Nikon Z50 and Sigma 18-35 f/1.8? Has anyone tried?

Hi.

Has anyone tried Z50 with Sigma 18-35 f/1.8? I have heard that AF in this lens is a bit demanding on DSLR, so I'm curious how it operates on a mirror-less body, especially the AF-C.

Byku said:

Hi.

Has anyone tried Z50 with Sigma 18-35 f/1.8? I have heard that AF in this lens is a bit demanding on DSLR, so I'm curious how it operates on a mirror-less body, especially the AF-C.

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I'm also thinking this combo would be amazing. From what I can tell using the Z50 with the latest DX lenses from Nikon, Sigma, and Tokina, I think it would work better on Z50 than DSLR due to focus accuracy and eye focus. Would be ideal if that lens had VR!!

I tried the combo today, works fine in all modes. I'm going to make a proper available light AF-C face/eye AF test tomorrow.

it works great on my Z7 with FTZ

Had the opportunity to test it this weekend. Af worked flawlessly, even in low light.

Comparing it to 35mm 1.8G - af quieter a bit, also sharper, especially at 1.8, but that's quite obvious.

Album with sample photos:

Serjojeee said:

I tried the combo today, works fine in all modes. I'm going to make a proper available light AF-C face/eye AF test tomorrow.

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I'm also looking at this combo. Please post some videos taken at F1.8

Byku said:

Had the opportunity to test it this weekend. Af worked flawlessly, even in low light.

Comparing it to 35mm 1.8G - af quieter a bit, also sharper, especially at 1.8, but that's quite obvious.

Album with sample photos:
https://www.flickr.com/gp/187490468@N07/x33R1A

Click to expand...

I am really getting ready to pull the trigger on this lens. I have the 50mm S, but the field of view is just too narrow for 99% of my shots. I would use this as a "stack of primes" lens as mostly a 18-24mm f1.8 (and as a bonus it goes to 35mm )

My only hesitation though is the size. I looked up the size at camerasize.com and the ftz+18-35mm combo is GINORMOUS.

How do you find the handling? I know that is a personal preference, but would the size hinder you from actually wanting to take it out?

cali92rs said:

I am really getting ready to pull the trigger on this lens. I have the 50mm S, but the field of view is just too narrow for 99% of my shots. I would use this as a "stack of primes" lens as mostly a 18-24mm f1.8 (and as a bonus it goes to 35mm )

My only hesitation though is the size. I looked up the size at camerasize.com and the ftz+18-35mm combo is GINORMOUS.

How do you find the handling? I know that is a personal preference, but would the size hinder you from actually wanting to take it out?

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It is bigger on Z50 than 70-300+ftz adapter, so i couldn't put it inside my bag . I've taken it to the forest and after some time I've started feeling it on my neck . I wouldn't use it outdoors(max 1/4000s shutter speed in Z50 is a bit limiting with bright lenses), but i would definitely use it indoors. The quality itself would convince me to take this lens to every party .

I got this combination. I had D7000 with Sigma 18-35. I'm glad I went with z50. Only then I realized what I was missing - the AF features. The eye and face tracking lets me maximize the lens. It's hardly missing focus for non-moving subjects which was an issue for this lens on non-mirrorless cameras.

The only negative things I see having z50 and/or sigma 18-35 is the AF noise when doing videos. The camera tries to focus so much all the time, you hear a very loud continuous ticking. I think that issue is the same with all non-mirrorless lenses. The other thing is the raw file. My LR 6 (the latest that have perpetual license) can no longer recognize the RAW file.

patmanizer said:

I got this combination. I had D7000 with Sigma 18-35. I'm glad I went with z50. Only then I realized what I was missing - the AF features. The eye and face tracking lets me maximize the lens. It's hardly missing focus for non-moving subjects which was an issue for this lens on non-mirrorless cameras.

The only negative things I see having z50 and/or sigma 18-35 is the AF noise when doing videos. The camera tries to focus so much all the time, you hear a very loud continuous ticking. I think that issue is the same with all non-mirrorless lenses. The other thing is the raw file. My LR 6 (the latest that have perpetual license) can no longer recognize the RAW file.

Click to expand...

I actually picked up a used copy of the Sigma 18-35 from a wonderful dpreview forum member (thanks SteveCooper!) and have been using it for about three months on my Z50. My primary use is as a webcam for my weekly Zoom workshops (you can watch videos of past workshops here - the Z50/Sigma combo is the main wide angle shot - I am filming everything at F1.8).

The video AF performance is pretty much flawless even at 1.8. It's weird but sometimes I notice the grinding sound of the AF motor (really quite low and my other F-mount lenses also do this) and sometimes it's completely silent. And in either case, the focus is always good.

I've also used the Z50/Sigma 18-35 combo for still product shots with studio strobes and the lens is outstanding (sample below).

My only wish is the lens went to 50mm instead of just 35mm. Oh, and VR would be nice for handheld work esp. on the Z50.

Even though the Z50 is a crop sensor, you can still get insanely shallow DOF using the Sigma at 1.8 with excellent sharpness across the frame. Highly recommend this one, esp for filmmakers. Lens also works great on my Z6 (albeit in crop DX mode obviously.)


Taken with Z50 + Sigma 18-35


Taken with Z50 + Sigma 18-35

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Byku said:

Had the opportunity to test it this weekend. Af worked flawlessly, even in low light.

Comparing it to 35mm 1.8G - af quieter a bit, also sharper, especially at 1.8, but that's quite obvious.

Click to expand...

Sorry, which is quieter, which is sharper?

The Sigma . Was a bit quieter, although still audible on video.

24Peter said:

patmanizer said:

I got this combination. I had D7000 with Sigma 18-35. I'm glad I went with z50. Only then I realized what I was missing - the AF features. The eye and face tracking lets me maximize the lens. It's hardly missing focus for non-moving subjects which was an issue for this lens on non-mirrorless cameras.

The only negative things I see having z50 and/or sigma 18-35 is the AF noise when doing videos. The camera tries to focus so much all the time, you hear a very loud continuous ticking. I think that issue is the same with all non-mirrorless lenses. The other thing is the raw file. My LR 6 (the latest that have perpetual license) can no longer recognize the RAW file.

Click to expand...

I actually picked up a used copy of the Sigma 18-35 from a wonderful dpreview forum member (thanks SteveCooper!) and have been using it for about three months on my Z50. My primary use is as a webcam for my weekly Zoom workshops (you can watch videos of past workshops here - the Z50/Sigma combo is the main wide angle shot - I am filming everything at F1.8).

The video AF performance is pretty much flawless even at 1.8. It's weird but sometimes I notice the grinding sound of the AF motor (really quite low and my other F-mount lenses also do this) and sometimes it's completely silent. And in either case, the focus is always good.

I've also used the Z50/Sigma 18-35 combo for still product shots with studio strobes and the lens is outstanding (sample below).

My only wish is the lens went to 50mm instead of just 35mm. Oh, and VR would be nice for handheld work esp. on the Z50.

Even though the Z50 is a crop sensor, you can still get insanely shallow DOF using the Sigma at 1.8 with excellent sharpness across the frame. Highly recommend this one, esp for filmmakers. Lens also works great on my Z6 (albeit in crop DX mode obviously.)


Taken with Z50 + Sigma 18-35


Taken with Z50 + Sigma 18-35

Click to expand...

Hello,



I'm curious if Nikon Z50 + FTZ + Sigma 18-35 can be balanced on Zhiyun Weebill S. Have anyone try this combo? Because I think this combo is the best for video making as Nikon Z50 doesn't have IBIS.



Thanks your response