Which 50mm Prime???

bbg404

bbg404

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Hopefully I'll own a D750 by the end of next week so ..... Which one??

Nikon 50mm 1.8
Nikon 50mm 1.4
Sigma 50mm 1.4

Which would you recommend??

To be honest I think I've chose the Nikon 1.8 basically cause it won't get used much and it'll be capable of more than I'll ever use it
 
Why buy a focal length you don't plan on using?
 
Seems to me like everyone is being a little harsh! The OP doesn't say he won't use the lens just that he won't use it a lot! I'm sure we all have a lens in the bag that doesn't come out often? I have an 85mm f1.8 that i rarely use but love when I do and a 70-210mm f4 that gets even less use but does the job when I need a short tele!

Back to the original question if money is no issue the sigma is lovely if money is an issue get the 1.8 nikon you can always upgrade if you find yourself using the 50mm more!
 
all valid statements but yeah I agree with the fact of buying something I will use which I am doing Nikon D750 with 24-120 + 16-35 + 70-300(already have) and the Samyang 14mm 2.8 which I think is a perfect little kit, well it is for me any how!!

The reason I asked is I was talking to a friend and he mentioned the only thing missing he thought was a 50mm and I said I cant really think of a time id use it especially as I've got the 24-120 and he agreed but he thought exactly that but if he ever has the grandkids or at a frie4nds house who has kids he's always on the look for a snap and the only lens he takes is the 50mm which made me think I've got 2 very close friends who have just had baby's and 1 who is due so I can see me being asked more often than not to take some photos so I thought the 50mm would do the trick especially at 1.8

finally money is a slight issue so think as its my first ever 50 ill just go with the Nikon 50 1.8 as John Lewis have it for £140 with 2 year warranty
 
You've identified a use for a fast prime, but that doesn't make 50mm the ideal focal length - other than it's inevitably the cheapest option. But it's not a bad choice for the identified purpose on full-frame.
 
If it helps, I bought a 50 1.8g to go with my FX camera, hasn't left the house once since I got it in June. It seems like a good idea (and a prime is!) but if the 50 isn't the right focal length for you then just because it's cheap doesn't make it worth buying.

(I think for me a 35 and 85 would be better, but that's neither here nor there)
 
Get a second hand f/1.8 unless you want/need the extra shallow DoF that an f/1.4 will give you. If you really want/need ultra shallow DoF go for an old MF f/1.2. The D750 isn't as fussy as the D8?0 bodies and will AF with any F mount AF lens made, including the old screw driven ones. Have to admit that I don't use mine much (f/1.8) but with the D750 it really does make unavailable light photography possible!!!
 
My Nikon 50mm f1.8 has been on my D7100 pretty much 90% of the time I've had it. Super sharp small and light I find it gets me back to basics. I paid about £60 for mine and its like new! For that price you can't go wrong and if you find you don't use it you'll easily get your money back.
 
pmrud said:
My Nikon 50mm f1.8 has been on my D7100 pretty much 90% of the time I've had it. Super sharp small and light I find it gets me back to basics. I paid about £60 for mine and its like new! For that price you can't go wrong and if you find you don't use it you'll easily get your money back.
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If I find one for that price I'll have it
 
The sigma 50mm 1.4 ART is great, I had a play with one the other week. I own their 35 1.4 ART and I love it.
 
Nod said:
Get a second hand f/1.8 unless you want/need the extra shallow DoF that an f/1.4 will give you. If you really want/need ultra shallow DoF go for an old MF f/1.2.
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If shooting with a 50mm on FF surely at f1.2 and reasonably close shooting to get a baby relatively large in the frame, maybe half to full body, I'd want to be waaaay smaller than f1.2. Looking at my own shots I have quite a few at 80 to 250 sec, ISO 400 and the widest apertures is at f3.2 at which both eyes wont be sharp if the picture is anything other than straight on.

I do like primes but we don't have to use them wide open :D
 
I completely agree, Alan! For portraits I find that wide apertures throw way too much of the face too far out of focus so I tend to stick to f/4 or smaller to get the tip of the nose to the ears within the DoF! I bought my 50mm AF f/1.8 about 15 years ago for £40 2nd hand when a dealer was selling stuff off because his landlord was selling the shop. Been advised to keep hold of mine rather than trade it in against any of the f/1.4 choices unless I want/need the extra shallow DoF, in which case try to find a f/1.2 MF lens, advice I've passed on to the OP.
 
A good pair of focal lengths for prime lenses which are either side of 50mm is 35mm & 85mm. They complement each other nicely and will get used a lot, particularly if you go for the Nikon 85mm f1.8G AF-S and go a bit mad a buy the Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art lens. The Sigma is a staggering lens and the Nikon will give 95% of the performance of the f1.4 version for 33% of the cost.
If you bought this combination I'd wager you wouldn't use a 50mm.

This is what I have found. :)
 
bbg404 said:
Thanks for the replies I'm going to hold off and get my hands on the d750 first then I'll see how the kit performs if I think the 50mm would improve what I do then I may buy one

Thanks again
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Good idea. See how you like 50mm on full-frame first, might be a bit short for babies.

There are two Nikon 50/1.8s, also two Sigma 50/1.4s. Nikon 50/1.8 G is the best value.
 
Gotta be careful with focal lengths and perspective distortion though as that beautiful baby might look a bit different if you get too close with a FF camera and a 35mm lens.
 
woof woof said:
Gotta be careful with focal lengths and perspective distortion though as that beautiful baby might look a bit different if you get too close with a FF camera and a 35mm lens.
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This is definitely something to be aware of. It's all horses for courses, I personally prefer using 50mm over 35mm on full frame.
 
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