Nikon Prime lens vs Sigma equivalent

janmc

I need to get a new lens for taking some shots at my brother's wedding, and was originally looking at the Sigma 1.8. Nikon have a lens with the same specs, but seem to be more expensive.

Does anyone have an opinion on Nikon vs Sigma lenses? Also, is there a substantial difference between the lenses below that make the extra cost worthwhile?

Nikon 50mm f/1.4 F1.4 D AF
Nikon 50mm f/1.8 f1.8 D AF

Thanks for the help

/n00b

mtracey

Hi there,

I have this lens: Nikon 50mm f/1.8 f1.8 D AF
and its one of the finest lens Nikon ever brought out. Every Nikon owner should have one to be honest. Personally I wouldn't buy the f1.4 version as you'll not gain a huge amount.

Never tried the sigma ones tbh.

janmc

Thanks for that. There's a big price difference alright, but my only reservation about the 1.8 is that I'm worried I'll regret not getting the 1.4 in the next few months.

Fajitas!

I'm not Nikon, but in Canon terms, the build quality and AF of the 1.4 is much much better than the 1.8, along with sharpness and general IQ... Plus that extra bit of a stop can come in very useful!

Check out the reviews on Fredmiranda.com too.

Roen

It depends, the 1.4 can do everything the 1.8 can, plus a little more. If that 'little more' is worth the price difference then go for the 1.4, if it ain't then don't.

The difference between off brand and own brand is a little more clear cut than the difference between 1.4 and 1.8.
They tend to be better constructed, they tend to be sharper and possess better contrast.
But there'll be nothing too much wrong with any of the Sigma's or Tamron's.

It's your money you'll be spending after all!

Fajitas!

One thing I'll say about Sigma build quality - their EX lenses are far better than the Canon EF and EF-s series - metal bodies, the lot.

Btw, check out the Sigma 30mm 1.4!

pete4130

The optics in the Nikon 1.8 are rumoured to be better than that of the 1.4. How thrue that is I don't know? The 1.4 has better huild quality as the majority of the body is made from plastic but from an alloy I imagine. Personally I don't think the 1.4 is worth the extra money unless yuou make a living from using it. It's something like 4-8 times the price depending on where you get it.

1.8 all the way!

Pete.

Lex_Diamonds

I recently bought the Sigma 30mm 1.4 for about 340 euro. Dunno the prices of the lenses you are looking at versus mine, but I'm happy with the build quality and performance of the Sigma lens. It won't blow you away but it's very serviceable.
The "prime" reason I went for a the Sigma was the price, if money was no object I would opt for Nikkor every time.

janmc

Fajitas! wrote:

Btw, check out the Sigma 30mm 1.4!

Much as I hate to expose my ignorance - is the 30mm just a wider angle version?

Fajitas!

It equates to being about a 50mm on the 1.5 crop, being your standard length.

I found it to be great on my Canon 300D, but had to sell when I got the 5D.

Three other people that used my copy of it, went and bought it after using it.