50mm f/1.4G VS 50mm f/1.4D « Nikon Rumors Forum

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50mm f/1.4G VS 50mm f/1.4D

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iris chrome

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I tried to do a forum search and I wasn't able to find any comparison specific to these two lenses.

Does anyone own or got the chance to test both? I'm contemplating either one at this point. At about $100 less the 1.4D is more attractive but other than the AF-S and lack of aperture ring are there any other differences between the two? I'm looking specifically for optical and performance -wise differences. I've looked at the MTF charts for both which suggest better performance of 1.4G when wide open but I was wondering if anybody had any hands on experience with both lenses.

EDIT: Did not mean to post this in DSLR. Admin, can you move discussion under lenses? Thanks

Posted 2 years ago #
adamz

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Joined: Mar '09
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check this:
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=30
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=1537
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=661
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=3318

Posted 2 years ago #
TaoTeJared

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Own both, used the 1.8 as well.

AF speed - works different between the two but are essentially the same. Since the G is faster, it can move past the focus point and hunt a bit in bad lighting. If it has a straight line to lock to, it is supper fast. In the real world trials, it is much faster.

AFS - Focus override - I love it especially with a 1.4 lens. Works on all current bodies where the AFD only will work with the D7000 and Up bodies.

Aperture ring - I use FE2-s and bought a 1.8 E series for $20. I don't miss the aperture ring at all.

Build - much better sealed (if you put a UV filter on - small gap in the focus of the lens by design to move in and out). I always get dust in my D version. It is larger but still not a big lens like the Sigma 50mm. It is a solid lens.

Sharpness - Better overall. Some people have had some and they said were soft. My guess it was early sample variations. Anyone, including myself, who I know who has purchased one in the last year says it is better than the old version.

The Largest difference is the Bokeh. AFD = Hexagon bokeh highlights and a bit jittery because of it. G = Round smooth bokeh highlights. This lens was designed to be a good portraiture lens for DX.

Overall impressions after 5 months, I'm selling my AFD without a second thought.

Posted 2 years ago #
casperwb

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TaoTeJared said:
Own both, used the 1.8 as well.

AF speed - works different between the two but are essentially the same. Since the G is faster, it can move past the focus point and hunt a bit in bad lighting. If it has a straight line to lock to, it is supper fast. In the real world trials, it is much faster.

AFS - Focus override - I love it especially with a 1.4 lens. Works on all current bodies where the AFD only will work with the D7000 and Up bodies.

Aperture ring - I use FE2-s and bought a 1.8 E series for $20. I don't miss the aperture ring at all.

Build - much better sealed (if you put a UV filter on - small gap in the focus of the lens by design to move in and out). I always get dust in my D version. It is larger but still not a big lens like the Sigma 50mm. It is a solid lens.

Sharpness - Better overall. Some people have had some and they said were soft. My guess it was early sample variations. Anyone, including myself, who I know who has purchased one in the last year says it is better than the old version.

The Largest difference is the Bokeh. AFD = Hexagon bokeh highlights and a bit jittery because of it. G = Round smooth bokeh highlights. This lens was designed to be a good portraiture lens for DX.

Overall impressions after 5 months, I'm selling my AFD without a second thought.

nice review TTJ

thanks

Posted 2 years ago #
iris chrome

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Joined: Feb '11
Posts: 394
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adamz said:
check this:
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=30
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=1537
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=661
http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=3318

Sorry... I will do a more thorough search of the forum before I post from now on.

TaoTeJared said:
Own both, used the 1.8 as well.

AF speed - works different between the two but are essentially the same. Since the G is faster, it can move past the focus point and hunt a bit in bad lighting. If it has a straight line to lock to, it is supper fast. In the real world trials, it is much faster.

AFS - Focus override - I love it especially with a 1.4 lens. Works on all current bodies where the AFD only will work with the D7000 and Up bodies.

Aperture ring - I use FE2-s and bought a 1.8 E series for $20. I don't miss the aperture ring at all.

Build - much better sealed (if you put a UV filter on - small gap in the focus of the lens by design to move in and out). I always get dust in my D version. It is larger but still not a big lens like the Sigma 50mm. It is a solid lens.

Sharpness - Better overall. Some people have had some and they said were soft. My guess it was early sample variations. Anyone, including myself, who I know who has purchased one in the last year says it is better than the old version.

The Largest difference is the Bokeh. AFD = Hexagon bokeh highlights and a bit jittery because of it. G = Round smooth bokeh highlights. This lens was designed to be a good portraiture lens for DX.

Overall impressions after 5 months, I'm selling my AFD without a second thought.

Thank you very much. This is the kind of comparison I needed. I most likely will get the 1.4G now. I don't like that the 1.4G might hunt more in low light (I used to own a 1.8 that did that all the time and used to drive me crazy) but I'm getting this lens for portraits and bokeh and sharpness are more important to me at this point.

Posted 1 year ago #
kanuck

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Joined: Apr '09
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Yes I have also owned both and can say that the build of the G is much better and more solid. You can't hear any noise when the lense is shaken (not a big deal) and the G focuses faster as well. The newer G lense has some distortion that can be easily fixed in Photoshop as well.

I eventually did away with both and went back to the 1.8 D because I was happier with the results and felt it was sharper. I've been tempted to try out the new 1.8 G but they are currently overpriced where I live because its such a new item. Right now its sitting at $300 in Korea. Iris maybe factor the 1.8 lenses into the equation besides the 1.4 D and G lenses.

Posted 1 year ago #
SkintBrit

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Joined: Jul '10
Posts: 1,149
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Digital rev tv has just posted a side by side review of these lenses on it's site.

Posted 1 year ago #
iris chrome

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Joined: Feb '11
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Not sure why but some of my posts seem to not go through...

Posted 1 year ago #