Standard Focal Length Full Frame Camera Lenses: Seeking opinions regarding the names of the absolute three best 50mm to 60mm standard focal length (fixed)lenses made today for Full...

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Standard Focal Length Full Frame Camera Lenses.

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Nov 18, 2014 03:31:10 #

Zone-System-Grandpa Loc: Springfield, Ohio

Seeking opinions regarding the names of the absolute three best 50mm to 60mm standard focal length (fixed)lenses made today for Full Frame DSLR cameras.

Am really seeking the one very best, but being that opinions will vary, the top three will be acceptable :)

If possible, please name the manufacturer, the focal length, does the lens have an image stabilization feature, is the lens auto focus, does the lens have macro capabilities, how sharp is the lens, and how fast is the lens ?

Sample photos are welcomed !

Nov 18, 2014 03:40:58 #

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

I can't really answer but I googled and found about 8 articles and trimmed it to these 2.

http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/roundup/lens-roundup/zeiss-otus-55mm-f1-4-vs-sigma-50mm-f1-4/

http://nikonrumors.com/2013/02/15/carl-zeiss-distagon-t-1-455-lens-the-best-fast-50mm-ever.aspx/

Nov 18, 2014 03:58:21 #

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Zone-System-Grandpa wrote:

Seeking opinions regarding the names of the absolu... (show quote)

The question is a bit broad. Why are you asking outside of the brand of camera(s) you use? Asking for AF & IS you are precluding vintage lenses. Why just ones made today? If you were asking about Nikon or Pentax made lenses I could make suggestions, but they would all be for discontinued products.

Nov 18, 2014 04:51:12 #

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Zone-System-Grandpa wrote:

Seeking opinions regarding the names of the absolu... (show quote)

Zeiss Otus, Sigma Art and the new Nikon 58 1.4. There is a very nice Leitz lens but I am less familiar with it.

Nov 18, 2014 05:29:48 #

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Gene51 wrote:

Zeiss Otus, Sigma Art and the new Nikon 58 1.4. There is a very nice Leitz lens but I am less familiar with it.

These are probably the entire list, but add too EF 50mm f/1.0 L ...

Nov 18, 2014 05:45:42 #

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

The only caution with these fast HQ lenses is that they rarely test well. Typically they are off the charts for center sharpness at all apertures, but really look crappy at the edges and corners - especially wide open.

However . . .

Subjects, other than buildings and retaining walls, are rarely flat, and these lenses have considerable field curvature. So in common use, they will satisfy even the most critical pixel peeper as far as image quality is concerned.

Nov 18, 2014 06:47:29 #

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

The canon nifty 50mm f/1.8

The best there is...

case closed :)

Nov 18, 2014 06:52:12 #

mtparker Loc: Cape Charles & Springfield, Virginia

Zone-System-Grandpa wrote:

Seeking opinions regarding the names of the absolu... (show quote)

You must know there is no right answer here.

You should be more specific about YOUR requirements. Noone knows your shooting style better than you.

Do you want a fast lens or is 2.8 OK?
Do you want a macro or not?
Low light or ... ?
Manual focus OK?

Field relevance drives me more than just resolution. If I can't get full frame edge-to-edge performance and great bokeh then I'll likely pass on a lens no matter how good it is in the centers.

That said, today's 50mm lenses from Nikon, Sigma, and Zeiss are awfully good when stopped down a bit but not so much wide open.

Rant over. To answer your question most directly, I am able to test many lenses briefly myself as I know enough gearheads to be able to locate some of the new lenses shortly after they appear.

If I was buying a 50 prime today it would be the AF Nikkor 50mm f1.4D. An oldie but a goodie. The AF Nikkor 50mm f1.8D is just as good.

Note: The best 50mm ever made may be the SMC Pentax 50mm f1.7.

Nov 18, 2014 09:18:00 #

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Zone-System-Grandpa wrote:

Seeking opinions regarding the names of the absolu... (show quote)

Sigma AF 50mm F1.4 Art. Image quality is astounding!

Nov 19, 2014 05:55:13 #

Mickey Mantle Loc: New York City

Hi - I would suggest the sigma 50mm 1.4 Art. I know you use D810's and this is a perfect lens for that camera

Nov 19, 2014 07:26:57 #

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

mtparker wrote:

You must know there is no right answer here. br b... (show quote)

Good answer!

I'd like to add, the old (Pentax) Super Takumar SMC 55mm f/1.8 Screw Mount was awesome. There are people who have tested these things. Actually there have been more than one of those Asahi Pentax lenses, the K-series, M-series and the A-Series. Though I think the one mtparker refers to is the M-series one.