35mm FX: Nikkor f/1.4, Nikkor f/1.8, or Sigma f/1.4 ART?

Hammie

I want to get a 35mm prime as my next lens. Has anyone done a direct comparison between all three?

I will be using this mostly for street photography, both day and night shooting.

I already have the Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8 lens, so I know what my shots will look like at that reach. I like the wider shots over the 50mm length.

I saw one review where the 24-70 was much sharper at 35mm than the Sigma ART at f/2.8. I could not find anything that compared the Nikkor 35 1.4 or 1.8 compared to the 24-70. The reason I want a prime is that I like the smaller stance when out in public. The 24-70 gets a lot of attention so people are always looking at me. I can get more candid shots when I use my 50mm.

I won't be making a purchase until March, after I get my work bonus, so I have some time to ponder about this. I am aware of the price differences, but ignore that for now, unless you feel it is completely relevant.

Thanks!

-Lou

My current lens collection is:

- Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8
- Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 (not the VR II version)
- Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

Vipmediastar_JZ

The sigma 35 is smaller but it still sticks out.
I have both the 24-70 and 35 art. I preffer the sigma over the 24-70 at 35mm. I have not compared sharpness with both recently but I can tell you the sigma Pops at 1.4.

you can see my Sigma album here

Hammie

@Vipmediastar_JZ

Great examples. Thanks for the input.

Hammie

@PitchBlack

I take your opinion very highly... No offense to anyone else.

Golf007sd

If you are seeking a 35mm 1.4 FX prime lens, the answer is quite simple: Get the Sigma Art.

The End.

Rx4Photo

Stretch your bonus ... Sigma Art.

spraynpray

Maybe not quite the end yet Ali :P :

If you are serious about street photography @Hammie, have you thought of a nice small Fuji or Sony? VERY small and inoffensive in that scenario.

Golf007sd

@spraynpray: Hammie's D750 with the Art will offer far more flexibility than getting a new camera body...specially at night. Moreover, think of all the other opposites the Sigma Art will allow :-bd

Rx4Photo

There's actually another hidden subject within this thread that I dare not open.
.
.
And that is sharpness and street photography. Personally, some of my most admired street photography candids have not been extremely sharp....in fact, I'll purposefully add grain to my street black and whites to impart somewhat of an "in the trenches" look to them. But that's just how I like them.
Ok, that's it...

Hammie

@Rx4Photo

You make a great point regarding the sharpness. If I decide that sharpness is not as important, than the 1.8 becomes attractive. Though, if I am planning on spending $600 for the 1.8, why not go for the Sigma 1.4 for ~$300 more.

Photobug

@Hammie - The 35 1.8 will give you great shots. For low light and for excellent shots, it's an easy decision - Sigma 35mm F1.4 ART. Help your self out and go to a store and check out he size and weight of the ART lens. All three lens are great it's just the Sigma Art lens is at the top of the hill.

Golf007sd

It is easy to add noise or grain in post, but removing it is due to lack of optical quality (given ISO setting) is not.

Best wishes in which ever path you take.

donaldejose

Hammie: "The 24-70 gets a lot of attention so people are always looking at me. I can get more candid shots when I use my 50mm."

Some people feel a rangefinder or mirrorless works best for street and travel photography because it is small, light and people ignore you more.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHKnPTLxBXI



http://digital-photography-school.com/5-reasons-why-shooting-with-a-rangefinder-will-make-you-a-better-street-photographe/

I have always used SLRs and DSLRs. However, they are big and conspicuous. I wanted something I could put into a pocket or which would "disappear" hanging from a strap around my neck. The Nikon 1 was interesting but the smallest sensor I wanted to use was Dx. The Coolpix A looked interesting but was priced far too high and only had a 18.5mm lens (28mm FX equivalent) no moderate zoom. When recently the Coolpix A was discontinued and prices dropped a huge amount I ordered a Coolpix A with the accessory viewfinder. This is essentially like a rangefinder now. The optical viewfinder has its own bag so you can take it off and put it into your pocket. The Coolpix A is small enough to put into a suit or jacket pocket or hanging around the neck you can zip a light jacket over it and you will be going "concealed carry" to borrow a phrase from the firearms industry; no one will know you are carrying a camera and yet, amazingly, you have one with a Dx sensor.

I have not used it to walk the streets shooting street photography. I have carried it in a suit coat pocket to have available for interior shots and it has served admirably. The Dx sensor is a great advantage with the 28mm lens because you have enough mp to "zoom by cropping" a bit. 28mm (FX equivalent) may be too wide for some for street photography but others may find it ideal. I wouldn't pay $1,100 for one and $400 for the viewfinder (total $1,500) because that price could purchase a D7100 or refurbished D610 which are so much better. However, when they were on sale for $400 + $100 (viewfinder) for a total of $500 ($1,000 off or just one third the original price) I thought it was worth trying one.

Now that the Coolpix A is discontinued I expect Nikon to soon announce a replacement with more features.

I know this post has been long but my point is that if you are serious about candid (not posed) street photography and are looking for a DSLR "street photography" lens which can cost nearly $1,000 perhaps you should also consider trying a much smaller body/lens combo for the same price. The Fujifilm X100T ($1,300) (its 23mm lens equates to 35mm FX equivalent) comes to mind as possibly a much better street photography camera than a Nikon DSLR with a large (Sigma Art) 35mm lens. I just saw a Coolpix A sell in e-bay for $361.00. I think there is a lot to be said for using a small camera for street photography to capture candid scenes without being conspicuous.

Just something to consider.

Vipmediastar_JZ

I know this post has been long but my point is that if you are serious about candid

Nikon 300mm F4E I know I know 35 and 50 is what the masters use. I love tele for street candid.

35mm is great but between 35mm and 50mm I still preffer the 50mm for street.

I started with the 24-70 then upgraded the 35mm sigma then the 50mm sigma and the 50mm is usually on my camera most of the time. If you really want the 35mm go for the sigma. Even if some of the best photos you get are not sharp at least you get a good starting point for sharpness.

Ironheart

One last bit of fact to help with the analysis paralysis:
f/1.8 ~300g 2.7" long
f/1.4 ~600g (both nikon and sigma) 3.75" long (sigma is almost 4")
If it were me, for street only, I'd take the 1.8

Photobug

One last bit of fact to help with the analysis paralysis:
f/1.8 ~300g 2.7" long
f/1.4 ~600g (both nikon and sigma) 3.75" long (sigma is almost 4")
If it were me, for street only, I'd take the 1.8

+1 Ironheart on the 1.8.

donaldejose

http://www.dslrbodies.com/newsviews/did-you-get-the-bargain-of.html

Msmoto

Here is a link to a a shot in an album which includes snapshots with the Sigma 35/1.4 ART. FYI

Many are not with this lens, but the Exif is easy to check

https://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/15241321240/sizes/o/

The Album is here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/sets/72157645613663962/

Hammie

While waiting until I get the Sigma ART lens, I was able to win an eBay auction for a used Nikkor 35mm f/2. The auction includes:

- Original Nikon Box
- Original Nikon Instruction Lens Manual
- Original Nikon Serial Number 641697
- Original Nikon 52mm Front Cap
- Original Nikon LF-1 Rear Cap
- Original Nikon 5-Year Warranty (1-Year International + 4-Year USA Extension)
- Hoya - 52mm UV Haze NXT HMC Filter
- Vello Lens Mount Adapter LA-NF-T (T mount lens to Nikon F mount bodies)
- Vello - HN-3 Dedicated Lens Hood (52mm Screw-On) No image of Hood.
- Vivitar Series 1 – 58mm Wide-Angle and Telephoto Adapter Lens
- (4) Step-up, Step-down Rings to attach Vivitar Adapter Lens.
- Vivitar 1.4x Teleconverter for Nikon

Photobug

Congrats Hammie on your purchase. I use to own one of these in my film days and it's a terrific lens.

Hammie

Thanks, @Photobug!

The whole lot was only $250. I feel I got a lot for that price. Even if I don't use half of it, the lens alone is averaging about $265 on eBay.

Although I may use the T-mount with my son's telescope. :-)

Hammie

The lens and accessories arrived today. Everything is in pristine condition and looks like it was never used before.

Can't wait to go out and get some shots off with this lens.

WestEndFoto

I like those old lenses. Last year I bought, brand new, the 20mm 2.8 Ais, the 28mm 2.8 Ais and the 50mm 1.2 Ais. I love them. You will enjoy yours.

Hammie

I already have the 50mm 1.8D, so I was aware of what the older lenses would be like.

Love it. Not much to shoot tonight, but I had fun with it.

ThomasHorton

I have been very happy and impressed with the Sigma 35mm. It has become my "default" carry around lens.

Photobug

@Hammie - can't tell if you have a filter on that 50mm F1.8 lens. With that deeply recessed front element, cleaning a filter is much easier than cleaning the front element, especially the corners. Saw that recommendation in a lens review.