Buying a New Lens for Boudoir

Introduction

I recently had an amazing photo shoot with a wonderful model where everything seemed to go perfectly.  Every photographer's dream.  Going through some of the photos, I noticed the focus was just a tad soft on more than I would have liked.  Was my camera off?  Did I not have the right shutter speed?  What caused this?  Fortunately I had a viewfinder video I could review to find any mistakes I made.  There were a few, but not on the photos in question.   So I did what every photographer does in this case...  RESEARCH!  

I discovered my Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G lens is a good lens, but it tends to be soft on focusing in low-light (almost a must in boudoir!).  I immediately dug deeper and found two options to replace my lens; a Sigma and a Tokina.  Both are expensive lenses and my recently vehicular accident made me doubt I could afford one, but suddenly I found a Tokina on Facebook Marketplace from another photographer for more than half the going price!  Before I would drive down to Savannah, Georgia to buy it, I had to do more research comparing my Nikkor 50mm lens to the Tokina Opera 50mm.

Both lenses cater to different photographers, with the Tokina targeting the high-end segment and the Nikkor being a more affordable option. This blog will dive into every critical aspect, from build quality to optical performance.

Overview of the Lenses

Tokina Opera 50mm f/1.4 FF  The Tokina Opera 50mm f/1.4 FF is a professional-grade lens designed for full-frame DSLR cameras. Released as part of Tokina’s "Opera" line, which is aimed at high-end users, this lens promises excellent optical quality and performance. The f/1.4 aperture makes it ideal for low-light situations and offers a shallow depth of field for subject isolation and smooth bokeh.
Key Features:

• Maximum aperture: f/1.4
• Full-frame compatible
• Advanced optical design with multiple low-dispersion elements
• Weather-sealed
• Focus ring designed for smooth manual focus adjustments

Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G  The Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G is a classic Nikon prime lens that offers incredible value for its price. While it doesn't have the premium build of the Tokina Opera, it’s lightweight, compact, and delivers excellent image quality, particularly for those who don’t need an f/1.4 aperture. This lens is a popular choice for both beginners and seasoned photographers looking for a reliable 50mm option.
Key Features:

• Maximum aperture: f/1.8
• Full-frame compatible
• Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for quiet autofocus
• Affordable price point
• Lightweight and portable

Build Quality and Design

Tokina Opera 50mm f/1.4 FF  The build quality of the Tokina Opera 50mm f/1.4 FF is outstanding, as expected from a high-end lens. It has a solid and robust construction, with a metal body and weather sealing that makes it resistant to dust and moisture. This is a lens built for professional use, capable of withstanding tough environments such as rain or dusty locations. The weight and size of the lens, however, reflect this sturdy build, making it one of the bulkier options in the 50mm range.

• Weight: 950g (2.09 lbs)
• Diameter: 80mm (3.15 inches)

The lens features a large manual focus ring that is smooth and precise, making it easy to achieve fine focus adjustments. The attention to detail in the design ensures that the Tokina Opera 50mm f/1.4 FF feels premium in hand and pairs well with higher-end DSLR bodies, such as Nikon’s D850 or Canon’s EOS 5D Mark IV.
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Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G  In contrast, the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G is a much lighter and more compact lens. While the build quality is not as robust as the Tokina Opera, it still feels solid enough for everyday use. The body is mostly made of plastic, but Nikon has ensured that the materials are durable. This lightweight construction makes it an attractive option for photographers who prioritize portability.

• Weight: 185g (0.41 lbs)
• Diameter: 72mm (2.83 inches)

Despite the plastic build, the lens mount is metal, which adds a bit of durability where it’s needed most. The manual focus ring is smaller and less smooth compared to the Tokina, but it's perfectly usable for occasional manual focusing tasks. Given the price point, the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G offers a good balance of build quality and portability.  However, and this is HUGE... Look at the photo above that shows the actual front face of the lenses and notice how small the glass diameter is on the Nikkor compared to the Tokina.  The overall diameter of the lenses may be less than half of an inch, but the actual difference in GLASS is what makes the Tokina superior.
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Verdict: The Tokina Opera 50mm f/1.4 FF is the clear winner in terms of build quality, offering a professional-grade construction that’s weather-sealed and durable. However, the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G shines when it comes to portability and ease of use, especially for casual shooting.

Optical Quality

Tokina Opera 50mm f/1.4 FF  Optically, the Tokina Opera 50mm f/1.4 FF delivers exceptional results. It uses a complex lens formula that includes both aspherical elements and low-dispersion glass to reduce chromatic aberrations, distortion, and other optical issues. The result is sharpness across the frame, even when shooting wide open at f/1.4.  ​The bokeh is creamy and smooth, with pleasing out-of-focus elements. The wide aperture also allows for excellent subject isolation, making this lens perfect for portraiture and any situation where you want to separate your subject from the background. There’s minimal distortion, and vignetting is well-controlled, even at f/1.4.
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In terms of flare control, the Tokina Opera handles strong light sources admirably, thanks to its advanced coatings. This means you can shoot in backlit situations without worrying too much about ghosting or flaring, which can be an issue with lesser lenses.

​Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G  The Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G, while more affordable, is no slouch in the optical department. It offers sharpness that rivals more expensive lenses, especially when stopped down to f/2.8 or beyond. At f/1.8, there’s some softness in the corners, but the center sharpness is excellent. Chromatic aberration is present but not excessive and can easily be corrected in post-processing.

The bokeh produced by the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G is decent, but not as smooth as that of the Tokina. The lens produces slightly harsher out-of-focus highlights, particularly in busy backgrounds. However, it’s still a solid performer for portraits and close-up shots.
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Flare control is good but not exceptional. In direct sunlight or other harsh lighting conditions, you may notice some ghosting or reduced contrast, but this is to be expected at this price point.
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Verdict: The Tokina Opera 50mm f/1.4 FF is the clear winner in terms of optical quality, especially when it comes to wide-open performance, bokeh, and flare control. The Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G, however, offers excellent sharpness and a more affordable alternative for those who don’t need the extreme low-light performance of an f/1.4 lens.

Sharpness and Focus Performance

Tokina Opera 50mm f/1.4 FFWhen it comes to sharpness, the Tokina Opera 50mm f/1.4 FF is a stellar performer. Even at its maximum aperture of f/1.4, the center sharpness is outstanding, and stopping down to f/2.8 or beyond yields incredible sharpness across the frame. This lens is designed for photographers who demand the highest optical quality, making it an excellent choice for professional work, such as portraiture, weddings, and even landscape photography.
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The autofocus system on the Tokina Opera is reliable, but it’s not the fastest in the market. It uses a ring-type ultrasonic motor that delivers smooth and quiet focusing, but in fast-paced environments, such as sports or wildlife photography, you might find it a bit slower compared to other lenses in its class.
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In the photo below, I focused on the 14-Inch mark on the tape directly in front of the camera.  As you can see, the lens is sharp across the frame, even when shooting wide open at f/1.4, although I believe the image truly becomes "tack-sharp" at f/1.8 and above.  Since I usually shoot boudoir around f/2.8, I don't think this will be too much of a problem.

Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 GThe Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G also delivers great sharpness, especially for its price. Wide open at f/1.8, the center of the frame is sharp, though the corners are softer. Once stopped down to f/2.8 or f/4, the sharpness improves significantly across the entire frame. This lens may not be as sharp as the Tokina at f/1.4, but for most practical purposes, it offers excellent image quality, especially considering its affordable price.

In terms of autofocus, the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G uses Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM), which is both fast and quiet. It’s a reliable performer in most shooting situations, from portraits to street photography. While it may not have the build quality or optical finesse of the Tokina, the autofocus system on the Nikkor is faster and more responsive.

Comparing both lenses at the same aperture, you can see the Tokina has a slightly sharper focus as well as greater contrast than the Nikkor.

Verdict: The Tokina Opera 50mm f/1.4 FF wins in terms of sheer sharpness, especially at wide apertures. However, the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G has a faster autofocus system and offers excellent sharpness when stopped down, making it a strong contender for more budget-conscious photographers.

Low Light and Bokeh Performance

Tokina Opera 50mm f/1.4 FFThe Tokina Opera’s f/1.4 aperture gives it a significant edge in low-light performance. This makes it ideal for night photography, indoor events, or any situation where light is limited. The wide aperture also allows for very shallow depth of field, which is perfect for creating subject isolation and artistic bokeh.

Speaking of bokeh, the Tokina Opera excels in this area. The nine-blade aperture diaphragm helps create smooth, rounded bokeh balls, even when shooting at wide apertures. The bokeh is soft, creamy, and pleasing, making it ideal for portrait photographers who want to separate their subject from the background.

Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 GThe Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G, with its slightly narrower f/1.8 aperture, doesn’t perform as well in low-light situations compared to the Tokina. However, it’s still very capable in most conditions, especially when paired with a camera that has good high-ISO performance. The f/1.8 aperture allows for decent subject isolation, though it won’t create as much background blur as the Tokina.

When it comes to bokeh, the Nikkor does a good job, but it’s not quite as smooth or creamy as the Tokina Opera. Out-of-focus highlights can be slightly harsh, and the bokeh balls may have more defined edges, especially in busy scenes. For portraits, the Nikkor still delivers good results, but it’s not at the same level as the Tokina in terms of bokeh quality.
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Verdict: The Tokina Opera 50mm f/1.4 FF takes the lead in both low-light performance and bokeh quality, thanks to its wider aperture and advanced optical design. The Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G is still a strong performer, but it lags behind in these areas.

Price and Value

Tokina Opera 50mm f/1.4 FFThe Tokina Opera 50mm f/1.4 FF is positioned as a high-end lens, and its price reflects that. It’s more expensive than the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G, and for many photographers, the higher cost may be a deterrent. However, for those who need the best optical performance, particularly at wide apertures, the Tokina is worth the investment. It’s a lens that delivers professional-level quality, making it a strong choice for wedding photographers, portrait shooters, and other professionals who demand the best.  I doubt I would have been able to afford this lens had I not found it on Marketplace.  Fortunately the previous owner was also a photographer who kept it in its original box in immaculate condition.

Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 GThe Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G is one of the best value lenses on the market. It offers excellent image quality, fast autofocus, and a lightweight design, all at a fraction of the price of the Tokina Opera. For hobbyists, beginners, or even professionals who need a reliable and affordable 50mm lens, the Nikkor is a fantastic choice.
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Verdict: The Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G is the clear winner in terms of value. While the Tokina Opera offers superior performance, it comes at a significantly higher price. For most photographers, the Nikkor provides more than enough quality at a much lower cost.

In summary

Go for the Tokina Opera 50mm f/1.4 FF if you need the ultimate optical quality, superior bokeh, and a wide aperture for low-light shooting, and are willing to invest in a heavier, more expensive lens.

​Choose the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 G if you’re looking for a lightweight, affordable, and fast-focusing lens that offers great performance for everyday photography.

The true test for me will be in october during my next boudoir shoot.  Stand by for the results.

Keywords: boudoir photography, boudoir photoshoot, boudoir studio, intimate photography, sensual photography, women's photography, empowerment, self-confidence, self-esteem, body positivity, femininity, romantic gifts, photography packages​​Keywords: boudoir photography, boudoir photoshoot, boudoir studio, intimate photography, sensual photography, women's photography, empowerment, self-confidence, self-esteem, body positivity, femininity, romantic gifts, photography packages.
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