Which Nikon 50?

minnnt

minnnt

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David
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Considering picking up another 50mm prime lens to see if i can get along with one again. Which is the pick of the bunch? The 1.8 or the 1.4? Never had a 1.4 before so it kind of appeals, but is it worth the extra cash?

It's for a D7000 and will be a AF-S G model.

Thanks Muchly.
David. :)
 
The f/1.8G is the one to get, it is as good (if not better) as the f/1.4G but lacks around a third of a stop light gathering ability - not much of a gain for the extra expense.
 
Nawty said:
The f/1.8G is the one to get, it is as good (if not better) as the f/1.4G but lacks around a third of a stop light gathering ability - not much of a gain for the extra expense.
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The difference between f/1.4 and f/1.8 is actually 2/3 of a stop, although that's still not a significant difference in most instances. I think you'd really need to have a very good reason to justify the extra expense of the f/1.4 lens.
 
Had the 1.8d 1.4G and 1.8G The 1.8G would be my choice.
 
I find the 1.4 results to be fine. Like any lens, it is sharper when stopped down a bit, but for me the shallow DOF is the appeal. Low light, I can deal with by ISO.
 
I have the 1.8G and the 1.4G. I hardly ever use the 1.4. Quality is just as good with the 1.8, and the 2/3rd stop extra is no big deal. You can hardly tell the difference in how shallow the DOF is wide open if that's your thing as well. Basically, the 1.4 is just bigger and heavier, and more expesnive... that's how I see it. When I get around to it, I'll probably Ebay the 1.4.
 
Another vote for the 1.8 G. I had them both and sold the 1.4 G for the above reasons. Also the 1.8 G copy i owned was sharper
 
digital review do a couple of Utube videos on comparisons

I have the 1.8G which is very good, plus a couple of old Nikkor MF 50's - MF is easy with the 50mm
 
I have the older (pre D!) AF f/1.8 screw driven version and have been advised in 2 different shops not to bother getting the newer f/1.4 version unless I want/need the extra shallow DoF. So I haven't made the change. FWIW, the Sigma f/1.4 ART is supposed to be the one to have over the Nikkor.
 
The old 1.8D is a fantastic lens BTW, and can be picked up for next to nothing these days. When I was loaned a D800 prior to buying one, I used a 1.8D to test it. Have a look at this image at 100%.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/23953768/_DSC0043.jpg

D800. Nikkor 50mm 1.8D @ f8 It's had the Lightroom lens profile applied, and the default +25 sharpening. That prints at A1 with absolutely no sign of aliasing whatsoever, and still looks perfectly sharp. If you aren't going to print at A1, or crop heavily, anything more is a waste of money IMO. This image is a good edge to edge test as well as there's so much detail in it.

The 1.8G is better still... although not by much if I'm honest. I doubt I could ever tell the two apart in a side by side test. When you consider this, it does beg the question, why spend anything more? The Sigma ART is better then either of these two, and the OTUS is outrageously good, but when, if ever, will you actually do anything that would warrant the extra expense?
 
Use a 1.8, very impressed with it, great value for money.
 
I have the 1.4G and unless I need the speed for stupid low light stuff, I tend to shoot with it stopped down to f/1.8 and f/2 - at which point it is lovely. To be honest, it really doesn't matter which one you buy; you'll probably never notice the difference.
 
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Joeturner11 said:
Personally I would go for the 1.4G as it gives better bokeh results IMHO (y)
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Bokeh.. yeah... and that's important because? Seriously. I bet you couldn't spot a shot taken with the 1.4 if all metadata was stripped from it.
 
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