Sigma 35mm f1.4....?!!

[mrk]

For my shooting I'll be using the 35mm more than the 50mm and keeping the 85 in the bag for outdoor/longer range work.
My shooting style dictates what I use, not the difference (or lack of) between focal lengths!

The 50 is brilliant but I would prefer 35mm and especially as it has a closer focus distance than the 50.

 

[An Exception]

Why are people selling their 50mm for the 35mm?

They are not the same focal length and both have their uses and specialty . For me they are different enough to be worth keeping both.

I didn't think so tbh, to me the 50 was like a jack of all trades, but good to have if your only using one lens.
I never used it once I got a 35 + 85, as for just about any application, one of those latter lenses did a better job.

 

[Raymond Lin]

I still use my 50mm. They are different. It's not about "better" job, it's about best lens for that job.

There is a reason you bought a 50mm in the first place, do those all reasons all suddenly disappear because you bought a lens in a different focal length?

If it does then you really have bought the wrong lens to begin with.

 

[An Exception]

I still use my 50mm. They are different. It's not about "better" job, it's about best lens for that job.

That's what I was actually either saying or trying to say.

There is a reason you bought a 50mm in the first place, do those all reasons all suddenly disappear because you bought a lens in a different focal length?

If it does then you really have bought the wrong lens to begin with.

Yes I purchased the next best thing as I couldn't afford a 35 1.4 at the time.

50mm £170
35mm £1170

 

[mrk]

I disagree, maybe for your usage perhaps Ray^^

I can't speak for other people's uses but I got the 50mm because on 1.6x it was a nice portrait lens long range, on FF it's a nice all round lens, not too long and not too wide, just right and can be used outdoors and in.

Now, for my uses on FF as I've had a seriously good run with it on the 5D now, I know that having 35mm would give me just as much use but with the additional 15mm of width so it would in fact get used more than the 50did and delegate the 17-40 to UWA and perspective only and thus leaving the 85mm for everything else outside of that.

Like I said, my work does not dictate that I need to have 35, 50 and 85. a UWA, excellent mid portrait and an excellent long portrait is what my work requires.

Hell, since getting the 85mm I've not used the 50mm once, it's only been the 17-40 or 85 so the 35 1.4 will cover what the 17-40 can't do, low light smooth bokeh and none of the distortion.

 

[--- Z ---]

Not that im in the position to buy this lens as i said, but i have to dissagree a little Raymond.

People reasons for buying the lens in teh first place may now have changed. The photography that people do now may have changed from when they started out. If a pro photographer, then jobs might have changed as well.

I agree that they are all differetn focal lengths and each have a purpose, but unless you are doing something that specifically requires that focal lenght, then another lens might be better for you now.

Take me for example (god im going to get slated for saying this, be nice) Im a teacher by trade, Design and Technology started out now i teach photography as well.
Started out with a Canon 20D kit lenses, then got the nifty-fifty. Only a hobby and a passion, but took soem great shots (well I think so). Progressed to the 40D (right before the 50D came out) and started shooting portraits and cityscapes, picked up a canon 20mm F2.8 as well. Much better for the wider shots i wanted to take.
Now i have to 5D MKIII 24-105L and will be getting the Sigma 50mm f1.4, and selling the nifty-fifty and the 20mm. Still shoot portraits and city stuff, but the lenses i now have are better than the ones i had. (trying to go for quality lenses not quantity - or so I keep telling myself). I cant afford the 85mm and the 35mm which would be ideal for what i shoot - so the 50mm is my general purpose lens. As and when i can, i will invest in both the 35mm and 85mm variants, canon or sigma, but not at the moment, i need to find my feet again with a FF camera, asit really is like learning photography again. Unless i have a cash windfall i can see myself replacing the 50 with the others as the 85 will be better for portraiture and the 35 becomes teh general purpose/wide lens. But not yet.

 

[--- Z ---]

Damn, people beet me to is, there were no other post after Raymonds when i started typing

 

[Raymond Lin]

lol, you are comparing two different grade of lenses aimed at a different market.

It would be more comparable comparing 50/1.2 to 35/1.4. I guess you can't have that argument because Nikon don't currently make one. Or compare the 50/1.4 v 35/1.8 (35/2.0).

I can't speak for other people's uses but I got the 50mm because on 1.6x it was a nice portrait lens long range, on FF it's a nice all round lens, not too long and not too wide, just right and can be used outdoors and in.

Then you wanted 85mm, which you have now, which is why you love it. You never had the Sigma 35mm DX lens so you never really experienced a prime lens on crop.

I agree that they are all different focal lengths and each have a purpose, but unless you are doing something that specifically requires that focal length, then another lens might be better for you now.

That's what I am trying to say, they are different, there might only be 15mm in it but I find sometimes that 15mm is rather important.

I cant afford the 85mm and the 35mm which would be ideal for what I shoot - so the 50mm is my general purpose lens.

That works but I can't help but think that you are basically spending money on a lens that you doesn't truly want. When I went from 1.6 to FF I sold all my cropped lenses and started from scratch...save up for the lens you really want and don't go in between. It might take longer to get there but it is more economical in the long run. I basically buy the best lens for that focal length. It might take me longer to get there but the final kit will be better quality for it.

If you want an 85/35 then buy the 85/35, getting the 50 isn't what you really want so why get it? Save up a bit longer for it. Get the 1.8/2.0 versions and use that focal length (contrary to the rule above). Not buy a 50/1.4 or 1.2 because it is 1.2/1.4. You will end up learning a focal length that isn't what you desire in the first place.

I am not disagreeing a 35/85 combo is more versatile, I should know, that's the 2 lenses I put on my bodies on the job. But at the same time, they don't replace the 50mm either.

The 50mm has its place and perhaps its versatility is the best reason to keep one in your bag, not sell it to get another lens that is less versatile.

p.s. I am yearning for a 50/1.2, although for a stupid reason.

 

[mrk]

Yes hence why I'm getting the 35 to mate with the 85.


Look at it this way, the Sigma 50 1.4 was 350 brand new which was a steal when I got it. Sigma had no sign of the 35mm then and the 85mm was overkill on crop range wise for my shooting.

Now this lens has been announced I can sit happy on the focal range my shooting commands. The 50mm is no longer in that range.

You're forgetting that we don't all buy the lenses we want on day 1 be it due to cost or other kit constraints.

 

[Raymond Lin]

I haven't bought all the lenses I want at day 1 either.

I too started with a 50/1.4, that was my first lens when i got FF, it was 2 years before I got the 35/1.4, but i never sold the 50 to fund the 35 because they are different.

The 50 is a 50, it is not a replacement for 35/85 nor the 35/85 replaces the 50.

 

[mrk]

Nobody is contesting that the 50 isn't a 50.

My argument is that you're moaning at people for wanting to sell their 50. My shooting doesn't require a 50 any more with the 35 coming now so why would I keep the 50 instead of selling it to someone who will use that range more than me - That's what I'm trying to get at.

My opinion of the 50 hasn't changed at all but my requirement for it with the 35 coming isn't there any more.

Others have different reasons of course, this is just my scenario.

 

[An Exception]

lol, you are comparing two different grade of lenses aimed at a different market.

It would be more comparable comparing 50/1.2 to 35/1.4. I guess you can't have that argument because Nikon don't currently make one. Or compare the 50/1.4 v 35/1.8 (35/2.0).

35 1.8 is DX, otherwise that would have done the job.
35 F2 is too soft at F2, so might as well be using a 24-70.

p.s. I am yearning for a 50/1.2, although for a stupid reason.

So your 35 50 & 85 have a red ring?

 

[Raymond Lin]

It is not an expensive lens in the scale of things and even the 1.4 is rather reasonable to have that versatility in your bag. If it is a 1.2 and you never use it then fair enough as that is quite a lot of money sitting around, but if you can afford a 5Dmkiii and is getting regular paid jobs then having a nice 50mm in your kit can only help.

It is not a moan, just my 2 cents on the subject.

At the end of the day, its your money so do as you wish but I think it would be a mistake by selling it. I do think that your kit would be stronger with a nice 50mm in the arsenal than without.

So your 35 50 & 85 have a red ring?

Pretty much.....hence stupid.

24/1.4 should really come first.

 

[An Exception]

Yes, I'v been thinking about a 24 - 50 F1.4 combination for smaller evening receptions. 85 is a little long, and the 24 will allow me to ditch my wide zoom.
So I will then be able to get away with using just two lenses.

 

[mrk]

I really don't see myself using the 50 once I get the 35!

Okay, if I get silly offers for the 50 then there's no point in selling it. IMO it's still a valuable lens but if I did sell it then I'd not be taking any offers on the price at the end of the day otherwise it would not be worth making the bigger loss on.

I'll see what happens once I start shooting with the 35 I guess but at present that's the way I'm feeling.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Yes, I'v been thinking about a 24 - 50 F1.4 combination for smaller evening receptions. 85 is a little long, and the 24 will allow me to ditch my wide zoom.
So I will then be able to get away with using just two lenses.

I've had that thought for a while now and if I didn't go to NYC then I could've got both the 24L and 50L! Ah well!

I really don't see myself using the 50 once I get the 35!

Okay, if I get silly offers for the 50 then there's no point in selling it. IMO it's still a valuable lens but if I did sell it then I'd not be taking any offers on the price at the end of the day otherwise it would not be worth making the bigger loss on.

I'll see what happens once I start shooting with the 35 I guess but at present that's the way I'm feeling.

I do see where you are coming from as you currently find the 50 a bit long and too close to the 85 and may be its in no man's land kind of lens. I do admit that I would go to the 35 first before the 50 for most things, but I also know that there are times the 50 is better hence I am glad I never sold it.

I've been down this road already mrk, just sharing my experience with you, and it's up to you whether you want to sell yours.

 

[mrk]

Oh of course!

Now if Sigma would get their arse in gear and announce a release I could get on my way to deciding what to do!

 

[Johnny|lucidcomposure]

I dont agree with anyone here on that matter but I will say I am getting into the habit of trying not to sell a lens anymore. Every time I have I have deeply regretted it down the line.

Shooting styles aren't always consistent. I got rid of a 10-22 and a 100-400L and It was such a mistake to do so. I looked at these lenses in the moment and made the call I was finished using them, truth was I was about to. Given those are both expensive lenses but I really really do regret doing it. Generally I am going to try and retain all my lenses from now on. I don't do the same stuff I used to and I expect to forever change.

 

[King Damager]

I probably wouldn't sell a lens either, unless I was upgrading.

If I got a 50mm 1.4 they'd be no point for keeping a 50mm f1.8 for example...

Small telephoto differences would also probably justify selling.

kd

 

[mrk]

The lens I really regret selling was the Tamrom 28-75, that was such a sharp lens and quite versatile too capable of getting seriously close.

I could easily have gotten 3 more years out of it!