Question about large aperture lenses

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I’ve been shooting on and off for 20 years or so and I’ve owned several large aperture prime lenses over the years. Currently I have 4 1.8 primes and one 1.4 prime. Having said that I’ve hardly ever used any of the large aperture primes over the years at the largest aperture. There’s only a few scenarios that I do and one of which is Astro photography and the other is occasionally on portraits. I personally don’t see any need to go larger than 1.8 at least for my use. In my eyes there’s very little you could use an aperture that large for unless you’re intentionally doing soft focus on flowers, insects etc…. I do have a 600 mm prime which is f/4 and an aperture that size at a distance you could still get most everything in focus. I’m just curious to hear other thoughts and how you utilize your large aperture lenses.
For me I find the large aperture primes main advantage is superior light gathering performance along with faster speed being the greatest benefit, also reducing greatly the need for iso.

Interesting to look at a 24mm 1.4 G versus a 50 1.4 G on the MTF charts.

For super soft focus or Good Bokah is something i find that often comes more from you as well as a good lens.

I find my unique 70-200 FL at F2.8 is just so superb at F2.8 just Tack sharp with a stunning melted background, awesome for flowers bugs nature.

If i want the best melted background with a small prime its Ziess, there performance design is centered to excel around F4 to F2 F1.4 similar to Leica.

For other stunning back grounds the 70-200 fl at F2.8, 200 F4, 300 F2.8 AT f2.8

For me the Nikon 35mm 1.4 G seems beautiful at F1.8 F2 with its melted background i prefer more so than the clinical look of many of the Z prime lenses.
I have not nor want to bother with the 50mm 1.2 purely on price, i can get several brilliant Ziess lenses for the same money.

Only an opinion
 
I totally agree with all you said. If a person isn’t dead on 90 degree in front of you, even 1.8 is hard to get both eyes in focus. With proper background separation even f/8 gives creamy bokeh. I also agree with the 600f/4 and love mine.

For me I find the large aperture primes main advantage is superior light gathering performance along with faster speed being the greatest benefit, also reducing greatly the need for iso.

Interesting to look at a 24mm 1.4 G versus a 50 1.4 G on the MTF charts.

For super soft focus or Good Bokah is something i find that often comes more from you as well as a good lens.

I find my unique 70-200 FL at F2.8 is just so superb at F2.8 just Tack sharp with a stunning melted background, awesome for flowers bugs nature.

If i want the best melted background with a small prime its Ziess, there performance design is centered to excel around F4 to F2 F1.4 similar to Leica.

For other stunning back grounds the 70-200 fl at F2.8, 200 F4, 300 F2.8 AT f2.8

For me the Nikon 35mm 1.4 G seems beautiful at F1.8 F2 with its melted background i prefer more so than the clinical look of many of the Z prime lenses.
I have not nor want to bother with the 50mm 1.2 purely on price, i can get several brilliant Ziess lenses for the same money.

Only an opinion
The best part about the new Z lenses is that they are usable wide open...🦘
 
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