Nikkor 50mm Quiz (guess which is 50/1.4 AI-S or 50/1.8 AF-D)

Don Martinello

Hello guys,

following one discussion with friends from out local photoclub about labeling
Nikkor 50/1.8 AF-D as crap comparing it's optical quality to 50/1.4 AI-S/AF-D
having Nikkor 50/1.8 AF-D and Nikkor 50/1.4 AI-S I decided to make guess
quiz from very simple studio image. For detail, please take a look at image.

It's been made just for fun... soo, can you tell from linked image which lens
is Nikkor 50/1.8 AF-D and which is Nikkor 50/1.4 AI-S? F/Stop=2 was used.

Wink

PS: Sorry for not complying with max. image dimensions, forgive me, pls. Thx.

poilu · Expire: 2019-08-29

focus is different, first set is focused for left, second for right
but even if it was the same focus, you could not find difference with studio flashes

Don Martinello · Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 11:43 pm Post subject:

It is very interesting what you say poilu. Both images were focused on same central spot as is seen on this picture from Aperture:

Manual focusing was done against green confirmation spot D700 provides. I can hardly imagine it was focused on different places as I
understand you say it was Surprised

.

The first difference between both images is the perspective. I must admit I didn't expect to have 2 images from same 50mm Nikkor
lens with different perspective. What is an explanation for this Shocked

? I'm really curious Twisted Evil

. And what is the matter that I shouldn't see
the difference in IQ using studio flash? I believe if there is any difference in IQ, I should see it using flash whether or not, shouldn't I?

poilu · Expire: 2019-08-29

Hi Martin
your test pic is beautiful
I often make mistake and I was just sharing my impressions

djmike · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 930 Location: Taiwan

I am not Nikkor fan but I like the right one a little. Mike

gaeger · Expire: 2021-03-09

I voted AIS on left, mainly because of the color rendition, but not because I can really tell much of a difference! I think your test points out how little difference there often is between older and 'modern' lenses.

larsr · Joined: 25 Jun 2009 Posts: 272 Location: Helsinki, Finland

At first I was going to say that it's the 50/1.4 on the left, but after looking at the OOF areas, I say that the 50/1.4 is on the right. Color rendition isn't as vivid and the bokeh on the AFD is a bit more pronounced, not so smooth as with the AIS, I've seen the same difference in my own photos too.

Both lenses are spectacular performers, especially the 50/1.8 AFD considering how cheap it is in relation to how it performs.

Don Martinello · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 3:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks everyone who voted or posted an opinion on this Cool

.

I admit that both lenses are excellent performers and it's very difficult to say which is which Wink

.

I'm really curious why have both lenses different perspective or focal range as they are 50mm.
Maybe it's the "age thing" responsible for this and 50mm AI-S version is not exactly 50mm, who
knows, I have no idea Laughing

.

Those who say 50/1.4 AI-S is on the left and 50/1.8 AF-D is on the right, you are right.