 1.8 will do. What for spend a few hundred more to get a sigma? Same as why some pople rather pay more for the Zeiss while sharpness is the same?

Bro you got some pictures taken with the sigma to share?

 

[sammedia]

Bro you got some pictures taken with the sigma to share?

All taken in F1.4 using Sigma.

 

[sammedia]

Taken at f1.4 Sigma 50.

 

[sammedia]

Taken at F2.

 

[smarc]

3791 Jalan Bukit Merah #07-19 & 20
E-Centre@Redhill Singapore 159471
Tel:65-62739622
Fax:65-62746011

You need to make appointment first. Also, you need to leave your camera with lens for them to calibrate. If time permits, I guess you can wait there until the calibration done. Shouldn't take long really.

My suggestion is to wait there while they calibrate for you, because once it's done, you check it on the spot. In case you are not satisfied with the result, tell them directly and most likely they will re-calibrate it again for you until you are satisfied.

For my case, the technician even allowed me into his work area and calibrated in front of me. I am kinda fussy with the sharpness hence he took so long to calibrate for me :sweatsm:

Cool.. super tks!

 

[smarc]

All taken in F1.4 using Sigma.

Nice =)

 

[smarc]

Taken at F2.

Gosh the sharpness here is impeccable! and the petals are captured like they are drawn... amazing!

 

[sammedia]

Gosh the sharpness here is impeccable! and the petals are captured like they are drawn... amazing!

Yup, from F2 onwards, the sharpness is amazing, it even give you a 3D kind of feel. At F1.4, sharpness only mid range, you can't compare with the cheap & good Nikon 50 F1.8 which produce better sharpness. If anyone want to pay more for the Sigma, it is the Bokeh that count, many lens can give you a sharp pict. but not many can produce good Bokeh.

 

[Blitzkriegh]

How much now is the Sigma 50mm 1.4 HSM for a bnew and 2nd hand?

 

[greengoblin]

SLRR selling for $815 I think.

 

[smile_gerard]

I was in your shoes, i sold off my 50F1.8 so i didn't want a nikon 50 F1.4, sigma was too expensive. So what i went for was the Voigtlander 58 F1.4. On the down side is that its MF. To me personally, its a beautiful lens...

 

[Blitzkriegh]

SLRR selling for $815 I think.

i did call them and it's indeed 815. thanks!

 

[dche5390]

I prefer the Sigma 50 1.4 because the focusing is internal, has 9 bladed aperture, and takes 77mm filters as opposed to 58mm. Only because I have other lenses that take 77mm filters. Of course, this same argument could be reversed (ie, the Nikkor is smaller and lighter).

I dislike the loud focusing noise of the AFD 50 1.4 and especially how the focus ring is towards the front of the lens - where my hand usually rests.

Sigmalux
@ f/3.5
@ f/8
@ f/1.4
@ f/2.0
@ f/2.0
@f/1.4

AFD 50 1.4
@ f/2.5
@ f/2.0
@ f/2.0
@ f/2.5
@ f/2.0
@ f/1.4

All photos were shot on a D700, using centre AF and recomposing.

 

[guyverias]

I would say go for the sigma (if you can find a good copy)

Some of these are samples using the sigma 50/1.4

I'm lucky to get a decent copy

 

[ZeroDivine]

the sigma is excellent.. especially after calibration
50 1.4 it's sharp and contrast is excellent, unlike the older AF-D 50 1.4 which is a little 'hazy' and has a lot of purple fringing.
the bokeh, of course is amazing and smooth.. leaves all the other 50mm in the dust.. it's afterall designed for portrait.
ps. It even comes quite close to the 50 1.2L, and that's 1/3 the price of the L.

 

[aspenx]

I've had the 50 f/1.8D and 50 f/1.4D Nikkors. Have tried the 50 f/1.4G but never tried the Sigma. From my experience I will rank them like this in order of IQ and bokeh:

1. 50 f/1.4G
2. 50 f/1.4D
3. 50 f/1.8D

But I still like my Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f.1,4 SL II best. The Sigma looks like very good competition with the Voigtlander but goes for twice as much as I've paid for the Voigtlander. . No back/front focusing issues too since I rely on my eyes instead of AF.