Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Main Photography Discussion
Nikon 50mm lens
Page 1 of 3 next> last>>
Jun 11, 2019 21:05:31   #
Jim Bianco
 
What do you guys think what is the better 50mm lens a 50 1.8 afs lens or a 50 1.4 ais lens? Thanks Jim Bianco, I do not know what lens to get.

Reply
Jun 11, 2019 21:09:08   #
PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago
 
Jim Bianco wrote:
What do you guys think what is the better 50mm lens a 50 1.8 afs lens or a 50 1.4 ais lens? Thanks Jim Bianco, I do not know what lens to get.


"As I read that while f1.4 gives an advantage in
lowlight situations and ofcource in portraits it also
distorts the image (particulary in small apartures)"

None of Nikon's 50mm lenses is totally free of
geometric distortion. They all show some barrel-distortion, but unless you're using one for copying you won't notice it. As for the distortion changing with aperture; that's just nonsense.

I also doubt you'll see any difference, at like apertures, between the f/1.8 and f/1.4 lenses on film, especially fast film. The differences are too subtle. You'll see no difference in viewfinder brightness either because of Nikons viewfinder design.

The Ai and Ai-S versions of f/1.4 50mm lens are optically identical and will perform the same on an FM2. I'm not sure if Nikon made an Ai version with an aperture of f/1.8, but if they did it would use the same optical formula. There's an f/2 Ai version that's optically superior, but quite difficult to find because of that.

The only 50mm or 55mm lens that'll offer you a different "look" is the f/1.2 version, which has strong residual spherical aberration wide open. It's also a lot more expensive on the used market.

Basically you should choose the lens on whether you need the extra 2/3rds of a stop or not. Both are pretty good lenses (for film). The f/1.2 is very soft wide open, which is part of its appeal.

Reply
Jun 11, 2019 21:12:09   #
letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.
 
Jim Bianco wrote:
What do you guys think what is the better 50mm lens a 50 1.8 afs lens or a 50 1.4 ais lens? Thanks Jim Bianco, I do not know what lens to get.


The Nikkor 1.2 AIS.

Reply
 
 
Jun 11, 2019 21:12:44   #
Jim Bianco
 
PixelStan77 wrote:
"As I read that while f1.4 gives an advantage in
lowlight situations and ofcource in portraits it also
distorts the image (particulary in small apartures)"

None of Nikon's 50mm lenses is totally free of
geometric distortion. They all show some barrel-distortion, but unless you're using one for copying you won't notice it. As for the distortion changing with aperture; that's just nonsense.

I also doubt you'll see any difference, at like apertures, between the f/1.8 and f/1.4 lenses on film, especially fast film. The differences are too subtle. You'll see no difference in viewfinder brightness either because of Nikons viewfinder design.

The Ai and Ai-S versions of f/1.4 50mm lens are optically identical and will perform the same on an FM2. I'm not sure if Nikon made an Ai version with an aperture of f/1.8, but if they did it would use the same optical formula. There's an f/2 Ai version that's optically superior, but quite difficult to find because of that.

The only 50mm or 55mm lens that'll offer you a different "look" is the f/1.2 version, which has strong residual spherical aberration wide open. It's also a lot more expensive on the used market.

Basically you should choose the lens on whether you need the extra 2/3rds of a stop or not. Both are pretty good lenses (for film). The f/1.2 is very soft wide open, which is part of its appeal.
"As I read that while f1.4 gives an advantage... (show quote)

Thanks for info.

Reply
Jun 11, 2019 21:14:02   #
Jim Bianco
 
Jim Bianco wrote:
Thanks for info.


Thanks

Reply
Jun 11, 2019 21:23:19   #
RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA
 
Jim Bianco wrote:
What do you guys think what is the better 50mm lens a 50 1.8 afs lens or a 50 1.4 ais lens? Thanks Jim Bianco, I do not know what lens to get.

Personally, for the best image quality I would look for a clean 50 f/2.0 Ai.

Reply
Jun 11, 2019 21:59:33   #
Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx
 
If you go to DxOMark.com and look at 50mm glass the highest rated is the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art. The 4 Nikon 50mm lenses f/1.4, f/1.8, D, and G are far behind in sharpness. You can usually fix distortion and CA in your PP software. I have a Nikon 50mm f/1.4 G AF-S ($400 new on Amazon) and IMHO, it is not a quality piece of glass.

Reply
 
 
Jun 11, 2019 22:01:31   #
Jim Bianco
 
Strodav wrote:
If you go to DxOMark.com and look at 50mm glass the highest rated is the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art. The 4 Nikon 50mm lenses f/1.4, f/1.8, D, and G are far behind in sharpness. You can usually fix distortion and CA in your PP software. I have a Nikon 50mm f/1.4 G AF-S ($400 new on Amazon) and IMHO, it is not a quality piece of glass.

Thanks for info.

Reply
Jun 11, 2019 22:28:13   #
ELNikkor
 
The 50 1.8 is lightweight, inexpensive, only half a stop slower, and just as sharp if not more-so than the 50mm 1.4. How often will that half stop, and slightly better bokeh make any difference in your photos? Just get/keep the 50 1.8 and work on technique.

Reply
Jun 11, 2019 22:38:16   #
therwol Loc: USA
 
Strodav wrote:
If you go to DxOMark.com and look at 50mm glass the highest rated is the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art. The 4 Nikon 50mm lenses f/1.4, f/1.8, D, and G are far behind in sharpness. You can usually fix distortion and CA in your PP software. I have a Nikon 50mm f/1.4 G AF-S ($400 new on Amazon) and IMHO, it is not a quality piece of glass.


I've read some detailed test reports of the lenses you mention. The Sigma ART is significantly sharper wide open and for a few more f/stops, but beyond f/4, the Nikon lenses are nearly as good. The Sigma is also huge and heavy in comparison.

Reply
Jun 11, 2019 22:46:26   #
mharvey
 
I am a lifelong Nikon guy. But, when it comes to fast 50's, Nikon just can't seem to get it's act together.
If you stop them down a bit, they're fine. But why would you WANT a 1.8 or 1.4 if you didn't plan to use it wide open at times?
For that reason a SIGMA 50mm f/1.4 ART lens is in the bag.

Reply
 
 
Jun 11, 2019 23:38:27   #
RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA
 
mharvey wrote:
I am a lifelong Nikon guy. But, when it comes to fast 50's, Nikon just can't seem to get it's act together.
If you stop them down a bit, they're fine. But why would you WANT a 1.8 or 1.4 if you didn't plan to use it wide open at times?
For that reason a SIGMA 50mm f/1.4 ART lens is in the bag.

I like a fast lens for ease of focus in low light, and I also like top image quality at any aperture. For that reason a 55 f/1.4 Zeiss Otus is in the bag.

Reply
Jun 11, 2019 23:52:33   #
letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.
 
Check out the 50mm f1.2 AIS, Still under production and available with AF. It is still being made for a reason.

Reply
Jun 11, 2019 23:58:59   #
Leitz Loc: Solms
 
RWR wrote:
Personally, for the best image quality I would look for a clean 50 f/2.0 Ai.

I have a 50 f/2.0 Ai and agree it's better than the other two lenses mentioned, at around the same price, assuming that's what you mean by "best."

Reply
Jun 12, 2019 00:05:35   #
RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA
 
Leitz wrote:
I have a 50 f/2.0 Ai and agree it's better than the other two lenses mentioned, at around the same price, assuming that's what you mean by "best."

Yes, I did mean the best Nikkor for what it appears the OP wants to spend.

Reply
Page 1 of 3 next> last>>
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main Photography Discussion
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.