RJNaylor's reviews

  • Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Great DOF control
    A little slow to focus in low light

    When I first opened the box, (january 22, 2010) it was evening and dark out. I tried some low light shots on objects around the kitchen and was very unhappy with the sharpness; especially compared to my Nikon 35mm 1.8. But, when i sued the flash, it was right on. Also, odd enough a few days later, shooting our cat, I was able to use manual and get plenty of brightness sans flash. So, after worrying that it did not focus properly, I have the immpression it needed to be broken in -- I can't explain it otherwise. Or, perhaps I was nervous the first night. Now I am a happy camper because I love the bokeh and that is why I chose it over the Nikon -- plus it tested sharper wide open on several web sites. I have my Nikon 16-85 for more dof and great sharpness. My 35 1.8 is also wonderfully sharp.

    reviewed February 8th, 2010 (purchased for $500)

  • Nikon 35mm f/1.8G DX AF-S Nikkor

    10 out of 10 points and recommended
    Sharp, Light
    Not great in terms of distortion

    It is surprising to see this lens rated only in the 8's on the main page. Between 2.8 and 5.6 this lens is really sharp. I don't know if i got a better copy than some but seeing the number of 10's below, I'd say a bad copy is the exception. For a DX sensor this lens serves as a relatively "normal' lens. I end up carrying it instead of the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 because of its sharpness and utility for low light shooting. (I generally have my 16-85, 70-300, and 12-24 along with one or two SB600's so I can;t bring much more with my current bag and two lens mounted).
    I've compared it numerous times with my 16-85VR to see if I can't do as well in low light with the VR on and I cannot. Shoot this guy at 1600 ISO and the regular lighting in a room is just fine.

    reviewed May 21st, 2010 (purchased for $200)

  • Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro

    9 out of 10 points and recommended
    Great bokeh, fast lens, sharp
    none

    I've been shooting this lens for a few weeks and have pretty much left it on my second body (I was using a 50-200 or a 70-300 on it). Most people use it for macro but I really got it to extend the range of my Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 OS and it fills in beautifully for most things. Its low light focusing on my D7000 is fast and good. the OS is effective but you should give it a half second to settle. It is sharp at f/2.8 and really tack sharp at f/4 and good all way to f/16.

    reviewed January 13th, 2014 (purchased for $700)