Nikkor 50 F1.8

[darb]

Hi guys n girls

does anyone have an opinion between the pre year 2000 Nikon 50mm F1.8 NON D (made in japan) and the newer 50mm F1.8 D (made in thailand i believe?)

Ive been trialling the older one, very sturdy metal construction, and ive found one on ebay i want to purchase, but wondered if anyone knows the difference ... if the newer revision is better, then ill get a newer one instead.

I noticed on a D series sale, it said "New D-type lens design provides distance information as part of flash and ambient light exposure processes" ... can anyone tell me how important / useful that extra feature actually is?

Mint condition 2nd hand older one = opening bids of $50
brand new latest version : $180 delivered (ebay)


Cheers,

brad

[Zeeke]

Be interested to find out... aswell as any major differences between the 1.8 and 1.4.... i just ordered a 1.4 on Ebay for $340 ... another lens to knock off my lens lust list


Tim

[darb]

the 1.4 vs 1.8 debate has been discussed pretty comprehensively on the net, and these forums ... but im only interested in knowing differences / opinions on the older non D 1.8 vs the D 1.8

[cameraguy21773]

Look here for some helpful info.

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_norm.html

[Escapism]

I have the older model 50mm...or at least I did, wonder where the hell it is....

[Glen]

Darb, bugger all between them, the D is not all that useful except for some flash work and I can't tell the difference, pre D is better made, but both tremendous optically and really either one is great value. I would be happy with either. Best value Nikkor lens by far.

[timbo]

Darb, I have a non-AF Nikkor 50mm 1.8 AI-s lens (I think I bought it in 1984) and while it's a beautiful piece of glass its lack of ability to communicate at all with the CPU makes it virtually useless for anything except studio work. There's a useful chart at KenRockwell.com showing how to identify the various production series here: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/nikortek.htm

I've just bought a second hand D-series 1.8 on eBay for $130 and I'm looking forward to receiving it so I can do a direct comparison. Will post the results here when I can.

[birddog114]

I've just bought a second hand G-series 1.8 on eBay for $130 and I'm looking forward to receiving it so I can do a direct comparison. Will post the results here when I can.

Are you sure it's a G lens?

[timbo]

Sorry about that Chief: it's a D. Refer my correction...

[jdear]

I noticed on a D series sale, it said "New D-type lens design provides distance information as part of flash and ambient light exposure processes" ... can anyone tell me how important / useful that extra feature actually is?

ken rockwell says that the D is useless unless you are taking a photo of yourself in a mirror.

JD

[Escapism]

Darb, just my 2c worth, but we both share a very similar lifestyle and are both pretty hard on our gear...I value a "solid" lense for its ruggedness (is that a word??) and durability....and I know you appreciate the same. If you can, go with the Jap made model. But again, thats just my opinion, its probably not worth a pinch of bat poop.

[Glen]

Brad, just so it is clear, the AIS referred to by Tim and the AF (non D) are totally different animals, I have plenty of non D lens which meter fine.

Not commenting about Timbo's post just making it clear they are different.

AF and AFD are very similar in almost every function except feeding back distance information to the flash

[timbo]

Well said Glen, and one I should have pointed out. I also have several non D series AF lenses which meter perfectly. I mainly posted it to add the reference to Ken's chronology list.

[Glen]

Yes Tim I could imagine Brad's head swimming with C type, AI type, AIS type, AF, AFD, so just thought I would simplify for him.

[gstark]

Brad,

I would echo what's been said here. The older Nikkors exhibit a quality and class that many of the newerlenses cannot even get near.

They just don't make 'em like they used ta!

[Andyt]

Hey Darb,

I have the latest D type 1.8, when I bought mine my thoughts were "for $180 if I break it, I buy another one". So far no regerets.

I opted for the 1.8 over the 1.4 for the bit extra DOP. While I use it occassionally, its an excellant lense to keep with you at all times so when you get caught in low light conditions or in meeting a quick request for a portrait on the fly. BUT be warned; after having this lense the lust appears for the 85mm F1.4! (is there no end to it?)

Cheers, Andyt

[sirhc55]

Brad,

I would echo what's been said here. The older Nikkors exhibit a quality and class that many of the newerlenses cannot even get near.

They just don't make 'em like they used ta!

Hear, hear - the old Nikon lenses (in the main) were superb - like old cars.
Without opening a can of worms, the other manufacturers, Tamron, Sigma and Tokina produced crap in the old days but now produce class glass

[losfp]

Brad,

I would echo what's been said here. The older Nikkors exhibit a quality and class that many of the newerlenses cannot even get near.

They just don't make 'em like they used ta!

And of course trying to find them second hand or on ebay is pretty tough, because of all you other vultures swooping on the carcasses before me!

I will probably just get a new 50/1.8 from somewhere. For the price, even slightly cheaper build quality won't really bother me that much.

[Escapism]

Brad,

I would echo what's been said here. The older Nikkors exhibit a quality and class that many of the newerlenses cannot even get near.

They just don't make 'em like they used ta!

Gotta agree with you there gary...the 50mm that Brad is talking about is mine (could Brad and I have the smallest mini-meet in history ) and is about 15 years old. It produces some of the sharpest shots I have seen. I also own the old Nikkor 70-210 AF D...again a 15 year old lense, but it is an amazing bit of glass with pin sharp pics from 70 to 210 and very very fast AF with AF tracking that just blows me away....sure it aint the 70-200 VR, but its one hell of a lense for a 15 year old bit of kit.

[darb]

bugger, the one on ebay is a NON D, "AF nikkor 50mm F1.8"

made in china. The owner says its very sharp.

Might make a bid, sounds like theres a lot of variants to choose from, but the general theme is you cant go wrong?

i was hoping to get one the same as escapism. Infact, escapism, youre not getting yours back !!

anyway folk, im off on a 3 day roadtrip now, but ill be checkin back ... thank you all for such great replies.

[gstark]

I also own the old Nikkor 70-210 AF D...again a 15 year old lense, but it is an amazing bit of glass with pin sharp pics from 70 to 210 and very very fast AF

I've got what I think is a non-D version of that lens (it's in another room, and I'm too lazy to go and check) and it's a fair bit older than your's.

It found its way into my camera bag around the same time as my F801 did; I basically replaced everything except my FE2 and Nikkormat at that time, to keep up with the (then) new-fangled features that Nikon were bringing to market in the mid-late 80's.

[birddog114]

Some of us overhere have the 70-210, I still have one in top mint condition and only used it 4 times since I bought it new 12 years ago, it's OK, sharp, but still not the same as some other zoom lenses, due to it's f.4, we do need a twenty floodlights to light up to shoot with it in the lowlight condition + push and pull action.

[Escapism]

I also own the old Nikkor 70-210 AF D...again a 15 year old lense, but it is an amazing bit of glass with pin sharp pics from 70 to 210 and very very fast AF

I've got what I think is a non-D version of that lens (it's in another room, and I'm too lazy to go and check) and it's a fair bit older than your's.

It found its way into my camera bag around the same time as my F801 did; I basically replaced everything except my FE2 and Nikkormat at that time, to keep up with the (then) new-fangled features that Nikon were bringing to market in the mid-late 80's.

Gary sounds like you went through a very similar series of gear as myself...started with a Nikkormat (how solid was that camera, could hammer tent pegs in with it), then moved up to the F601 then the F90x and now the D70s...kept all my gear along the way....VIVA NIKON!

[krpolak]

Darb,

what bother with ebay in this case. Put few extra bukcs and get new one from a shop. Ie. European cameras has it for $195 brand new. Also I would suspect that the newest release had better coatings like 28mm/2.8.

Regards,

K.Polak

[Escapism]

Some of us overhere have the 70-210, I still have one in top mint condition and only used it 4 times since I bought it new 12 years ago, it's OK, sharp, but still not the same as some other zoom lenses, due to it's f.4, we do need a twenty floodlights to light up to shoot with it in the lowlight condition + push and pull action.

Totally agree with ya BD...but bang for the buck she is an absolute gem! Oh, and I kinda like the old push pull action

[birddog114]

Totally agree with ya BD...but bang for the buck she is an absolute gem! Oh, and I kinda like the old push pull action

Not using it in many years now, it's stay put in the cupboard.

[TonyH]

Birddog,

I've got the 70-210 F4 but mine has the rotating zoom action. Again it's good but no 70-200VR, but I wouldn't part with it.....


Tony

[birddog114]

Birddog,

I've got the 70-210 F4 but mine has the rotating zoom action. Again it's good but no 70-200VR, but I wouldn't part with it.....


Tony

That's the early version of this lens, I still have my 70-210, even I didn't use it for many years now, but I want to keep it in mty collection of Nikkor glass.
You can't match it with the 70-200VR, they're difference league
I haven't use much of the 70-200VR lately, I turn back and use prime more frequently as with the 20/24/28 (1.4+2.8 ) /45/50/58/60/90/105/180/200.

[TonyH]

Birddog,

This is my model

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/70210f4.htm


There's not too many of them around, but mine is in mint condition. As your good self, just can't part with the equipment (or not too often anyway).

Tony

[Escapism]

Birddog,

This is my model

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/70210f4.htm


There's not too many of them around, but mine is in mint condition. As your good self, just can't part with the equipment (or not too often anyway).

Tony

...and this is my Sony boy...

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/7021056.htm

[TonyH]

Escapism,

very nice lens.....

I have mothballed mine for the 70-200VR which really is the ducks guts. It's pin sharp and super quick. With the VR my acceptable photo rate has improved dramatically.

Go VR!

Regards

Tony