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Author Topic: Best Nikon 50mm lens for the money  (Read 5919 times)

billy

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Best Nikon 50mm lens for the money
« on: December 19, 2013, 05:59:40 pm »

I need a Nikon 50mm with AF for a D600 and there seem to be quite a few in the same price range. Anybody recommend one of these over the other for Portrait work around F2.8, and landscape work around F8?

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens $216

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G Autofocus Lens $439

Nikon Normal AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Autofocus  $109

I know about the 58mm that just came out, by all reports it doesn't seem to be worth the $$$

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PhotoEcosse

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Re: Best Nikon 50mm lens for the money
« Reply #1 on: December 19, 2013, 06:29:00 pm »

In vfm terms, I don't think the older 50mm f/1.8D can be bettered.

Of course, it won't autofocus on a D3*** or D5*** series Nikon but on your D610 there will be no problem.
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BernardLanguillier

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Re: Best Nikon 50mm lens for the money
« Reply #2 on: December 19, 2013, 10:33:53 pm »

I know about the 58mm that just came out, by all reports it doesn't seem to be worth the $$$

Don't know, it is sold out in pretty much every store in Japan and users rave about the look.

This lens was absolutely not designed with maximum sharpness as a design criteria, but it is still plenty sharp compared to pretty much any lens but the Otus 55mm f1.4.

Cheers,
Bernard

Torbjörn Tapani

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« Reply #3 on: December 19, 2013, 11:42:11 pm »

The AF-S motor will be more accurate than the older screw drive that may suffer from mechanical backlash.

The 1.8 will focus faster than the 1.4.
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LKaven

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Re: Best Nikon 50mm lens for the money
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2013, 09:25:31 am »

The 50/1.8g is much better to my eye than the 50/1.8d. 

All the 50mm lenses distort too much for portrait work on full-frame cameras.  The 60/2.8 AF-s micro is a much better proposition for fashion portraits.  And for portrait-portraits, the portrait lenses are best.  :-)

andaremos

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Re: Best Nikon 50mm lens for the money
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2013, 11:54:47 am »

I recently replaced my old 50 f/1.8 non-D with the AFS 50 f/1.8G. I can see a big difference. I am glad I made the change. The first time I saw an image captured at f/5.6 I jumped out of my seat. Much improvement over the older lens.
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Rob C

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Re: Best Nikon 50mm lens for the money
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2013, 12:10:30 pm »

Well I use a manual 1.8/50mm Nikkor and wouldn't swap it unless for my late 2/50mm Nikkor of yesteryear. The 1.8/50mm is marvellous.

Rob C

LKaven

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Re: Best Nikon 50mm lens for the money
« Reply #7 on: December 22, 2013, 12:36:34 pm »

Well I use a manual 1.8/50mm Nikkor and wouldn't swap it unless for my late 2/50mm Nikkor of yesteryear. The 1.8/50mm is marvellous.

Well, after getting a 28/1.8G, I decided I would still keep my 28/2 AI.  Character sometimes trumps other considerations. 

That being said, I'd suggest comparing the 50/1.8G to its predecessors in any case where these kinds of considerations matter: edge resolution, resolution wide open, bokeh.

Ajoy Roy

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Re: Best Nikon 50mm lens for the money
« Reply #8 on: December 24, 2013, 11:17:26 pm »

The 50mm 1.8D has less distortion, is sharper and has less CA across the frame compared to the 50mm 1.8G
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/AF-Nikkor-50mm-f-1.8D-on-Nikon-D610-versus-Nikon-AF-S-Nikkor-50mm-F18G-on-Nikon-D610___177_915_435_915
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LKaven

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Re: Best Nikon 50mm lens for the money
« Reply #9 on: December 25, 2013, 12:22:16 am »

The 50mm 1.8D has less distortion, is sharper and has less CA across the frame compared to the 50mm 1.8G
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare/Side-by-side/AF-Nikkor-50mm-f-1.8D-on-Nikon-D610-versus-Nikon-AF-S-Nikkor-50mm-F18G-on-Nikon-D610___177_915_435_915

I concede on the distortion.  On sharpness, especially off-center, CA, and bokeh, I have to stick with the 50/1.8g.  In other respects -- if you like a lens, that's a good enough reason to use it.

ndevlin

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Re: Best Nikon 50mm lens for the money
« Reply #10 on: December 31, 2013, 10:18:42 am »


My 50mm f1.4G was junk.  My el-cheapo 50mm f.18G is simply brilliant.  The 85mm f1.8G is superb as well.  I'd start with the 1.8G lens and take it from there.

- N.
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