Nikon D700 Test Drive

[Grumpwurst]

Which 50 do you have? I have the older 1.4 and its great

I have the older 50/1.8. ; I was having problems where my Nikkor 50/1.8 was taking crappier photos at 1.8 on dark rides than my 18-200VR was taking at higher worse apertures and worse than on the same ride but shooting with my D80.

I talked to the Nikkor representative said he was under the belief that the older 50 lenses (1.4/1.8) weren't optimized to work on the D300.

 

[Roger]

Nikon did change the glass, however it's only a very slight increase in resolution in the center, more evident at the corners, but it's probably not worth the upgrade from the D to the G model.

As for the older lenses not being optimized, that's a load of...the 85/1.8D hasn't been updated and it works great. ;

I would only upgrade the 50/1.4D if they improved the flare control. ; Which I don't think they did.

 

[Grumpwurst]

Is the old one AF-S? ; The new one is AF-S and is a G type lens (no aperture ring) and a few hundred dollars more. ;

Ray, I'd suggest sticking with the f/1.8 and getting some good noise reduction software. ; Noise Ninja did a great job on my POTC photos. ; The D300 tops out at 3200 ISO so you should do even better then my 1600 ISO D70 images.

How do you know if it's AF-S? ; The lens says "Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8D".

The problem isn't noise that I noticed because I got better shots on my D80 than my D300. ; It was a general lack of crispness and inability to focus in comparison to my D80 which just seemed to lock right onto subjects

 

[Grumpwurst]

Nikon did change the glass, however it's only a very slight increase in resolution in the center, more evident at the corners, but it's probably not worth the upgrade from the D to the G model.

As for the older lenses not being optimized, that's a load of...the 85/1.8D hasn't been updated and it works great. ;

I would only upgrade the 50/1.4D if they improved the flare control. ; Which I don't think they did.

What would you upgrade to if you currently had the 1.8D?

 

[Scottwdw]

How do you know if it's AF-S? ; The lens says "Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8D".

The problem isn't noise that I noticed because I got better shots on my D80 than my D300. ; It was a general lack of crispness and inability to focus in comparison to my D80 which just seemed to lock right onto subjects

D lenses are not AF-S. ; The 18-200 is AF-S for silent wave and is very quiet when focusing and the lens focuses internally. ; The 50mm F1.8 rotates the outer lens ring and is noisy in comparison. ; So is my 80-400VR which is a D model also.

 

[Grumpwurst]

The 50mm F1.8 rotates the outer lens ring and is noisy in comparison.

Yes, it's noisy and yes it rotates the outer lens. ; I often get my finger in the way ; and that rough texture of the "focus ring" gets a beating

 

[Roger]

What would you upgrade to if you currently had the 1.8D?

Hmm. ; Probably the new G model, and the only reason is that it can't be any worse than the D version. ; I love the 85/1.8D, but the 50 only comes out when I need a little more width.

Now if they would only release a 35/1.8......

 

[Grumpwurst]

Hmm. ; Probably the new G model, and the only reason is that it can't be any worse than the D version. ; I love the 85/1.8D, but the 50 only comes out when I need a little more width.

Now if they would only release a 35/1.8......

I see there is a AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens listed as being new on the Nikon website (http://nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Pro ... F1.8G.html).

Is that something I should give consideration to?

 

[Roger]

Not if you are planning FX in your near future. ; However, the cost is right for a decent 50/1.8 after the crop factor, and this lens is getting very positive reviews.

 

[Grumpwurst]

Not if you are planning FX in your near future. ; However, the cost is right for a decent 50/1.8 after the crop factor, and this lens is getting very positive reviews.

Well, even if I go FX, I'll still keep the D300 or the D80 as a backup (or both), so the lens wouldn't be a total waste. ; But, I see your point. ; My current AF 50/1.8 is FX compliant and so is the new AF-S 50/1.4. ; I just want a bit more reach when I'm on those dark rides like Space Ship Earth where the ride vehicle is just a tad too close when you are using the 50mm on a DX camera

 

[Scottwdw]

Well, even if I go FX, I'll still keep the D300 or the D80 as a backup (or both), so the lens wouldn't be a total waste. ; But, I see your point. ; My current AF 50/1.8 is FX compliant and so is the new AF-S 50/1.4. ; I just want a bit more reach when I'm on those dark rides like Space Ship Earth where the ride vehicle is just a tad too close when you are using the 50mm on a DX camera

Your next problem is finding a 35mm DX f/1.8. ; I hear it's in high demand. ; You might have better luck with a local camera store. ; It's currently on backorder at B&H and many other online stores.

 

[Grumpwurst]

Your next problem is finding a 35mm DX f/1.8. ; I hear it's in high demand. ; You might have better luck with a local camera store. ; It's currently on backorder at B&H and many other online stores.

Yeah, that's why that thread about the joys of impulse buying is so exciting is because the original poster walked into his local camera store and found it in stock. ; I might have to give them a ring and see. ; Or just go with the 50/1.4. ; Tough decision. ; More reach with same light sensitivity or same reach but more sensitive to light (so I can get better dark ride shots...haha)

 

[gary]

wonder what's up with b&h right now with stock, i'm sitting here with the $ for the canon 135mm f2 L just burning a hole in my pocket, heck, i'm almost at the 35mm f1.4 L, and if it doesn't show by mid july, i'll have the 24mm f1.4 L mark ii, i just keep plugging along working 1 extra shift per week and dedicating it to gary's photography fund
for whatever reason, many of the L grade lenses are out of stock right now

 

[Scottwdw]

So, why would someone, even a good friend, let me use his Nikon D700 for a couple of weeks? ; You see, his daughter was getting married. ; I think you can guess the rest of the story from there.

 

[Tim]

scott, being the warm-hearted guy that i am, i figure i would save you the trouble... ;
CLICK HERE.

 

[Scottwdw]

scott, being the warm-hearted guy that i am, i figure i would save you the trouble... ;

Or get me in trouble! ; ;D ; Not quite there yet. ; Had to sink some major money into my daughter's car last week I wasn't expecting which will push this purchase back a bit.