Thank you for going through these. I suspect the 1.4D is about 1/6 of a T-stop faster. The autofocus on the D is noticeably faster on D4. I think I will sell my f1.4G and keep the f1.4D, though I like the lower aberration of the G when wide open. This is my low light setup so I find a conundrum.
I’m still using my 50mm AF-D on my Nikon Zf ( with F Mount adaptor and manual focus only). It’s a dream to use in full manual mode, which is where the Zf shines as a new camera body. Sure, it’s not sharp at 1.4 but step to f2-f2.8 and it’s a different story. For most street work at f5.6-f8 it’s as sharp as anything out there. And it’s small and great in the hand. My 50mmAF-D won’t be leaving my lens kit anytime soon.
The Ais/AF/AF D (same optical scheme) is optimized for focusing at very short distances, which is why in the 2nd shot it shows a little more aberration than the AFS. Pics with 1.4 aperture at infinity show a huge "glow" on highlights. By changing the distance between the 2 main groups (front-rear) you can change that, but you have to modify the lens (machining of the body, I did it on an Ais 50 f1.4, the front group is now 0.4mm closer to the rear group). This slightly improves the aberrations at infinity, but also induces changes in the front/rear bokeh). That's what macro lenses do with their floating groups (CRC on NIkon), or the 105/135 DC. Both (Ais/AF -AFD versions ) are super sharp at f2
That sounds like a very interesting experience, I have around the optics of a 50 1.4 Ais. I use the body to give focusing and diaphragm to some EL-Nikkors. And a very good testing subject as I'm thinking on how to build a lens adjustment bench. Best.
WOW! I am amazed at how, other than the higher number of aperture blades, better flare, and ghosting control on the G version, the D version is a superior lens all around. The biggest gripe with the D version I see here is the fact that, if or when I finally get a mirrorless camera, I won't be able to get AF.
@@lowrivera agree, the D version is a fantastic lens. About mirrorless cameras, do you really need one? I have one myself and the only reason I keep it is because I can put whatever vintage lens I want with an adaptor, other than that it is no better than a mirror one. This is my opinion. I'd be very interested in hearing your opinion (even if you disagree). Best regards.
@@diyextravaganza Oh I have put off getting a mirrorless because I don't need it. I have edited my comment to reflect "if" because I still haven't felt the need to get one. I have been using my D700 and D800 for years and for the foreseeable future, I probably won't get one. I didn't even go digital SLR until 2011 as I was a film snob. Thanks for the reply.
@@mrtambourineman6107 I totally agree with you. Also battery life is lot longer and I really appreciate that as well. The only good thing about mirrorless is the short flange distance. Regards.
The 1.4D is often called unsharp at f1.4 but the soapy or soft effect you see it is rather due to off-axis aberrations like coma or astigmatism. At f1.4 the details are there but with softness. The 1.4G is another story. At f1.4 not sharp and my copy had serious problems with autofocus accuracy. Sometimes it was all over the place. I sold the G version and are much more happy with the D version.
Hi, thanks for the additional information. I prefer myself the AF version from the 90s and even more the Ai version with it's extra long focus throw, you really get precision there. Cheers
"Called unsharp" - very important for what you will use your lense. That's why on the market is so many different lenses and cameras... 🙏🏻 Statements like that are made from photographers that want to achieve multiple occasions with one simple equipment...
Most important difference is perceived depth. In first pictures you can clearly see depth in right photo. In front of figurine and behind with those 3 lights. Left photo is flat, everything is almost in one plane. All modern lenses are exactly like that, sharp, overcorrected and flat. And world doesn't look flat...because we have 2 eyes... So in short, modern lenses are 1 eye creatures 🙂
I own the 1.8G and the AF 1.4 non D, do you know if there is any difference between the 1.4D and non D? I never use the 1.4 because the contrast and sharpness are lacking. Btw I love your videos, keep up the great work!
Hi, thanks a lot :) I think the non D is slightly better, but i have never done 1:1 comparisons yet, so hard to tell. I love older versions as they were made to last a few lifetimes. Among the 50mm, i think the 50mm 1.8 Ai is the best. Cheers.
Yes and no, take this example, the 50 1.8D and the 50 f/1.8 non-D. The front group of the non-D is made in metal (mounted on plastic frame) and can be disassembled, on the D version, everything is tight-fit into the same plastic frame, so, you cannot disassembly without damaging the part.
I am very surprised how the new G can be so less performant between f 2-f4 than the old one… the 1.4 has a worse reputation than the f1.8 and we can understand here why. How Nikon was able to build a bigger (58mm vs 52mm) and more expensive lens with such poor quality… mystery to me. Forget this G and buy the f1.8 the special edition is wonderful.
Wide open and besides that tad more CA and flare of D, I have a strange observation. In all your images D appears a tad, maybe 0.2 or 0.3F brighter than G!
I made the same observation myself, I think it has to do with the transmissibility of the glass and coatings and since older lenses tend to have less glass and simpler coatings, they also tend to be brighter as you observed. Thanks for following the channel. Cheers.
@@diyextravaganzathat's even more of a reason to buy the D version, better light transmission AND all these little imperfections. I wanted to buy a couple separate lenses one with a low f Stop, one flare monster, and one for bokeh but it's nice that I literally just need one
I can get a good price on a Nikkor AF lens 1.4 for my Nikon D3400. The lens does not say it is a "D" or any other letter. Does this mean it is a "D" anyway. It looks like the D in your picture, but it doesn't say D anywhere on the lens.r Will it work on my D3400?
Hi, you'll be able to make photos, it works very good. You won't get autofocus since the lens rely on the camera motor to be actuated, the d3500 does not have that actuator. The D tells you that the lens is giving the focusing distance information to the camera so camera can calculate appropriate flash power. If you don't use flash a lot, D and non D are technically the same lens. Cheers.
@@diyextravaganza Thank you for your prompt reply. Will there be a problem with the internal light metering as well? Is that all manual too? ill I need to use an external light meter? (This may be a dumb question; I'm not that camera savvy.
Hi, thanks, I find both lenses to be rather good, f/1.4 included. The comparison between the 50 and 55 f/1.2 is a great idea, I'll start checking on that. Thanks a lot for the suggestion. Cheers.
@@diyextravaganza You described the 7 blade polygon as an octagon. The 9 blade aperture produces nonagons. Neither of them are octagons. Just helping out.
I’m still using my 50mm AF-D on my Nikon Zf ( with F Mount adaptor and manual focus only). It’s a dream to use in full manual mode, which is where the Zf shines as a new camera body. Sure, it’s not sharp at 1.4 but step to f2-f2.8 and it’s a different story. For most street work at f5.6-f8 it’s as sharp as anything out there. And it’s small and great in the hand. My 50mmAF-D won’t be leaving my lens kit anytime soon.
I've always appreciate older lenses as they feel more reliable and they are usually more compact than their modern counterparts. The Zf sounds like a really enjoyable camera, I haven't had the opportunity to test it yet. Feel free to roam on the channel, as an amateur of old lenses you'll find a few things that may interest you.
Najlepsze porównanie dwóch obiektywów jakie widziałem na yt. Super to zrobiłeś
the best comparison of two lenses I've seen on RUclips. Great job
Thanks a lot, I have several comparisons in the same style and a few more to come. Keep connected. Best.
Thank you for going through these. I suspect the 1.4D is about 1/6 of a T-stop faster. The autofocus on the D is noticeably faster on D4. I think I will sell my f1.4G and keep the f1.4D, though I like the lower aberration of the G when wide open. This is my low light setup so I find a conundrum.
Trade a bit of aberration for some extra light. That's a good choice I'd say. Cheers.
I’m still using my 50mm AF-D on my Nikon Zf ( with F Mount adaptor and manual focus only). It’s a dream to use in full manual mode, which is where the Zf shines as a new camera body. Sure, it’s not sharp at 1.4 but step to f2-f2.8 and it’s a different story. For most street work at f5.6-f8 it’s as sharp as anything out there. And it’s small and great in the hand. My 50mmAF-D won’t be leaving my lens kit anytime soon.
I like a lot the feeling in working in manual mode, I only use AF if I'm feeling lazy.
The Ais/AF/AF D (same optical scheme) is optimized for focusing at very short distances, which is why in the 2nd shot it shows a little more aberration than the AFS. Pics with 1.4 aperture at infinity show a huge "glow" on highlights.
By changing the distance between the 2 main groups (front-rear) you can change that, but you have to modify the lens (machining of the body, I did it on an Ais 50 f1.4, the front group is now 0.4mm closer to the rear group). This slightly improves the aberrations at infinity, but also induces changes in the front/rear bokeh). That's what macro lenses do with their floating groups (CRC on NIkon), or the 105/135 DC.
Both (Ais/AF -AFD versions ) are super sharp at f2
That sounds like a very interesting experience, I have around the optics of a 50 1.4 Ais. I use the body to give focusing and diaphragm to some EL-Nikkors. And a very good testing subject as I'm thinking on how to build a lens adjustment bench. Best.
WOW! I am amazed at how, other than the higher number of aperture blades, better flare, and ghosting control on the G version, the D version is a superior lens all around.
The biggest gripe with the D version I see here is the fact that, if or when I finally get a mirrorless camera, I won't be able to get AF.
@@lowrivera agree, the D version is a fantastic lens. About mirrorless cameras, do you really need one? I have one myself and the only reason I keep it is because I can put whatever vintage lens I want with an adaptor, other than that it is no better than a mirror one. This is my opinion. I'd be very interested in hearing your opinion (even if you disagree). Best regards.
@@diyextravaganza Oh I have put off getting a mirrorless because I don't need it. I have edited my comment to reflect "if" because I still haven't felt the need to get one. I have been using my D700 and D800 for years and for the foreseeable future, I probably won't get one. I didn't even go digital SLR until 2011 as I was a film snob. Thanks for the reply.
@@lowrivera with a D700, you don't need anything else.
Agree. But at the moment DSLRs are so cheap, I just got a Nikon D850 for £1200. I'd put the image quality over that against ANY current mirrorless.
@@mrtambourineman6107 I totally agree with you. Also battery life is lot longer and I really appreciate that as well. The only good thing about mirrorless is the short flange distance. Regards.
Have both, love both. FYI:
AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.4 D (1995-2007, 563,302 units produced)
AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.4G (2008-2021, 738,484 units)
Thanks, great info. Cheers.
The 1.4D is often called unsharp at f1.4 but the soapy or soft effect you see it is rather due to off-axis aberrations like coma or astigmatism. At f1.4 the details are there but with softness. The 1.4G is another story. At f1.4 not sharp and my copy had serious problems with autofocus accuracy. Sometimes it was all over the place. I sold the G version and are much more happy with the D version.
Hi, thanks for the additional information. I prefer myself the AF version from the 90s and even more the Ai version with it's extra long focus throw, you really get precision there. Cheers
"Called unsharp" - very important for what you will use your lense. That's why on the market is so many different lenses and cameras... 🙏🏻 Statements like that are made from photographers that want to achieve multiple occasions with one simple equipment...
Most important difference is perceived depth.
In first pictures you can clearly see depth in right photo.
In front of figurine and behind with those 3 lights.
Left photo is flat, everything is almost in one plane.
All modern lenses are exactly like that, sharp, overcorrected and flat.
And world doesn't look flat...because we have 2 eyes...
So in short, modern lenses are 1 eye creatures 🙂
Thanks for a spot on feedback.
Extremely useful comparison. Thank you!
You're welcome, don't forget to share with friends !
I own the 1.8G and the AF 1.4 non D, do you know if there is any difference between the 1.4D and non D?
I never use the 1.4 because the contrast and sharpness are lacking.
Btw I love your videos, keep up the great work!
Hi, thanks a lot :) I think the non D is slightly better, but i have never done 1:1 comparisons yet, so hard to tell. I love older versions as they were made to last a few lifetimes. Among the 50mm, i think the 50mm 1.8 Ai is the best. Cheers.
@@diyextravaganza the AF 50 1.4 non D is made the same way as the 1.4D, not like the manual full metal ones.
Yes and no, take this example, the 50 1.8D and the 50 f/1.8 non-D. The front group of the non-D is made in metal (mounted on plastic frame) and can be disassembled, on the D version, everything is tight-fit into the same plastic frame, so, you cannot disassembly without damaging the part.
@@diyextravaganza Oh interesting, i didnt know that. Thank you for the info!
@@OttoLP sadly there is little chance we'll never see again the build quality of Ais, Ai and previous lenses.
색수차만 아니면 d렌즈가 더 좋아보입니다. d렌즈도 아직 쓸만하군요
가지고 있기를 잘했다싶네요.
I agree with you, the D lens is an excellent lens.
I am very surprised how the new G can be so less performant between f 2-f4 than the old one… the 1.4 has a worse reputation than the f1.8 and we can understand here why. How Nikon was able to build a bigger (58mm vs 52mm) and more expensive lens with such poor quality… mystery to me. Forget this G and buy the f1.8 the special edition is wonderful.
Not a big fan myself of the G version. I've to try the 1.8G special edition, you're not the first one that tells me it's and incredible lens. Cheers
Hello I owned both D and G version. I sold my G due to the warmer yallowish skin tones - in comparison to AFD skin color rendition.
I prefer the D version as well. Cheers
Wide open and besides that tad more CA and flare of D, I have a strange observation. In all your images D appears a tad, maybe 0.2 or 0.3F brighter than G!
I made the same observation myself, I think it has to do with the transmissibility of the glass and coatings and since older lenses tend to have less glass and simpler coatings, they also tend to be brighter as you observed. Thanks for following the channel. Cheers.
@@diyextravaganzathat's even more of a reason to buy the D version, better light transmission AND all these little imperfections. I wanted to buy a couple separate lenses one with a low f Stop, one flare monster, and one for bokeh but it's nice that I literally just need one
@@cortanathelawless1848 the D was my first fancy lens, I still use it because of all the features you just mentioned, also, it is very compact !
I can get a good price on a Nikkor AF lens 1.4 for my Nikon D3400. The lens does not say it is a "D" or any other letter. Does this mean it is a "D" anyway. It looks like the D in your picture, but it doesn't say D anywhere on the lens.r Will it work on my D3400?
Hi, you'll be able to make photos, it works very good. You won't get autofocus since the lens rely on the camera motor to be actuated, the d3500 does not have that actuator. The D tells you that the lens is giving the focusing distance information to the camera so camera can calculate appropriate flash power. If you don't use flash a lot, D and non D are technically the same lens. Cheers.
@@diyextravaganza Thank you for your prompt reply. Will there be a problem with the internal light metering as well? Is that all manual too? ill I need to use an external light meter? (This may be a dumb question; I'm not that camera savvy.
im surprised how close the lenses were for sharpness at f/1.4.
can you some day compare the nikkor 50mm f/1.2 with the 55mm f/1.2 SC? thx
Hi, thanks, I find both lenses to be rather good, f/1.4 included. The comparison between the 50 and 55 f/1.2 is a great idea, I'll start checking on that. Thanks a lot for the suggestion. Cheers.
Octagon is 8 sides. 7 sides is a heptagon and 9 sides is a nonagon.
Hi, I don't understand your comment. Best.
@@diyextravaganza You described the 7 blade polygon as an octagon. The 9 blade aperture produces nonagons. Neither of them are octagons. Just helping out.
@@artistjoh ahhh, I understand now. A mistake for sure. Thanks for the clarification. Best.
Chapulín colorado 🤣
Chapulin colorado rules ! hahahaha
I’m still using my 50mm AF-D on my Nikon Zf ( with F Mount adaptor and manual focus only). It’s a dream to use in full manual mode, which is where the Zf shines as a new camera body. Sure, it’s not sharp at 1.4 but step to f2-f2.8 and it’s a different story. For most street work at f5.6-f8 it’s as sharp as anything out there. And it’s small and great in the hand. My 50mmAF-D won’t be leaving my lens kit anytime soon.
I've always appreciate older lenses as they feel more reliable and they are usually more compact than their modern counterparts. The Zf sounds like a really enjoyable camera, I haven't had the opportunity to test it yet. Feel free to roam on the channel, as an amateur of old lenses you'll find a few things that may interest you.