D300 + 50mm f1.4?

[dada677]

Currently I am using a d300 with 50mm f1.8d but i am having problems tuning it at f1.8 but at f2.2 i get the sharpest of all the images at +20 fine tuning. As i have read from previous post's even nikon admits the problem with older lenses. I can't get sharp photos anyway i was thinking of getting the 50mm f1.4d. would it have the same problem? any users here willing to share their experiences with a D300 and 50mm f1.4d. thanks!

[chisiang]

I believe the tuning is for accuracy of the focus, ie if the lens develop slight back focusing or front focusing.

[dada677]

Originally Posted by chisiang I believe the tuning is for accuracy of the focus, ie if the lens develop slight back focusing or front focusing.

i believe so... forgot to mention that i was tuning the lens to achieve an accurate focus point thus sharper images. Maybe I can not achieve a sharp image because focusing was beyond the fine tuning limits of the d300.

[JacePhoto]

Been discussed before, many threads. Suggest you look for them in earlier Nikon threads.

[dada677]

Originally Posted by JacePhoto Been discussed before, many threads. Suggest you look for them in earlier Nikon threads.

was searching through threads, mostly they discussed was the 50mm f1.8d, 85mm etc. maybe you could assist me in looking for the thread that discusses a D300 + 50mm f1.4d. I am contemplating on buying the 1.4d to replace my current f1.8d. just wanted to make sure that i don't have the same problems thats why i am asking the advises or experiences of D300 + 50mm f1.4d users.

[lsisaxon]

Originally Posted by dada677 was searching through threads, mostly they discussed was the 50mm f1.8d, 85mm etc. maybe you could assist me in looking for the thread that discusses a D300 + 50mm f1.4d. I am contemplating on buying the 1.4d to replace my current f1.8d. just wanted to make sure that i don't have the same problems thats why i am asking the advises or experiences of D300 + 50mm f1.4d users.

I don't have a problem with my 50/1.4. I remember putting in something for AF Finetune but I think it should be single digit and definitely not +20. If you need critical focus, then set it up on a tripod and use the LV contrast detection AF. This is provided you are able to afford the time during your shoot.

[dada677]

Originally Posted by lsisaxon I don't have a problem with my 50/1.4. I remember putting in something for AF Finetune but I think it should be single digit and definitely not +20. If you need critical focus, then set it up on a tripod and use the LV contrast detection AF. This is provided you are able to afford the time during your shoot.

Thanks for enlightening me! really appreciate the response!

[JacePhoto]

Originally Posted by dada677 was searching through threads, mostly they discussed was the 50mm f1.8d, 85mm etc. maybe you could assist me in looking for the thread that discusses a D300 + 50mm f1.4d. I am contemplating on buying the 1.4d to replace my current f1.8d. just wanted to make sure that i don't have the same problems thats why i am asking the advises or experiences of D300 + 50mm f1.4d users.

In short, i found that my shots with the D300 with 50 mm 1.8 was blurred. I did the test(cant remember name of test) and found that it was 3-5 mm out. Sent to Nikon and they knew of this problem with 50 mm and all older lenses. This is inherent in all old lens used with modern bodies (D300 and above, using the same sensor) definitely DOESNT focus on well.

NSC told me that since the 50 mm lens is a basic, bare lens, with no analogue or digital calibration, there's nothing Nikon can do about it.

Don't get me wrong... I love the 50 mm. It worked very well with my D80 (because of the different sensor). I loved the 50 mm so much that it was my fav walkabout lens. I was extremely sad when this news hit me.

RIght now with D300... it's a problem even with +20 calibration. I am forced to shoot at aperture F4. F1.8 is a gonna... Yeah. I know some pple with say at F4, that's the best aperture to shoot, but hey, i need to shoot in low light also, mah. Thats why get the F1.8 right. If not, get a 50 mm F4 lor... hehe.

My two cents worth. There are tons of 50 mm 1.4/1.8 users whom i have compared notes with and they found that there are nothing wrong with their lens/ camera combination.


(previous thread was called 'My Nikon Wishlist - Auto-Focus Bracketing' - started because of this whole 50 mm issue').


Hope this helps.

[orangedial]

Hi, just to share my experience on the above combination. I get soft images at F1.4, but anything from F1.8 onwards are sharp. The 50mm F1.4 lens does have some front focusing issue with my D300, but it was easily resolved by fine-tuning the AF in-camera.

I remember reading comments about the 50mm F1.4 lens produces rather soft images at the widest aperture, which is true for my copy. It also produces rather bad CA at F1.4. However, once set at F1.8 onwards, the softness and CA are gone and the sharpness is definitely much better than the 50mm F1.8.

At F1.4 it may not be producing the best images, but it does provide a handy solution for low light situation (together with the high ISO capability of the new DSLRs).