I dunno if there is anyone here that has it yet. I am pretty sure Matt will try one, looks like a lens that will appeal to someone like him.
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Matthew SavilleRegistered Users, Retired ModPosts: 3,352Major grins
edited November 17, 2013
From what I've heard so far, it's a dud. Maybe ever-so-slightly superior to the likes of my current 50 1.8 G or the 50 1.4 G, but not even close to the 4-8x greater cost.
My simple question would be this: What are you looking for in such a lens, and why? If it is stopped-down sharpness, all you need is the 50 1.8 G. If it is wide-open sharpness, there's a good chance you'll be happy with the current Sigma / Nikon 50 1.4's.
So, what is currently "insufficient" about your current options in the 50mm range? Have you tried the 50 1.8 G in comparison to yours? (I assume, though you only said "trio" and Nikon makes four 1.4 G primes. ;-)
I dunno if there is anyone here that has it yet. I am pretty sure Matt will try one, looks like a lens that will appeal to someone like him.
I'm not sure if you're referring to me or to another Matt, but indeed I'll be testing one soon. Unfortunately the first "batch" went out of stock immediately at B&H so we're waiting for them to come back in stock again.
Also, to be quiet honest, I'm not really a 50mm kinda guy anyways. I'd much rather have a 35mm, or a 35+85 combo or 28+50+85 f/1.8 G combo. I'm actually only just testing the 58 1.4 G because I know it will be such a controversial topic and I'd like to be able to advise others based on more than heresay...
I'm not sure if you're referring to me or to another Matt, but indeed I'll be testing one soon. Unfortunately the first "batch" went out of stock immediately at B&H so we're waiting for them to come back in stock again.
Also, to be quiet honest, I'm not really a 50mm kinda guy anyways. I'd much rather have a 35mm, or a 35+85 combo or 28+50+85 f/1.8 G combo. I'm actually only just testing the 58 1.4 G because I know it will be such a controversial topic and I'd like to be able to advise others based on more than heresay...
=Matt=
Yes, you.
I being seeing some photos from people and it isn't the wide open sharpness that makes the lens appealing or even stopped down. It is the bokeh, and contrast that seems to make this lens really stand out. From what I can see, I still will want to test this out myself, but the bokeh seems to be even better than the 85mm 1.8 G.
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Matthew SavilleRegistered Users, Retired ModPosts: 3,352Major grins
I being seeing some photos from people and it isn't the wide open sharpness that makes the lens appealing or even stopped down. It is the bokeh, and contrast that seems to make this lens really stand out. From what I can see, I still will want to test this out myself, but the bokeh seems to be even better than the 85mm 1.8 G.
I'm sure that with the right "creamy-ness" of optical design, a 58mm f/1.4 could have far more pleasing bokeh (though slightly less shallow DOF?) than an 85m f/1.8.
Having said that, I guess I just don't find bokeh to be a deficiency for me, so even if it is in fact improved I probably wouldn't consider it. Again, I'd much rather have a 35mm f/1.4 with incredible bokeh if I'm going to spend that kind of money...
Hah, you're right Matt.. I haven't been able to get the 85 1.4G yet! I'm sticking with my 1.4D for now.
Not planning on purchasing a 58 1.4 yet, just curious to see the reviews on it.
It's in the similar price range of the 85 1.4G, so I was looking for a review to decide.
I've used the 85 1.4G a few times, and it's something special.
-Mike Jin
D800
16/2.8, f1.4G primes, f2.8 trio, 105/200 macro, SB900. It never gets easier, you just get better.
Hah, you're right Matt.. I haven't been able to get the 85 1.4G yet! I'm sticking with my 1.4D for now.
Not planning on purchasing a 58 1.4 yet, just curious to see the reviews on it.
It's in the similar price range of the 85 1.4G, so I was looking for a review to decide.
I've used the 85 1.4G a few times, and it's something special.
I'm honestly having a hard time truly enjoying ANY Nikon AFS-G prime enough to invest more than I have already into the likes of the 28/50/85 f/1.8's. I can feel their sluggishness and slightly reduced consistency compared to my f/2.8 zooms, and I feel like the classic (pro-grade) AF-D primes were snappier. I know that many others have been able to confirm and document this, too.
Furthermore, the likes of the Sigma 35 / 85 1.4 seem to be pretty dang snappy and consistent with their HSM motors, or at least slightly moreso than the Nikon AFS-G's.
Bottom line? I'm already never going to buy the Nikon 35 1.4 now that Sigma's is so awesome, I'll probably buy the Sigma 85 1.4 instead of any Nikon 85 1.4 if I ever decide to "upgrade" from my 85 1.8 G, ....aaaaaaand, I don't really have an interest in the 50mm focal length to invest more than $200-400 no matter what, so I'll probably stick with my 1.8 G until I can get my hands on the sexy, sexy new 50 1.8 G "AI-esque"
I just received the 58 1.4G... the AF is snail slow, my god.
It is SLOW!!
I haven't been able to test with it yet, but I hope to do so in the near future. The separation from the background is something special though, similar to a 85 1.4G IMO.
And yes, the AFS-G f1.4 primes are pretty slow to focus... I think the 35 is the quickest of them all (haven't tested the 85 1.4G extensively).
I've tested the 1.4G against the 1.8G and I much prefer the 1.4... I suppose the price difference is somewhat large, though.
-Mike Jin
D800
16/2.8, f1.4G primes, f2.8 trio, 105/200 macro, SB900. It never gets easier, you just get better.
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Matthew SavilleRegistered Users, Retired ModPosts: 3,352Major grins
I just received the 58 1.4G... the AF is snail slow, my god.
It is SLOW!!
I haven't been able to test with it yet, but I hope to do so in the near future. The separation from the background is something special though, similar to a 85 1.4G IMO.
And yes, the AFS-G f1.4 primes are pretty slow to focus... I think the 35 is the quickest of them all (haven't tested the 85 1.4G extensively).
I've tested the 1.4G against the 1.8G and I much prefer the 1.4... I suppose the price difference is somewhat large, though.
Which 1.8 G are you comparing to which 1.4 G? There's the 28, 50, and 85... I've found that all of them are as sharp or sharper than their 1.4 competition. The bokeh is nice and pretty on the 85, and not really objectionable on any of the 1.8 G's, though obviously slightly less impressive at the wider focal lengths.
Well, took a few shots with her tonight. 20131121-JIN_8744 by babowc, on Flickr
Sharp as a tack! But that's @ f11... I'll test some people shots tomorrow!
Edited on LR for colors, but no sharpening applied.
-Mike Jin
D800
16/2.8, f1.4G primes, f2.8 trio, 105/200 macro, SB900. It never gets easier, you just get better.
SOOC, all wide open, no crop.. dark shot of my lady is ISO2000. I believe everything else is either 100 or LO1
Two shots of my gf is blurred due to shake, especially the better-lit one.
20131117-JIN_8579 by babowc, on Flickr
Background is about 3 feet from her head. I took the shot 3 feet back.
SOOC, all wide open, no crop.. dark shot of my lady is ISO2000. I believe everything else is either 100 or LO1
Two shots of my gf is blurred due to shake, especially the better-lit one.
20131117-JIN_8579 by babowc, on Flickr
Background is about 3 feet from her head. I took the shot 3 feet back.
Comments
My simple question would be this: What are you looking for in such a lens, and why? If it is stopped-down sharpness, all you need is the 50 1.8 G. If it is wide-open sharpness, there's a good chance you'll be happy with the current Sigma / Nikon 50 1.4's.
So, what is currently "insufficient" about your current options in the 50mm range? Have you tried the 50 1.8 G in comparison to yours? (I assume, though you only said "trio" and Nikon makes four 1.4 G primes. ;-)
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
I'm not sure if you're referring to me or to another Matt, but indeed I'll be testing one soon. Unfortunately the first "batch" went out of stock immediately at B&H so we're waiting for them to come back in stock again.
Also, to be quiet honest, I'm not really a 50mm kinda guy anyways. I'd much rather have a 35mm, or a 35+85 combo or 28+50+85 f/1.8 G combo. I'm actually only just testing the 58 1.4 G because I know it will be such a controversial topic and I'd like to be able to advise others based on more than heresay...
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
Yes, you.
I being seeing some photos from people and it isn't the wide open sharpness that makes the lens appealing or even stopped down. It is the bokeh, and contrast that seems to make this lens really stand out. From what I can see, I still will want to test this out myself, but the bokeh seems to be even better than the 85mm 1.8 G.
I'm sure that with the right "creamy-ness" of optical design, a 58mm f/1.4 could have far more pleasing bokeh (though slightly less shallow DOF?) than an 85m f/1.8.
Having said that, I guess I just don't find bokeh to be a deficiency for me, so even if it is in fact improved I probably wouldn't consider it. Again, I'd much rather have a 35mm f/1.4 with incredible bokeh if I'm going to spend that kind of money...
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
Not planning on purchasing a 58 1.4 yet, just curious to see the reviews on it.
It's in the similar price range of the 85 1.4G, so I was looking for a review to decide.
I've used the 85 1.4G a few times, and it's something special.
D800
16/2.8, f1.4G primes, f2.8 trio, 105/200 macro, SB900.
It never gets easier, you just get better.
D800
16/2.8, f1.4G primes, f2.8 trio, 105/200 macro, SB900.
It never gets easier, you just get better.
http://www.samhurdphotography.com/2013/gear-reviews/nikon-58mm-f1-4-lens-review-and-comparison-with-detailed-sample-images
www.tednghiem.com
I'm honestly having a hard time truly enjoying ANY Nikon AFS-G prime enough to invest more than I have already into the likes of the 28/50/85 f/1.8's. I can feel their sluggishness and slightly reduced consistency compared to my f/2.8 zooms, and I feel like the classic (pro-grade) AF-D primes were snappier. I know that many others have been able to confirm and document this, too.
Furthermore, the likes of the Sigma 35 / 85 1.4 seem to be pretty dang snappy and consistent with their HSM motors, or at least slightly moreso than the Nikon AFS-G's.
Bottom line? I'm already never going to buy the Nikon 35 1.4 now that Sigma's is so awesome, I'll probably buy the Sigma 85 1.4 instead of any Nikon 85 1.4 if I ever decide to "upgrade" from my 85 1.8 G, ....aaaaaaand, I don't really have an interest in the 50mm focal length to invest more than $200-400 no matter what, so I'll probably stick with my 1.8 G until I can get my hands on the sexy, sexy new 50 1.8 G "AI-esque"
(see what I did there? AIS, AI-esque? Oh yeah!)
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
He lost me at "50mm is my focal length"... :-P
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
It is SLOW!!
I haven't been able to test with it yet, but I hope to do so in the near future. The separation from the background is something special though, similar to a 85 1.4G IMO.
And yes, the AFS-G f1.4 primes are pretty slow to focus... I think the 35 is the quickest of them all (haven't tested the 85 1.4G extensively).
I've tested the 1.4G against the 1.8G and I much prefer the 1.4... I suppose the price difference is somewhat large, though.
D800
16/2.8, f1.4G primes, f2.8 trio, 105/200 macro, SB900.
It never gets easier, you just get better.
Which 1.8 G are you comparing to which 1.4 G? There's the 28, 50, and 85... I've found that all of them are as sharp or sharper than their 1.4 competition. The bokeh is nice and pretty on the 85, and not really objectionable on any of the 1.8 G's, though obviously slightly less impressive at the wider focal lengths.
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
BTW, if this is of any relevance... my copy required -10 adjust on the D800.
D800
16/2.8, f1.4G primes, f2.8 trio, 105/200 macro, SB900.
It never gets easier, you just get better.
20131121-JIN_8744 by babowc, on Flickr
Sharp as a tack! But that's @ f11... I'll test some people shots tomorrow!
Edited on LR for colors, but no sharpening applied.
D800
16/2.8, f1.4G primes, f2.8 trio, 105/200 macro, SB900.
It never gets easier, you just get better.
haha!
I just started playing with a Zeiss 50.
www.tednghiem.com
Two shots of my gf is blurred due to shake, especially the better-lit one.
20131117-JIN_8579 by babowc, on Flickr
Background is about 3 feet from her head. I took the shot 3 feet back.
20131125-JIN_8841 by babowc, on Flickr
20131123-JIN_8758 by babowc, on Flickr
D800
16/2.8, f1.4G primes, f2.8 trio, 105/200 macro, SB900.
It never gets easier, you just get better.
Once again. The bokeh is nice, but worth the $1500 premium over my 50mm f/1.8 G? Nope.
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum