Nikkor 50mm: AF-S 1.4 v/s AF 1.8 v/s AF 1.4

[ssdesign]

Hi,
Which one of these 3 is the sharpest and has the best bokeh (i mean perfect circles)?

50mm 1.4 AF-S
50mm 1.8 AF
50mm 1.4 AF

Thanks

[rain5533]

i have own 50mm 1.4D is best sharpen and bokeh.
but i dunno for the 50mm 1.4G.
u also can search in nikon thread, have alot ppl to comapred it.

[musicpls]

I have the AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D before switching to the current AFS 50mm f/1.4G version. I prefer the new version albeit more expensive.

The new version is a little slower but the focus is spot-on and is dead quiet with SWM motor, while the AFD version has more focus hunt. The G version also has better colour saturation and contrast imo.

Both bokeh are as creamy, maybe i just can't differentiate between them.

[agape01]

Could it be possible to show some images of the bokeh and the colour rendition that you're talking about?

[aspenx]

I only own the AFD 1.8 and have tried the others too. This is my general opinion of the three lenses.

AFD 1.8
- focus: Can be off sometimes. Hunting is very bad.
- compatibility: This is something I consider as I use it on my manual film camera too. With aperture ring, it works but obviously it won't AF on a D40 or D60.
- bokeh: Lousy. What do you expect from something so cheap?
- contrast: Very low wide open, but by f/2.8, it's superb.
- sharpness: Sharp. Nothing to say.

AFD 1.4
- focus: more accurate than the f/1.8 version. Also, the focus ring has some damping and is much nicer to turn than the version above.
- compatibility: Works great on everything, even the D40 and D60 as the manual focus ring is much better. Just use the green dot.
- bokeh: Not bad.
- contrast: Better contrast than the f/1.8 when considering both at wide open. At f/2.8, I don't see any difference.
- sharpness: Actually, all the Nikon 50mm lenses seem to have the same sharpness.

AFS 1.4
- focus: AF is TERRIBLE. I'd rather manual focus on it, but the focus ring doesn't feel as good as the AFD version either.
- compatibility: No aperture ring! Handicapped. Can't use it on the older mechanical cameras. Upside is it will AF on the D40 and D60. A Nikon's first in 50mm prime lenses I must say.
- bokeh: Even better than the AFD version. Also, the 9 blades give a more pleasing effect.
- contrast: Very contrasty even wide open.
- sharpness: Same as AFD version.

I'd get the newest AFS version if not for the lousy focusing and the handicap. IQ wise, it's the best among the three.

[agape01]

Originally Posted by aspenx AFS 1.4 - focus: AF is TERRIBLE. I'd rather manual focus on it, but the focus ring doesn't feel as good as the AFD version either. - compatibility: No aperture ring! Handicapped. Can't use it on the older mechanical cameras. Upside is it will AF on the D40 and D60. A Nikon's first in 50mm prime lenses I must say. - bokeh: Even better than the AFD version. Also, the 9 blades give a more pleasing effect. - contrast: Very contrasty even wide open. - sharpness: Same as AFD version. I'd get the newest AFS version if not for the lousy focusing and the handicap. IQ wise, it's the best among the three.

Just curious which cam did you try it on?

[aspenx]

Originally Posted by agape01 Just curious which cam did you try it on?

D200 for all three. FM2 (film) for the first two.

[Nenjia]

important thing i like the AFD is the distance scale -- it allows hyper focusing -- G is not possible

[rain5533]

my recently photo is taken from 50mm 1.4D.

[lamergod]

tried my hands on a 50mm f1.4 D from a friend and used it on my D40.Actually MF is okay with me.I gotta say the bokeh is amazing compared to my other lenses(18-55 55-200.I know cannot fight).The lens is super sharp.The ergonomics is good.Getting it although it cant af with my cam

[chris667198]

If you like MF len, you may want to try Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL II

[lamergod]

Originally Posted by chris667198 If you like MF len, you may want to try Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4 SL II

Im not into MF although i still prefer AF.But if there is a cheap alternative of a MF lens that is as sharp as a expensive AF lens i will consider it

[Omega23]

If you dun mind third party, sigma 50mm f1.4 hsm is the best.

[aspenx]

Originally Posted by lamergod Im not into MF although i still prefer AF.But if there is a cheap alternative of a MF lens that is as sharp as a expensive AF lens i will consider it

You can't usually have the best of both worlds.

Sharpness-wise, what makes you think expensive AF lenses will be shaper? They are usually more expensive because of the AF. It has little to do with sharpness, IQ or contrast. You are thinking of getting an AF lens that wouldn't AF on your camera for the same price as a MF lens that would definitely feel better and would also likely produce better images?

I suggest you stick to the 50mm f/1.8 AFD.

[lamergod]

Originally Posted by aspenx You can't usually have the best of both worlds. Sharpness-wise, what makes you think expensive AF lenses will be shaper? They are usually more expensive because of the AF. It has little to do with sharpness, IQ or contrast. You are thinking of getting an AF lens that wouldn't AF on your camera for the same price as a MF lens that would definitely feel better and would also likely produce better images? I suggest you stick to the 50mm f/1.8 AFD.

Its not the AF/MF that makes me feel that way

[aspenx]

Originally Posted by lamergod Its not the AF/MF that makes me feel that way

Anyways, I have a D40 too and realised that no decent Nikon primes are both affordable AND will AF on it. I prefer to use manual focus lenses on it. You won't know the feel of it until you try it, really. And if you're not going to upgrade your camera soon, it'd make much more sense to get a manual focus lens the way i see it.

[lamergod]

Originally Posted by aspenx Anyways, I have a D40 too and realised that no decent Nikon primes are both affordable AND will AF on it. I prefer to use manual focus lenses on it. You won't know the feel of it until you try it, really. And if you're not going to upgrade your camera soon, it'd make much more sense to get a manual focus lens the way i see it.

Not upgrading my DSLR but might get a SLR

[chris667198]

Originally Posted by lamergod Not upgrading my DSLR but might get a SLR

Stick to AF 50mm 1.8 then....Cheap and good.

[Andrew Hoi]

If you like to shoot wide open @ 1.4 , the new G wins hands down in terms of sharpness. Bokeh is hard to tell the diff from the old 1.4D at least to me.

[Numnumball]

Save ur $$ for other stuff.
50mm 1.8D will suffice.
Don't really see the difference in mechanical and optical quality
Even if it call for the need to shoot in low light condition, i rather crank up my ISO then to pay a few hundred more for the extra 1 stop.

But thats only just my $0.02 worth

Cheers