Nikon D750 & D780

JJ! said:
So I was going to do some sort of blog, but just haven't had the time to set on up yet so will do my review/comparison on here!

So we did some more testing of the 50mm f1.8g and f1.4g. Mainly because my mate was considering trading his in at MPB for the 1.8g.

So here are my thoughts, whether or any use or interest who knows!

Size and build quality

Both these lenses are the same size, the only external differences is that the 1.4 has a smaller white dot to line up the lens and of course the gold lettering says different things!

Internally the 1.4 has a much bigger element.

The focus ring on the 1.4 is tighter, not that the 1.8 is loose. It just moves more freely. Good or bad point - either or I guess!

The 1.4 is noticbly heavier. Not that it's a heavy lens at all - but the 1.8 is a feather weight lens.

Both (IMO) have the same build quality, both slight rattle when shaken lightly and both are made from the same plastic. The 1.4 feels better built but I put this down to the extra weight making it feel a bit more solid, when in fact it's not really.

Performance and IQ

Obviously the 1.4 gives you that extra light so it that sense it performs better.

I really can't say either lens is better IQ wise. Of course if you pixel peep you might see differences in sharpness, but to the eye these look about the same. When using wide open I might be inclined to say the 1.8 is better at 1.8 than the 1.4 at 1.8. According to more in depth reviews the 1.8 is sharper, if sharpness is your thing.

I have read that the 1.4 gives a more 'dreamy' look to the oof areas, but neither of us could see that, and both looked to give similar results. Maybe in certain tests and light the 1.4 might look better, but for me I couldn't see it.

Then we come to AF performance. I will start that saying both these lenses focus accurately and in my experience they do not often hunt even in pretty low light.

When focussing on subjects that a pretty close to each other both lenses are just there and ready. Found them both snappy and up to the standard of any other lenses I own.

The difference comes when switching from subjects close and far away. The 1.8 is quick, not lightning quick, and in no way instant, but in day to day use, quick enough.

Sadly this is where the 1.4 struggles. It's slowness to get focus is it's biggest let down. This is obviously not an issue if taking photos of subjects that are all within a close enough focus distance, or landscapes or portraits really. But if you are say using this for a wedding or any kind of photography that might involve you needed to change focus pretty quickly the 1.4 disappoints.

We had a good look in to this and when looking down in to this lenses you can clearly see how slowly the elements move up and down in the barrell. At first I thought it may be that it has further to travel, but that's not the case. Maybe heavier glass or just that 1.4s are in general slower.

Conclusion

Both lenses are great, and both produce excellent images, with maybe the 1.8 being better wide open when I guess is one of the reasons for buying a prime.

The 1.8 is quicker and easier to work with, I would find the 1.4 quite frustrating day to day.

Saying that if you want or need 1.4 then that's something the 1.8 can't do, and you will not be disappointed with the photos you get.

My recommendation has to go to the 1.8g. It has so much going for it. Lighter
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Nice post.

Shame you didn't have the 1.4D version also, I have owned the three of them and found the D version the best wide open and quickest to focus as it uses the camera body to drive it!

I read somewhere, may have been DP and they had the same conclusion as me.
 
minnnt said:
At 10% of the cost I'm not surprised. :LOL:

Coincidentally, I've received a 50mm this morning. Yet to put the lab coat on though but it seems ok to me! Just editing some snaps of Charlie from yesterday that i took with the 24-85 and it is ridiculously good for the money. The sharpness wide open at, ahem, f4.5 :oops: :$ is spot on. Hope you're not missing it @Chuckoir :whistle:
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Going to pick one up on pay day! Maybe when concerning the 50mm I'm not so fussy on sharpness? Who knows!

I would say sharper than my old 35mm f1.4g... then again, for the price, it never really impressed me.
 
Swanseajack said:
Nice post.

Shame you didn't have the 1.4D version also, I have owned the three of them and found the D version the best wide open and quickest to focus as it uses the camera body to drive it!

I read somewhere, may have been DP and they had the same conclusion as me.
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1.4D sounds like a great lens. Cheaper than the 1.4g too @ £259 on amazon.
 
I'm happy with my 1.8d it just looks and feels cheap thou. Oh it was. And it's noisy. Buy for the money it cost me I'm happy with it.
 
kingo15 said:
I'm happy with my 1.8d it just looks and feels cheap thou. Oh it was. And it's noisy. Buy for the money it cost me I'm happy with it.
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Some reason I thought you had a G!

Think the 1.8g is better than the 1.8d, but the 1.4d is better than the 1.8g. Saying that - its very mixed reviews, some recommending the 1.8g over the 1.4d #complicated
 
JJ! said:
Some reason I thought you had a G!

Think the 1.8g is better than the 1.8d, but the 1.4d is better than the 1.8g. Saying that - its very mixed reviews, some recommending the 1.8g over the 1.4d #complicated
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I was thinking about getting one from the classifieds but never did.
 
snerkler said:
Baffling indeed, I"m sadly out of ideas. Did it hunt or just not do anything? Maybe we'll just have to put it down to a Nikon 'quirk' o_O
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At the school in good light it seemed to be hunting but last night at the play it locked focus relatively quickly. You're right; must be a Nikon quirk. Thanks for all the help.
 
Chuckoir said:
f*** me it's a big b*****d! Looks like I'll be going to IKEA at the weekend to pick up another desk. :D

Untitled by Chuckoir, on Flickr

Still, quality of the first print out is pretty impressive.. just need to take some decent photos now.
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:wideyed:
Looks like you will also need to work more to pay for the extra INK it takes lol
 
Chuckoir said:
f*** me it's a big b*****d! Looks like I'll be going to IKEA at the weekend to pick up another desk. :D

Untitled by Chuckoir, on Flickr

Still, quality of the first print out is pretty impressive.. just need to take some decent photos now.
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I have one of these too :) Monsters aren`t they ;)
 
100s or 10s???
 
The one I been thinking of. What made u get that over 100s pigment ink?
 
Chuckoir said:
f*** me it's a big b*****d! Looks like I'll be going to IKEA at the weekend to pick up another desk. :D

Untitled by Chuckoir, on Flickr

Still, quality of the first print out is pretty impressive.. just need to take some decent photos now.
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Yep, big buggers. I have the 100s and very happy with the print quality.
 
It's the 10 (not s - although don't know what the difference is to be honest), main reason for getting this one was the price...

I was going to get the ip8750, but this one was too good of a deal to pass up.

Probably complete overkill, but sod it. Can't spend it when I'm dead! ;)
 
Chuckoir said:
It's the 10 (not s - although don't know what the difference is to be honest), main reason for getting this one was the price...

I was going to get the ip8750, but this one was too good of a deal to pass up.

Probably complete overkill, but sod it. Can't spend it when I'm dead! ;)
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How much if not mind me asking pls
 
First visit on the new flashy MBP. Still setting it up to be fair but it wants to cook my dinner for me really given the expense. I'm still trying to justify the cost to myself lol.
 
Livin The Dream said:
First visit on the new flashy MBP. Still setting it up to be fair but it wants to cook my dinner for me really given the expense. I'm still trying to justify the cost to myself lol.
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Wanting one myself but can't justify the cost. P's me off how much Apple charge for SSD upgrades :mad:
 
snerkler said:
Wanting one myself but can't justify the cost. P's me off how much Apple charge for SSD upgrades :mad:
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I've been having that debate with myself for a couple of months. I was going to get a refurbed older model but have buckled in the end. It is pretty awesome but got a few niggles with extra leads for the USB-C ports.
 
Livin The Dream said:
First visit on the new flashy MBP. Still setting it up to be fair but it wants to cook my dinner for me really given the expense. I'm still trying to justify the cost to myself lol.
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Did you get the one with the silly application bar thing on it
 
kingo15 said:
Did you get the one with the silly application bar thing on it
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Yup. And I actually think it works ok. Early days but love the trackpad too with the gestures, certainly makes web browsing a sinch. So whicth Safari and several windows open you can quickly scroll through those on the touch bar and open another etc, handy. Some reviews said It gets too hot on the lap but again, it's been sat on mine for 90 minutes and seems fine.
 
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Done the firmware update tonight - all good. Don't know why I was nervous with this one as I've done it many times before with other cameras.
 
Chuckoir said:
Buy a used (older) one and do it yourself?
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I have the older one but it's starting to get a bit glitchy now, plus the new screens are unreal :D I thought the retina was good, but the screen on the new ones is unbelievable, most lifelike screen I've seen.

Livin The Dream said:
I've been having that debate with myself for a couple of months. I was going to get a refurbed older model but have buckled in the end. It is pretty awesome but got a few niggles with extra leads for the USB-C ports.
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Yeah, having to use dongles is another PITA. Removal of an SD slot is a biggie IMO.

Livin The Dream said:
Yup. And I actually think it works ok. Early days but love the trackpad too with the gestures, certainly makes web browsing a sinch. So whicth Safari and several windows open you can quickly scroll through those on the touch bar and open another etc, handy. Some reviews said It gets too hot on the lap but again, it's been sat on mine for 90 minutes and seems fine.
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With regards to the trackpad do you find that your resting hands sometimes interfere with the pad? I had a quick play in store and it seemed OK, but I've heard that some people find it too big and their palms rest on the pad meaning when you're doing gestures it thinks you're doing two finger taps etc.

Chuckoir said:
Understandable, you've recently got your D750 so you're hesitant about bricking it!
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I'm worried that anything will brick it ;)
 
snerkler said:
I have the older one but it's starting to get a bit glitchy now, plus the new screens are unreal :D I thought the retina was good, but the screen on the new ones is unbelievable, most lifelike screen I've seen.


Yeah, having to use dongles is another PITA. Removal of an SD slot is a biggie IMO.

With regards to the trackpad do you find that your resting hands sometimes interfere with the pad? I had a quick play in store and it seemed OK, but I've heard that some people find it too big and their palms rest on the pad meaning when you're doing gestures it thinks you're doing two finger taps etc.

I'm worried that anything will brick it ;)
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I can't really discern a difference yet with the screen but I shouldn't viewing web at srgb. My adaptors haven't arrived yet so can't do a time machine restore until they do, so haven't seen anything with a higher colour gamut yet until that's done.

Can't say my hands have got in the way, works perfectly fine. The SD slot removal is ridiculous, definitely a backwards step but I have bought another card reader.

What model have you got? You say a few glitches? I'm hoping this will give me 5 years of trouble free use.
 
I have bought a LaCie 1TB rugged USB-C external to use in conjunction and thinking I prob should have spent the extra £40 for an Samsung SSD in a case? It's due for delivery later today so may send it back.
 
Livin The Dream said:
I can't really discern a difference yet with the screen but I shouldn't viewing web at srgb. My adaptors haven't arrived yet so can't do a time machine restore until they do, so haven't seen anything with a higher colour gamut yet until that's done.

Can't say my hands have got in the way, works perfectly fine. The SD slot removal is ridiculous, definitely a backwards step but I have bought another card reader.

What model have you got? You say a few glitches? I'm hoping this will give me 5 years of trouble free use.
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I can't believe you can't see a difference in the screen, there's so much more pop to the images and they look more realistic imo. I was going to get the retina one and save money (I have the pre-retina) but after trying both in store (viewing my images on Flickr) there's no way I could settle for the older retina model now ;)

I bought mine in 2012 so given me 5 years use, and it's had some serious hammer. It's not that glitchy, just sometimes using LR and PS I get the beachball spinning. Any windows laptop has been unusable within 2-3 years for me, my MBP is still 95%+ as good as it was when new.
 
snerkler said:
I can't believe you can't see a difference in the screen, there's so much more pop to the images and they look more realistic imo. I was going to get the retina one and save money (I have the pre-retina) but after trying both in store (viewing my images on Flickr) there's no way I could settle for the older retina model now ;)

I bought mine in 2012 so given me 5 years use, and it's had some serious hammer. It's not that glitchy, just sometimes using LR and PS I get the beachball spinning. Any windows laptop has been unusable within 2-3 years for me, my MBP is still 95%+ as good as it was when new.
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Have you upgraded the RAM?
 
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