Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 - D vs G (Page 3): If you are going to be shooting under very low light conditions the extra 2/3 stops of the 50mm f1.4 lens should prove to be useful. If I...

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

If you are going to be shooting under very low light conditions the extra 2/3 stops of the 50mm f1.4 lens should prove to be useful. If I were in the market for a 50mm lens my first choice would be the f1.8 version. It is cheaper, very sharp and also excellent in low light.

Nicholas DeSciose

The nano crystal lenses are considerably better make sure it has a gold N On it I’m not familiar with the current 50 mm lenses. But I am sure there are two or three that are Nano crystal these are more compatible with the new were bodies

Nicholas DeSciose

When you buy the Lens make sure it is a nano crystal lens it will have a gold N on it these are considerably more compatible on the newer bodies

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

hammond wrote:

Sure, I'd love to get the AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G, but it's $1,500 so...

The Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 options fit my budget, needs, and size preference for this lens.

Some of the other options listed here are nice, but either more than I want to spend and/or bigger than I want to carry around in the situations where I'm gonna use this sucker.

The Nikon 58mm f1.4G is currently priced at $1600.

dvdnj

Just another thought: I had the D since my film days (90s), but when I bought my D3s in 2010 I saw a 'ghost' in the center of the image. I sent it Nikon for repair and they checked it over thoroughly - seals, etc - and cleaned it. They could find nothing wrong with it -- but felt there may be a compatibility issue with the D3s - due to the distance between something (can't remember the details - sorry!). I bought the G version - had no further problems with the camera or any of the subsequent others: D810 and D850.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

RWR wrote:

The non-D lenses have 7 elements in 6 groups. Adding the D chip “required a new optical design of 7 elements in 5 groups.” (“The Complete Nikon System,” page 172.) No mention is made of any performance differences. You got a super deal on yours.

Hmmm, I got my info from John White's site (http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/specs.html#50fast).. I'd believe Nikon's own literature before that site although many of the "D" versions were the same optically as the prior version....

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Screamin Scott wrote:

Hmmm, I got my info from John White's site (http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/specs.html#50fast).. I'd believe Nikon's own literature before that site although many of the "D" versions were the same optically as the prior version....

Who knows for sure? I’d never heard of the D chip necessitating a change in optical formula. Braczko did go on to say that the newer lens was 30g lighter, so maybe the change was just mechanical.

Bullfrog Bill Loc: CT

hammond wrote:

Thanks... this has been the most helpful answer so far.
I'm most curious as to why the newer one is more expensive but seemingly significantly less sharp in the tests.

To be clear, I am not interested in the 50mm f/1:1.8 model or any other 50mm lenses.
I am specifically interested in the 50m f/1.4 either the version D or G - trying to understand the difference between these two models.

The principal difference between the D version and the newer G version (other than optics about which I have no view) is that the older D version still has an arperture ring and the newer G version does not have one.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Bullfrog Bill wrote:

The principal difference between the D version and the newer G version (other than optics about which I have no view) is that the older D version still has an arperture ring and the newer G version does not have one.

There is an even more important difference. The D version has no internal focusing motor, while the G does have one.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

The D has an aperture ring, the G does not. The G has an internal focusing motor, the D does not which account for the difference in cost. Your D500 does not need a lens with an internal focusing motor. Go with the D. BTW, the 50mm f1.8D is the best lens for the money that Nikon makes. Now, 50mm on a D500 will give you 75mm field of view. If you want real-life field of view, go with the 35mm.

therwol Loc: USA

hammond wrote:

Did a bit more research into this, and seems that ... (show quote)

I think that it makes sense to get the G lens. The D lens will not autofocus on the new mirrorless cameras, and you may eventually want to go mirrorless with a Nikon body.

LMurray Loc: North Orange County, CA

hammond wrote:

Thanks... this has been the most helpful answer so far.
I'm most curious as to why the newer one is more expensive but seemingly significantly less sharp in the tests.

To be clear, I am not interested in the 50mm f/1:1.8 model or any other 50mm lenses.
I am specifically interested in the 50m f/1.4 either the version D or G - trying to understand the difference between these two models.

Biggest difference D has an aperature ring and can be used on manual bodies too and the G doesn't and can't. Or as Ken Rockwell says the G has been gelded.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

One point that hasn’t been mentioned is that the newer lenses, with the added electronics, are more likely to have issues. Look at auction sites and see how many are “ as is” or for “parts”. The older lenses, while not as feature laden, will withstand a lot more use and abuse. As for speedier AF, how often, unless you shoot fast action, will you need that speed increase. Stabilization, while it helps with your inability to hold the camera/ lens steady, is of no advantage for any situation where there is subject movement. Bottom line is one has to look at their usual subject matter and take that into consideration when deciding on what to get.

MauiMoto Loc: Hawaii

mscott842 wrote:

If you are getting an 850 next year, Nikon recommends the Gold Ring lenses for that body. I believe only the 58mm 1.4 is a Gold Ring lens. Good luck.

That's what I would do also. I have both the 50 1.4s and a 1.8, and the the 1.4s are not impressive wide open. After buying other gold ring lenses I realized I should have gone with the 58mm 1.4. If I ever jump to the 850 I would definitely sell all my 50s and get the 58.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

MauiMoto wrote:

That's what I would do also. I have both the 50 1.4s and a 1.8, and the the 1.4s are not impressive wide open. After buying other gold ring lenses I realized I should have gone with the 58mm 1.4. If I ever jump to the 850 I would definitely sell all my 50s and get the 58.

Good idea. Sure am going to have to save up a lot of rolls of quarters, though. As mentioned above, that lens is in a whole 'nother ball park price wise.