Curve_in Loc: Virginia

There is more things that add to the cost of the lens than the test sharpness. The newer lens does not move in and out when you focus. That means if you have a hard bump, the newer versions will fair better. You need to decide how much value that is how you shoot. I plan on getting the older version for my bag.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

I took some shots of a test scene including resolution target and the x-rite passport along with some cute little fuzzy dog toys with the Nikon AF-S 50mm f1.4 G and the Tamron 24-70mm f2.8 G2 with my D850. Settings were ISO 64, 1/125 sec, f5.6, tripod mounted with a remote release, in Live View with the Tamron at 50mm. I was wondering how much worse the zoom was compared to the prime. I almost fell out of my chair looking at the side by side comparison 1:1 in LR. The Tamron zoom is actually a bit sharper at 50mm f5.6.

therwol Loc: USA

I can't comment on any lens I have never used. I have the 50mm f/1.4 D, the older lens of the two. I believe that the design dates to the 70s. I personally find it to be an outstanding lens once it's stopped down to f/2.8-f/4. It's soft wide open. From what I've read, the Sigma ART is better at the larger apertures, but I can't confirm that, and I'm not going to spend a thousand dollars to find out.

I have posted this photo and crop before. This was taken at Birdoswald's Roman Fort along Hadrian's wall with my Nikon D810 and the D lens. (ISO 400, 1/1000, f/11 hand held, JPEG out of the camera.) I had to reduce the size of the original photo to upload it to this site, so you can't see the detail in it, but you can see where the crop came from if you download it. The crop is a tiny part of the picture, and I can't ask for anything better than this. Download both.

If you want to know, I also have the 35mm f/2 D and 24mm f/2.8 D, and they're both not in this league. (Disappointing actually. I was trying to save money.)

(Download)


(Download)

hammond

Thanks for heads-up CO, checked out the Tamron 45mm - seems a lot of the reviews complain about slow AF and a lot of mentions of having to return the lens (I won't really have the luxury of dealing with that, as I'll be constantly travelning). It's twice the size/weight of the Nikkor 50mm 1.4, more expensive, and ultimately a tad slower... though I do really like the look/feel of these newer Tamron lenses.

Anyway, thanks for bringing it to my attention, always better to have considered options before rather than after a purchase.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

When SLRs were new some time back, most were sold w/50mm lens. So camera makers put a lot of effort into them and they became known as being some of the sharpest/best lenses available. I have had several and still have my 50mm AF-D. For a nifty-fifty on a Nikon, you can't go wrong.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Just something to think about. I do not believe the D lenses will work on the new Z camera's. At least, I do not believe all D's will autofocus on the Z's.
That said, the D850 seems to IMPROVE any lens put on it.

CO

Tamron engineers intentionally traded off some focusing speed in favor of focusing accuracy. There was an article I read where a Tamron representative talked about that. Some of Sigma's Art lenses have suffered from not so great focusing consistency. They may focus a little faster but don't have consistent autofocus. I'd rather have slightly slower autofocus but have every photo in focus. It's heavier than most lenses like that because of its pro build quality and vibration compensation. Having stabilization is even more important now with high resolution sensors.

hammond

Did a bit more research into this, and seems that there are a few good reasons for me to go ahead with the G model: this article provided the key info:

https://photographylife.com/nikon-50mm-1-4-afs-vs-afd

1. Bokeh is smoother/cleaner due to 9 rounded blades instead of 7 straight blades. I think I'll be using this primarily for portrait stuff, so this kinda matters more than it would for my other lenses.

2. The manual focus operation: not having to switch between modes, which sounds kind of annoying on the D model

3. Lens rotation when focusing on the D, again, sounds like possible trouble down the road.

4. Sharpness at f2.8 and up: looked at a bunch of side-by-side comparisons on this one, and especially the wide-open shots look sharper on the G model than the D model. Since I plan to often use this wide-open, I think the G gets the nod.

Anyway, thanks to everyone for sharing their thoughts on this. Planning to get the lens before April 21st at a licensed Nikon dealer in Hong Kong.

DennisC. Loc: Antelope, CA

I had the 50 1.4D, mine was soft especially on the edges. Sold it for the 1.8G which is very sharp and I also have the Tamron 45mm, excellent image quality and it has VC. I am a manual focus nut (probably due to starting photography in the 80s) and the Tamron beats all 3 Nikon 50s for manual focus.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I've owned both versions and I agree that the older version, the D version is optically better. The D version DOES NOT have an internal focusing motor and requires an in-camera motor which many bodies do not have. The newer version, the G version, is still a good lens AND has an in-lens motor. I upgraded because I used this for basketball and wanted the faster focusing speed. I eventually purchased a Sigma 1.4 ART along with a Nikon 50/1.8G for basketball. Best of luck.

mscott842

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.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

This seems like a very insightful comment. I have a couple of the lenses mentioned and I concur.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

The first and only lens I shot with, on a film SLR Minolta SRT-101 was a 50mm. If anyone owns a prime lens, it should be a 50mm or a 35mm. I own both in Nikon Brand. The DX 35mm f1.8G, and the FX 50mm f1.8G. A pro photographer I know, shoots with a Nikon 50mm f1.4 attached to his D810. I would have preferred having the 50mm f1.4, but the cost was more expensive, and I didn't feel I really needed f1.4. That photographer stated to me, that he would have preferred the Nikon 58mm 1.4G over his 50mm f1.4. We can't always get what we want sometimes. In an earlier thread, one member mentioned that he sold his 50mm f1.4 to purchase a Nikon 60mm f2.8 micro (macro) lens. You don't hear much about that lens. But that was his preference. I don't do macro anymore. When I did, I used extension tubes. I borrowed a friend's Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro, not for macro, and was impressed by it. I use my 50mm f1.8G for kids soccer games in the summertime. Although, it is not a f1.4, it does the job well. The Tamron 45mm has been mentioned more than once by the same uhh member. It appears to be a secret, of how good that lens really is? Like other very good Tamron lenses. Such as their G2 series zoom lenses.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

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.

hammond

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.