The Sports Photo Guy

Unfortunately, I don’t think so.  We’ll need to await Nikon’s new 50/f1.4 AF-S to judge where you should put your money.

Buy from Adorama:
Sigma 50/f1.4 EX DG HSM for Nikon
AF-Nikkor 50/f1.8

While I applauded Sigma’s 30/f1.4 HSM lens–which relegated my trusty AF-Nikkor 50/f1.4 to eBay’s auction blocks–I’m not sure the 50/f1.4 quite measures up.

I like the 30/f1.4 because it gave a similar angle of view on DX bodies like the D300 to the 50/f1.4 on film or FX bodies.  So the optical performance had better blow me away.  Having sold my aforementioned Nikon 50/f1.4, I was forced to compare the new Simga to my AF-Nikkor 50/f1.8, a simple yet legendary example of optical near-perfection that’s less than 1/4 the price of the Sigma.

While there’s more difference between f1.4 and f1.8 than one might think, especially at close focus (compare detail in flowers on far branch), to me the Nikon seems equal or even a little better wide open:

Sigma 50 @ f1.4

Nikon 50 @ f1.8

Sigma 50 @ 1.4 - 100%

Nikon 50 @ f1.8 - 100%

Stopped down, the differences are less clear.

Sigma 50 @ f4

Nikon 50 @ f4

Center crops don’t reveal any clear winners here, either.

Sigma 50 @ f4 - 100%

Nikon 50 @ f4 - 100%

Conclusion: Unless you’ve just got to have HSM (frankly of dubious value in a short prime) or the extra 2/3 stop, save your money and buy (or keep) a Nikon 50/f1.8.  You’ll get very similar results and have nearly the same low-light capability in a much smaller (and cheaper) package.  If you’re more interested in sports than portraits, like I am, get the Sigma 30/f1.4 HSM instead.  It is similar in size (& price) to the Sigma 50, and it has great optical performance and especially good control of flare and ghosting.

Buy from Adorama:
Sigma 50/f1.4 EX DG HSM for Nikon
AF-Nikkor 50/f1.8
Sigma 30/f1.4 EX DG HSM for Nikon