What is an ART lens?
Jan 17, 2015 00:40:08 #
Hi! I am spreading my wings in portrait taking. I just got a Nikon D7100 with an 18-140 f/3.5-5.6. I have 2 prime lenses (85 & 35) both are f/1.8. I think I would get more use out of a 50 prime. The 1.8 is $100, the 1.4 is $400 (Nikon). So here's the dilemma...I saw a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART lens for $900. It's much bigger than the other 50 primes and pricier. What IS an Art lens and is it worth the extra money? OR...should I forget the 50 and bite the bullet and just get the 24-70 f/2.8?
Jan 17, 2015 01:15:52 #
GrandmaG wrote:
Hi! I am spreading my wings in portrait taking. I just got a Nikon D7100 with an 18-140 f/3.5-5.6. I have 2 prime lenses (85 & 35) both are f/1.8. I think I would get more use out of a 50 prime. The 1.8 is $100, the 1.4 is $400 (Nikon). So here's the dilemma...I saw a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART lens for $900. It's much bigger than the other 50 primes and pricier. What IS an Art lens and is it worth the extra money? OR...should I forget the 50 and bite the bullet and just get the 24-70 f/2.8?
My understanding is that the ART designation is one Sigma is using for a series of lenses they are currently selling. Their other lenses are classed as CONTEMPORARY and SPORT lenses. The art lenses "appear" to be their line that might be analogous to Canon's L line. As I don't use any Sigma lenses I can't comment as to the quality of the build or optics, so I can't say if they warrant their higher prices. Hopefully other Hoggers with experience can clarify that.
Jan 17, 2015 01:23:53 #
Jan 17, 2015 01:26:46 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
GrandmaG wrote:
Hi! I am spreading my wings in portrait taking. I just got a Nikon D7100 with an 18-140 f/3.5-5.6. I have 2 prime lenses (85 & 35) both are f/1.8. I think I would get more use out of a 50 prime. The 1.8 is $100, the 1.4 is $400 (Nikon). So here's the dilemma...I saw a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART lens for $900. It's much bigger than the other 50 primes and pricier. What IS an Art lens and is it worth the extra money? OR...should I forget the 50 and bite the bullet and just get the 24-70 f/2.8?
Sigma has three new lines of lenses the most upscale and revolutionary being the ART series. Currently the ART series consists of 2 lenses specifically designed for crop sensors, the 30mm f/1,4 and the very unique 18-35mm f/1.8, which I own. There are currently three full frame models. The 24-105 f/4, the 35mm f/1.4, and the 50mm f/1.4 They are all considered to be as good as it gets compared to their competition. The 50mm Sigma is often favorably compared to the Zeiss Otus 55mm which I believe is around $3500. The Sigma 50mm ART is large, heavy, built like a tank with a very smooth focus ring. Everything about it says top quality. Optically there are few lenses that compare. Distortion is astonishingly low. Light transmission is as good as it gets. For what you get, at its price, its considered a bargain rather than expensive.
Jan 17, 2015 09:46:57 #
mwsilvers wrote:
Sigma has three new lines of lenses the most upsca... (show quote)
Thank you for that reply. I was tempted to get it at the time I saw it...now I "gotta have it"! How do you like the 18-35? Also, the 24-105 sounds tempting. Will the DX lenses work on the D7100?
Jan 17, 2015 10:23:54 #
A gimmick to make folks feel they need to sped more money.
In portraiture you rarely use the corners where both the distortion and vignetting is present.
In portraiture you rarely use the corners where both the distortion and vignetting is present.
Jan 17, 2015 10:31:39 #
GrandmaG wrote:
Thank you for that reply. I was tempted to get it at the time I saw it...now I "gotta have it"! How do you like the 18-35? Also, the 24-105 sounds tempting. Will the DX lenses work on the D7100?
The D7100 is a DX camera.
Jan 17, 2015 10:35:03 #
mwsilvers
Loc: Central New Jersey
Rongnongno wrote:
A gimmick to make folks feel they need to sped more money.
In portraiture you rarely use the corners where both the distortion and vignetting is present.
In portraiture you rarely use the corners where both the distortion and vignetting is present.
True, but the Sigma 50 was not designed as a portrait lens. And since when is a lens that's tack sharp from edge to edge wide open a gimmick? There are plenty of non portrait situations where thst level of sharpness and lack of distortion would be a real plus.
Jan 17, 2015 10:42:09 #
elwynn wrote:
The D7100 is a DX camera.
HaHa. I meant will the FX lenses work on the D7100!
Jan 17, 2015 10:44:30 #
mwsilvers wrote:
True, but the Sigma 50 was not designed as a portrait lens.
Ok, so what IS the best portrait lens for the D7100. I know full frame is considered a better choice for portraits, but I am retired and cannot afford that. I LOVE the D7100. It is such a great upgrade from the D5000.
Jan 17, 2015 10:46:00 #
Rongnongno wrote:
A gimmick to make folks feel they need to sped more money.
In portraiture you rarely use the corners where both the distortion and vignetting is present.
In portraiture you rarely use the corners where both the distortion and vignetting is present.
Lmao! Who needs a gimmick to spend more money! But I do a lot of research before I let go of my cash. That's what I love about the Hog!
Jan 17, 2015 10:54:18 #
GrandmaG wrote:
Ok, so what IS the best portrait lens for the D7100. I know full frame is considered a better choice for portraits, but I am retired and cannot afford that. I LOVE the D7100. It is such a great upgrade from the D5000.
You asked what is the "best?" There is no best, because like everything else in photography...it depends.
ONE of the best and the one used by 98.863% or professional portrait photographers is the 70-200 f/2.8 It has the whole range of focal lengths that are flattering, it has a wide constant aperture for nice out of focus backgrounds, and is as sharp as a prime for portrait purposes
Another ONE of the best is the 85mm f/1.8 and f/1.4. 85 mm is a good focal length portraits on both DX and FX cameras.
A 50mm is just OK on a DX camera - too short on the FX.
I do mostly portraits and the 70-200 is THE lens.
There is no reason to think full-frame is better for portraits. Just not true.
Jan 17, 2015 10:56:58 #
GrandmaG wrote:
HaHa. I meant will the FX lenses work on the D7100!
Short answer. Yes.
Jan 17, 2015 11:07:35 #
GrandmaG wrote:
Ok, so what IS the best portrait lens for the D7100. I know full frame is considered a better choice for portraits, but I am retired and cannot afford that. I LOVE the D7100. It is such a great upgrade from the D5000.
CaptianC you made some good points but I'm quite surprised you dissed the 50mm.
OP said she didn't have much $ and the Nikkor 50mm f1.8 is economically priced, sharp, descent bokeh, and, IMHO, great for portraiture on a DX camera such as the D7100.
Jan 17, 2015 11:14:40 #
GrandmaG wrote:
Ok, so what IS the best portrait lens for the D7100. I know full frame is considered a better choice for portraits, but I am retired and cannot afford that. I LOVE the D7100. It is such a great upgrade from the D5000.
Grandma, If money is limited, why in the world are you looking at a $900 50mm lens when you can get close to the same lens for about a $100?
Portraits are taken up close and under controlled lighting so even an inexpensive lens will perform very well.
Get a 70-200 f4 or even a +/- 24-120. If you're using strobes you don't need the speed get an f4.
Personally, I wouldn't waste my money.
Buy some strobes with the money. You'll use them more!! Good luck ;-)
SS
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.