VMI's Chavis Holmes draws a foul
Updated 12/16/2008: Added additional photos showing the versatility of this lens.
I was impressed with this new standard in 50mm lenses, and am eager to compare it directly with the recently announced Nikon 50/f1.4 AF-S lens. Stopped down to f2, I find little to complain about in this unprocessed, 100% crop below:
100% crop - D300, 1/640 @ f2, ISO 500
Shot wide open, you lose a little contrast and sharpness, but the following 100% crop is nonetheless impressive.
VMI's Willie Bell drives to the basket
100% crop - D300, 1/800 @ f1.4, ISO 500
The 50mm focal length is a good match for APS-C DSLRs in basketball, as it can do double duty under the basket and from the corners. Combined with the excellent resolution of the D300, even “deep” crops of up to 50% can yield excellent results. If you’re stuck with bad light and have to give up the flexibility of an f2.8 zoom, the 50/f1.4 is an excellent choice, and Sigma’s new HSM model simply blows away Nikon’s old 50/f1.4 AF-D design. And yes, Sigma’s 50 is a full-frame lens and is available in just about every mount you could want. And it’s available now!
Buy the Sigma 50/f1.4 HSM for Nikon
Buy the Sigma 50/f1.4 HSM for Canon
Buy the Sigma 50/f1.4 HSM for Pentax
Buy the Sigma 50/f1.4 HSM for Sony/Minolta
Buy the Sigma 50/f1.4 HSM for Sigma
I recently shot an entire game with this lens mounted, cross-court shots and all. Even with a 25% crop into the frame, I had very useable results, as shown below:
Cross-Court shot (25% of frame)
100% crop
The resistance of this lens to flare and ghosting is reasonably good as well. Small, well-lit arenas like VMI’s Cameron Hall can be problematic when relatively low ceiling lights can easily work themselves into the frame. It can be a serious test of a lens’s optical qualities in such situations:
VMI's Travis Homes
6 responses so far ↓
1 Dave Rodvold // Nov 15, 2008 at 11:48 pm
So if you were only taking one lens to cover a game with your D300, would you choose this over the Sigma 30mm f/1.4? I suppose it depends on if you were under-the-basket versus in the corner, if you want to concentrate on under the boards versus out at the circle, etc? Do the two Sigmas seem to have similar sharpness?
2 The Sports Photo Guy // Nov 16, 2008 at 2:11 am
That would be a tough choice, but I’d probably take the 50. Both are pretty darned good optically.
3 Chris // Nov 16, 2008 at 9:46 pm
interesting, thanks for the report. I have ordered the Nikon w/out seeing reviews, ‘hoping’ it will be a great lens for hoop.
@Dave, for me, yes I’d choose it. The FL is very good for under the hoop out to the top of the key. I shot the 30f1.4 last season and it did well, but, the DOF was too great; I got too much of the crowd in focus.
4 Steve // Nov 18, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Great pics. I am thinking of getting the new Nikon for my D300 next month when it comes out. Hard to find the Sigmas in stock here in Shanghai.
5 The Sports Photo Guy // Nov 18, 2008 at 12:56 pm
While I don’t get review samples from Nikon, I have ordered the new 50/f1.4 AF-S through the NPS priority purchase program, and will hopefully be able to get in an early test. Stay tuned.
6 Steve // Dec 14, 2008 at 5:40 am
The new Nikons arrive in Shanghai for sale tomorrow for $460. Likely can negotiate to $450. No tax here, but no USA warranty.
Leave a Comment