Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
by SIGMA
Our Price: $499.00
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Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: SIGMARelease Date: 2008-07-08
Model: 310306
Product features:
- Standard lens with large maximum aperture of F1.4.
- It creates sharp images with high contrast and ensures superior peripheral brightness.
- Incorporates molded glass aspherical lens, perfectly correcting coma aberration and creating superior image quality.
- Super multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting.
- Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) ensuring silent, high-speed AF.
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
Customer Review: Beats Nikon's 50mm f/1.4 AF-S
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're considering a 50mm f/1.4 prime, you're probably planning on a lot of low-light people-shooting or structured portraits. I shoot mostly weddings and other events where light is highly variable and flash is sometimes prohibited or inappropriate.
The lens I use most on my Nikon D3 and Nikon D300 is the fabled Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Zoom, a fantastic general-purpose lens that works well in most situations including low-light environments. But when I shoot portraits on the D300 or when I can move without restriction ("sneaker-zoom"), I switch to this Sigma 50mm f/1.4, mainly for the excellent bokeh (i.e., the quality of the appearance of objects in the out-of-focus background).
I compared this Sigma to the new Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S (released soon after the Sigma) before buying. The Nikon was about forty bucks cheaper in most shops at the time (2010). It is unusual for a third-party lens to sell for more than it's on-brand direct rival, but the higher price of this Sigma is justified.
I can confirm the remarks of other users: the Sigma is slightly softer wide open, but the Sigma and Nikon are tied for sharpness after 1.8. It's the Sigma's bokeh that justifies its slightly higher price.
When you shoot portraits, you usually want all the attention on the subject's eyes. Pinpoint-lights in the bokeh can draw attention away from the focal point. The Nikon tends to produce more distracting background elements when small, bright lights are present. These can be Christmas lights, distant lights including car headlamps, or small reflections from bright metallic surfaces.
The Sigma smooths out the background, including bright lights, and produces a pleasing blur that does not draw attention (except if you're a photography nerd who pays as much attention to bokeh as to the subject, in which case the problem is of course yours, not the lens's).
I noticed at least one other reviewer list the 77mm filter size as a "con." I respectfully disagree. Yes, 77mm filters are more expensive than smaller ones, but if you're using other high-quality lenses (such as the pro zooms and many of the best primes), the 77mm filter size means you don't have to buy new filters. It's puzzling to me why Nikon chose to make their 50mm f/1.4 with a 52mm filter size -- a size most pros and semi-pros don't much use.
The Sigma is much larger and heavier than the Nikon -- large enough to make a difference if you're carrying it on a walking trip. But its build quality seems higher, as well, and the results speak for themselves.
In short:
Simply outstanding for portraits (on a crop-frame camera like the D300) and low-light indoor people shots;
Bokeh is superior to that of the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AF-S;
Slightly softer than the Nikon wide open, but equal or better after f/1.8;
Larger and heavier than the Nikon, with arguably better construction;
77mm filter size means more expensive filters, but compatibility with other pro lenses.
This lens represents a huge leap forward for Sigma -- so great a leap that I'm sure they've shocked themselves. They've certainly shocked everyone else.
Description of Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
L9) 50MM F1.4EX F/NIK DG HSM LensDesigned for Nikon digital SLR cameras, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 prime lens is ideal for a wide range of applications, from landscape photography to portraiture. The lens offers an extra-large aperture that guarantees superior peripheral brightness, helping create sharp images with high contrast even at the edges. The molded glass aspherical lens, meanwhile, perfectly corrects for coma aberration to ensure that images look sharp and crisp against a nicely blurred background. And thanks to the integrated Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM), the lens enjoys a silent, high-speed autofocus system. Other features include a super multilayer lens coating that reduces flare and ghosting, a minimum focusing distance of 17.7 inches, and a maximum magnification of 1:7.4. As with all Sigma lenses, this 50mm lens carries a one-year warranty.
Specifications
- Focal length: 50mm
- Maximum aperture: f/1.4
- Lens construction: 8 elements in 6 groups
- Angle of view: 46.8 degrees
- Number of diaphragm blades: 9
- Minimum aperture: f/16
- Minimum focusing distance: 17.7 inches
- Maximum magnification: 1:7.4
- Filter size: 77mm
- Corresponding AF mounts: Nikon
- Dimensions: 3.3 inches in diameter and 2.7 inches long
- Weight: 17.8 ounces
- Warranty: 1 year
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