Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

I owned this lens previously in an Olympus 4/3 mount and was impressed with its build and speed.When Oly decided to get out of the dslr game and concentrate on micro 4/3 I sold all my bodies and lenses and moved to Nikon.On the Oly e3 it was a 100 mm equivalent lens. On my D300S it is 75mm equivalent,and I find 75mm to be much more useful.When walking around cities or in the country I'll take a zoom with me 90 % of the time,but for shooting people I love this prime and its smaller sibling the 30 mm f 1.4.
This is a big lens.I own 6 lenses and the only one I have that is heavier than this PRIME is the Nikon 17-55 mm f 2.8 ZOOM. If you want a lighter, smaller 50 mm, Nikon has many alternatives that are cheaper,smaller physically and weigh less.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

I bought this lens for portraits specifically. I read on Dpreview.com that it has a slight edge over the Nikon version. I found that review to be very accurate in that the auto focus is a bit slower than typical Nikon afs but that the clarity at f 1.4 is truly amazing! I love the fact that this lens is still usable stopped all the way open. It gives me the option to use it more in low light and still feel like I will get a sharp image. It is true that the edges are not as sharp as the center but I find for portraits I can function within those parameters. Know what you are getting into with this lens and you will be happy.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

Very very happy with my decision to ditch the Nikon 50 1.4 G and go with this lens.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

After borrowing the Nikon equivalent (Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G) of this lens from a friend for several weeks, I knew I needed to make the leap into the whole 50mm 1.4 arena.

So, after doing a lot of research, I found that this Sigma version received all equal ratings/reviews, if not more positive than its Nikon counterpart. Even though this lens is about $60-80 more than the Nikon, I wanted to give it a shot--the visual comparisons seemed legit and I wanted the larger size lens.

Yes, the Sigma is indeed better, as I have now used them both. The bokeh on the Sigma is just as good and focuses smoothly (the AF actually seemed a little faster AND quieter, too, on the Sigma) and the full-open f/stop seemed to produce a slightly sharper image with the Sigma.

I like how much bigger the Sigma is. The 77mm filter size does make this lens much heavier with the wider glass (I think it weighs in at over a pound) but still doesn't seem too bad--I've left it on my D40 body with an extra battery grip and my rig didn't seem excessively heavy (but there is certainly a noticeable difference). The tulip hood and lens case that come with it are very solid, which can't be said, perhaps, about all of Sigma's stuff.

Finally, the Sigma one is made in Japan while the Nikon version is made in China, if that matters to anyone. And of course another thing to consider is that the filters for the 77mm are a ton more expensive than for the Nikon, which is 58mm (I believe). This could be its major fault when considering which to purchase.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

3 copies in 15 months & each one is broken. This used to be my favorite lens, then it broke. With just 3 days before my next wedding, I had no choice but to buy a new one. 6 months later that one broke too, again I found myself in a jam so I bought my 3rd copy. The 3rd lens lasted all of 4 months before it broke too. In all 3 lenes the diaphragm blade quit working. I could shoot at 1.4 but that was it.

Just save yourself the headache & buy a Nikon or Canon.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

I use the 50mm as my main walk around lens. It's also great for headshots on portraits. The dof is fantastic and the bokeh is nice and creamy. I sold my Nikon 50mm 1.8G that just came out to purchase this lens and I am glad I did. The 77mm filter size was no biggie for me because most of my lenses are that size. The lens weighs a lot for a 50mm but I love that and the big glass it has.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

i love this lens, it's fast and sharp, and a great bonus is that it's a 77mm thread and that's what most pro lenses are (great if you use filters)

only reason i say it's heavy is that the filter thread is bigger (more glass means's more weight)

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

I use this lens on my Nikon D80 as a primary portrait lens. It is superb for natural light portraits and enables me to capture candid shots that i would not be able to get without it's fast aperture of 1.4

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

This is a terrific lens - ultra sharp, quick focus, and great DOF control. I highly recommend it over the Nikon or the Zeiss.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

Overall, I love this lens. The bokeh is smooth, the lens is fast, and despite other people having focus problems, I haven't had any. At half the price of Nikkor, it is well worth it.

Mainly, I wanted to write this review to mention something I haven't seen in other reviews-- pretty hefty chromatic aberration, the magenta and green halos around bright objects. This is an easy fix in Photoshop, but I was really taken back at how much there was.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

This was bought specifically for shooting portraits on my 3100. I wasn't sure if it was worth the extra money over the Nikon 50mm 1.4, but it is worth it. A little on the heavier side, but I'm okay with that. You will love this lens.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

I'm only giving it 4 stars because I don't have the Nikon version to compare. I had the Nikon 1.4D version and I do believe that the Sigma is better.
At 1.4 there is CA but only in the highlights. While not super sharp at 1.4 in is wicked sharp at 2.0 and above.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

Very happy with this lens. I wanted a relatively affordable, fast prime lens with good bokeh to use specifically for portrait photography. And this gives me exactly what I was looking for. I personally wouldn't take this travelling because of its size and weight, but that's not why I got this so I don't mind.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

The first copy I received was not sharp and would not focus on my 50d. The second copy is almost perfect with a +16 MFA. Bokeh is unparalleled!!

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

I got bitten by the low light/bokeh bug, and purchased this lens back in Jan. of 2011. Initially, I tried the Nikon 35mm dx, which was great, but not quite wide enough for my tastes. I also have the excellent and versatile Nikon 17-55mm as my everyday lens, so the Sigma 50mm wasn't strictly necessary. However, the Sigma is a fx-compatible lens so I could continue using it if I upgrade cameras in the future, and the 1.4 aperture opens many creative possibilities. And I found that I do like the 50mm focal length on dx.

My copy has the new clean black plastic finish, the older models had the rubberized stealth paint. Speaking of stealthy... this lens is *not* stealthy. With the 77mm filter thread, this giant eye is not going to sneak up anyone. If you're looking for an inconspicuous lens for street/candid photography, this might not be the best choice.

So far I haven't used it much for its primary mission in life (portraits), but I've tested it in close up situations with model trains and flowers, and longer shots of primates in dimly lit zoo interiors and came away with wonderful images. The primates were shot at f/1.6 and their expressive faces are full of detail. Colors are lovely, very natural looking. I'm happy with the sharpness across the frame, but I didn't buy it to be a landscape lens, and I'm using a dx camera, so your mileage may vary.

The AF is quite snappy and generally does what you ask of it--however, at f/1.4 a little mis-aim might mean an eyebrow is in focus rather than an eye. I'm not going rush to blame the lens for that. I have the D7000 which does have AF fine tune capability, but haven't bothered to test this lens yet because I'm quite happy with the overall sharpness and the obedient way my copy tracks the focus point. I will fine-tune it eventually , but it is reassuring to have it working so well right out of the box.

I went into this looking for a high quality 50mm f/1.4 lens, and I found it. If I were shopping today, I might be tempted a little by the new 50mm f/1.8g Nikon--it's cheaper and smaller, but I think I'd still pick the Sigma.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

Closeups, low light

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

I give it four stars just because it's a bit slow on the focus at times, but other than that it is a great lens. Blew my Nikon 50mm 1.4D out of the water. Great bokeh and sharp even at wide open. By around f2 it is a beast. Feels sturdy and looks perfect on a D700.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

I adore this lens. It's the best portrait lens I've ever used. The autofocus is a teeeeensy bit slow at times, especially when wide open. But that's the only small issue I have had.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

Love the optics - adequately sharp at f/1.4 and excellent at f/2.0. Very pleasant bokeh.

Awful chromatic aberration wide open but as I understand it, this is typical of most f/1.4 lenses. Just something to be aware of.

My copy needed significant AF adjustment (+16 on my D3 and D700 bodies) but once corrected, AF seems reliable. Except ...

Occasionally loses AF contact with the body, requiring quick re-mount. Not a deal breaker but can be irritating.

I opted for Sigma vs the slightly cheaper Nikkor based on the reviews of a variety of reliable sources and in general it does not disappoint. Overall great optics, more pleasing bokeh and 77mm filter size (though I don't use filters regularly.) Not a barn burner and not in the class of the 85mm, but absolutely a purchase I'm satisfied with.

Comments about Sigma Normal 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF:

I started using sigma lenses in the studio because of the color output of these lenses With strobes is more pleasing then my pro nikkor lenses when shooting Caucasian.I purchased this new 50 1.4 because of the crop for headshots and portfolios and I am extremely satisfied with the results, nice color, sharpness and focus. Another great lens By sigma.