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ranamo

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I recently bought a Nikon AF-D 50mm F1.8 lens. I bouht it to shoot portraits at F2 -F2.2, but somehow I don't like the results. I'm sure the lens is okay because I shot some landscapes with it, and the results were fine. But the 50mm doesn't give me the nice smoothness that my AF-D 85mm F1.8 gives me. The pictures taken with the 50mm seem more grainy. ( thats the best word I can find for it )
Somehow the 85mm seems to render portraits better than the 50mm.

(I would like to post some exampels, but the model doesn't want her pics on the internet.)

Do you recognise this feeling; and have you found a solution for it?

Goodlight
Ranamo
 
The best for bokeh and hence portraits is the Sigma 50mm f1.4 HSM

The 50mm f1.8 doesn't have particularly nice bokeh, nor is it as sharp at wide apertures as it is stopped down.
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http://www.andrewsandersphotography.co.uk
 
Inherent characteristics of the lenses. Not much to do about that.
 
It is not the bokeh I am worried about, but I do not get that nice 3D feeling i get with the 85 F1.8.

Any suggestions for a different 50mm? The Sigma seems to be very good, but I am worried about the reported sample variations. i do want AF, so Zeiss is out of the question. Is the Nikon 50 mm f1.4 G any better?

Goodlight
Ranamo
 
I just ordered the Sigma 50 1.4 a few days ago, and it will be here on Monday. It was ordered from Adorama, and comes with a Hoya UV filter and lens cleaning kit for 499.99. If I don't like my copy, they will gladly let me return it for another, but I hope that isn't necessary. Dave
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Visit my gallery at http://www.poperotzy.smugmug.com

 
ranamo said:
It is not the bokeh I am worried about, but I do not get that nice 3D feeling i get with the 85 F1.8.

Any suggestions for a different 50mm? The Sigma seems to be very good, but I am worried about the reported sample variations. i do want AF.
Click to expand...
My vote is for the Sigma 50mm f14 EX HSM too - but I am a sucker for good bokeh, which this lens delivers - IMO second only to the Nikon noct 58mm (talking F mount 50mm lenses).

However, and this must be mentioned, I found the 50mm f1.4 AF-S G about as good as the 85mm f1.8 , so if you like this lens, you will more than likely be just as happy with the Nikon 50mm f1.4 D or G.

Sigma do have quality control issues. I was happy with my third copy which I have now, but it took all summer to get to that one :S
 
I originally got the Sigma 1.4, but had major focusing issues with it. Ended up getting the Nikon 1.4 G instead. I liked that it was smaller/lighter and the focus was dead on. I know that many say the bokeh is better with the sigma, but I went for lighter/sharper instead.
 
I never used the 50/1.8, but I have used the 50/1.4 AIS (owned), the Sigma 50, and the 50/1.4D (rented) - and I own the 50/1.4G.

My choice, hands down, would be the Nikon 50G. I think it has the best bokeh of the 50mm lenses I've used, and is the sharpest with the nicest colors and "look." It should have a nicer rendering than most D lenses.

I didn't like the Sigma at all (borrowed and shot part of a wedding with it, hated the results).

It should also be noted that usually portraits from an 85mm lens will be nicer and more flattering than portraits with a 50. It's a different perspective with different depth-of-field effects.
ranamo said:
I recently bought a Nikon AF-D 50mm F1.8 lens. I bouht it to shoot portraits at F2 -F2.2, but somehow I don't like the results. I'm sure the lens is okay because I shot some landscapes with it, and the results were fine. But the 50mm doesn't give me the nice smoothness that my AF-D 85mm F1.8 gives me. The pictures taken with the 50mm seem more grainy. ( thats the best word I can find for it )
Somehow the 85mm seems to render portraits better than the 50mm.

(I would like to post some exampels, but the model doesn't want her pics on the internet.)

Do you recognise this feeling; and have you found a solution for it?

Goodlight
Ranamo
Click to expand...
 
and they all have their merits and drawbacks.

your 1.8 is going to be the fastest/snappiest for AF, and the size/weight and price can't be beat.

the 1.4D is good overall. the price is best of the 1.4s and it's a solid performer.

the G has smoother more accurate AF and has manual focus override which is nice. good IQ too.

the Sigma can potentially give you the best IQ...super sharp centers and nice bokeh, but quality control is certainly an issue. 2 of mine were duds (massive front focus) while 1 was extremely good. i gave up the extremely good sigma for the "good" G because all of the sigmas were noticeably larger/heavier with a clunky feel/sound from the elements when auto focussing.
ranamo said:
I recently bought a Nikon AF-D 50mm F1.8 lens. I bouht it to shoot portraits at F2 -F2.2, but somehow I don't like the results. I'm sure the lens is okay because I shot some landscapes with it, and the results were fine. But the 50mm doesn't give me the nice smoothness that my AF-D 85mm F1.8 gives me. The pictures taken with the 50mm seem more grainy. ( thats the best word I can find for it )
Somehow the 85mm seems to render portraits better than the 50mm.

(I would like to post some exampels, but the model doesn't want her pics on the internet.)

Do you recognise this feeling; and have you found a solution for it?

Goodlight
Ranamo
Click to expand...
 
I have the 50G, it is OK.
Its not outstanding at anything but compact size.

My best portrait lens is the 70-200VRII.

It has more DOF than the 50 but much better isolation and bokey.
Better perspectives and compression.
 
Sigma f1.4. No problems with mine, it's worked hard for 18 months and I love the results. Maybe get a Nikkor 50mm f1.8 AIS (almost free) as well, for the times you need something smaller/lighter/more discreet?

Bokeh is a very subjective matter, but I like the Sigma's bokeh, here's an example:



 
Try old Nikkor S.C. 50mm F1.4. It is very sharp between F2.0 and F8. F1.4 is soft but can give you plesant misty effect. I got it for £40.
 
Taken today with the 50G AFS wide open



 
Thank you all for your input!!

I think I'll investigate the 1.4G. What I hear and see from your reactions looks promising.

thanks!!

Goodlight
Ranamo
 
I'm loving the 50G for indoor shots, the focus is not blazing but it's very accurate:



 
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