Nikon Lenses - f/1.4 or f/1.8??

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11 Nov 2004 - 3:05 AM

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digicammad (e2 Member)

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11 Nov 2004 - 3:11 AM

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One question James. Is there a particular reason you want a prime? If not, then it may be worth you taking a look at the 18-70 kit lens.

Realistically there isn't a tremendous difference between f1.4 and f1.8 when you are using a digital camera, due to the ability to a) change iso on every shot and b) capture shadow details. Personally, I would go for the combination you can afford, but then again I use a zoom. :0)

Ian

User_Removed

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11 Nov 2004 - 3:36 AM

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Sorry, I should've explained myself a little better...

Yeah, I currently have the Sigma 18-50 and 55-200 cheapo lenses. I have the range I need in terms of focal lengths (I suppose I'd like 300mm every now and then, but that's just lazy!), but not in terms of f-stops.

I want a fast prime as I want to do more people photography, and I want to be able to get better bokkeh than I currently can with my Sigma(s). I suppose getting both is a bit greedy, but then, that's me! Ultimately my aim is to replace my current two lenses with fast zooms (probably the Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 EX DG and the Nikon 80-200 f/2.8) along with getting a teleconverter and a macro lens. I just thought that getting a prime was a cheaper middle option in the meantime for me and that it'd also make me think/work slightly harder at my shots.

If anyone also has any suggested alternatives, then I'm more than willing to listen. I'm not set in my ways by any means...

SteveCharles

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11 Nov 2004 - 3:44 AM

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As the D70 'crops' the image by a factor of 1.5(?), then the 50mm on the D70 would have the angle of view of a 75mm on 35mm film camera.

So would the 50mm 1.4 not give results similar to using a 75mm 1.4, almost like having an 85mm 1.4 on a 35mm?

Steve

dark_lord

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11 Nov 2004 - 5:15 AM

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The features on a face will be the same with the 50 mm on the digital as an 80 mm on film, assuming the same area is filling the viewfinder, as you'll be standing at the same distance in each case. It's all to do with perspective.

I'm sure there's something on here about it. Essentially if yo take a shot with say a wide angle and enlarge the centre bit only it'll have the same perspective as if you'd used a longer lens - just the same in principle as the smaller sensor on a DSLR utilising just the central part of a 'full 35 m frame'. Hope you understand the explanation!

Keith.

tim franklin

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11 Nov 2004 - 5:43 AM

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Realistically there isn't a tremendous difference between f1.4 and f1.8 when you are using a digital camera, due to the ability to a) change iso on every shot and b) capture shadow details.

Ian,
There are two reasons to pick a fast lens. One is to get a better shutter speed in dim lighting (as you nearly say!). With digital it can be argued this isn't so important, but a lower ISO speed still beats a faster one even now.

The other is for the isolating power of the wider aperture. This is something that a zoom user might not appreciate so much as us primes fans. On the subject of the kit lens, any decent prime will blow a kit zoom out the water.

scottishphototours

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11 Nov 2004 - 7:35 AM

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James,

Given that you'd use the 85mm more than the 50, then the 85 is what you should get. The 85/f1.4 is regarded as one of Nikon's finest lenses and should be considered, but the quality from the 85/f1.8 is wonderful too.

The 85mm/f1.8 is about half the price of the f1.4. Buying the 85/f1.8 would give you the extra funds to maybe buy a 50/f1.8 AND a flash for the same price as a new 85/f1.4.

My 85mm Nikkor is one of my favourite lenses. However, it's often TOO sharp when taking close shots of females, where a subtle use of diffusion in PS is required to hide skin blemishes that the lens resolves.

theorderingone (e2 Member)

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11 Nov 2004 - 4:23 PM

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The 50mm F1.8 is quite possibly the sharpest thing IN THE WORLD!!! and is rated accordingly on photodo.com. Id pass on the 50mm 1.4, it's made of the same plastic as the 1.8 and more than twice as expensive.
Both the 85mm's are supposed to be spectacular. The 1.4 doesn't focus as close as the 1.8 so could be difficult when things are cramped, also the 1.4 weighs a ton.
I'm currently saving for an 85mm 1.8 myself, I could never afford the 1.4 anyway.