: Nikon 35mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor Hands-on Review


Lawrence
Jan 18th, 2012, 06:50 PM
I love this guy, His reviews are hysterical.
Great walk about reviews in the streets of Hong Kong.

In this penultimate video of the season we take a look at the Nikon 35mm f/1.4G,
which is the fast 35 that all Nikon fans have been eagerly awaiting.
But the crucial question is - is it any good?

f2C9EXiLnqQ

Lawrence
Jan 18th, 2012, 07:22 PM
I've been looking at getting a basic 50mm lens for my Nikon D80,
Trouble is, It's confusing as to which one to buy, Glad there is a video to explain the difference.

6my3DO00X28

phuviano
Jan 18th, 2012, 10:22 PM
I can't see the videos because i'm on my ipad. From your description, i would assume that you're referring to kai, from digitalrev.

Get the 50 1.8g, if you need a 1.4 aperture, get the sigma 50 1.4.

Lawrence
Jan 18th, 2012, 11:07 PM
I can't see the videos because i'm on my ipad. From your description, i would assume that you're referring to kai, from digitalrev.

Get the 50 1.8g, if you need a 1.4 aperture, get the sigma 50 1.4.

I don't like those plastic mount rings, I'd prefer to get metal mount rings,
But, Thanks, I'll check out the Sigma, Hadn't thought of them.

:)

phuviano
Jan 19th, 2012, 12:57 PM
The 50 1.8g has a metal mount.

Joker Eh
Jan 19th, 2012, 01:07 PM
I don't know that "purple fringing" turns me off in the 35

Joker Eh
Jan 19th, 2012, 01:19 PM
I've been looking at getting a basic 50mm lens for my Nikon D80,
Trouble is, It's confusing as to which one to buy, Glad there is a video to explain the difference.

6my3DO00X28

Did he say what I think he said at the 3:10 mark? LMAO

Lawrence
Jan 19th, 2012, 01:28 PM
Did he say what I think he said at the 3:10 mark? LMAO

Yes, He's seriously funny,
I really don't know how he gets away with some of the stuff that he says.

This is like really high profile stuff he's reviewing too.

:)

Lawrence
Jan 19th, 2012, 01:31 PM
The 50 1.8g has a metal mount.

Some of the cheaper ones are plastic, The ones that I've seen are.
I think I like the D type lens better anyways, Shifting to manual mode is important to me.
Even if they are noisy, I can live with a noisy focus, Bokeh doesn't matter to me either.

Joker Eh
Jan 19th, 2012, 01:35 PM
Some of the cheaper ones are plastic, The ones that I've seen are.
I think I like the D type lens better anyways, Shifting to manual mode is important to me.
Even if they are noisy, I can live with a noisy focus, Bokeh doesn't matter to me either.

you can shift to manual on the G

Lawrence
Jan 19th, 2012, 01:39 PM
you can shift to manual on the G

I thought the G version had the F stops inside a little window on the lens.

Joker Eh
Jan 19th, 2012, 01:53 PM
ah thought you meant focus

Lawrence
Jan 19th, 2012, 01:57 PM
You may be right on the metal mount on the G lens,
But, I do like the manual capabilities of the D lens.

Joker Eh
Jan 19th, 2012, 02:10 PM
You may be right on the metal mount on the G lens,
But, I do like the manual capabilities of the D lens.

How come?

Lawrence
Jan 19th, 2012, 02:16 PM
How come?

My old school up bringing I guess has a lot to do with it,
Also I like shooting in manual mode, It allows me to be more creative.

Joker Eh
Jan 19th, 2012, 02:21 PM
My old school up bringing I guess has a lot to do with it,
Also I like shooting in manual mode, It allows me to be more creative.

As I do. I just think the question should be about quality and what you can afford.

Lawrence
Jan 19th, 2012, 02:30 PM
As I do. I just think the question should be about quality and what you can afford.

Yes, That's true, The G lens cost a bit more,
Also the maximum aperture is: f/1.8 and the minimum aperture is: f/16 on the G lens

Where as for less money and the capability of manual use with the D lens,
You get the maximum aperture of f/1.8 and the minimum aperture of f/22

There is the biggest difference.

:)

Joker Eh
Jan 19th, 2012, 02:35 PM
Yes, That's true, The G lens cost a bit more,
Also the maximum aperture is: f/1.8 and the minimum aperture is: f/16 on the G lens

Where as for less money and the capability of manual use with the D lens,
You get the maximum aperture of f/1.8 and the minimum aperture of f/22

There is the biggest difference.

:)

Ah I did not notice that. Thanks for the info.

phuviano
Jan 19th, 2012, 03:04 PM
Are you really going to shoot at f22 on a 50 prime? Most people i know who use a 50 prime don't really go past f5.6. Before f22, defraction is going to affect the image, even at f16, defraction would most likely affect the image. My way of thinking is you buy a 1.4 or 1.8 to use it at that aperture, otherwise it defeats the purpose of have a low light lens. I have shot at f22 and above before, but not with 1.4, or 1.8 prime lens.

You don't need a manual aperture ring on a d80. All modern dslr's like the d80 have the aperture controlled by the camera. There is no purpose of an aperture ring on newer dslr's, maybe for video, but your camera doesn't shoot video. For a film camera, yes the aperture ring is needed, but not on a d80.

The 1.8g does cost about twice the price, but its twice the lens imo. Does everything better than the 1.8d. Flare resistance, bokeh, corner to corner sharpness wide open, af speed, colour/contrast, etc...

Lawrence
Jan 19th, 2012, 03:17 PM
Are you really going to shoot at f22 on a 50 prime? Most people i know who use a 50 prime don't really go past f5.6. Before f22, defraction is going to affect the image, even at f16, defraction would most likely affect the image. My way of thinking is you buy a 1.4 or 1.8 to use it at that aperture, otherwise it defeats the purpose of have a low light lens. I have shot at f22 and above before, but not with 1.4, or 1.8 prime lens.

You don't need a manual aperture ring on a d80. All modern dslr's like the d80 have the aperture controlled by the camera. There is no purpose of an aperture ring on newer dslr's, maybe for video, but your camera doesn't shoot video. For a film camera, yes the aperture ring is needed, but not on a d80.

The 1.8g does cost about twice the price, but its twice the lens imo. Does everything better than the 1.8d. Flare resistance, bokeh, corner to corner sharpness wide open, af speed, colour/contrast, etc...

There are days in very bright sunshine at the beach I know I'll need better than f/16,
Whether that is in the winter with bright snow or in the summer with reflective water.
To each their own, I guess I'm a bit of a loner when it comes to common or uncommon norms.

chrisburke
Jan 19th, 2012, 04:45 PM
I can't see the videos because i'm on my ipad. From your description, i would assume that you're referring to kai, from digitalrev.

Get the 50 1.8g, if you need a 1.4 aperture, get the sigma 50 1.4.

Confused as to why you can't see the videos.. I'm on my iPad and they work just fine


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

phuviano
Jan 19th, 2012, 05:05 PM
There are days in very bright sunshine at the beach I know I'll need better than f/16,
Whether that is in the winter with bright snow or in the summer with reflective water.
To each their own, I guess I'm a bit of a loner when it comes to common or uncommon norms.

Yeah I agree each to their own. Whatever floats your boat. Anyways, best of luck with whatever you decide on.

Confused as to why you can't see the videos.. I'm on my iPad and they work just fine


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

well, this is what I see from using safari on my iPad 1.

http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu187/phuviano/photo.png

I don't know? As you can see. Where the youtube video is supposed to be. It shows an error, and stating that I'm seeing this because I don't have flash or youtube is down. Linked youtube video's work on my iPad on some forums, and not on others. Not too sure.

Sorry to get off topic lawrence.

chrisburke
Jan 19th, 2012, 05:43 PM
I don't know? As you can see. Where the youtube video is supposed to be. It shows an error, and stating that I'm seeing this because I don't have flash or youtube is down. Linked youtube video's work on my iPad on some forums, and not on others. Not too sure.

Sorry to get off topic lawrence.

Interesting.. Links in safari usually work for me.. Though I'm viewing this (and most forums) from tapatalk (highly recommend it)

JCCanuck
Jan 19th, 2012, 05:44 PM
Yes, That's true, The G lens cost a bit more,
Also the maximum aperture is: f/1.8 and the minimum aperture is: f/16 on the G lens

Where as for less money and the capability of manual use with the D lens,
You get the maximum aperture of f/1.8 and the minimum aperture of f/22

There is the biggest difference.

:)

One more difference I think was missed on the G is the Silent Wave Autofocus Motor. I need that for my Nikon D60. For $250 and a sharp lens with great bokeh, I snapped it up when it came out. Now to save for the D7000!

Lawrence
Jan 19th, 2012, 06:26 PM
One more difference I think was missed on the G is the Silent Wave Autofocus Motor. I need that for my Nikon D60. For $250 and a sharp lens with great bokeh, I snapped it up when it came out. Now to save for the D7000!

That's true, That silent motor might help for getting candid shots,
Also, The softer bokeh might be nicer than the sharper edged bokeh in the D series.

Maybe I should get a nice G and look around for a cheap D for my creative shots.

:)

screature
Jan 20th, 2012, 11:14 AM
... You don't need a manual aperture ring on a d80. All modern dslr's like the d80 have the aperture controlled by the camera. There is no purpose of an aperture ring on newer dslr's, maybe for video, but your camera doesn't shoot video. For a film camera, yes the aperture ring is needed, but not on a d80.

The 1.8g does cost about twice the price, but its twice the lens imo. Does everything better than the 1.8d. Flare resistance, bokeh, corner to corner sharpness wide open, af speed, colour/contrast, etc...

Exactly.

Lawrence
Jan 20th, 2012, 01:34 PM
I wasn't impressed with the D90 for video,
That's why I decided to buy the D80 and shoot just still shots.

I realize that DSLR's are going more and more electronic and setting up via the camera body
is the norm nowadays, But, I still like to fiddle around with manual lens controls.

Just call me an old "Cameraphile"
It's hard to move onwards I guess.

The Nikon D80 that I bought comes with a 18-55 kit lens,
So I guess I'll be forced to use the camera controls until I can get a "Nifty 50"

:)

Todd
Jan 20th, 2012, 09:17 PM
I love this guy, His reviews are hysterical.
Great walk about reviews in the streets of Hong Kong.

Interesting to hear the correct pronunciation of "Nikon." My Japanese-speaking friend confirmed that we speak it wrong in North America.

Lawrence
Jan 21st, 2012, 11:38 AM
Interesting to see that the AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D is selling out fast at Toronto retailers,
For a lens that isn't a fully enclosed G type lens, It certainly seems to be popular.

I'd better get one fast.

http://www.ehmac.ca/attachments/photography-focus/22602d1326999446-nikon-35mm-f-1-4g-af-s-nikkor-hands-review-nikkor_50mm_f-1_8d.png


:)

screature
Jan 21st, 2012, 12:40 PM
Interesting to see that the AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D is selling out fast at Toronto retailers,
For a lens that isn't a fully enclosed G type lens, It certainly seems to be popular.

I'd better get one fast.

http://www.ehmac.ca/attachments/photography-focus/22602d1326999446-nikon-35mm-f-1-4g-af-s-nikkor-hands-review-nikkor_50mm_f-1_8d.png


:)

They are really cheap at e-Bay if you don't mind a used one... I bought mine through e-Bay I think I paid $100. It's perfect in condition and optics, not brand new but close enough for the savings.

Lawrence
Jan 21st, 2012, 12:50 PM
They are really cheap at e-Bay if you don't mind a used one... I bought mine trough e-Bay I think I paid $100. It's perfect in condition and optics, not brand new but close enough for the savings.

I just got a brand new one today from Mostly Digital in London, Ontario.
It was one of their last two online in stock on sale for $139.99.

Not bad, Considering they are selling for $159.99 almost every else right now.

I'm a happy camper.

:)

screature
Jan 21st, 2012, 12:53 PM
I just got a brand new one today from Mostly Digital in London, Ontario.
It was one of their last two online in stock on sale for $139.99.

Not bad, Considering they are selling for $159.99 almost every else right now.

I'm a happy camper.

:)

Well as long as you are happy. :)

Kami
Jan 21st, 2012, 10:17 PM
There are days in very bright sunshine at the beach I know I'll need better than f/16,
Whether that is in the winter with bright snow or in the summer with reflective water.
To each their own, I guess I'm a bit of a loner when it comes to common or uncommon norms.

Just curious... do you use a polarizer or neutral density filter when shooting in these conditions?

chrisburke
Jan 21st, 2012, 10:58 PM
Love my 50.. One of my most used lenses


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Lawrence
Jan 22nd, 2012, 08:46 AM
Just curious... do you use a polarizer or neutral density filter when shooting in these conditions?

I never use any filters, Just the skylight.

Todd
Jan 22nd, 2012, 09:22 AM
I just got a brand new one today from Mostly Digital in London, Ontario.
It was one of their last two online in stock on sale for $139.99.

Not bad, Considering they are selling for $159.99 almost every else right now.


Currently $149 at Camera Canada.

Nikon 50mm f/1.8 D AF (http://www.cameracanada.com/enet-cart/product.asp?pid=2137)

Kami
Jan 22nd, 2012, 02:46 PM
I never use any filters, Just the skylight.

If you are shooting in very bright conditions and you have dropped the ISO as low as it can go and you are still shooting at f16 or f22, then you are definitely going to start running into diffraction issues affecting sharpness.

You may already know this but you can get neutral density filters that will drop you enough stops to start using apertures in the f8 range (where most lenses have optimum sharpness). A polarizer will affect exposure in much the same way but give you the added benefit of removing reflections from water, etc.

Lawrence
Jan 22nd, 2012, 07:26 PM
If you are shooting in very bright conditions and you have dropped the ISO as low as it can go and you are still shooting at f16 or f22, then you are definitely going to start running into diffraction issues affecting sharpness.

You may already know this but you can get neutral density filters that will drop you enough stops to start using apertures in the f8 range (where most lenses have optimum sharpness). A polarizer will affect exposure in much the same way but give you the added benefit of removing reflections from water, etc.

Nice tip, Thanks, I'll have to try some filters.
Found a nice video on just what you mean.

3_dKH2mLt0c

Digital Photography Tips: Digital Photography School (http://www.digital-photography-school.com/)

Kami
Jan 22nd, 2012, 11:43 PM
Here's a pretty good tutorial with sample photos

"The Ultimate Guide To Neutral Density Filters" by Peter Hill | RedBubble (http://www.redbubble.com/people/peterh111/journal/4421304-the-ultimate-guide-to-neutral-density-filters)