Has the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AF-S started to ship yet?

puddleduck said:
Wide open the Sigma is sharper, but not a lot. Bare in mind this is MF, and I'm crap at MF at f/1.4 (why I didn't keep my Voightlander 58mm, I couldn't do it justice wide open)

I'll do a Contrast Detect Liveview (spit :gag:) test which will eliminate AF errors so I can get a better feeling for it.
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What do you mean its MF? Is the lens not AF?
 
Richard Peters said:
And mine with it's slight back focus! And Radiohead with a perfect copy, the git :p
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My front focus is for objects up close, just over minimum focus distance.

For distant objects its OK (I guess at infinity you have enough DoF to cover up the focus error).

I've shot several images now flipping between the two lenses,and the Sigma is bang on every time, the Nikon is always out. Sometimes it gets close, but with AF the Nikkor never approaches the sharpness of the Sigma (looking at 100% crops of eye brows).

I'm sure if the Nikon focused properly, it would be a lot closer, as - at infinity - with DoF hiding the focus errors, its quite close.
 
Foggy said:
That would be me then :D

Cheers!
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Here you go, quick test - Sigma 50mm on the left, Nikkor on the right:

Overview:

http://www.odysseus-software.co.uk/LensTests/50mmbokehtest1.jpg

100% bokeh view:


50mmbokehtest2.jpg





The Sigma demonstrates the same "smoothness" vs the Nikkor 50mm I showed here vs the Nikkor 85mm:

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=1119991&postcount=59
 
im thick but i come as standard, so which of the new nifftys work with the d60 and allows auto focus, or dont any, orrrr is it the new one, question on behalf of friend, thats cos ive got the 50mm 1.4 already and wouldnt part with mine..
 
I wish TP would ban threads like these!!! I want to spend money!
 
melevo said:
im thick but i come as standard, so which of the new nifftys work with the d60 and allows auto focus, or dont any, orrrr is it the new one, question on behalf of friend, thats cos ive got the 50mm 1.4 already and wouldnt part with mine..
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The Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AF-N or AF-D won't AF on the D60

The Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AF-N or AF-D won't AF on the D60

The Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AF-S will AF on the D60

The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 HSM will AF on the D60
 
thanks puddleduck
 
100% eye crops (wide open, f/1.4, focus is on the eyebrow)

Sigma on the left, Nikkor on the right

50mm-crops.jpg


The Nikkor sample was - amazingly - the best out of multiple shots...!
 
lukewoodford said:
Looks like the Sigma is better! Thanks for doing these tests Puddleduck, keep them comin!
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You need to bare in mind that my Nikkor is faulty. Actually where its focused its quite sharp, it just doesn't focus accurately (you can see how the nose is sharp on the Nikkor sample aka front focusing)

Although I believe the bokeh from the Sigma is definately better (borne out by other online side-by-sides too)
 
Andy,

I've tried to reply to your PM, but it seems that your PM box is full.

That is a huge FF issue, sorry to tell you.

If I were in your place I'd just ask for a refund. Nikon took 4 weeks to get my (though not 50/1.4, for those who aren't aware of the problem) lens fixed, if not 5 weeks. Had I tested my lens as soon as I bought it, I would have demanded it returned without 2nd thought. I shouldn't have to endure this kind of fault unless it came about during the lifespan of the lens, not out of the box.

Tomorrow I will do a very rigorous test of my lens to let you know how well they've fixed it.
 
That's dreadful Andy - seems quite rare thus far so fingers crossed you can get it swapped for Xmas.
 
Thanks folks - I'm not too concerned, I'll probably just pop into my local Jessops in Cambridge and get it swapped out when they have stock.

I might send it to Nikon UK, purely so they know there are issues, but if they decide to repair it, I could be looking at 4 to 5 weeks.

FYI, serial numbers:

2067xx - My front focusing lens
2071xx - Richard's backfocusing lens

So these are both pretty early,less than 8,000 made. I know Bjarne Roslett mentioned his pre-QC sample had severe front focus too, so it looks like this hasn't been ironed out properly as yet.
 
Wail said:
Tomorrow I will do a very rigorous test of my lens to let you know how well they've fixed it.
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Does the paperwork indicate a repair? The 24-70 has had more than a few front focusing reports at 24mm, so they *should* know exactly what to do...
 
Mine's been despatched from Jessops apparently. For a HUGE novice like myself, can anyone give me some simple tests to carry out to see if mine is "faulty" or not? :help:

I'd probably think it was fantastic even though it was faulty compared to my kit lens! :( :)
 
lookup said:
Mine's been despatched from Jessops apparently. For a HUGE novice like myself, can anyone give me some simple tests to carry out to see if mine is "faulty" or not? :help:

I'd probably think it was fantastic even though it was faulty compared to my kit lens! :( :)
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Chances are it'll be fine, so don't worry.

Just take some shots wide open, if its not sharp where you focused (bear in mind the shallow DoF) it's not right.

Focus on someones eyebrow, if the nose is sharp, its front focusing, if the ears are sharper its back focusing.

Make sure you do not lean forwards or backwards when doing shots, as the DoF is so shallow you'll make your target OOF with body movement (or subject movement)
 
Cheers puddleduck, will stick it on a tripod and have a play when (if) it turns up.
 
Andy,

Just did my testing, at it seems perfect now. No issues what so ever, across the whole range.

The paperwork only indicated my issue and is stamped "COMPLETED"! I am not sure what that means, or what Nikon did; and just for the records, this has been with them since 10th November and I got it back 17th December .. that's just a bit over 5 weeks.
 
Wail said:
Andy,

Just did my testing, at it seems perfect now. No issues what so ever, across the whole range.

The paperwork only indicated my issue and is stamped "COMPLETED"! I am not sure what that means, or what Nikon did; and just for the records, this has been with them since 10th November and I got it back 17th December .. that's just a bit over 5 weeks.
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Very cryptic!

Nikon have contacted me asking for some NEFs from my 50mm, so I'm going to send them a few samples.
 
I was disappointing with what I got as feedback; but since it was under warranty, and I didn't pay a thing (not even post), I am not complaining. Just glad to have got it back before they close for Christmas.

They asked me for NEFs too, I made sure to have included a DVD with lots of them at various focal lengths and f stops.
 
Wail said:
They asked me for NEFs too, I made sure to have included a DVD with lots of them at various focal lengths and f stops.
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I've sent them several NEFs, so they don't try to blame my camera, I've also uploaded the comparison shots from the Sigma 50mm lens too... be interested to see if they look at those!

I can always go for a refund, but Jessops gave me an excellent price and free delivery, so I don't think its fair to ask Jessops to sort this out... I'll see if I can talk Nikon into swapping it out for me...
 
Hope it works out with Nikon, mind you I didn't like how they dealt with my lens issue. They were better and quicker getting my D200 back to me, may be that was a much easier issue for them!
 
Wail said:
Hope it works out with Nikon, mind you I didn't like how they dealt with my lens issue. They were better and quicker getting my D200 back to me, may be that was a much easier issue for them!
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Just got back from an early morning potter with the Sigma 50mm.. very very nice :love:

Was a bit bored so I decided to do a controlled test and I'm buggered if I can reproduce the front focus from my 50mm AF-S now - its spot on :cuckoo:

With both focusing on the same spot, its pretty much even stevens for sharpness. The Nikkor has significantly more vignetting than the Sigma, and the AF is noticeable slower too. Sharpness is about the same (I still give a slight edge to the Sigma but wide open its very close)

The Nikkor is a bit longer than the Sigma, or maybe the Sigma is about 46mm rather than 50mm?

I don't really understand why is was significantly front focusing on two bodies yesterday, but not today...
 
The Sigma absolutely most definately has better bokeh than the Nikkor. No question. I've really noticeable.

Here is a shot from this morning, Sigma 50mm wide open, straight OOC JPEG

DSC_2101-web.jpg
 
Bokeh comparision (close focus, abilitry to obliterate brick wall behind subject)

bokeh-shootout-tp.jpg


(which is which?!)
 
I am glad the FF issue is resolved, as weird as it may have been. Now, wasn't there someone with a Back Focus problem with his AF-S :thinking:?

From the two shots you've posted, I can't tell which is which to be honest. I like the bokeh on both :thumbs:
 
Sigma is second IMO.

Andy - something to test. The Sigma 50 has quite a following over at DWF and a fair few people are buying them over EF 50L's - on some Canon bodies it sometimes (not always) 'flip-flops' the AF (they describe this as hunting in good light and centre AF point with moving subjects). Not seen any reports of it happening on Nikons. so I suspect it's pretty rare.
 
Bokeh is definately nicer on the second, which I guess is the Sigma. Would you say the 50mm (Sigma) is better, or on par with the 30mm?
 
Sam_G said:
Bokeh is definately nicer on the second, which I guess is the Sigma. Would you say the 50mm (Sigma) is better, or on par with the 30mm?
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Hi Sam

I'm a really big fan of the Sigma 30mm and was a bit of an early adopter - I've been using once since September 2005 :)

So I'm well aware of how that lens performs - too be honest, I think the new 50mm has better bokeh than the 30mm. Part of this is to do with focal length, but the blade shape is different - 8 blades vs 9.

The downside is the size - I quite often do nightwalks with a small body (ie D60) with a 30mm f/1.4 mounted. Its small and discrete. A D700 with a Siggy 50mm on is competely the opposite..! I actually don't mind the Sigma 50mm size wise, its actually the smallest Full Frame lens I've got. But in 50mm terms, its big.
 
puddleduck said:
Hi Sam

I'm a really big fan of the Sigma 30mm and was a bit of an early adopter - I've been using once since September 2005 :)

So I'm well aware of how that lens performs - too be honest, I think the new 50mm has better bokeh than the 30mm. Part of this is to do with focal length, but the blade shape is different - 8 blades vs 9.

The downside is the size - I quite often do nightwalks with a small body (ie D60) with a 30mm f/1.4 mounted. Its small and discrete. A D700 with a Siggy 50mm on is competely the opposite..! I actually don't mind the Sigma 50mm size wise, its actually the smallest Full Frame lens I've got. But in 50mm terms, its big.
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I was considering getting the 30mm 1.4 Sigma but wasnt sure if it was good. How does it rate compared to the Camon equivilant?
 
lukewoodford said:
I was considering getting the 30mm 1.4 Sigma but wasnt sure if it was good. How does it rate compared to the Camon equivilant?
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Wouldn't like to say - I think Canon does a 35 f/1.4 but I've never seen or used one.

In Nikon land, I personally prefer the 30mm f/1.4 to the Nikkor 35/2 but this will end up down to personal preference. I like to form my opinions via dual ownership.

If I shot DX, I'd choose the Sigma 30mm over the Nikkor 35/2 without hestition every time. The Nikkor 35/2 is very nice on the D700 and I'd happily shoot with that. I had a 35/2 until I got a 17-35 AF-S which made the 35/2 redundant.
 
The Canon 35L is a beautiful lens but the Sigma is close. Both are better than the Nikkor 35/2 which should be next for a refresh along with the 85/1.4.
 
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