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tim wrote in post #10581271
I'd probably buy the Sigma 50 from the US rather than locally, just for the ability to return it if it's not right. Locally they won't accept returns, but they will fix anything that's not right.

Perhaps a good idea.

I decided to buy it with full expectation of sending it in, so returning it wasn't an option. Well, it was, if the copy was off by a lot. Mine wasn't. So it was matter of having it fine tuned. I could have returned it and got another copy, but it just seemed easier to send it in for calibration.

The one thing I don't like about the Nikon G is the OOF highlights. It's not circular at all. Pretty ugly actually. Of course this only comes to play when you stop the lens down where the blades come into play, etc.

Sigma is just butter. Silky smooth bokeh. Kinda makes my 85 1.4 D's bokeh look rather ordinary actually.

You hit the nail on the head Nick, especially with the 85 1.4 piece. Actually I'm finding more and more that if I just had my Sigma, I'd be a happy man. 1.4 gives that soft feel, anything else is sharp. I find f2 gives a great pop, a Zeiss-like feel.

Mr. Clean wrote in post #10584373
You hit the nail on the head Nick, especially with the 85 1.4 piece. Actually I'm finding more and more that if I just had my Sigma, I'd be a happy man. 1.4 gives that soft feel, anything else is sharp. I find f2 gives a great pop, a Zeiss-like feel.

you guys just can't stop talking about the sigma 50mm f/1.4 hahaha... it really makes me feel like I made the wrong decision with the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D, as I am hesitant to use it below f/2.

hey Nick, I remember awhile back (few weeks ago probably), you were gonna use the sigma 50 for your next wedding. how did that work out? did you have problem focusing during low light (reception)? which body did you use it on?

I used mine at my last wedding shoot anywhere from ISO 200 to 5000 and had zero focus issues. I'd post pics but I'm still sorting and rating

thanx Mr. Clean. I'm planning on getting it either today or tomorrow. the reason I ask is that, I never have problem with the 24-70 as far as focusing. even in reasonably dim light. I was thinking of using the 70-300 vr on low light and just crank the iso a bit but man, it has a hard time locking on. I like my 35L when using my XSI so 50mm will be great for my d700 and shooting wide open.
I'm just getting my stuff ready coz a friend of a friend wanted me to do a renewal of vows. worried about candid shot in low light.
the thing too is maybe I'm a bit spoiled on how fast the 24-70 focus

darksike wrote in post #10589070
thanx Mr. Clean. I'm planning on getting it either today or tomorrow. the reason I ask is that, I never have problem with the 24-70 as far as focusing. even in reasonably dim light. I was thinking of using the 70-300 vr on low light and just crank the iso a bit but man, it has a hard time locking on. I like my 35L when using my XSI so 50mm will be great for my d700 and shooting wide open.
I'm just getting my stuff ready coz a friend of a friend wanted me to do a renewal of vows. worried about candid shot in low light.
the thing too is maybe I'm a bit spoiled on how fast the 24-70 focus

While I like the Sigma 50 1.4 and feel that the AF is decent, it is no where near the AF speed/accuracy of the more recent top-of-the-line AF-S lenses like the 24-70 and 70-200VRII. Not even close.

That said, all these lenses will hunt if there's little to no contrast. This is the same whether you shoot Canon or Nikon. I've experienced this several times in the short time I shot Nikon. But we are talking really low light. But the interesting thing is, once it acquires focus, it will rarely miss. On the other hand the MKIV I used to have would also eventually acquire focus but it gave me a bunch of horrid OOF images. So I am more worried about accuracy and my D3 and D700 does very well and I am very happy about that compared to my days with Canon.

That said, it is indeed a frustrating thing shooting in low light, waiting for any camera to acquire focus. This is when the focus/release priority settings come in handy b/c sometimes the camera will be in reasonable focus yet it won't think it locked on. Having it in release priority will allow you to shoot anyways...

darksike wrote in post #10586658
hey Nick, I remember awhile back (few weeks ago probably), you were gonna use the sigma 50 for your next wedding. how did that work out? did you have problem focusing during low light (reception)? which body did you use it on?

I have had no glaring issues with the 50. However other than perhaps detail shots, I hardly use the 50 for the reception.

First time to shoot at a Properly plated food (Food competition). 3 hours ago. D700+ 50mm f/1.4D

nicksan wrote in post #10589187
While I like the Sigma 50 1.4 and feel that the AF is decent, it is no where near the AF speed/accuracy of the more recent top-of-the-line AF-S lenses like the 24-70 and 70-200VRII. Not even close.

That said, all these lenses will hunt if there's little to no contrast. This is the same whether you shoot Canon or Nikon. I've experienced this several times in the short time I shot Nikon. But we are talking really low light. But the interesting this is, once it acquires focus, it will rarely miss. On the other hand the MKIV I used to have would also eventually acquire focus but it gave me a bunch of horrid OOF images. So I am more worried about accuracy and my D3 and D700 does very well and I am very happy about that compared to my days with Canon.

That said, it is indeed a frustrating thing shooting in low light, waiting for any camera to acquire focus. This is when the focus/release priority settings come in handy b/c sometimes the camera will be in reasonable focus yet it won't think it locked on. Having it in release priority will allow you to shoot anyways...

I've said it a bunch of times but Nick you touched on one of the best aspects of shooting Nikon again. Locking on. When focus is acheived, it is in focus, your shot is in focus. Period. Is it frustraing when it hunts? Yes. BUT, I would MUCH rather shoot with a Nikon that hunts, then acheives reliable, predictable focus than to shoot Canon which hunts, then gives you less reliability because the camera has assumed the shot is in focus.

The other piece I agree with too, the Sigma 50 is not AFS speed by any means, however saying that I will say for me it has been AFS accurate.

monk3y wrote in post #10589452
First time to shoot at a Properly plated food (Food competition). 3 hours ago. D700+ 50mm f/1.4D

Monkey that first shot is magazine worthy, well done!

wow monk3y, those are some amazing shots. can you do me a favor and see if you can get the exif for those?
those guys are some talented people. that's in cebu also?
btw, is that butter made out cement? lol great detail and just thinking of heat it may not last long. here in jersey, it'll probably melt in 10 sec from almost 100 degree and high humidity

also, was gonna order both sigma 50mm and a 2nd sb900 but wife said only pick one (Sigma 50 for now, should be here tomorrow).
lately I've been so into Nikon's CLS. That's one great system right there. A must have is also the Hands on Guide DVD Nikon School's Creative Lighting (CLS Stuff)
you guys ever played with this system? I've been using ebay triggers then manual on the flashes and even bought light meter coz it takes too much time.
right now I just use my d700 and don't have to move a foot to -/+ on the flash power. great thing about wireless ettl

I use it all the time, one of the best things since sliced bread!

I'm not down with DVD learning systems. I prefer them book based for photography so I can read and do, anywhere!

Mr. Clean wrote in post #10590228
Monkey that first shot is magazine worthy, well done!

thank you sir, these were almost snapshots... but turned out great, almost no pp in as they already looked so nice when I uploaded them

darksike wrote in post #10590456
wow monk3y, those are some amazing shots. can you do me a favor and see if you can get the exif for those?
those guys are some talented people. that's in cebu also?
btw, is that butter made out cement? lol great detail and just thinking of heat it may not last long. here in jersey, it'll probably melt in 10 sec from almost 100 degree and high humidity

Thank you.
yes this is in Cebu. I am guessing, the Philippines must be more humid than Jersey though, we are a tropical country... the venue was airconditioned though, so its quite cold there.

2 out of the 3 butter entries did not melt, but the other one melted already when I got there..

here's another one

monk3y wrote in post #10592352

That's butter??...!