Advice needed- Sigma Art Primes on D500

[CNolan]

Hello, just joined the site and am looking forward to getting involved but the question that led me to the website is about Sigma Art primes on the D500.

I've seen on this site and elsewhere many people noticing the very poor autofocus on the outer AF points when using the Sigma Art 18-35mm f1.8 and  50-100mm f1.8. A shame as they look like very interesting lenses.  I'm mostly a prime shooter though so I was wondering if anyone has any information on similar AF problems whenusing the Art primes - specifically the 20mm f1.4, 50mm f1.4 and the new 85mm f1.4. I know 3rd party lenses can be tricky generally with auto focus but I was curious if there was strong reported issues similar to the zooms.

 Trying to decide on a D500 kit and it's not easy is it. The Nikon 20mm and 85mm options are stong but i'm not a fan of the 50mm. Curious about the 58mm though.

Also thinking about a Tamron kit of 15-30mm f2.8, 45mm f1.8 and 85mm f1.8 so any info on them on the D500 would be great. Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

No idea about the Sigma lenses. The Tamron 45/1.8 has had some good field reports. Native lenses should face less compatibility issues with new camera models. So that is the lie of the land. One has to try the actual lens/camera combination to make sure it works to expectation.

The wide spread of AF points and the easy manner in which the active points can be reshuffled makes D500 an excellent AF camera.

Welcome to NG, by the way.

[Frank Fremerey]

Welcome to Nikongear. There are some people here who own ART lenses so chances are you might find your answer here. At one point I started to buy Nikkor lenses instead of third party because a later upgrade tends to return more money in the used market. In some cases I got more for my used lenses than I originally paid for them.

The current 1.4/50 is not a very nice lens on high resolution cameras. Zeiss and Sigma deliver better. The 1.8/50 and the 1.4/58 are very good options; the first for 160 Euros the latter for 10 times as much.

[CNolan]

Thank you for the warm welcome Bjorn & Frank.

Yes, i'm certainly enjoying the D500 so far. I have the Nikon 28mm f1.8G and Nikon 50mm f1.8G  but need to flesh out the kit. It's actually a return to Nikon for me after a few years. I'm a wedding photographer and I think i'm probably one of the only wedding photographers around who has returned to DX from Full Frame! 99.9% of what you read online advises the other way around! For me, i'm prioritising build, reliability and autofocus for the next few years and was quite smitten with the D500. Now to fill out the kit.

I'm planning on hiring lenses for the next couple of jobs and get a full kit by March. I have certain favourite focal lengths I want to cover - preferably with fast primes but i am seriously contemplating a zoom at the wide end (I haven't used a zoom in nearly 8 years!). I want to cover approximates of 20/30/85/135 or there a bouts.

The Tamron 45mm 1.8 does look good and it has a particularly lovely look to it. That with the 15-30 and the 85mm 1.8 will give me an interesting and very usable kit. Plus VR and weather sealing which would definitely be plus points.

Art Sigma Art kit of 20mm, 50, 85mm would also be interesting and very usable. I also like the look of the new Irix 15mm 2.5 to five me a 21mm equiv.

I live in quite a rural area with no nearby shops to go and try stuff out unfortunately. Like I said, i'm planning on hiring lenses for the next couple of jobs and I could hire the Sigma's but I'm loathe to risk any potential focus problems at a wedding so will probably play it safe and hire Nikon.

And I may end up getting the obvious option in the end anyway which is a Nikon kit. Maybe the 14-24 and some more 1.8G lenses or the 85mm 1.4G. I have the 50mm 1.8G but am not so keen on it so far but some more use may change my mind on it. I had the 85mm 1.4D and 24mm 1.4G years ago on D700's and they might be a good option again.

[Erik Lund]

Welcome to NikonGear! Enjoy

[CNolan]

Thank you Erik!

[Frank Fremerey]

The 24/1.8G is less heavy and less expensive but still a very good lens.

Question: Did you consider a DX-Zomm like the 17-55/2.8 Nikkor?

[Bern]

I'm planning on hiring lenses for the next couple of jobs and get a full kit by March. I have certain favourite focal lengths I want to cover - preferably with fast primes but i am seriously contemplating a zoom at the wide end (I haven't used a zoom in nearly 8 years!). I want to cover approximates of 20/30/85/135 or there a bouts.

I live in quite a rural area with no nearby shops to go and try stuff out unfortunately. Like I said, i'm planning on hiring lenses for the next couple of jobs and I could hire the Sigma's but I'm loathe to risk any potential focus problems at a wedding so will probably play it safe and hire Nikon.

And I may end up getting the obvious option in the end anyway which is a Nikon kit. Maybe the 14-24 and some more 1.8G lenses or the 85mm 1.4G. I have the 50mm 1.8G but am not so keen on it so far but some more use may change my mind on it. I had the 85mm 1.4D and 24mm 1.4G years ago on D700's and they might be a good option again.

I am a DX user and I recently started to shift to using prime lenses. The most recent addition was the Nikon 20mm 1.8G. Chose that instead of the 24 1.8G as I wanted an effective FL that would be a bit wider than 35mm. I also could not afford the 1.4G. Its a very light lens and can be easily used handheld even at lowlight situations. The 20mm is a good option for the 30mm effective FL in DX.

Its a bit tricky for the 20mm effective FL as there are limited options for it in Nikon lenses. The only one that I can think of is the 14mm f2.8. My Nikon primes includes 20mm f1.8, 50mm f1.8 (& ais 1.2) & 105DC. Havent used any of the 85mm lenses so I can not compare.

[CNolan]

The 24/1.8G is less heavy and less expensive but still a very good lens.

Question: Did you consider a DX-Zomm like the 17-55/2.8 Nikkor?

Yes, the 28mm f1.8G is one I am looking into. As is the 17-55 but I think that might not be wide enough for me and would mean i'd need to get something wider as well. Plus, I wouldn't really use it from, say, 24mm-55mm so a large chunk of the lens would be redundant. I think, if I go with a wide zoom, the 14-24 would be more suitable as would the Tamron 15-30mm. Tokina has also just come out with a 14-20mm f/2 which looks ideal. I think i'm just being extra wary about third party lenses and autofocus. The main reason I went for the D500 is for it's auto-focus ability so i'm not keen on minimising that in any way. There are so many options though!

[CNolan]

I am a DX user and I recently started to shift to using prime lenses. The most recent addition was the Nikon 20mm 1.8G. Chose that instead of the 24 1.8G as I wanted an effective FL that would be a bit wider than 35mm. I also could not afford the 1.4G. Its a very light lens and can be easily used handheld even at lowlight situations. The 20mm is a good option for the 30mm effective FL in DX.

Its a bit tricky for the 20mm effective FL as there are limited options for it in Nikon lenses. The only one that I can think of is the 14mm f2.8. My Nikon primes includes 20mm f1.8, 50mm f1.8 (& ais 1.2) & 105DC. Havent used any of the 85mm lenses so I can not compare.

Thanks for the comments Bern. Very helpful as it seems we have similar needs. I also prefer something a bit wider than 35mm and I think the 20mm prime is top of my list. If the Nikon is such a good performer I see no reason to go with the extra weight of the Sigma. If I don't go with a zoom I think i'll go with that. I'm also looking at the Irix 15mm 2.5 for a 20mm or so equivalent. It seems to have got very good reviews and it's a focal length that I can deal with manual focus easily.

I've also had my eye on the 105DC instead of an 85mm. How happy are you with it?

[Bern]

Thanks for the comments Bern. Very helpful as it seems we have similar needs. I also prefer something a bit wider than 35mm and I think the 20mm prime is top of my list. If the Nikon is such a good performer I see no reason to go with the extra weight of the Sigma. If I don't go with a zoom I think i'll go with that. I'm also looking at the Irix 15mm 2.5 for a 20mm or so equivalent. It seems to have got very good reviews and it's a focal length that I can deal with manual focus easily.

I've also had my eye on the 105DC instead of an 85mm. How happy are you with it?

Glad the comment was helpful.

Though, I in no way a proffessional photographer. Am quite happy with the 105DC. Had the dilema of choosing between an 85mm & a 105mm (as a portraits lens) 18 months ago. Ended up choosing the 105, never looked at the 85mm FL since. Am not saying the 85s are not good, just that the 105 suits me better. The DC feature can provide more creative options if used correctly. The AF is somewhat slow in my D7000 so I use it mostly on MF mode. Maybe the D500 can give better AF results. Very much satisfied with the 105DC.

My ultra wides is a third party zoom and a Nikkor fisheye but for most situations I encounter, the 3 prime combo is sufficient.

[CNolan]

Thanks Bern, that's very helpful. The lens is definitely on my list for a mid-tele for portraits.

[PedroS]

Welcome!

Sorry for not being of a great help, but I'm a DX user only for birds/wildlife so no "small" lenses on them...

[Tristin]

D500 + Tamron 45/1.8 sounds like a winning combo for weddings.

[CNolan]

Thanks for the welcome Pedro!

D500 + Tamron 45/1.8 sounds like a winning combo for weddings.

Yes, I think so. I've got two D500's so the 15-30mm f2.8 on one and swopping between the 45/1.8 and the 85/1.8 on the other would be great as long as the focus is ok. Plus, weather sealing is very handy where I live and the VR would be great for video.

I think what i'll do is hire Nikon lenses for the next wedding along with a Sigma to try that out. There is no where to hire the Tamrons but if I buy those in the new year from somewhere with a good returns policy to test and then finally decide early spring on a final kit. Thanks for everyone comments and help.