50mm lens advice: I am a Nikon d750 user and would like some advice on purchasing a 50mm lens. I would like to be in the f1.4 range. I have the Nikon 50mm f1.8d but prefer to use it on...

kelso007 Loc: Circle Pines Minnesota

I am a Nikon d750 user and would like some advice on purchasing a 50mm lens. I would like to be in the f1.4 range. I have the Nikon 50mm f1.8d but prefer to use it on one of my film cameras. My limited research tells me there are three reasonably priced choices out there: Nikon classic f1.4G, Sigma f1.8 art and Tamron f1.8. Anyone have experience with these lenses? I would appreciate any advice and/or recommendations.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

kelso007 wrote:

I am a Nikon d750 user and would like some advice on purchasing a 50mm lens. I would like to be in the f1.4 range. I have the Nikon 50mm f1.8d but prefer to use it on one of my film cameras. My limited research tells me there are three reasonably priced choices out there: Nikon classic f1.4G, Sigma f1.8 art and Tamron f1.8. Anyone have experience with these lenses? I would appreciate any advice and/or recommendations.

I'd go with the Nikon f/1.4. I've one on my film camera dating back to 1971. The other I purchased with my D700 about 6 years ago.
--Bob

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

The Sigma Art is an F1.4 and is noted as a FANTASTIC lens by many. If you do wish to purchase one, wait for a sale of at least $100 off as they are almost a grand. I currently own, but have listed for sale a Nikon 50/1.4G which I purchased to replace an older D model. Made in China! It needed a -14 focus adjustment! Need I say more? I can't speak of any other brands, but, at the moment, Sigma is the only other brand I buy.

JPL

It looks as today the best value in 50 mm 1.4 lens is the Sigma 50 mm 1.4 It is probably the best 50 mm lens available at a price level most of us can afford. http://www.dxomark.com/Reviews/Sigma-50mm-F1.4-DG-HSM-Art-Nikon-mount-review-The-standard

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I also would go with the Nikon f1.4. I am curious though, if you want an f1.4 than why consider any f1.8? You would still be wanting the f1.4 lens.

Dennis

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

kelso007 wrote:

I am a Nikon d750 user and would like some advice on purchasing a 50mm lens. I would like to be in the f1.4 range. I have the Nikon 50mm f1.8d but prefer to use it on one of my film cameras. My limited research tells me there are three reasonably priced choices out there: Nikon classic f1.4G, Sigma f1.8 art and Tamron f1.8. Anyone have experience with these lenses? I would appreciate any advice and/or recommendations.

Nikon, try checking with B&H photo or adorama for used to get a few dollar discount.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

orrie smith wrote:

Nikon, try checking with B&H photo or adorama for used to get a few dollar discount.

Check Nikon too for refurbished.

Dennis

Bill_de Loc: US

For some reason the 50 mm "D" is still being sold, or being sold again. It was considered an excellent lens when I bought mine years ago. It is still as sharp as any newer lens I have.

On Amazon it looks to save you around a c-note.

Just a thought ... not recommending over your other choices.

--

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Bill_de wrote:

For some reason the 50 mm "D" is still being sold, or being sold again. It was considered an excellent lens when I bought mine years ago. It is still as sharp as any newer lens I have.

On Amazon it looks to save you around a c-note.

Just a thought ... not recommending over your other choices.

--

In my opinion, it IS better than the newer model. I'm sorry that I upgraded and that I sold mine. The new one is nowhere near the same quality.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

kelso007 wrote:

I am a Nikon d750 user and would like some advice on purchasing a 50mm lens. I would like to be in the f1.4 range. I have the Nikon 50mm f1.8d but prefer to use it on one of my film cameras. My limited research tells me there are three reasonably priced choices out there: Nikon classic f1.4G, Sigma f1.8 art and Tamron f1.8. Anyone have experience with these lenses? I would appreciate any advice and/or recommendations.

I went without a "nifty fifty" for decades as I felt it offered little over my other fast lenses. Then I got to try the new Tamron 45mm F1.8 VC (yes, stabilized) lens.
I tested it at the local art museum where no tripods and no flash is allowed. I took a LOT of images hand held at F1.8 and 1/6th sec. exposure and was absolutely amazed at the quality of the images I got with it. I immediately added one to my camera bag!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Bill_de wrote:

For some reason the 50 mm "D" is still being sold, or being sold again. It was considered an excellent lens when I bought mine years ago. It is still as sharp as any newer lens I have.

On Amazon it looks to save you around a c-note.

Just a thought ... not recommending over your other choices.

--

The ORIGINAL Nikon AF 50mm F1.8D lens was a metal bodied lens made in Japan for film cameras. The current model is a plastic bodied full replica of that original one, but it is made in China. Hence the much lower cost and popularity. It is actually a VERY good lens for those that have a camera with the mechanical screw drive AF system. The lens will not AF on the current beginner level bodies. (D3XXX or D5XXX).

Quixdraw Loc: x

I can see the VC, but what is .4 faster worth practically? Just curious, I have always favored fast lenses, a 55/1.2 AI Converted Nikon is still a favorite, though I don't often use it wide open.

Bill_de Loc: US

MT Shooter wrote:

The ORIGINAL Nikon AF 50mm F1.8D lens was a metal bodied lens made in Japan for film cameras. The current model is a plastic bodied full replica of that original one, but it is made in China. Hence the much lower cost and popularity. It is actually a VERY good lens for those that have a camera with the mechanical screw drive AF system. The lens will not AF on the current beginner level bodies. (D3XXX or D5XXX).

I'm sure that is all true.

But we are talking about the 1.4 which is still over $300 ($369 from Nikon). Comparing the pictures to the one I own, they look identical. And my old one also was made in China. Purchased February 1998.

The D750 is compatible with G, E, or D lenses.

---

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

kelso007 wrote:

I am a Nikon d750 user and would like some advice on purchasing a 50mm lens. I would like to be in the f1.4 range. I have the Nikon 50mm f1.8d but prefer to use it on one of my film cameras. My limited research tells me there are three reasonably priced choices out there: Nikon classic f1.4G, Sigma f1.8 art and Tamron f1.8. Anyone have experience with these lenses? I would appreciate any advice and/or recommendations.

I use the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G and love it. It's the lens I use the most.

CO

MT Shooter wrote:

I went without a "nifty fifty" for decades as I felt it offered little over my other fast lenses. Then I got to try the new Tamron 45mm F1.8 VC (yes, stabilized) lens.
I tested it at the local art museum where no tripods and no flash is allowed. I took a LOT of images hand held at F1.8 and 1/6th sec. exposure and was absolutely amazed at the quality of the images I got with it. I immediately added one to my camera bag!

I just got the new Tamron 45mm f/1.8 Di VC lens from B&H. I'm very impressed with it. It has pro build quality with a metal lens barrel instead of polycarbonate. I like that it has a weather seal at the lens mount. Most third party lenses don't seem to have that. The autofocus is rock solid. It doesn't hunt and once it has acquired focus it stays right there. It's the only prime lens I've seen around that focal length that has vibration compensation. The 35mm version was released at the same time. Tamron just announced an 85mm f/1.8 and 90mm f/2.8 macro with the new revised design.