Ive been shooting with my D850 and the 24-70mm f/2.8 for ages but Im finally hitting a wall with the weight and that clinical look zooms usually have. Im heading to Vermont this October for a family wedding and want a solid prime to get better bokeh and shallow depth for those outdoor portraits.
I was looking at the 50mm 1.8G but then I saw the Sigma Art series and now Im totally torn. My budget is around $800 for something used. Does the older Nikon glass still hold up against the newer third party stuff on a high res FX sensor or is the Sigma actually worth the extra bulk?
Honestly, the D850 is a beast that really demands top tier glass to shine. Ive been shooting Nikon for over a decade and found that while older primes are light, they sometimes struggle with that 45MP sensor. Im very satisfied with the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art for Nikon F and its basically my go-to for portraits now.
- Optic quality: The Sigma is designed for high-res sensors. Its way sharper wide open than the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G.
- Character: It has a much smoother fall-off. The bokeh is less busy, giving you that high-end look you felt was missing from the zoom.
- Alternatives: If you want more compression for outdoor shots, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G also works well and I have no complaints about its performance on FX. Youll be happy with the Sigma tho... the weight is the only real trade-off but the images are worth it.
Building on the earlier suggestion, while the 1.8G is a decent budget pick, it really doesnt do the D850 sensor justice when you are shooting wide open for a wedding. Ive tried many primes over the years, and in my experience, if you want that wow factor without the back-breaking weight of the Sigma, you should seriously consider the Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD.
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G: Light and cheap, but i found it has pretty noticeable chromatic aberration on high-contrast edges when paired with high res bodies.
- Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art: Sharpest of the bunch probably, but its basically a total brick to carry around all day at a wedding.
- Tamron SP 85mm f/1.8 Di VC USD: This is the sweet spot. It has vibration compensation which is a lifesaver for late-afternoon shots, and the weather sealing is better for Vermont in the fall. Honestly, dont settle for the older Nikon glass just to save a few bucks if you are rocking a 45MP sensor. Youll see the purple fringing and soft corners immediately. The Tamron fits perfectly in your $800 used budget and gives a way more modern, clean look than the zoom ever could. Ngl, the VC alone makes it worth it for handheld shots when the light starts to drop. Just make sure to check the focus calibration... third party stuff sometimes needs a quick tweak in the D850 menu.
Regarding what #1 said about the D850 being a beast, I saved cash using the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G. It handles resolution beautifully and avoids the heavy Sigma bulk for weddings!
@Reply #2 - good point! Finding that sweet spot where you aren't carrying a brick but still get the quality is the goal. > Does the older Nikon glass still hold up against the newer third party stuff on a high res FX sensor or is the Sigma actually worth the extra bulk? Honestly, you cant go wrong with any of the pro-grade glass from Sigma. Their build quality has become really impressive over the last few years and they handle high-res sensors perfectly. That said, sticking with native Nikon gear usually gives you that extra bit of peace of mind regarding autofocus reliability, which is huge when things are moving fast. Just get any of the newer pro-level primes from those brands. They are built to last and will definitely outshine the older entry-level stuff on your D850. Reliability is everything when you only get one shot at the ceremony... it just depends on if you prioritize weight or that extra bit of build quality.
