So I finally upgraded to a used D850 last week for some upcoming family portrait gigs next month, but now my budget is super tight. I have about $500 left for a solid prime lens and I'm totally torn between the Nikon 50mm f/1.8G and a used Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art.
I'm leaning toward the Nikon because it's so light and cheap, but I'm worried it won't handle the 45MP sensor well. The Sigma is supposed to be razor sharp but it's a total brick to carry around all day. Is the Sigma image quality really worth the extra weight and stretching my budget to the absolute limit?
Jumping in with a quick breakdown from a budget perspective. Both work, but here is the practical side:
- Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G is lightweight and cheap. It handles the 45MP sensor totally fine if you stop down to f/2.8, plus you save cash for extra gear.
- Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art is sharper wide open, but it is heavy and stretches your budget to the limit. The Nikon is a decent option to start. Good luck with the gigs!
I went through this exact same thing when I got my D850. Honestly, you'll be super happy with the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art for Nikon F even if it feels like a total brick. I have used it for dozens of shoots and it works well every single time... the sharpness is just on another level. Tbh the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G is a fine lens and I still keep one in my bag because it's so light, but it doesnt quite resolve the detail that 45MP sensor can push out. If you are doing paid family portraits, the bokeh on the Sigma is way creamier. You should be able to snag a used one for $500 if you look on marketplaces. It is a bit heavy, but I have no complaints once I see those sharp eyes in the final shots!
Adding my two cents here because I spent a whole season shooting family portraits with the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G on my D850. Honestly, dont stress too much about the 45MP sensor. If you stop that lens down just a tiny bit, it renders skin tones beautifully and you wont even miss the extra bulk of the Sigma.
- The weight difference is real when you are chasing kids around for two hours. My wrists were definitely thankful for the lighter setup.
- You can use the money you saved for a decent SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB SDXC UHS-I card or maybe a cheap reflector, which actually helps your portraits more than that extra bit of sharpness at f/1.4. If you really crave that look, you can always rent the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art for a weekend before you commit to buying it. For paid gigs, having the lightweight kit just makes the whole experience less draining, and at the end of the day, clients care about the expression, not if the eyelashes are sharp at 200% zoom.
