50mm lenses

[ckwee18]

Tested the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 and also the Nikon 50mm f/1.8.

In the end, bought the f/1.8.

Camera body is D3.

Though f/1.4 is focusing motor, speed wise, both about the same, f/1.4 is bit more silent.

However after numerous shots of confirmation the f/1.4 was soft up to about f/2-f/2.2. The f/1.8 was only very slightly soft up to f/2.

Size is about the same.

Build quality, people often tout the f/1.4 but actually both made of plastic.

Price wise - BIG DIFFERENCE.

After you realise that by "saving 80%" of your money, you lose maybe just 5-10% performance, the f/1.8 became no brainer.

Did not have time to test bokeh and all that but can't be far apart.

For less than S$150.....so much performance, like what everyone says, just buy it and chuck it in the bag.

[giantcanopy]

thats why the 50mm f1.8 is touted as one of the most value for money Nikkor

ryan

[shutterpeep]

Where'd you get it for less than $150? 2nd hand?

[ckwee18]

Hong Kong

[r00ki3]

Agreed..50mm/1.8D is a value for money lens.It's the best amongst the lenses I own, considering I'm a cheapskate hobbyist..hehe

[marios_pittas]

Originally Posted by ckwee18 Did not have time to test bokeh and all that but can't be far apart.

Number of blades for the:
50mm f/1.4 AF-D: 7
50mm f/1.8 AF-D: 7
50mm f/1.4 AF-S: 9 - rounded

Guess you must be right...

-- marios

[giantcanopy]

Originally Posted by ckwee18 Did not have time to test bokeh and all that but can't be far apart.

ckwee18 no need to test bokeh, KRW did it for ya. Even KRW thinks the 50mmf1.8 is his pick when it comes to bokeh testing shooting wide open ( he actually pegged zeiss at the bottom .. ouch )
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/50-...ison/bokeh.htm

happy viewing .. & reading

ryan

[wheresmycheese]

if you want nice bokeh, you can consider the nikon 50mm f1.2 ai-s

[N-user]

Originally Posted by r00ki3 Agreed..50mm/1.8D is a value for money lens.It's the best amongst the lenses I own, considering I'm a cheapskate hobbyist..hehe

hmmm wondering why Nikon dont come out with a 85mm f/1.8 at S$350 for hobbyist like us....or even a 35mm f2 at S$250 will be nice..... ....

[naviros]

Originally Posted by N-user hmmm wondering why Nikon dont come out with a 85mm f/1.8 at S$350 for hobbyist like us....or even a 35mm f2 at S$250 will be nice..... ....

For double the price, this is good...

Its what I'm aiming for currently... Haha...

But in respect with the 50mm f1.8, I totally agree... But I must say there is also a reason for the presence of the f1.4... Actually wrote an entry on my blog.

[Gunjack]

Actually from what the short time that I had the Nikon 50mm F1.8D and what I remembered, i didnt like the bokeh of the Nikon 50mm F1.8D, compared to the Nikon 50mm F1.4D. On certain background highlights, the Nikon 50mm F1.8D has very jagged and double image looking bokeh... but thats just my experience. Sharpness wise, almost equal provided no front or back focussing issues...

[aspenx]

Originally Posted by Gunjack Actually from what the short time that I had the Nikon 50mm F1.8D and what I remembered, i didnt like the bokeh of the Nikon 50mm F1.8D, compared to the Nikon 50mm F1.4D. On certain background highlights, the Nikon 50mm F1.8D has very jagged and double image looking bokeh... but thats just my experience. Sharpness wise, almost equal provided no front or back focussing issues...

Agree. Just that I didn't like the 50mm f/1.4D either. haha.

[An drew]

Originally Posted by ckwee18 After you realise that by "saving 80%" of your money, you lose maybe just 5-10% performance, the f/1.8 became no brainer. Did not have time to test bokeh and all that but can't be far apart. For less than S$150.....so much performance, like what everyone says, just buy it and chuck it in the bag.

I think the 50 1.8 is probably unbeatable in terms of value.

Originally Posted by giantcanopy http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/50-...ison/bokeh.htm

KRW did not test the AFS 50 1.4G, which I feel has very good bokeh. But the price of this is

Originally Posted by wheresmycheese if you want nice bokeh, you can consider the nikon 50mm f1.2 ai-s

Yes, my favourite too.

[r00ki3]

Originally Posted by N-user hmmm wondering why Nikon dont come out with a 85mm f/1.8 at S$350 for hobbyist like us....or even a 35mm f2 at S$250 will be nice..... ....

Now THAT will be the day!!..

[LenzLaw]

Originally Posted by r00ki3 Now THAT will be the day!!..

U wait long long arh....

Anyway, not to discredit KRW, but guys do take wat he says with a pinch of salt. IMO dpreview provides a more objective analysis.

[redname]

wah, this threadcame in time man.

i'm using a f1.4 but AIS. this lens is really gd for low light but it's very hard to focus esp when it's low light

so thot of getting the f1.8 with AF since it's value for money and with diff of f0.4, i dnt tink there's much diff.

btw, most of my shots r using f2 or2.8 even in concerts where lights r low, have to keep thesharpness, so f1.4 very diffcult to use unless really close up

[giantcanopy]

Originally Posted by An drew KRW did not test the AFS 50 1.4G, which I feel has very good bokeh. But the price of this is

The 50mmG is pretty hefty compared to the earlier models. But someone has to pay for the new innovation fee. Donate more to KRW site and he will have the bucks to add the 50mm G in the review

ryan

[r00ki3]

Originally Posted by LenzLaw U wait long long arh....

it's like striking 1st prize TOTO if that happens man!

[RezzShaz]

just wondering why the loop-sided price difference between 1.4G and 1.8 if difference is such negligible....the last i remember price difference around $500.....

[naviros]

1.4G allows you to achieve some shots based on certain conditions that the 1.8 cannot. Simple as that.

Well there are lotsa technical stuff involved too, I'm sure... But if the lens lets you get what you want done, done right, then I guess thats as good as it gets ^.^