NIKON 35mm F1.4 AFS v Sigma 1.4 ART

LASTOLITE

LASTOLITE

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Well after shooting in low light with fast action for some time I am drawn to a couple of Nikon primes, the 24mm and the 35mm f1.4's to be precise, however I see a big following for the sigma offering in the 35mm ART with reports of far better performance in optics and a more or less amazing picture quality wide open compared to the Nikon.

Now I have been drawn to the Nikon in the Classified but this ART lens has my interest peaked and at around 600 ish it cheaper then a used Nikon version.

Anyone here have one and can give me the nudge needed?
 
If you get a decent copy of the Sigma it's a great lens.

My problem, similar to many though is that there's some real duffers get through QC... mostly with focusing issues but my last ART lens just didn't produce particularly contrasty images.
 
I got a bit of a dud first copy, that was right after it's release. I sent it back and thankfully the 2nd copy was great. I also bought the usb-deck, which updates the firmware of the lens and corrects focus issues. Worth having on side, especially if you ever plan to buy other Sigma Art range lenses, works for them all afaik.

Once you get a decent copy of the lens, it's truly wonderful. It was attached to my D800E 99% of the time, even when I had other great lenses in the bag. I would mostly only take it off when I needed more reach. I shot weddings, parties, dinners, family portraits and landscape using it. Loved it. Sadly it had to go in the end, just recently, as I've decided on a change of system. but if I ever do decide to come back to FX, i will re-buy that lens. that and the Nikon 85mm 1.8G are the only 'must haves' for me personally with Nikon.
 
Many people rave about the 35mm Art lens so I thought I'd check it out. First impression was it is a big beast, bigger than the Nikon 35mm f1.4 (not by much but bigger). It is heavier too, again not by much. Build wise it felt lovely, tight tolerances and really rather nice to use. I'm quite sure it is razor sharp too, but for me I found it a little clinical in its rendering. Given its weight/size and the way it renders I didn't buy it, but no doubt it is a good bit of kit. But then so is the Nikon. In the end I went for the Nikon 35mm f1.8 as I don't need f1.4 ...

As for QC issues, I thought Sigma had improved on these, it would seem not from the above comments.
 
PaulButler said:
Many people rave about the 35mm Art lens so I thought I'd check it out. First impression was it is a big beast, bigger than the Nikon 35mm f1.4 (not by much but bigger). It is heavier too, again not by much. Build wise it felt lovely, tight tolerances and really rather nice to use. I'm quite sure it is razor sharp too, but for me I found it a little clinical in its rendering. Given its weight/size and the way it renders I didn't buy it, but no doubt it is a good bit of kit. But then so is the Nikon. In the end I went for the Nikon 35mm f1.8 as I don't need f1.4 ...

As for QC issues, I thought Sigma had improved on these, it would seem not from the above comments.
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I'm surprised that you didn't like the rendering as to me that is the big appeal of the Sigma. It's of course a very subjective lens characteristic but I loved it. I didn't have mine long enough as ,like cagey75 above, I changed systems (due to bulk mainly) but I really did love what that lens could do and almost always used it wide open. To me it's one of those lenses that has a bit of an undefinable special quality that just makes you want to use it for everything. It's a shame to hear of on-going quality issues but for whatever it's worth, I felt that the copy I had was perfect. Unfortunately I've not had the pleasure of using the Nikon 35mm 1.4 but it would have to be pretty special to beat the Sigma IMO.
 
There's 2 Nikon 35mm 1.8 variants. there's the cheap and cheerful one which is fine for FX, and a more expensive one specifically for DX. Just bear that in mind when shopping around.

This one here, which is an unbeatable price for a nice prime, but DX only: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-AF-S...TF8&qid=1477670950&sr=8-1&keywords=Nikon+35mm


And more recently they brought out a 1.8 better suited to FX bodies: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-AF-S...TF8&qid=1477670950&sr=8-2&keywords=Nikon+35mm


I'm sure many of us don't rely on the likes of DXOmark when buying lenses, but if you check the overall lens rating you might be shocked to see how far ahead the Sigma 35mm art is ahead of the Nikon 35 1.4.
 
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My sigma 35mm is probably my favorite and sharpest lens.

It's worth checking that you've updated the lens to the latest firmware with the USB dock - I bought a used one on here which was presumably an early model. It was spectacular on my D700.

A year or so later I got a D810 and the autofocus was way off. Completely unusable, and not adjustable via fine tuning.

If I hadn't used it on the D700 previously I'd have declared it a dud. I got the dock , updated to the latest firmware (presumably with stuff related to newer Nikon bodies) and it was spectacular again, just like it was on the D700.
 
gad-westy said:
I'm surprised that you didn't like the rendering as to me that is the big appeal of the Sigma. It's of course a very subjective lens characteristic but I loved it. I didn't have mine long enough as ,like cagey75 above, I changed systems (due to bulk mainly) but I really did love what that lens could do and almost always used it wide open. To me it's one of those lenses that has a bit of an undefinable special quality that just makes you want to use it for everything. It's a shame to hear of on-going quality issues but for whatever it's worth, I felt that the copy I had was perfect. Unfortunately I've not had the pleasure of using the Nikon 35mm 1.4 but it would have to be pretty special to beat the Sigma IMO.
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I wanted to like it, but find it very hard to put my finger on why I didn't. As you say it is so subjective. The Nikon f1.4 renders differently to the Sigma (no surprise there) and whilst I much preferred it, I couldn't justify the cost, particularly as I don't need f1.4.
 
Cagey75 said:
There's 2 Nikon 35mm 1.8 variants. there's the cheap and cheerful one which is fine for FX, and a more expensive one specifically for DX. Just bear that in mind when shopping around.

This one here, which is an unbeatable price for a nice prime, but DX only: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-AF-S...TF8&qid=1477670950&sr=8-1&keywords=Nikon+35mm


And more recently they brought out a 1.8 better suited to FX bodies: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-AF-S...TF8&qid=1477670950&sr=8-2&keywords=Nikon+35mm
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Think you have that the wrong way round, :) the DX lens is cheap and cheerful (and pretty decent too) and the FX is more expensive, but not mega bucks so - and is also decent.

I'm sure many of us don't rely on the likes of DXOmark when buying lenses, but if you check the overall lens rating you might be shocked to see how far ahead the Sigma 35mm art is ahead of the Nikon 35 1.4.
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I'm not overly fussed about a technical measuring exercise which is what DxO do, but yep there is an apparently huge gap.
 
The Sigma 35mm ART is ridiculously sharp, although you'll need to take some time and care (and a Sigma dock) to set it up and get the best from it.

Nikon 50mm 1.8g by Tim G, on Flickr

In this shot you can zoom into the gold writing and pick out the detail in the way it's painted.
 
PaulButler said:
Think you have that the wrong way round, :) the DX lens is cheap and cheerful (and pretty decent too) and the FX is more expensive, but not mega bucks so - and is also decent.

.
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Ahaha, yeah but you get what I meant, just funked up the letters :D
 
LASTOLITE said:
Great replies everyone really helps me out, Had no idea about the USB dock for the lens, and although I get the whole update ability, I dont fancy all that to be honest...



This may well be the way ahead for me.....ponders the second hand 1.4 in classified again....
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The dock is a work of art. (All puns intended). It is worth £40 and a hour of your time to calibrate the lens perfectly.
 
I have a Sigma too, I love it :) I must have been lucky as it's perfect on both of my D700s. I haven't tried the Nikon, at the money I found it hard to justify when the Sigma was getting such rave reviews, second hand was an option but there isn't a massive choice of second hand Nikons. Were they too expensive that nobody bought them? Or so brilliant that nobody can bear to let them go? I hope it's the latter :)

One thing that would have been nice is weather sealing though, if I'm out and about and it starts raining I never really know how long I can keep it out for. I believe the Nikon 1.4 is weather sealed, so something else to take into consideration. :) Not sure about the 1.8 FX
 
I have opted for the second hand Nikon f1.4 in the classified section here, seller says its immaculate and at 90 more than the sigma when you factor in the USB dock thingy, its worth the try, It may well be a perfect match to my needs, and I do prefere Nikon glass over any other, that said I do love my Tammy 28 75.

Lets see...
 
LASTOLITE said:
I have opted for the second hand Nikon f1.4 in the classified section here, seller says its immaculate and at 90 more than the sigma when you factor in the USB dock thingy, its worth the try, It may well be a perfect match to my needs, and I do prefere Nikon glass over any other, that said I do love my Tammy 28 75.

Lets see...
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It was a few pennies more than the Sigma that was for sale yesterday though... :whistle:
 
LASTOLITE said:
I have opted for the second hand Nikon f1.4 in the classified section here, seller says its immaculate and at 90 more than the sigma when you factor in the USB dock thingy, its worth the try, It may well be a perfect match to my needs, and I do prefere Nikon glass over any other, that said I do love my Tammy 28 75.

Lets see...
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The Nikon has better weather sealing on it as well I think. I have the Nikon 1.8 and love it, but I am tempted to upgrade to the 1.4
 
LASTOLITE said:
I have opted for the second hand Nikon f1.4 in the classified section here, seller says its immaculate and at 90 more than the sigma when you factor in the USB dock thingy, its worth the try, It may well be a perfect match to my needs, and I do prefere Nikon glass over any other, that said I do love my Tammy 28 75.

Lets see...
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Should be with you by now... Actually 55mins maximum!
 
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