Nifty 50? (Page 2): I stop it down a bit.

wingate2417 Loc: Quincy, Ca.

stevetassi wrote:

Does it perform well wide open or do you usually stop it down a bit?

I stop it down a bit.

Bbarn Loc: Ohio

You have the wide to medium tele focal lengths covered. But if you want something faster or smaller, a fixed lens can fill that void.

What focal length might be preferred depends on the use and user. I tend to like a bit larger field of view, so I've been using a 35mm more lately. But its a very poor choice for shoulder up portraits. In that case a 85mm (or greater) would be much better. The 50 is obviously in between. Some like that while others often find a 50 too short or too long.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

CO wrote:

I have a D750 and I use the Tamron 45mm f/1.8 SP VC lens on it. That focal length produces a perspective that is close to what the human eye sees. It's great for environmental type portraits. I find that long focal lengths are not great for environmental type portraits because they have the effect of compressing distance and anything behind the model looks unnaturally large. The Tamron 45mm f/1.8 has a metal lens barrel, is fully weather sealed, and has vibration compensation.

It's interesting comparing this photo, downloading and magnifying, with the 135mm lens posted previously.

repleo Loc: Boston

stevetassi wrote:

I shoot with a Nikon d750 and I already own a sigma 14-24 f2.8, Nikon 24-120 f4 vr, and Tamron 70-200 f2.8 g2 lenses. I used to just shoot portraits, but now I’m finding myself shooting a little of everything. Should I invest in a 50mm lens or am I wasting money by purchasing one?

Everybody should have a 50mm of at least f1.8. F1.4 would be even better for a tighter depth of field. I assume we are talking FF.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

epic fashion/lifestyle editorial CO... I've looked seriously at the Tamron 45mm f/1.8 SP VC lens... DxO mark rates it very high... Wide open it has very impressive acuity... it's build quality is stellar... and if you are into static subjects the VR is amazing!

https://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Tamron/Tamron-SP-45mm-F18-Di-VC-USD-Model-F013-Nikon-mounted-on-Nikon-D800E---Measurements__814

Click on sharpness, then field map... very few optics are this exceptional wide open at this price point...
It's highly competitive at $400
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1183049-REG/tamron_aff013n700_sp_45mm_f_1_8_di.html

Thank you for sharing....

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Thomas902 wrote:

stevetassi a 50mm prime on a full frame i.e. D750 ... (show quote)

Wow! My 135 f2L is my favorite FF lens also (and my 90 f2 on crop body). I love fast primes!

Winslowe

stevetassi wrote:

I shoot with a Nikon d750 and I already own a sigma 14-24 f2.8, Nikon 24-120 f4 vr, and Tamron 70-200 f2.8 g2 lenses. I used to just shoot portraits, but now I’m finding myself shooting a little of everything. Should I invest in a 50mm lens or am I wasting money by purchasing one?

If you can somehow figure out a way to actually use the lenses you say you have, you should be able to figure out for yourself if you need another lens or not.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

I just bought a used Nikkor 50mm f1.4 G at MPB.com and it is mint in original box for $294.00. I bought it to replace an old 50mm f/2.8.

It is as promised, fast in low light and sharp. I also like my Nikkor 60mm macro.

At this link are photos just taken with the 50mm for trial use.

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-672895-1.html

CO

Thomas902 wrote:

Click on sharpness, then field map... very few optics are this exceptional wide open at this price point...
It's highly competitive at $400

Thank you for sharing....

I looked at that. It looks like it has impressive sharpness starting at f/1.8. It improves some up to about f/5.6 and then decreases slightly.

ELNikkor

I also have the a D750, 24-120 f4, and 70-300 Nikon lenses. Yes, the 24-120 is usually on the camera and does cover 50mm, but occasionally, I just like to enjoy the light-weight 50mm 1.8 as a walk-around, or low-light facilitator. 2 days ago, I went out on the bicycle and knew I would need the 70-300, but "just in case", I tossed the tiny 50mm 1.8 in the backpack. (So much smaller/lighter than the 24-120!). Sure enough, I came across a small town that was perfect for the 50, so I got the street-shots I wanted. (My 50's are all manual focus from the film age, I actually have to go to the "horrendous hassle" to focus and set the aperture myself!)

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

stevetassi wrote:

I shoot with a Nikon d750 and I already own a sigma 14-24 f2.8, Nikon 24-120 f4 vr, and Tamron 70-200 f2.8 g2 lenses. I used to just shoot portraits, but now I’m finding myself shooting a little of everything. Should I invest in a 50mm lens or am I wasting money by purchasing one?

I own the Nikon 50 mm G 1.8 lens and I am amazed at it's sharpness.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/766516-USA/Nikon_2199_AF_S_Nikkor_50mm_f_1_8G.html

However, for portraits, I have always used the Nikon 70-200 2.8 FL. I find it the ideal lens for portraits.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I have one, but I never use it. Back in the old days, that was virtually all I used. Now I prefer zoom lenses, especially the 28-300mm.

leftj Loc: Texas

stevetassi wrote:

I shoot with a Nikon d750 and I already own a sigma 14-24 f2.8, Nikon 24-120 f4 vr, and Tamron 70-200 f2.8 g2 lenses. I used to just shoot portraits, but now I’m finding myself shooting a little of everything. Should I invest in a 50mm lens or am I wasting money by purchasing one?

That's up to you

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

stevetassi wrote:

I shoot with a Nikon d750 and I already own a sigma 14-24 f2.8, Nikon 24-120 f4 vr, and Tamron 70-200 f2.8 g2 lenses. I used to just shoot portraits, but now I’m finding myself shooting a little of everything. Should I invest in a 50mm lens or am I wasting money by purchasing one?

As I recall 50mm is somewhere between 24 and 120mm on the lens you already own. May I suggest you shoot photographs for a while using only the 50mm setting to see how you like it. If you do then by all means invest in a 50mm for its lighter weight and perhaps faster aperture.

Dennis

Flickwet Loc: NEOhio

Everybody should have a 50, they are generally the simplest and sharpest lenses for general use being historically of the Planar design.
Complaints of softness wide open are complaints of ignorance. Shot wide open subjects will pop out of a generally clean bokeh. The lack of sharpness is a tool to be used not a limitation nor a design flaw, for many subjects are flattered by the ever so slightly soft f1.2-1.8 aperture. Facial distortion is never evident as these lenses mostly have little if any distortion, that’s a product of retro focus design in wide angle lenses used on DSLR’s and FSLR’s.
Telephoto lenses do present a more flattering perspective (not a distortion) for portrait use, allow more working room, and can further isolate your subject from the background