Introduction:
Over the last few years Nikon has been slowly replacing many AF-D lenses with AF-S models, and in May 2011 they announced the AF-S Nikkor 50mm F1.8G. This was an important upgrade because the 50mm F1.8D has been one of Nikon's best selling prime lenses in history. Following the release many questions were asked, such as will the new lens really be an improvement, will the auto focus be too slow and how much bigger might it be? Hopefully through this review you will be able to see that Nikon has managed to improve upon the "nifty fifty" in some areas where the previous AF 50mm F1.8D was dearly lacking.
The new lens also introduces a SWM (Silent Wave Motor), which makes the new lens larger and slightly heavier than the previous 50mm F1.8D (the AF-S version weighs185g). As a result of having a larger lens body, the 50mm F1.8G also breaks with Nikon's tradition of using 52mm filters on fast primes, with the new lens using a 58mm filter thread instead.
The lens comes with a LC-58 front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HB-47 hood and a soft pouch.
Review based on use with a Nikon D700
Over the last few years Nikon has been slowly replacing many AF-D lenses with AF-S models, and in May 2011 they announced the AF-S Nikkor 50mm F1.8G. This was an important upgrade because the 50mm F1.8D has been one of Nikon's best selling prime lenses in history. Following the release many questions were asked, such as will the new lens really be an improvement, will the auto focus be too slow and how much bigger might it be? Hopefully through this review you will be able to see that Nikon has managed to improve upon the "nifty fifty" in some areas where the previous AF 50mm F1.8D was dearly lacking.
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F1.8G
Nikon has been making 50mm F1.8 lenses for F mount cameras for over 50 years now, so expectations for such as lens are high to say the least. One of the biggest changes present in the AF-S 50mm F1.8G is a new optical formula; finally breaking away from the design of the 50mm F1.8 AI that was introduced in the late 1970's! The new lens uses 7 elements in six groups, vs the traditional design of 6 elements in 5 groups. One of those new elements is an aspherical element, which helps to correct optical flaws common in circular optics (spherical aberrations).
The new lens also introduces a SWM (Silent Wave Motor), which makes the new lens larger and slightly heavier than the previous 50mm F1.8D (the AF-S version weighs185g). As a result of having a larger lens body, the 50mm F1.8G also breaks with Nikon's tradition of using 52mm filters on fast primes, with the new lens using a 58mm filter thread instead.
Unlike previous 50mm F1.8 Nikkors the new F1.8G can only be stopped down to F16, vs F22. To most users this will not be an issue, but some might consider it one. F22 on the older lenses was helpful in bright conditions, but image sharpness was reduced by diffraction, so it wasn't overly useful anyway. For a full comparison of the AF-S 50mm F1.8G to the AF 50mm F1.8D, click here.
The lens comes with a LC-58 front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HB-47 hood and a soft pouch.
Review based on use with a Nikon D700
Build Quality:
The AF-S 50mm F1.8G uses high quality plastics, which are tightly assembled, in it's construction. If you have used any of Nikon's non professional AF-S primes, then you'll have a good idea of what this lens feels like. The new design is a big step up from the previous AF-D lens in the area of build quality. Like the 50mm F1.8D, the 50mm F1.8G has a metal mount, but the new lens has a gasket for reducing the chances of dust and moisture entering the lens mount.
Auto Focus:
As noted earlier the new 50mm F1.8G features a SWM or AF-S focusing motor. Focus is quiet and fast enough for just about anything you can throw at it. Speed seems to be nearly identical on the D700 and the D3100. The motor focuses the lens in a smooth manner, which has lead some reviewers state that the the new lens focuses slower than the previous F1.8D. I haven't noticed any difference in practice, as I noted in my full comparison of the two lenses. Focus accuracy seems to be improved, which is welcome. To me it makes sense that the lens should focus accurately before worrying about speed. Without accuracy all the fast focusing in the world will not get you sharp images, when you are shooting at F1.8!
To see auto focus speed watch the video overview at the bottom of the review.
Image/Optical Quality:
The 50mm F1.8G has superior optical quality to that of the AF-D lens that it replaced in several key areas. First and foremost the lens is sharp right from F1.8, which is nice to see on a fast prime. From F8 and on you will not notice any increase in sharpness. That is one area where the previous F1.8D lens was superior, but you have to ask yourself a question, do I use fast primes to shoot wide open or stopped down to F16? To me having sharpness wide open at the expense of slightly less sharpness than the previous f1.8D at F8 and up is worth it.
Bokeh on the F1.8G is improved over the F1.8D in that it is smoother, and bright areas are less hexagonal in nature. Overall the out of focus areas of the image are less nervous and more pleasing to the eye. The bokeh is still somewhat nervous in areas where lights are out of focus, but it is improved over the F1.8D.
Chromatic aberrations are present, although I didn't run into very many situations where it was an issue. In any case the CA is easily corrected in post processing, or in camera when shooting jpegs. In any case all fast primes suffer from CA, so this is not unusual.
Vignetting is present, about the same as the previous 50mm F1.8D. Vignetting is more noticeable on FX cameras than DX cameras, but in any case vignetting can easily be corrected in post, or automatically via vignetting control on a FX camera (when shooting jpgs or using Nikon NEF editing software). Vignetting is gone once the lens is stopped down to F4 on an FX camera. The kind of heavy vignetting seen with the 50mm F1.8G is common on fast primes
Barrel distortion is present, but seemly not relevant in the field or the tests that I did. See the comparison I linked to earlier between the 50mm F1.8G and 50mm F1.8D for more details and samples on the subject of barrel distortion. The colour rendition of the 50mm F1.8G is contrasty and pleasing to the eye. Although there is a slight dip in contrast at F1.8, that is not a big issue, as stopping down to F2.5 is an easy solution, when possible.
To see sample images taken with the AF-S 50mm F1.8G, click here.
Comments and Conclusion:
The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F1.8G is an improvement over the previous 50mm F1.8D in many areas. Namely, build quality, auto focus (quiet and accurate) sharpness at wide apertures, plus superior bokeh thanks to 7 rounded aperture blades. Also there is improved contrast and colour rendition thanks to modern optical coatings and an aspherical element. In addition the lens is more comfortable to use on modern FX cameras, and is compatible with all Nikon DX cameras (including the D3100 and D5100).
The lens still has some optical flaws, such as suffering from chromatic aberrations, vignetting, increased barrel distortion and slightly hexagonal bokeh at large aperture setting. In spite of those flaws the AF-S 50mm F1.8G is an improvement in most respects. The Nikon AF 50mm F1.8D is no slouch, in fact it is still a very good lens for the price. While that may be true, the Nikon AF-S 50mm F1.8G is superior. As long as your budget can handle it, the 50mm F1.8G is the better choice.
Pros:
Auto Focus:
As noted earlier the new 50mm F1.8G features a SWM or AF-S focusing motor. Focus is quiet and fast enough for just about anything you can throw at it. Speed seems to be nearly identical on the D700 and the D3100. The motor focuses the lens in a smooth manner, which has lead some reviewers state that the the new lens focuses slower than the previous F1.8D. I haven't noticed any difference in practice, as I noted in my full comparison of the two lenses. Focus accuracy seems to be improved, which is welcome. To me it makes sense that the lens should focus accurately before worrying about speed. Without accuracy all the fast focusing in the world will not get you sharp images, when you are shooting at F1.8!
To see auto focus speed watch the video overview at the bottom of the review.
Image/Optical Quality:
The 50mm F1.8G has superior optical quality to that of the AF-D lens that it replaced in several key areas. First and foremost the lens is sharp right from F1.8, which is nice to see on a fast prime. From F8 and on you will not notice any increase in sharpness. That is one area where the previous F1.8D lens was superior, but you have to ask yourself a question, do I use fast primes to shoot wide open or stopped down to F16? To me having sharpness wide open at the expense of slightly less sharpness than the previous f1.8D at F8 and up is worth it.
Images are sharp at F1.8
Bokeh on the F1.8G is improved over the F1.8D in that it is smoother, and bright areas are less hexagonal in nature. Overall the out of focus areas of the image are less nervous and more pleasing to the eye. The bokeh is still somewhat nervous in areas where lights are out of focus, but it is improved over the F1.8D.
Bokeh Sample #1: Out Of Focus Light at F4
Bokeh Sample 2: Some nervousness present, but generally smooth
Chromatic aberrations are present, although I didn't run into very many situations where it was an issue. In any case the CA is easily corrected in post processing, or in camera when shooting jpegs. In any case all fast primes suffer from CA, so this is not unusual.
Vignetting is present, about the same as the previous 50mm F1.8D. Vignetting is more noticeable on FX cameras than DX cameras, but in any case vignetting can easily be corrected in post, or automatically via vignetting control on a FX camera (when shooting jpgs or using Nikon NEF editing software). Vignetting is gone once the lens is stopped down to F4 on an FX camera. The kind of heavy vignetting seen with the 50mm F1.8G is common on fast primes
Vignetting at F1.8
Vignetting is no longer visible at F4
Barrel distortion is present, but seemly not relevant in the field or the tests that I did. See the comparison I linked to earlier between the 50mm F1.8G and 50mm F1.8D for more details and samples on the subject of barrel distortion. The colour rendition of the 50mm F1.8G is contrasty and pleasing to the eye. Although there is a slight dip in contrast at F1.8, that is not a big issue, as stopping down to F2.5 is an easy solution, when possible.
To see sample images taken with the AF-S 50mm F1.8G, click here.
Comments and Conclusion:
The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F1.8G is an improvement over the previous 50mm F1.8D in many areas. Namely, build quality, auto focus (quiet and accurate) sharpness at wide apertures, plus superior bokeh thanks to 7 rounded aperture blades. Also there is improved contrast and colour rendition thanks to modern optical coatings and an aspherical element. In addition the lens is more comfortable to use on modern FX cameras, and is compatible with all Nikon DX cameras (including the D3100 and D5100).
The lens still has some optical flaws, such as suffering from chromatic aberrations, vignetting, increased barrel distortion and slightly hexagonal bokeh at large aperture setting. In spite of those flaws the AF-S 50mm F1.8G is an improvement in most respects. The Nikon AF 50mm F1.8D is no slouch, in fact it is still a very good lens for the price. While that may be true, the Nikon AF-S 50mm F1.8G is superior. As long as your budget can handle it, the 50mm F1.8G is the better choice.
Pros:
- Sharp at F1.8
- Natural/Pleasing Colour rendition
- Silent SWM Focusing Motor (Compatible with all Nikon DSLRs)
- Accurate Focus (no front or back focus issues)
- Good build quality for the price
- Improved bokeh thanks to 7 rounder aperture blades
- More comfortable to hold on FX Nikon DSLRs
- Optical flaws, vignetting, CA, barrel distortion (correctable in post)
- Bigger/heavier than F1.8D
- Slightly less resolution than F1.8D when stopped down to F8 or more
- Uses 58mm filter vs 52mm
- More expensive than 50mm F1.8D ($249.95 Cdn MSRP vs $159.95 MSRP)
This is a great lens! My list of cons is a lot shorter then yours. Only the distortion is on it. I really don't care about the rest. The f/1.8G is small and light, the resolution is excellent, I don't mind having to buy a 58mm Hoya HD filter and the lens is dirt cheap. This lens is a winner! There's no need to get the more expensive f/1.4G version.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very good lens, without a doubt. From my viewpoint ignoring optical flaws would not be providing a balanced review, thus the length of my cons list. From my testing the barrel distortion is the least noticeable of the cons, with vignetting being the most. Of course there are times when these technical flaws are actually a benefit, so it is all relative.
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Deletehi, i need some advice.
ReplyDeleteis it with buying nikkor-af-s-50mm-f18g if i have nikon d3000?
thanks.
That entirely depends on what you like to photograph. For portrait work a 50mm lens on the D3000 is nice to have. For every day photography I think the 35mm F1.8 (if you don't already have it) would be more useful.
Deletedear Robert thank you for your wonderful review, I am in a process of getting whole new nikon camera system, switching from canon set. I noticed that when I tested the nikon 24-120 (with 800d) zoom lens against my canon 24-70mm (5d mark2) as for sharpness nikon was clearly winner, but I noticed as for the chromatic aberration nikon did far worst. Which leaves wondering if I should by whole set of single lens.(24,28,35,50,85 so on).
ReplyDeleteI was wondering have you done any test with 24mm-120 mm zoom with the single lens ?
also as you know in single lens you have higher aperture lens that is quite expensive.
for my work I need to shoot around f11, for my interior photos, and I was wondering if those higher aperture lens have greater adventage when taken at a lower f stop. If there is no difference I would like to get the lower f-stop
to save some money.
thank you.
I haven't used the current 24-120mm F4 VR, so I cannot comment on its' performance unfortunately. The reviews that I've seen indicate that the 24-120mm F4 VR is very close to the 24-70mm f2.8G, in sharpness, once it is stopped down, so there shouldn't be any major differences at F11.
DeleteAs for prime lenses vs zooms, that is a personal choice. Personally I prefer zooms, but that doesn't mean you wont like prime lenses.
great amazing bokeh and sharp
ReplyDeleteNIKON :)