Recently, Nikon just launches their new 50mm f/1.4G lens. This lens has been long waited by Nikon fans. But is this lens a lot better than its predecessor? Nikon 50mm f/1.4D ? or Sigma 50mm f/1.4 HSM?
What is the improvement?
- First, this lens will work with Nikon D40, D40X and D60 digital slr camera.
- Second, it has a constant focusing speed due to AF-S motor. The AF type will depends on the camera body. The higher-end the body, the faster the focusing speed is
- Third, it is sharper wide open.
- Fourth, it produce better color-contrast
According to Tom Iancu, a Nikon user who posts review in Amazon.com, the extreme sharpness of this lens has a trade off. The bokeh or blur in the background is not smooth. On the other hand, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 (slightly cheaper by the time I write the article) is not as sharp wide open, but it create a smooth, buttery bokeh.
About the build quality, Sigma is better. It feels tougher, but also heavy and bigger (520g vs 290g).
So it boils down to what you like, extreme sharpness, or smoother bokeh. Tom personally suggests that you get both.
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