Nikkor AF-S 50mm, f1.8G announced

ziggy53

http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/2199/AF-S-NIKKOR-50mm-f%252F1.8G.html

This version should be compatible with all modern Nikon cameras since it includes the AF drive motor (Silent Wave Motor technology, SWM). It's not just an AF motorized update to the Nikkor 50mm, f1.8D, this is a whole new animal with a new lens design.

jdorseydesign

ziggy53 wrote: »

http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/2199/AF-S-NIKKOR-50mm-f%252F1.8G.html

This version should be compatible with all modern Nikon cameras since it includes the AF drive motor (Silent Wave Motor technology, SWM). It's not just an AF motorized update to the Nikkor 50mm, f1.8D, this is a whole new animal with a new lens design.

Woo, I already pre-ordered on amazon this morning!

time2smile

clapclap

ImageX Photography

I have the 50 1.4G so this lens doesn't interest me at all. Good price though for those who don't want or need the extra stop.

MileHighAko

I'll admit that I pre-ordered one as well, just so my younger Nikons will have auto-focusing 50mm joy.

insanefred

I pre-ordered one myself. Let's just hope they really improved the sharpness and bokeh. I am so far disappointed with all of Nikons current (in production) 50mm lenses. Mainly because of poor bokeh wide open.

Icebear

Still only seven blades.

insanefred

Icebear wrote: »

Still only seven blades.

I am convinced that the amount of aperture blades has little to do with quality of bokeh. Canon has 8 in their higher end lenses, yet they tend to be more pleasing bokeh than Nikon's 9 blades.

ziggy53

Icebear wrote: »

Still only seven blades.

I believe that they are also straight blades as opposed to the curved blades used in the higher quality lenses.

ziggy53

insanefred wrote: »

I am convinced that the amount of aperture blades has little to do with quality of bokeh. Canon has 8 in their higher end lenses, yet they tend to be more pleasing bokeh than Nikon's 9 blades.

When I use a lens that produces busy or distracting bokeh I generally use a loose mask to separate the subject from the background and then blur and reduce contrast on the background to smooth the background to taste. It's a pain but it works pretty well and the results can be visually pleasing.

insanefred

ziggy53 wrote: »

I believe that they are also straight blades as opposed to the curved blades used in the higher quality lenses.

http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/singlefocal/normal/af-s_50mmf_18g/index.htm

^ it says they're rounded.

Icebear

insanefred wrote: »

I am convinced that the amount of aperture blades has little to do with quality of bokeh. Canon has 8 in their higher end lenses, yet they tend to be more pleasing bokeh than Nikon's 9 blades.

If there are sharp points of light in the BG, the number (and shape) of blades has everything to do with the quality of bokeh.

ziggy53

insanefred wrote: »

http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/singlefocal/normal/af-s_50mmf_18g/index.htm

^ it says they're rounded.

Good catch.

borrowlenses.com

It's about time!!

MileHighAko

Amazon updated my order status:

"Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras"
Estimated arrival date: May 17 2011 - June 15 2011

Pupator

If I have a D7000 and an older copy of this lens, is there any reason in the world I would care about the new one?

ziggy53

Pupator wrote: »

If I have a D7000 and an older copy of this lens, is there any reason in the world I would care about the new one?

Until we see some accurate reviews that include image comparisons from both, it's impossible to say for sure. This is a new lens design and several image qualities may have been affected, positively or negatively.

The only thing that is known for sure is that this is a welcome addition to those folks who have a Nikon body that does not have the AF screw drive motor and who want AF in a cost-effective prime of this focal length. (I am reiterating of course.)

Pupator

Thanks Ziggy. I was prepared to wait for review copies and compare images, but it seems that a lot of people are just assuming the IQ will be much better and I couldn't figure out why.

ziggy53

Pupator wrote: »

Thanks Ziggy. I was prepared to wait for review copies and compare images, but it seems that a lot of people are just assuming the IQ will be much better and I couldn't figure out why.

There is some speculation over why Nikon chose to include an asherical element in this lens design. Normally aspherical elements are used in wide angle primes and some zoom lens formulations. They are not generally needed in a 50mm prime lens. Whether this has a positive impact on image quality or not is yet to be demonstrated.

It is an example of how sure Nikon is in its aspherical lens production. Not that many years ago a complicated lens element like this would have been reserved for only the most expensive lens designs. Most modern aspherical elements are replicas, which is astonishing in itself.

ziggy53

Here is the MTF chart for the new "G" lens:

http://www.nikonusa.com/en_INC/o/fMdY0CxLV3Gv08WO0JcFbiGDBKY/Misc/2199-MTF.jpg

... and this is the MTF for the older "D" lens:

http://www.nikonusa.com/en_INC/IMG/Assets/Camera-Lenses/2010/2137-AF-NIKKOR-50mm-f-1.80/Misc/2137-AF-NIKKOR-50mm-f1.8D-MTF.jpg

The newer lens does appear to have better results from these test comparisons.

MTF explanation:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/understanding-mtf.shtml

Matthew Saville

Yeah, as someone who usually DOESN'T shoot at 50mm very much, I would much rather save my hard-earned $$ for a better 35 or 85 prime. Therefore, this slightly more affordable 50mm is of great interest to me. I will eagerly await the tests and reviews, to see if the AFS-G version of this lens does any better at low-light accuracy and consistency than the AFD version. (So far, OTHER AFS-G lenses have been MUCH improved in the accuracy / consistency department...)

Take care,
=Matt=