Nikon 50mm f1.4 prime Vs 300mm Sigma f4.5 - but which?

[colinb]

not sure if this is really a good comparison but here we have two pictures one was taken using a Nikon f1.4 prime the other with a rather old Sigma 300mm f4.5 set at macro

 

both pictures shot in Raw and cropped and sharpen. Can you tell which is which? (and no cheating)

 

Click image to view large

 

 

Click image to view large

 

 

3rd shot taken with the 50mm prime

Edited July 31, 2013 by colinb

[Martyn]

I'm going to take a guess and say the second image is the Nikon 50mm based on the fact that the background is thrown out of focus better!

[Denis]

I would go with that assumption too.

 

2 is the prime.....it doesnt look like the lens struggled to get the shot.

 

Preparing to get shot down in flames

[colinb]

I would go with that assumption too.

 

2 is the prime.....it doesnt look like the lens struggled to get the shot.

 

Preparing to get shot down in flames

 

 

I'm not going to shoot anyone down in flames I'm glad of the comment as I wish to see what peoples perception of either lens is. (not saying yet if you right or wrong)

[Ian]

I'd go with 2 as prime

[fuzzyedges]

If No2 turns out to be the old lens sell your prime

[NannyFerret]

I think number two is the 300mm as it's let less light in and there is more blur in the background

[colinb]

and the answer is....

 

No.2 is the 300mm set to macro No. 1 is the prime - both shots taken using a tri-pod and remote release.

 

but I should add maybe I was a little unfair on my 50mm all I did was take off the zoom and replace it with the prime and not bother adjusting any settings, I even shot it from the same distance and then cropped it. I have now added a third picture taken with my 50mm, although hand held (sorry  but its chucking it down out there) I used settings more akin to the 50mm and I think all in all the prime will do just as good a job as the macro(ish) zoom setting.

 

and Fuzzy - no I won't be selling it as I think it is an excellent lens and will no doubt be a far better bet in low-light than the Sigma.

 

Thanks for all the comments hope you found it interesting or helpful in some way or other.